Vick To The Eagles Makes Perfect Sense

Late Thursday, while the Eagles were on the field against the Patriots in their first preseason game (and Tom Brady's return since knee surgery), news broke that the Eagles had signed former Falcons QB Michael Vick to a 2-year contract.  Details of the contract were not released at this time.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I admit, I am a native Philadelphian. I have rooting interest in this story.  I also love dogs. 

That said, this is a dog-lover writing about why Michael Vick could not have found a better fit than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick, the overall #1 pick by the Falcons in 2001, gives the Eagles a much needed shot in the arm; he also provides them with another versatile weapon in the backfield.  With Donovan McNabb surrounded by WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, RBs Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, FB Leonard Weaver and now QB/RB/WR Mike Vick... the Eagles have the most potent combination of offensive, game-breaking weapons in the NFL. 

Marty Morninwheg, please, from the heart of all Philadelphia fans - earn a big, fat juicy paycheck this year by taking advantage of everything we have.

Donovan?  Don't think you can fall back on that "we need more weapons" excuse any more.

Let's face it, the Eagles' preseason didn't unfold how everyone imagined it would.  With an revamped offensive line that still hasn't played a single snap together,Westbrook still rehabbing his ankle, and the injuries piling up like the guys just fought at Gettysburg, fans are notably less optimistic about the season than they were before training camp start.

And now, here comes Vick.

Vick holds a number of NFL rushing records.   The Eagles, and most certainly the Eagles very vocal fanbase, have been looking for a dangerous run game since McNabb's arrival.  1 + 1 = ...

Vick set the record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season with 1,039 in 2006, highest average per carry in a single season in that same year, and has eight 100-yard rushing games to his name so far.  Please explain why adding Vick in the Eagles backfield wouldn't benefit the team on the field?

Trust me, I believe Vick's actions involving dogfighting were unspeakable, dispicable, abhorrent and disgusting.  But remind me how that's better than Rick Pitino cheating on his wife (who he had five kids with)?  Or how it's better than Brandon Marshall being accused of spousal abuse?  Or Donte Stallworth killing a man?

I also believe that 23 months in jail gives a guy a lot of time to think.  A kid who fell into a life of nearly immeasurable riches has a lot of time to grow up and become a man in jail.  He has a lot of time to become sorry for his actions, become genuinely aware that his current path in life needs a huge adjustment.  I'm not saying that Vick definitely fits that mold, I'm just saying I won't rule him out until he gives me reason to.

And I don't believe that Tony Dungy is the type who would lie for someone, especially in a situation like this.  If Dungy didn't believe Vick was humbled and ready to come back, he would not risk his good name for Vick.  And Dungy's seal of approval was a huge first step in Vick's redemption odyssey.

Now yes, I know, there will be public backlash, from PETA members to dog lovers everywhere, but the Eagles seem willing to take that risk. 

They stuck their hand in the Terrell Owens cookie jar in 2004 and got to a Super Bowl the same year before the T.O. volcano erupted the next year.  Philadelphia has a reputation for being a tough city, and athletes have a history of redemption here. 

Allen Iverson comes to mind as the best, most recent example.  A.I., who was thrown in jail in Virginia before he turned 18, took the nation by storm at Georgetown for two years before heading to the NBA and the Philadelphia 76ers.  Throughout his entire career, a number of people doubted his legitimacy - some wondered how a tiny, 6'0" guard could maintain the high-contact game he played, others questioned whether his "image" belonged in the league.  Regardless, he continued to prove doubters wrong, winning the league MVP and guiding the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001 (even stealing a game from the Lakers before the Shaq train came a' rolling).

Again, I may be slightly biased having grown up there, but Philadelphia is one of the most (if not the most) passionate sports cities in the entire country.  People live and die with these teams.  The Phillies set off a jubilant celebration last year with their World Series championship that's had the city glowing ever since.

Why can't Vick be one of the redeemed?  I'm not saying that the fans should automatically embrace him; on the contrary, fans should make him prove himself both on and off the field before believing his apology.  But Philadelphians aren't the type people that will buy an athlete's B.S., leaving Vick in a hard spot if he slips up.

For those who are worried about Vick interfering with Donovan?  #5 just signed a 2-year raise.  He's not threatened by his job security.  He's the starting quarterback for the forseeable future.  But does Vick not give the Eagles an arguably better backup than Kevin Kolb? 

We've seen Vick compete and succeed in the NFL.  Not saying he'd get back to his record-breaking form right away, but there's the potential for greatness.  All we've seen from Kolb in meaningful game action was a brutal four-interception second half against Baltimore last year.  Granted, he was essentially and metaphorically thrown to the sharks of that Baltimore defense, but his performance didn't exactly inspire confidence in our backup situation.  With his sprained MCL in training camp adding even more to the worry factor, Vick seems to give the Eagles a little more security in the QB department (unless you really want to potentially see A.J. Feeley back in regular season action).

Otherwise, if Vick has retained any semblance of his form from the last time we saw him in NFL action in 2006 and/or any athleticism, he instantly becomes the dream Wildcat option in an offense.  Given how poorly the Wildcat worked last year with DeSean Jackson running the show (one throw, 1 INT... yikes), Vick instantly becomes the favorite to have a special package of plays installed for his Wildcat abilities. 

And with a backfield of McCoy, Vick, and Westbrook, Jackson, Maclin and Kevin Curtis, and a rapidly-progressing tight end in Brent Celek, the Eagles have an incredible variety of weapons of which they can call on at any given point in a game.  All of these players have the speed, strength, and/or football IQ to break a game open with one play (see: Westbrook's 71-yard TD run against the Vikings in the playoffs last year).

Vick found the perfect home in the Philadelphia Eagles.  Michael, welcome to the City of Brotherly Love.  Please don't make us regret this and do us proud.