NFL Playoffs: Should the Philadelphia Eagles Re-Sign Michael Vick?

Michael Vick was the reason the Philadelphia Eagles had a very good season in 2010, but he was also the reason their season ended earlier than their fans hoped.

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Eagles 21-16 on Sunday, advancing to the divisional round to play the Atlanta Falcons.

Vick was an MVP candidate for most of the season. He had an amazing first half of the year, but in the second half, he was far less effective.

Vick showed he is not only the quality running quarterback we saw him be from his Atlanta Falcons days, he's also a great passer now too.

He has certainly proved he can be just as athletic and effective he used to be before being forced to take a year off because of legal issues.

So will the Eagles re-sign Vick, a free agent-to-be this offseason?

The Eagles originally signed Kevin Kolb to an extension before the season, giving him the reins as the franchise's quarterback of the future.

The team who ended the Eagles season today was ironically the team who gave Vick his chance. In Week 1 versus the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Clay Matthews tackled Kolb causing a concussion.

The injury allowed Vick to get his chance, and Eagles head coach Andy Reid stuck with Vick even after Kolb was cleared to play by team doctors.

The Eagles have an interesting decision, and it's harder to make than most think.

Yes, they gave Kolb a lot of money, but he doesn't affect the game in the multitude of ways Vick does. Kolb also isn't a very experienced player.

Vick has shown he can be an elite quarterback, but his play in the season's last few months and in the playoffs was much weaker compared to his early season play.

He also takes a lot more hits than most quarterbacks endure because he runs so much and leaves himself exposed in the open field.

Vick's durability will always be a question going forward because of his run/pass style, and in Sunday's playoff game against the Packers, Vick was noticeably hurt.

He was not the same athletic prowess he was earlier in the season, and to be fair, no one is healthy in the NFL playoffs.

But for a player who makes his best mark on a game with his legs from the quarterback position, he needs to be able to use his full athletic talents in the playoffs.

I cannot see Vick being athletic enough in the postseason to make the Eagles a Super Bowl contender.

This season he was a better pocket passer than he's ever been, but his most effective way in breaking down defenses was with his legs.

Vick will be sought after by many NFL teams in the offseason. He has shown he can play at a high level once more, and more importantly he has shown he can be a good citizen, and not get into further trouble with the law.

The Eagles have a tough decision in choosing which quarterback will lead them going forward; both have their strengths.

Michael Vick is the better option for the short term. He is a better player right now, and his influence in tickets sales and merchandise profits cannot be forgotten or ignored.

The Eagles should re-sign Vick, but if they didn't, I wouldn't be surprised.