Diner morning news: Vick’s challenges

I can understand why the Eagles would sign Vick: the NFC could very well come down to a couple of plays against the Giants.

I don't necessarily buy that Andy Reid is the "right" guy to handle any Vick-caused controversy. I thought that assessment went out the window with TO a few years back.

I cannot understand why Vick would sign with the Eagles. It seems there are so many teams where he could contribute more. My guess is that, despite his talent, most owners decided to shy away because of the negative PR. I think that Vick signing with the Eagles means that the market for his services was very, very small.

Anybody see the contract details? If Vick has a few great games early in the season and another contender needs a QB, can the Eagles turn Vick into a decent pick in next year's draft?

But can Vick throw ground-ball practice as well as McNabb? That was an A+ demonstration last night, only thing missing was a fungo bat.

Very revealing, and surprising, to here Andy openly reference his kids when talking about 2nd chances. That had to be a big factor in the decision to bring in Vick.

Along with Westbrook, McCoy, DeSean, and Maclin, Vick will help create mismatches. And he'll force defensive coordinators to gameplan differently. That alone makes him worth the $1.6 million for the season from the football standpoint. The contract is not expensive for a player with his game-changing potential. So its a slam dunk on the football end.

The obvious concern is off the field with protests and backlash from fans. Already have heard of fans dumping tickets. But there are plenty of fans waiting to scoop them up so I don't think the Eagles have to worry there. The NFL seemingly has an endless supply of fans.

The TO comparions makes no sense to me. Vick knows he absolutely has to be 100% on the best of the best behavior wise. And I never recall him having those types of issues with the locker room and teammates anyway. His problems were away from the team. And he certainly can't get involved with anything controversial at this stage.

Mark M, your TO point is interesting, but consider this: even someone without a medical/psych background can point out that TO has a personality disorder of the first degree, likely some combination of narcissitic PD (tv time? self importance/aggrandizement) and borderline PD (hence his love hate relatinoship with those around him, and his early adherence to protocol when uncomfortable ina new setting). Not Reid, not anyone can put up with that long term. Vick, while he is a creep and a bit of a thug (and thus perhaps a little bit of personality issue himself) has never been called a bad teammate or a divisive presence...while he did get special treatment from Mora, it wasn't like he demanded it publicly with 7 cameras in his face.

Mark this, and I'm going to keep saying it: the extra time opponents spend preparing for the 6-8 plays per game of Vick will leave them less well-prepped for McNabb, who still is a top-10 QB, despite what Philly's toxic fanbase thinks.

I dont agree that McNabb is tough and doesnt let things bother him. I may be wrong because I only follow Philly in a cursory way bc a few friends of mine are fans. but hasn't McNabb had public spats with his WR and his coach in the past? I think he gets rattled kinda easily by some things. The second he makes a dumb mistake (and he will, he always has), the boo-birds will be calling for Vick in Philly, and it could hurt McNabb. I think the Eagles, if they can get healty on the off line and if their young WR and McCoy can play well, are a tantalizing team regardless of having Vick, and Im just worried for them that it might blow up in their face if they dont play consistently from game 1 on. They seem to stumble a bit eary on each year and you always hear about their issues in the first six weeks. If that happens again, I think they could get sidetracked with unnecessary QB controversy stuff.

I for one am happy Vick isnt in New England, just because I would be worried that the side show would overtake the positive aspects of a team.

Please everyone stop using the word "mistake" when discussing what Michael Vick has done. A mistake is a single circumstance in which a person makes a bad decision and NOT continuously breaking multiple laws over a period of years and systematically torturing and killing dozens of animals in the process. Besides, that wasn't the only "mistake" he's made. His entire adult life is filled with bad decisions starting with the criminal conduct that was swept under the rug at VT, continuing with his criminal assault (by STD) on a woman, and then attempting to bring drug paraphernalia onto an airplane. Add to that his two fingered salute to his home fans, and it is pretty clear that this is just simply a bad guy and not someone who "made a mistake". He was only ever sorry for his actions after he had lost everything, and at that point contrition is just about worthless. If he stays out of trouble, it not be because he wants to be a better person, it will merely be the fear of further punishment and a desire to continue to play football and be paid to do so.

Key phrase:" [B]ut this singing has the potential to be a disaster for him." Great point that I haven't seen anyone else make.

McNabb was annoyed when they drafted Kolb. Now they bring in a big-time QB to stand on the sidelines? McNabb has been a great QB, but he can look absolutely terrible at times, so terrible his coach had to sit him down. He is also somewhat injury prone. This signing puts a ton of additional pressure on a guy who hasn't always handled pressure well.

I see it as a great move for the Eagles however. They get a legit backup QB, they get him at a reasonable price, and they have an option for next year at a very bargain price if he turns out ok. They risk nothing. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade him next year to some team (Vikes) that still will not have their QB issue resolved. By then, he will have shaken off the rust and the PR issues will be aleviated.

Reid is uniquely prepared to help Michael VIck, as mentioned in the life experiences he has had, all while coaching to high levels.

Thank you Bates... So much for Goodell's Iron Fist...if I'm an owner I don't touch this guy with a ten foot pole.

I will say that Reid and McNabb are both unflappable enough to make this a success but I really don't see Vick as a long-term solution at quarterback. Perhaps Reid and Mohrinweg will be successful in implementing numerous mismatches against solid defenses they'll face throughout the course of the season such as the Giants. Ultimately, McNabb will win a Super Bowl and it will be one of the sweetest things ever due to the things he has endured to get to that point. We'll see how this goes.

