Redemption Signing

Eagles Official Website

I found out the news on Facebook. I saw someone's status report that read... "Vick with the Eagles? Maybe they needed a McNabb Replacement." I did a double take and then, I saw another Facebook entry that read... "Vick with the Eagles. Now, they'll have the fastest backfield in the NFL." I said, "What?" At the time, I was chatting with two people on Facebook and I asked one of them, my frat brother, if he'd heard the news that Michael Vick was on the Eagles? He was equally surprised so, he turned on ESPN... and, yes sirrrrr! There was the news... Mike Vick was indeed an Eagle!

This hit me like a ton of bricks because I did not see that coming... didn't imagine it. With the exception of Terrell Owens, this team has steered clear of controversial players, Donte Stallworth not withstanding. Vick's agent, Joel Segal, confirmed the deal to FOXSports.com on Thursday afternoon. Vick will make $1.6 million for the first year of the deal. The Eagles have an option on the second year for $5.2 million. The deal was reached on Tuesday but wasn't finalized until Thursday.

Several head coaches have said that they would love to have signed Vick but were unable to because of trepidation on the part of their owners. Vick makes sense for the Eagles as a second QB option if Donovan McNabb goes down with an injury (as we in Philadelphia know he is prone to do at sometime in the season).

Vick has not played in the NFL since 2006. The former Atlanta Falcons star was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation. He was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick's suspension on July 27th, allowing him to sign with a team. Vick can immediately take part in pre-season practices, workouts, meetings, and can play in the final two pre-season games. He can apply for full reinstatement by week 6 in October.

The Eagles went to the playoffs last season under McNabb and are still looking for their first Super Bowl win. The team, though, is a surprise landing point for Vick. It was among 26 clubs that said there was no interest in Vick but, that may have changed when backup Kevin Kolb strained a knee ligament earlier this week. Kolb's injury isn't serious and he's expected to return next week. The Eagles also have veteran A.J. Feeley.

When news of Vick's signing circulated in the press box during the first half of the Eagles pre-season opener against New England, even the team's public relations staff seemed surprised. McNabb has led the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in the last eight years. He was rewarded with a $5.3 million raise in the off-season. The Eagles tore up his old contract with two years remaining and gave him a new deal worth $24.5 million over the next two seasons.

Apparently, a lot of people on the Eagles staff read this blog (shameless plug -:) ). I wish Mike Vick and his new team,The Philadelphia Eagles all the luck in the world. I'm going out and look for a Mike Vick Eagles Jersey now!