vick hired by the philly eagles

[joycenalex]

from the new york times 8/114/2009.............................Michael Vick, exiled from football for two seasons, finally has a new team, and it is not one anyone expected. The Philadelphia Eagles, who have Donovan McNabb as their starting quarterback, sent a shock wave through the preseason Thursday night by signing Vick. He will give them a versatile backup. oach Andy Reid benched McNabb briefly last season during a poor performance against the Ravens. McNabb chafed at the move. But he rallied after that and led the Eagles to the National Football Conference championship game, where they lost to the Arizona Cardinals.

The N.F.C. East may be the N.F.L.’s most treacherous division, and the addition of Vick could help the Eagles establish supremacy over the Giants.

“I’m a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance,” Reid said Thursday night after the Eagles lost to the Patriots, 27-25, in a preseason game.

“You’re talking about one of the top quarterbacks in the league when he was playing,” Reid added. “I talked to Michael and he’s in a good place.”

McNabb, 32, has never enjoyed universal fan support in Philadelphia. If he struggles during the season, there could be calls for Vick, 29, to take over.

Still, Reid dismissed suggestions that the addition of Vick would lead to a quarterback controversy.
“He comes into a good, stable unit here,” Reid said of Vick. “Donovan and Michael are very close.”

McNabb, who was rewarded with a $5.3 million raise after last season and will make $24.5 million over the next two years, will not have to look over his shoulder for a while. Vick, who was reinstated last month after serving 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring, can begin practicing immediately, and he could play in the final two preseason games. But Commissioner Roger Goodell will decide by the sixth week of the season when Vick can play in a regular-season game.

“I pretty much lobbied to get him here,” McNabb said. “I believe in second chances and what better place to get a second chance than here with this group of guys.” McNabb added, “We had the opportunity to add another weapon to our offense."

The Eagles’ decision to sign Vick drew a quick response from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal-rights group.

PETA said in a statement: “What sort of message does this send to young fans who care about animals and don’t want to see them be harmed? PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes — but since he’s given no public indication that that’s the case, only time will tell.” The Eagles will most likely use Vick as a backup and perhaps in a small package of plays that will take advantage of his ability to keep defenses guessing, perhaps in Wildcat-style formats where he could run or pass.

Reid has traditionally preferred a pass-oriented offense, which could hurt Vick, whose first instinct under pressure is to run with the ball. Vick struggled with his accuracy in 2006, when the Falcons went 7-9 and he completed just 52.6 percent of his passes.

Still, Vick’s scrambling ability is tantalizing, because it makes him so unpredictable. In 2006, he ran for 1,039 yards, and those who have seen Vick since his release from prison say he appears to be in fine physical condition.

Vick is the prototype for the many versatile players teams have drafted in recent years — including Dolphins quarterback Pat White and Vikings receiver Percy Harvin — to run Wildcat-style plays.

Vick agreed to a one-year contract, with a one-year option, making this essentially a tryout and a chance for him to get reacclimated to the N.F.L.

Tony Dungy, the former coach of the Colts, has acted as Vick’s mentor. Dungy has said that he spoke with several coaches about Vick, but that only a small number of teams were a good fit, particularly because owners feared an adverse reaction from fans.

The Eagles provide Vick with a stable organization to insulate him during what is sure to be a tumultuous return. No game may be more dramatic than when the Eagles visit Atlanta on Dec. 6. The Falcons once made Vick the highest-paid player in the N.F.L., but his new contract will pay him $1.6 million in 2009, with an option for $5.2 million, according to FoxSports.com.

[joycenalex]

totally completly gross. shame on the eagles....

[Pam]

One word comes to mind - DISGUSTING! I live in the Philly suburbs and if I was the slightest bit interested in football (which I am not) this would really upset me.

[Puckstop31]

I dunno.... What he did was horrible. But he paid the price.

Why not give him a second chance? You would want one if it were you.