As far as the Eagles' fans accepting Vick, I don't see a problem there. I worked in Jersey one year and had a chance to see the Eagles play in old Veterans Stadium. At least once a quarter, the fans' attention was diverted to a fistfight somewhere in the stadium, two guys jumping up and just beating on each other. What's a little dog abuse when it's Fight Club every Sunday in Philly.

I don't see how Reid is uniquely qualified to help Vick. Two sons, despite their privileges, busted for selling hard drugs? At least one busted a second time? Not sure that qualifies Reid as an appropriate therapist.

Bill I think you're spot on with your analysis. Our society is very forgiving, but I think they're seeing Vick as 'the reformed animal abuser' and not seeing the big picture which includes his past history. His brother Marcus was no prize either.

This is a bad guy at the core and the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of him continuing to follow past behavior. I wouldn't touch him with a twenty foot pole, let alone a ten foot one and I just can't see this ending well for the Eagles.

I'm curious whether any of their corporate sponsors will bail. If that happens, this experiment ends quickly.

Yes, thank you Bates. And to add to it:

Dogfighting is tightly tied to gambling and drugs. You find dog fighting, you find the other two. You find those two, you find criminal organizations that make money on them. You also are then connected to people, including children, who end up ruining their lives by taking drugs. These are not distant connections.

Through his continued involvement in dog fighting, Vick was at least in regular contact with, if not involved with, people in organized crime. This isn't about "making a mistake" it is about a lifestyle that promulgates and celebrates the destruction of dogs and human beings.

And please, don't tell me that "he's paid his debt to society." I don't even know what that means in this case. All that's happened is that we've taken him out of society for a while so he can't keep harming us. Now he's back.

Here's what I need to hear from Vick for me to welcome him back to mainstream society:

"I was involved in a criminal lifestyle that led to many, many people and dogs being horribly hurt. There is no way I can fix the damage I've done. But I will dedicate the rest of my life to helping to destroy that lifestyle so others won't be hurt by it. After I pay my debts, I will donate 25% of my income to local organizations in Virginia that are involved in animal cruelty prevention, and another 25% to local organizations fighting drug use and addiction in children."

I am also working with law enforcement officials by providing them with all of the names and connections of people I knew who were involved in dog fighting, gambling, and drug use and distribution, and will personally testify against them at their trials.

I know this isn't enough, but it is all I can do."

"

I can't see how McNabb is happy about this. Since everyone had him Chicago before he re-signed with the Eagles, you have to wonder what he's thinking now. It could be McNabb getting all the love that Cutler now has and instead he has to put up with this clown and hear the 'Start Vick' chants in Philly. That franchise has no idea what a class act he really is.

@ meateater

It would appear you would be correct in McNabb not being happy about the Vick signing .

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/m/2009/08/13/source-donovan-mcnabb-isnt-happy-with-vick-acquisition/

In a related story, Manson family member Lynette "Squeeky" Fromme was released from prison and immediately signed by the Eagles to play DB.
"Just like President Ford before us", said coach Reed, "We're gonna let her take a shot."

And it is this to which I take umbrage:

"He understands that mistakes happen and that second chances are a way of life in America."

Yeah, they are for those that can afford the lawyers that plead second chances. The vast majority of schmucks eat the bullet. Nobody gives the Middle Class the benefit of the doubt...guilty until you can prove you can afford a goddamned lawyer!

I really can't stand all the BS that is forgiven for those in the Public Eye.

I guess none of you guy's have done bad thing's in your Life. Im Glad Mike Vick is back in the League. Their have been alot of people in the NFL that have done worst thing's. Did he Kill anybody? Good Sound Judgement by Coach Reid. He is Tough. And someone said earlier about T.O.. T.O. is who is. Bipolar probably.

I don't understand all the doomsayers predicting failure for Vick as if they are some kind of Seer. You guys are just negative people. Most of us don't really care if you wouldn't touch Vick with a 20' pole let alone a 10' one. That is your problem. Glad there are not many people with your mind set or else no one would be able to at least try to resurrect t heir life after experiencing a ost harrowing experience. While what Vick did may not have been a "mistake" as you say, never the less, it is still an error in judgement. The human mind is a strange thing...it can adapt if one is willing to give it a chance to adapt. I for one would love to see Vick make you "eat crow" for your out and out negative attitude and prognostications of doom.

Here's what I need to hear from Vick for me to welcome him back to mainstream society:

"I was involved in a criminal lifestyle that led to many, many people and dogs being horribly hurt. There is no way I can fix the damage I've done. But I will dedicate the rest of my life to helping to destroy that lifestyle so others won't be hurt by it. After I pay my debts, I will donate 25% of my income to local organizations in Virginia that are involved in animal cruelty prevention, and another 25% to local organizations fighting drug use and addiction in children."

I am also working with law enforcement officials by providing them with all of the names and connections of people I knew who were involved in dog fighting, gambling, and drug use and distribution, and will personally testify against them at their trials.

I know this isn't enough, but it is all I can do."
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whom ever made the above comments, I am glad that you are just an ordinary person and not someone who can affect someone's life. How the h.ll do you he hurt some individuals or was involved with orgainzed crime? do you have proof? if you have no way to out and out prove what you have posted, then you are just a sad indivdual who just have to "pile one" to make what Vick did seem worse that what it really is/was. Maybe someof his cohorts were involved with hurting other people or involved with organized crime, but, do you have proof that Vick was? You need to get your facts straight before you go making asinine statements about something that you absolutely know nothing about.

Do you think the Eagles signed Vick so he could help the D practice against the Wildcat? Can't you see Vick running the Wildcat? Just a wild thought,,,,