Philadelphia Eagles: Who Demands Bigger Contract, Michael Vick or DeSean Jackson

Fans of Philadelphia sports have a lot to cheer about these days: Yesterday the Sixers outmatched the Clippers 105-91, the Flyers powered Montreal in a 5-3 victory and the Phillies have brought back pitcher Cliff Lee to form what most people are calling the "phantastic phour."

As for the Philadelphia Eagles, well they are having quite an explosive year themselves as they are tied the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East sporting a 9-4 record—making this Sunday's road trip to the Meadowlands that much more important.

At the end of the 2010 season both players are going to be up for an upgrade in their contracts, and after a season like this, both are going to want top dollar for their services.

So who do you sign first? Which player is, for a lack of better words, more important to sign once the time comes? Let's take a look at both players' arguments for a contract extension once the season comes to wraps.

QB Michael Vick

Who knew quarterback Michael Vick was going to be this good? Head coach Andy Reid openly admitted he did not, back towards the start of the season.

I'm sure many of you were hoping he would be and backing that up with comments prior to the start of the season. I will admit I wasn't quite as high on him as others, and from a football perspective only, but he has definitely shown not only me but the entire NFL fanbase that the word "legit" is an understatement when discussing his abilities.

Anyone who watched football prior to Mike's convictions was fully aware of his impeccable ability to run the ball out of the pocket and zip down the field for a big chunk of yards, however when he was asked to throw the ball he became far less extraordinary.

A big part of the problem was lack of offensive personnel and sub-par talents, but that is rarely ever noticed in this sport. For the most part, all eyes are on the quarterback position—this is especially true in Philadelphia.

Now in 2010, Michael Vick is having a remarkable season and it is widely known that he is on the hot quarterbacks list up to this point. The left-handed gunslinger has an uncanny ability to thread the ball through a tight window, pinpoint a receiver 30 or more yards downfield or take off with his feet.

He has taken hit after hit and with the exception of his rib injury—which if you've never had one, it's next to impossible to breathe—Michael Vick has fought through every single one.

WR DeSean Jackson

We all know DeSean wants a new contract, in fact he's been extremely vocal about it on the T.Ocho Show saying, "They [Eagles front office and his agent] need to get something done."

Many things scare me about the fact that DeSean was discussing this with Terrell Owens. For one, they have similar on-the-field personalities; two, who knows what T.O. was telling DeSean off-air; and lastly but most important—Drew Rosenhaus—this guy is a leech in the sports world.

Now whether it's an increase within the league's maximum 30 percent increase per the current CBA dilemma, or a guaranteed monstrous contract once the NFL irons out its wrinkles is yet to be known. The fact remains that he has gone public about it for the first time.

Still DeSean is a very worthy candidate to receive a top-dollar contract. He's been the Eagles go-to guy since basically the first time he arrived in Philadelphia. It has gotten to the point where we expect nothing less than excellence from him.

The Philadelphia Eagles also have to deal with the fact that DeSean feels gypped in the draft and is going to want retribution for that as well.

I'm not sure how head coach Andy Reid will finagle his way out of this one; he is going to have two players that every single team in the league is curious about developmentally during the offseason—that goes without saying.

For now, let's as Eagles fans rejoice that both are members of this team with the success they've had, and hope it continues not only this week versus the Giants but right into the postseason and the Super Bowl to bring home the hardware!

Decision Time

Let's face it, this is a very tough decision and if the team could only financially afford one of them, who would they go with?

On one hand you have a veteran quarterback who is having a career year, playing smart football for the most part, and is having a positive effect on every other player on the roster. The QB position and who a team has playing there will have an impact on how well that team does.

On the other hand you have a very young, extremely gifted player who since joining the team has also been a remarkable influence in the locker room, has set NFL records (first player to go to Pro Bowl starting at two positions), but who has his share of concerns in the injury department.

Decisions, decisions. With that said I'm signing QB Michael Vick first, however, I'm signing DeSean Jackson very close behind because if there is one thing the Eagles tend to be good at is keeping tabs on the salary gap!

Dan is also the founder of Bleeding Eagle Green