[joycenalex]

puckstop...in a way i'd like to give a second chance, yet when i think of how dog fights are trained....dropping kittens into a pen, using other smaller weaker dogs as training bait, fighting to the death, the barbarity of a human heart can and does deeply repulse me. he is an educated man (grad of virginia tech) well paid and considered as a hero to many, and yet, he enjoyed blood and death. this repulses me on so many levels. as a smaller side note the amount of money involved in these events is amazing . i know that my angel dog alex would have been a perfect bait dog, and when i think or try not to of what it would be like for that animals last seconds of existence....i feel nausea and a total lack of understanding how anyone can enjoy the death of a weaker being....that part of a human heart i cannot understand.
puck even typing this was very hard, having to clarify why i'm having this response has been upsetting to my stomach so early. yet your question is a legit one, and thanks for making me articulate a response...now to go eat a tums....

[Medusa]

I disagree that Vick paid the price. He deserved a much longer sentence and he should still be cleaning dog cages daily as part of the conditions of his release. This line from the article really stood out and bothers me: "The Eagles provide Vick with a stable organization to insulate him during what is sure to be a tumultuous return." Why should Vick be insulated? Those dogs sure weren't. This is shameful but not surprising. All the dogs that he tortured and killed are being stepped on now for Vick to wipe his feet on as he climbs his way out of the hole that he dug for himself. Actually, he didn't climb out; the Eagles threw him a rope to help him out. I hope he hangs himself w/it.

[joycenalex]

by Vick deal
By John Gonzalez

Inquirer Columnist

A text came in. Then another. Then the whispers started in the press box. Then the phone started ringing. This all happened within seconds.

It was about 8:45 last night when the focus shifted and everything changed. People stopped talking about how good Shady McCoy looked in the Eagles' preseason opener against the Patriots and started talking about the big news.

Did you hear? The Birds signed Michael Vick.

I didn't believe it at first. I didn't believe it until Vick's agent, Joel Segal, confirmed the rumor to ESPN.com. A news conference is scheduled for today.

The fans at Lincoln Financial Field didn't seem to believe it either. One guy seated right in front of the press box stood up, knocked on the glass and mouthed the question to me that everyone was asking: "Is it true?" When I nodded yes, he didn't seem so thrilled. The poor guy put his hands on his bald head and shook it. He did that for a long while. His reaction probably wasn't unique.

It was barely two years ago that the former Atlanta signal-caller traded his Falcons uniform for government-issue prison garb after being convicted of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in the federal pen and suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The commish has since softened his stance, allowing Vick to look for work and stating that he could be eligible for full reinstatement by Week 6 at the latest.

And so now Ron Mexico is an Eagle. To say it's a shocking development is a gross understatement. If anyone in town expected this or knew it was happening, they did a good job keeping it a secret. Vick reportedly flew into town Tuesday night and remained undetected until late last evening. That's a hard thing to pull off. If his football comeback falls through, he has a terrific career ahead of him as a spy.

Covert operations aside, the Eagles will take a PR hit on this, and it won't be a small one. PETA and pet owners everywhere will crucify Vick and the Birds for climbing into bed together. Radio hosts will jabber about it incessantly and question what the hell the Eagles were thinking. Columnists and bloggers will write countless words - many of which will be angry and judgmental.

If you've already dug in and joined the anti-Vick camp, I won't blame you or try to change your mind. People love dogs. I'm one of them. I'm a sucker for just about any animal, but the ones that roll over and play fetch and slobber all over me - even when I'm not at my best (which is most of the time) - are by far my favorite. What Vick did to those dogs was cruel and terrible and indefensible.

But I'm not going to kill the Eagles for signing him, and I'm not going to attack Vick or ascribe some pejorative label to the guy. I don't know the man. I don't know why he got involved with dogfighting. But I do know that he went to prison, and he lost his job, and he's been beaten up quite a bit over the last two years. He's been beaten up almost endlessly. And for good reason. Don't get it twisted, he deserved his punishment - all of it. But after doing his time and losing almost everything he'd worked so hard to achieve, hasn't he paid the price required of someone looking to purchase a second chance?
This Sunday, CBS will air an interview with Vick on 60 Minutes. The full transcript isn't available yet, but I went over the little bit that has been released. I searched for answers to the same questions we all have: Is he contrite? Does he realize how badly he messed up? Is he willing to take responsibility for his actions and admit his mistakes? Is he capable of changing for the better after all this?

