I have gotten a lot of criticism over the past several days, from readers and friends alike, over my cold indifference to the idea of Michael Vick playing for the Eagles. I have a couple friends who now refuse to root for the Eagles, and have received numerous emails from readers claiming they are done with the team, a few going as far to say they will never watch an NFL game again.
I do not like Mike Vick at all. I never have. I know people who went to Virginia Tech with him and have heard a number of stories about what a jerk he was even back then. I have never thought he was a very good quarterback, despite being an impressive athlete. I am an animal lover and thought what he did was morally abhorent and offensive. I do not believe that he is genuinely a changed person or that he all of a sudden believes that dog fighting is now evil. I think he has a team of PR people that told …
Through all of the explanations and discussions and soul searching by Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb and Jeffrey Lurie over the signing of the Michael Vick, what has been most intriguing, and confusing, is the idea that a major part of this move is the Eagles’ desire to “save” Vick. As much as the team’s brass believes that Vick will be able to help them on the football field, they appear to want to help Vick off the football field even more.
So for Eagles fans everywhere wrestling with their own feelings and beliefs over Michael Vick and his abhorent actions and whether he deserves a second chance and whether they want him on their beloved football team, the question is: why do we care about saving Mike Vick?
“My hope as we go forward is Michael will prove his value in society,” team owner Jeffrey Lurie said during his press conference on Friday. “Whether he becomes a good football player again, it’s …
Here is the clip of Michael Vick’s interview on CBS’ 60 Minutes for your viewing pleasure.
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Let me say from the outset here, I do not care that the Eagles signed Michael Vick. I’m not happy they did it and I’m not outraged they did it. I long ago decided not to care who wore the jersey so long as he contributed to a winning and entertaining team. I find Vick and his actions morally reprehensible, and I do not buy his claims that he is very sorry for what he did and is a changed man after two years in prison. Maybe he’s sorry, maybe he’s not. Maybe he honestly believes dog fighting is a outrageous offense, or maybe he’s just listening to his PR guy. I don’t know, and I don’t care.
What I care about is how will Michael Vick contribute to the Philadelphia Eagles and their pursuit of their first SuperBowl championship. By all accounts, Vick has been signed to be a quarterback, not a running back, not a fifth wide receiver, but a quarterback. Unless Donovan McNabb gets injured (I hold my breath as I type those …
In case you missed this morning’s press conference, here is a four minute clip of Michael Vick’s introduction with the Eagles, courtesy of CBS.
The Eagles officially announced the signing of controversial quarterback Michael Vick with a press conference at the NovaCare Complex Friday morning. Vick was flanked on either side by Eagles’ head coach Andy Reidnapolis Colts and former India coach Tony Dungy. Vick said all the right things. He showed remorse, humility, and a desire to get back on the field and help the Eagles win a SuperBowl.
“I’m glad to have an opportunity at a second chance and I won’t disappoint,” Vick said.
When asked about how he planned to get back in people’s good graces, Vick indicated that he would continue to work with local and national animal rights groups, including the Humane Society.
“My actions will speak louder than my words, to be proactive, involved in community,” Vick said. “People will see that in due time. I have been working with the Humane Society, working with certain inner cities and communities to make sure we attack the problem.”
Whether his remorse is genuine, only Michael Vick knows, but he appeared to be very contrite during the press conference, …
Here’s what’s being said about the Eagles signing of controversial quarterback Michael Vick:
Andy Reid (Eagles coach):
“I’m a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance. Michael has done that. I’ve done a tremendous amount of homework on this, and I’ve followed his progress. He has some great people in his corner, and he has proven that he’s on the right track.”
Tony Dungy (former Colts coach and current Vick adviser):
“It’s a complex issue. You have to get past the possible reaction of fans, and it has to be a team that has an opening and has [salary] cap room. I think Indianapolis would be a great place for him to develop as a person, but he’s not a fit with that offense. It’s going to be a lot like that.”
Donovan McNabb (Eagles quarterback):
“I pretty much lobbied to get him here. I believe in second chances and what better place to get a second chance than here with this group of guys. … He’s no threat to me, not …
While Eagles’ coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb may believe that Michael Vick deserves a second chance, many area and national animal rights groups strongly disagree.
“Philadelphia is a city of dog lovers and, most particularly, pit-bull lovers,” said Sue Cosby, who heads the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “To root for someone who participated in the hanging, drowning, electrocution and shooting of dogs will be impossible for many, no matter how much we would all like to see the Eagles go all the way.”
Vick was convicted in 2007 of running a dog fighting operation in which numerous dogs were brutally tortured and killed.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, also condemned the Eagles signing of Vick, who will reportedly make $1.6 million this year with a team option in 2010 worth $5.2 million.
“PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees. He …
Eagles coach Andy Reid addressed the team’s signing of controversial quarterback Michael Vick after their 27-25 preseason loss to the New England Patriots.
“I’m a believer as long as people go through the right process they deserve a second chance,” Reid said. “We’ve done a tremendous amount of homework on this. He’s got some great people in his corner and proven that he is on the right track, in the commissioner and Tony Dungy.”
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Reid said he spoke with Dungy and Vick a number of times. Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie also met with Vick, Reid said. Current Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb, who held a postgame press conference addressing the signing, was also involved in process.
“I wanted to make sure I know where he is at and I feel like he is in a good place,” Reid said. “I’m a very excited, on the other side of that, to have a good football player. You’re talking one of the …
According to an ESPN report, the Eagles have signed former quarterback Michael Vick to a two year deal.
Vick arrived in Philly Tuesday morning and remained there until late Wednesday. A press conference by the Eagles is expected Friday morning.
The details of the contract are not yet known. Vick was at one time the highest paid player in the NFL before he was convicted of charges for running a dog fighting operation in 2007.
He was released from home confinement on July 20 and has been meeting with teams and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of signing with a team. Looks like he found that team.
I must say that I am absolutely stunned that the Eagles made this deal, as they put more of an emphasis on character than almost any team in the league. Vick has become public enemy number one, and was recently ranked in a fan poll as the most hated player in sports.
I am not sure the Eagles have the cache right now …
On the last day of training camp at Lehigh University the Eagles revealed that yet another player has suffered an injury.
Coach Andy Reid announced that starting right guard Todd Herremans could miss the entire preseason with a “stress reaction” in his left foot. Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said through a spokesman that a “stress reaction” is “a precursor to a stress fracture.”
The injury to Herremans will most likely preclude the Eagles rebuilt offensive line from playing, or practicing, together as a unit before the start of the season. Three of Herremans’ linemates, Shawn Andrews, Stacey Andrews, and Jason Peters have all missed time during training camp. There is speculation around Lehigh as to the motivation level of Shawn Andrews to get on the field and play, something that has plagued him since his bout with depression last season.
The offensive line for Thursday’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field will be the following: Jason Peters will start at left tackle, Max …
