I sit here as Thanksgiving winds down, and I'm thinking about everything I have, and the mistakes I've made. Granted I'm only 20, well nearly, but I've still made my fair share of them. I've gained friends, I've lost friends, I've gained loved ones and I've lost them as well. But I've also had people there to stand by me at all stages, never has my world been turned upside down in a split second. 

Michael Vick's has. He went from the most popular player in the NFL, the highest paid player in the NFL and most exciting player in the NFL, to convicted felon in federal prison. His "friends" took advantage of his graciousness and contributed to his eventual filing for bankruptcy.

Before I go into how I feel about the situation of Vick's resurgence let me lay it out there...I love dogs. Absolutely love them. Some say that its not possible to like Vick and have any sort of feelings for man's best friend. I say BS. Remember, forgiving is not forgetting. I'm a big proponent of second chances, I've used plenty myself. Granted my second chances weren't the result of federal prison, but still..I've needed them. 

Around the same time Vick ran into trouble, so did Donte Stallworth, only what Stallworth did was different. He killed a man. Stallworth was found guilty of driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter. He saw barely two months of jail time and the rest was probation. He wasn't suspended from the NFL, and went on about his life and career.

Once again, I love dogs, but Vick went to prison for about ten times as long for killing dogs. Stallworth killed another human being while driving his automobile drunk. To me that is inexcusable. Killing another human being is more serious than killing dogs.

The unfortunate truth however is that Vick was punished much more harshly for his crime. However, his life has changed for the better because of it. He has severely changed his outlook on life, and not only has his life taken a large step forward, but he has matured as a football player because of it as well. Before going to prison Vick was lazy, he didn't prepare for his games and he took everything in his life for granted. He even told coach Jim Mora, Jr. he regretted the way he acted in Atlanta and that he was sorry.

You can tell now when you watch him play the quarterback position that he is now a true quarterback, as opposed to an athlete lined up behind center. He makes reads, he stands strong in the pocket and delivers the smart pass. Running is legitimately his last option, and he still tears people apart on the ground. The difference is, now teams have to plan for both, and truly do not know what he's going to do. Pass? Run? Who knows? Just look at that game he had against the Redskins.

Vick has completely reinvented himself: he's a better player, a better person and he realizes his mistakes. The naysayers can say he's just talking the talk so he can walk the walk, but I truly believe him. He's completely disassociated himself from his old circle of friends, those who helped run his old life into the ground. He routinely makes speeches on behalf of PETA, and continues to be a huge advocate for the organization.

One can even say, as backwards as it is, that this whole debacle did more good things for animal rights than bad. Sure many dogs died, and many more were harmed beyond repair, but look at the national coverage that the animal rights issue has gained since this incident. It is national news every week, and numerous laws have been enacted in the wake of this disaster. So sure, Vick screwed up big, but look at the effect he has had.

Vick was my favorite player in the league, and because of that I was a Falcons fan. When he went to prison I was lost, trying to finding a favorite team but I couldn't really do it. I tried to like the Vikings because of AP but that didn't do it for me, I silently rooted for the 49ers and Raiders, but you can't like both teams...so I guess I don't like either team.

So when Vick took over the job after Kevin Kolb went down I was stoked! My roommate and best friend is an Eagles fan, so it was perfect. Say what you want about Vick, but he's back and he's doing all the right things. He truly is sorry for what he's done, and can only do so much to prove it.

I'm pulling for the Eagles, they're a Super Bowl quality team who has a legitimate chance at winning it all. Vick is putting up MVP caliber numbers for the first time in his career and has all the weapons he needs, and the best part is, he's acting like an MVP now too.

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