"It's wrong, man," Vick says on 60 Minutes. "I feel, you know, some tremendous hurt behind what happened. And, you know, I should have took the initiative to stop it all. I didn't - I didn't stop it all."

No, he didn't. And he'll be forever shamed for that lack of judgment. He'll never be able to fully shake the stigma of what he did. He'll always be Michael Vick - the guy who fought dogs and killed them.

That's a horrible burden to shoulder. He brought it on himself, of course, but I still wouldn't wish that fate on anyone.

But, ultimately, whether people forgive Vick will have more to do with what happens in the future than what happened in the past. He needs to prove he's truly, deeply sorry for what he did - and not simply because it irreparably damaged his once-promising career.

"I mean, football doesn't even matter," Vick told 60 Minutes.

That's a start.

[ramanth]

"I mean, football doesn't even matter," Vick told 60 Minutes.

That's a start.

BS! If football doesn't matter, then why even play? Oh yeah. You'll get paid millions. He doesn't give a rats ass about what he did to those poor dogs. He's just sorry he got caught and now is laughing at everyone behind their backs all the way to the bank.

[blue]

I really dont see this as a second chance, as I dont think he was sufficiently punished.

Only reason Ill watch an Eagles game now is hoping he gets drilled by the opposing team. On second thought Ill wait for the footage of him getting reemed on the field on Youtube.

[lizbud]

BS! If football doesn't matter, then why even play? Oh yeah. You'll get paid millions. He doesn't give a rats ass about what he did to those poor dogs. He's just sorry he got caught and now is laughing at everyone behind their backs all the way to the bank.

I agree. I think Vick is sorry he got caught, but that's about it.

Those poor dogs are just as dead. Their suffering & pain was just as real.
I wish the dogs could be given another chance.

[Daisy and Delilah]

BS! If football doesn't matter, then why even play? Oh yeah. You'll get paid millions. He doesn't give a rats ass about what he did to those poor dogs. He's just sorry he got caught and now is laughing at everyone behind their backs all the way to the bank.

I am also in total agreement with this. Well said!!!

In watching this guy on tv, I can already see that familiar smirk on his face. Grrrrrrrrrrr.........

[sasvermont]

Having lived in Philadelphia for years, I can guarantee you the fans will be relentless with their jeering. I don't think other football players will go after him. I could be wrong, but I think many of them have lots of things to hide - gambling, womanizing, nasty accidents, drugs etc. and they know how high profile their lives are already. BUT the fans, well, the Eagle fans are rabid sometimes. That's not to say other teams' fans are angels.

I have mixed emotions about punishing him beyond his already served sentence. I have always thought ALL sports players were paid WAY too much money for what they do, but that's for another post.

It will be interesting to see his 60 minutes interview. From what I have seen so far, I am not impressed.

How would you feel if he donated half his salary to Pit Bull rescues? Not that we would ever know for sure he would do it. Is there any way for him to be let off the hook? I think not, for many of us. He would do better by fading into the sunset and getting a job out of the limelight.

We shall see!

[Medusa]

How would you feel if he donaed half his salary to Pit Bull rescues? Not that we would ever know for sure he would do it. Is there any way for him to be let off the hook? I think not, for many of us. He would do better by fading into the sunset and getting a job out of the limelight.

If he would do that PLUS clean dog cages for the next 15 or 20 years, maybe I'd think he's repentant. I still say he's only sorry for being caught and not for what he did. His smirk, body language and what he actually says tells me he's unrepentant. "I should've done this" and "I should've done that" rather than "I'm sorry" doesn't cut it.