Andy Reid Believes in Quarterback Insurance, and Michael Vick Brings It

No NFL franchise is more interesting going into next season than the Philadelphia Eagles.

They gave up six-time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins, and also severed ties with long-time key weapon Brian Westbrook. Heck, the folks at EA sports have dropped them an almost record six points overall for the new edition of the Madden game.

Only one team faced a worse offseason according to those gurus—the Arizona Cardinals.

But the Philadelphia Eagles are interesting because they're a team whose prospects you have to either love or hate.

I fall into the crowd that is giving this team a major vote of confidence, as I love their chances. They have an absolutely loaded offense.

Tight End Brent Celek is set to have a top year, DeSean Jackson will be in the NFL elite in only his third NFL season, Jeremy Maclin might have disappointed, but he is no longer a rookie, and then, there is the cornerstone.

The Philadelphia Eagles' fate seems to rest on Kevin Kolb, whose emergence as the franchise quarterback during the offseason brought about deja vu for anyone who remembers the Brett Favre/Green Bay Packers divorce and the Aaron Rodgers anointment.

I loved Rodgers then. I love Kolb now.

I have so much faith in this kid's ability to be an extremely productive NFL quarterback that I recently made a pretty crazy trade in my fantasy keeper league, giving up Aaron Rodgers (with tears) and Steven Jackson (who I think has the wheels coming off, he is too abused), along with a first round pick (seventh overall), and Brett Favre, for Kevin Kolb, Jay Cutler, Reggie Wayne, Knowshon Moreno, and Jerome Harrison.

Danger is my middle name.

But, just like Andy Reid, I believe in having an insurance policy.

I've had Michael Vick sitting on my bench for the entirety of one season, and he saw no productivity (not even used in a wild cat formation). However, with such a major investment (and so much trust) in Kevin Kolb, I, like Reid, would have been stupid to ignore Vick's crucial role.

Imagine that Kevin Kolb ends up being less than what he is expected to be. For a moment, imagine that he somehow fails to take advantage of all the spectacular young players around him (including LeSean McCoy).

Michael Vick is a proven NFL product who could start immediately for any number of NFL franchises that are in dire straits right now.

In fact, he would be an upgrade at quarterback for most of the NFL franchises in simply mediocre positions.

Most of the recent reports out of Philadelphia are saying that Vick is going to be used in some sort of newly incorporated wild cat formation for the Eagles (which, by the way, why is it called that? It isn't particularly wild, and it certainly isn't a cat). Those same reports are also saying that Vick looks rusty.

The Eagles have almost no need for that particular formation, so it might be used on very, very rare occasions. Vick's primary role is going to be that of insurance policy.

The question that has to be considered is whether or not Vick is capable of playing that position with the "rust" he supposedly is displaying.

For Eagles fans, Kolb should be a solid enough player that they won't have to find out. Andy Reid certainly believes in him enough to send Donovan McNabb packing.

If he isn't, Vick should be able to come through, and not simply as a randomly engaged spectacle for freak formations.

Last year, the Eagles had three quarterbacks on their roster who were better than half of the NFL's starters. This year they have two.

Next year they will only have one, but both of these guys will be starting somewhere, and that certainly makes watching McNabb in Washington far easier. Eagles fans who have been clamoring for him to be out finally got what they wanted, and with these two quarterbacks, they can eat their cake too.