Michael Vick: Are Philadelphia Eagles Making a Mistake by Franchising Star QB?

The Eagles have decided to franchise tag Michael Vick and will enjoy his services for the 2011 season (assuming there is one).
 
But only locking him up for one season is a bit of a head scratcher. It leaves Philly fans with plenty of questions to ponder over the next year.
 
Does that mean the Eagles still haven’t given up on Kevin Kolb?
 
Does it mean Philly is still not sold on Vick’s comeback?
 
Will Vick open things up to the highest bidder next year at this time?
 
Where exactly do the Eagles stand when it comes to the long-term future at QB?
 
The announcement from Philadelphia brings about an abundance of potential theories on the QB situation of the Eagles.
 
Here are the pros and cons of giving Vick the franchise tag.

10. Pro- Vick Is in the Prime of His Career

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with team mate Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing his teams first touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo b

Vick missed three different games this season and still won Comeback Player of the Year.
 
He reached career highs in passing yards (3,018), TD throws (21), TDs rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
 
He made Philly fans forget about Donovan McNabb with his explosive speed and dazzling throws.

After taking two-years off, his body is in as good of shape as it's ever been.

9. Con- He Will Cost $16M

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after a loss in a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Packers beat the Eagles

Placing the franchise tag on a player guarantees them a salary that’s in the top five at that position.
 
QBs get paid more than any other position and rarely do you see one get the tag.

Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Phillip Rivers and Matt Ryan should all be making more money than Vick.

There is little doubt the Eagles could have saved themselves some money in 2011 by giving Vick a long term deal.

8. Pro- Buys Eagles Time to Figure Out Kevin Kolb Situation

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Atlanta Falcons during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kolb is a valuable commodity on the trade market right now. Plenty of QB hungry teams would love to nab Kolb.
 
Philadelphia could let the events of 2011 play out and decide if Vick can stay healthy and stay productive.
 
It would be a disastrous outcome to watch Vick get beaten to a bloody pulp and suffer some sore of career ending injury while watching Kolb play well for a different team.

7. Con- Vick Could Jump Ship For More Money

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL season opener at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrm

Vick has said the right things regarding his appreciation for getting a second chance from the Eagles.
 
But money talks and if Vick reaches the levels of 2010 or beyond…it will be up to the highest bidder.
 
I can already envision a euphoric Dan Snyder of the Washington Redskins throwing a $100M Vick’s way to steal the QB from their division rival.

6. Pro- Buys Time To Decide If Vick Is Fully Recovered From His Past

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Mike Vick #7 of the Atlanta Falcons rolls out during the game against the Chicago Bears on September 15, 2002 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Bears edged the Falcons 14-13. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

We all know about Vick’s past with dogs and his devious little brother.
 
Google the name “Marcus Vick” and see what comes up.
 
Marcus is a menace and you never know when the older brother could get dragged into a bad situation of his younger brother.
 
He almost had a scandal on his hands with a shooting at his birthday party last year…let’s see if he continues to stay out of the police blotter.

5. Con- Contract Talk May Distract Team

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against A.J. Hawk #50 and Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadel

It’s 2011 and everyone loves to talk about the next contract. Whether it be Peyton Manning, Carmelo Anthony or Albert Pujols, the fixation of contracts has reached defying height.
 
Talks of Vick’s next deal will be discussed as soon as this season begins. The constant questioning will take a toll on the Eagles at some point this season and could derail a promising Philadelphia team.

4. Pro- Acquire Premier Talent for Kolb

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Eagles aren’t that far away from winning a Super Bowl. They took the eventually Super Bowl champion Packers down to the last play of the game in the Wild Card Round this past swason.
 
Securing Vick makes Kolb prime trade bait. Kolb is still under contract for 2011 for just $1.4 million, making him extremely desirable.
 
Rumors of a first and a third round pick are a realistic option. Not bad for a back-up QB.
 
Acquiring a few more picks in the 2011 draft could give Philadelphia the depth they need to make some major noise in next years postseason.

3. Con- Did the Eagles Just Piss Off Vick?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after their 21 to 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

The player has absolutely no say when a team wants to slap a franchise tag on a player. Vick didn’t agree to the terms what so ever.
 
Is Vick happy about this?
 
A steaming Vick could be absolutely furious at the decision. He once again is on a very short leash (bad pun) and he could lose a ton of money in free agency with a down year in 2011.
 
His suddenly toxic attitude may infect the locker room and leave the Eagles a mess.

2. Pro- Eagles Are Off the Hook With Devastating Injury

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Atlanta Falcons gets a hand up after injuring his knee against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter on October 2, 2005 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons won 30-10. (Photo

Let’s face it…nobody in the NFL is more prone to injury than Vick. He has 11 guys on the field that would love nothing more than to knock him out of a game.
 
He missed three games in 2010 and that was considered a healthy season for Vick.
 
No. 7 has only played all 16 games once in his nine-year career. If Vick has a devastating injury that could derail his career, the Eagles are off the hook after next season.

1. Con- Vick Fails to Live Up to Lofty 2010 Expectations

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Michael Vick, #7 of the NFC Philadelphia Eagles passes against the American Football Conference team (AFC) during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Image

Here is a picture of Vick throwing a pass in the 2011 Pro Bowl. By all accounts he had his best season as a member of the NFL.

What makes you think he can set career highs in passing yards and TDs again in 2011?

It's highly unlikely that Vick meets the standards set by his outstanding 2010 season.

Other teams game plans begin to revolve around everything Vick, and defenses have an entire off-season to digest the new and improved Vick.

Vick is going to be over paid in 2011...no doubt about it.