NFL Rumors: Should Eagles Offer Long-Term Deal to QB Michael Vick?

Given quarterback Michael Vick's eye-opening resurgence last season, it would appear for it to be a no-brainer for the Philadelphia Eagles to lock up the 31-year-old for many years to come.

Vick was virtually unstoppable at times last season, and was a prime candidate for the NFL MVP. And while we always knew he was electric running the field, the big difference for Vick in 2010 was his pocket presence and throwing ability.

In addition to rushing for 676 yards and nine touchdowns, Vick also threw for over 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. He tossed just six interceptions (throwing his first in Week 12) and had a 100.2 QB rating.

The Eagles recently put the statement of Vick's agent, Joel Segal, on its web site. Given teams usually don't put a statement about a long-term deal up on their web site unless it's possible, the posting undoubtedly caused a lot of speculation.

Read the statement:

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"I think a long-term deal is something both sides would covet. I will talk to Joe Banner and explore that. I think Mike is amenable to it. He'd look forward to it. (He) loves Philly, loves the fans. He's a big Marty (Mornhinweg) fan, Andy Reid fan. If the Eagles are interested, we're definitely interested."

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But despite all of Vick's accolades, there is reason for the Eagles not to offer him a long-term contract.

In addition to Vick having injury history, being a constant target for NFL defenders and being 31 years old, Dan Graziano of ESPN brings up a good point:

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"Defensive coordinators are going to have new ways of coming at Vick in 2011, and until we see how he adjusts to their adjustments, there's just no way to make a long-term bet here."

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As explosive and dominant as Vick's season was in 2010, it was, indeed, just one season. Ironically, the New York Giants, the same team that saw the Eagles oust it from a playoff berth, was the same team that at first appeared to figure Vick out in Week 11, holding him to zero touchdowns passing.

Against the Vikings in Week 16, Vick was sacked six times, and registered a 74.1 QB rating.

And in the final game of the Eagles' season, against the eventual champion Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, Vick was again limited, completing just 20 of his 36 passes.

Vick had all seven of his interceptions (including playoffs) in his last six games last season.

Vick has arrived, there is no question about that, but there are signs the Eagles should be cautious in giving him a long-term deal, at least until he has another year under his belt.