Why Andy Reid Is the Ideal Coach for Michael Vick's Rebirth

Four years ago, if one thought that Michael Vick would be getting a six-year, $100 million contract in the NFL, they would have been perceived to be absolutely, 100 percent out of their mind.

But thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Andy Reid, Vick has turned around his career as well as his life.

On the field, he's re-established himself as one of the most electric players in the game. In addition, he has complemented his elusiveness with an ability to pass with accuracy. Last year, Vick threw for 3,018 yards, 21 touchdowns and had a 62.8 completion percentage. All three are career bests. Not to be outdone, he also rushed for 676 yards and scored nine times on the ground.

Vick has also tried to rid his wrongdoings in the local community and on the national level. He has worked with the Humane Society, has gone to Congress to back an anti-dog fighting law and has spoken at various functions in the Philadelphia area.

For the 2010 season, Vick's No. 7 was ranked sixth in jersey sales.

On Monday, he signed the lucrative extension with Philly that will earn him $40 million guaranteed.

Quite the transformation for an individual who was arguably the most disliked athlete in the country after his involvement with dog fighting surfaced—and led to his jail sentence—in 2007.

This opportunity to start anew could not have been possible with some less-than-functional NFL teams. Conversely, the Michael Vick rehabilitation project could have been just as successful with a few clubs.

Nevertheless, the fact that he is linked with his current coach is the absolute best situation both for his game and his overall well-being.

Troubles with law enforcement is something that Reid knows all too well. His two sons, Britt and Garrett, have spent time behind bars. In October, he spoke on NFL Network, stating that the experience of helping his kids put their lives together following incarceration greatly helped him in coaching Vick through his rough road back.

As far as playing football is concerned, Reid has been able run a consistently effective offense since arriving in Philadelphia in 1999. Donovan McNabb quarterbacked the Eagles for most of that time. And in the early part of his career, McNabb was given the freedom to break out of the pocket and scramble.

Although Reid and McNabb will be forever tied at the hip in terms of coach-QB combos, the former was able to be just as successful with others behind center during certain occasions in which the now-Minnesota Viking succumbed to injuries.

Reid won five of the final six games with Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley in 2002. With Jeff Garcia plugged into the starting spot, Philly won a division title in 2006. Reid also helped mold Kevin Kolb into a highly-touted offseason pick up this summer.

Although a Super Bowl ring has eluded this club, they have shown over the past decade that they are a team of stability and consistency, something Vick needed desperately upon his entrance back to society.

A positive reconstruction of Michael Vick as a quarterback and a decent human being was unknown when he was released from prison in the Summer of 2009. The likelihood for a fresh start and a happy ending grew much better when he initially signed with the Eagles, thanks in part to a quality franchise and a head coach understanding of his situation. So far, Vick has cashed in on this second chance.