Michael Vick Is Promoted To Philadelphia Eagles' Starting Quarterback

In a surprising move by the Philadelphia Eagles organization, Michael Vick was named the Eagles’ starting Quarterback for the Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and perhaps, for the rest of the season.

This move comes after Andy Reid reassuring Kevin Kolb, the media and the football world that Kevin Kolb would be the starting quarterback even when he returns from his concussion that he sustained Week 1 against the Packers.

In a shocking turn of events, it seems that the Eagles and Andy Reid have succumbed to the pressure of fans, and have ultimately become desperate to win now, instead of later, by naming Vick the primary quarterback.

I first got word of the Eagles’ actions via a newsfeed sent to my cellular phone, and my face was overcome with perplexity.  I instantly came to the conclusion that Reid should be a contestant on the World Series of Poker because the face that he uses when facing the media can ultimately fool anyone. Moreover, now when Reid addresses the media, this situation could potentially leave some wondering what to believe anymore.

Reid told reporters that Vick was “possibly the hottest quarterback in the NFL,” and I don’t doubt that statement one bit.

In the game versus the Detroit Lions, Vick mustered a total of 284 yards passing and two touchdowns, according to ESPN.com, while also making big plays with his legs. During the game, everyone was able to witness glimpses of the old Vick, prior to his incarceration, as he displayed his elusiveness and ability to flee from pressure. Vick did a good job! I congratulate him on his performance and being named starter.

With the offensive line as unsteady as it is, starting Vick is the best possible scenario. Not only does he give the Eagles a better shot at winning, but Kolb would be annihilated and become further injured while trying to outrun pass rushers.

Vick is a veteran, and from the way it looks, he is equipped with the repertoire to lead the team to the playoffs. But to be blatantly honest, the manner that the Eagles handled Kolb’s situation is just wrong and merciless, to say the least.   

Kolb was drafted early in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Although skepticism arose as to what the Eagles were doing drafting a quarterback so early in the draft, now we know that they were building for the future. Kolb awaited his turn to be at the helm of the Eagles’ offense for three years. Donovan Mcnabb is gone, and Kolb was not supposed to be looming on the sidelines as the second-string quarterback any longer. The Eagles gave Kolb a contract extension worth $12.26 million. All of it is guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10.7 million according to ESPN reporter Matt Mosley. With only two quarters into the “Kevin Kolb era,” it seems as though the timer on Kolb’s future here in Philadelphia has struck zero.

Because Kolb suffered a concussion while running for his life from Green Bay’s swarm of players, Vick got his chance and Kolb was demoted. How do you take a guy that you consider your quarterback of the future, spend an enormous amount of time on him to prepare him for the season, give him an extension and bench him after one-half of football? That is just absurd!

“If I’m the bad guy, then I’m ok with that,” Reid told reporters.

In this situation, and others prior to this matter, I’m sure Reid was perceived as so. Kolb will never admit how he feels about the situation because he already has the city, fans, the organization and even his own teammates disapproving of him starting.

Sources say that his own teammates approached Reid as advocates for Vick to lead this team, but the names of the players have not been disclosed.

Kolb says he’s going to be a team player, and is supporting any decisions that will make the team better, but if he is human, he has to possess some type of frustration and repressed anger. Not saying that the Eagles would care about how their players feel. If they did then maybe they would’ve offered contracts or showed some appreciation to some of their former players who shed blood, sweat and tears during their tenures here in Philadelphia: Brian Westbrook and Brian Dawkins.

Albeit Reid has benched Kolb, he still believes that he has two quality quarterbacks on his team.

“This is a phenomenal situation to be in,” Reid told reporters. “I’m sitting here with two quarterbacks that I feel can go win me a championship. It’s a great thing.”

If this comment was factual to the highest extent, then Kevin Kolb would be leading the Eagles on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars instead of Vick. And to top it all off, sources say that there are rumors that teams are contacting the Eagles in hopes of receiving Kolb in a trade.

Predictably, Reid denies the trade talks and says the Eagles are not interested in trading Kolb, but let’s not forget that Reid uttered the same words when discussing Mcnabb rumors before being dismissed to the Washington Redskins. In other words, if Kolb isn’t traded before the deadline, then a transaction will occur during the offseason. The Eagles have already severed this man’s confidence so they at least owe him a decent opportunity to play, even if it is not on this team. For his sake, this would be the best move so he could at least maintain his sanity.

However, before anyone else’s feelings become attached to this controversy, we must not forget that from the perspective of spectators, the acronym “NFL” means “Not For Long” and what holds truth in this saga is that the NFL is ultimately a “business.”