Michael Vick $100 Million Richer, Goes from Pariah to Protagonist in 2 Years

In a career with far more courtroom appearances than playoff appearances, Michael Vick isn’t exactly your typical brand of sports hero. It was two years ago that Vick left prison and joined the Philadelphia Eagles a broken man, a pariah and 21 months removed from the game. He was third-string, shunned from media outlets and heavily criticized for the little time Andy Reid gave him. 

Now on the brink of the 2011-2012 season, Vick looks to be the protagonist in what many hope to be a storybook year for Philadelphia. This week the Eagles inked No. 7 to a six-year, $100 million deal, with $40 million in guaranteed money.  Keeping Vick paid and happy was one of the many positive steps the Eagles’ organization took this offseason. With signings like CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DE Jason Babin, WR Steve Smith and QB Vince Young, it’s hard to argue that the team isn’t taking a step in the right direction. 

This year the Eagles will have amazing individual talent. When they mesh and play together, both sides of the ball have the chance to be well-oiled machines. Although inexperienced, the linebackers—led by rookie MLB Casey Matthews—show signs of improvement through the preseason. RB LeSean McCoy looks to have a breakout year along with one of the best wide-receiving corps in the league. 

It will all come down to Vick. The only problem is that Vick played a mere 12 games last year.  Even though it was the 31-year-old’s best season so far, it is in no way indicative of his entire career. Truth is, the Eagles’ fate rests on the shoulders of a veteran who plays the game dangerously, often taking hard hits while trying to turn extra yards with his legs. Vick plays with the scrappy intensity of a rookie, and it is likely that looming injuries will prove to be his demise. If that were the case, the Philadelphia “Dream Team” could quickly become a nightmare scenario. 

For now, Eagles fans are blissfully ignorant. They love the guy. With the way he has singlehandedly re-energized the franchise, why shouldn’t they? Vick took a group of players with no future in sight and turned them into the most electrifying team in the league. Fans pay him back with massive amounts of support at home games, with pocketfuls of Superbowl optimism and by making him the current No. 6 top-selling jersey in the NFL. With the way Vick runs, jumps and passes, it is quite hard to remember that he could do anything wrong, ever.  

Everybody loves a comeback.