Peanut Butter and Jelly, Woodward and Bernstein and Batman and Robin are all synonymous with good pairings. Unfortunately, the coupling of Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles may be synonymous with nails on a chalkboard.
After hearing about Vick’s signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, the only thought that came to mind was why?
Why would the Eagles put their franchise at risk with a questionable player in Vick when they already have one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League and a potential hall of famer in Donovan McNabb?
Why would the Eagles enable a media frenzy city and fans that are angrier and bitterer than an old woman at the bank, to dissect, analyze, critique and ridicule every move, play, and word that Vick creates?
Better yet, why would Vick want to go to a city where a sports journalist will not be afraid to ask him questions about his past and fans will not back down when it comes to boo’s, heckling and showing their distaste?
Theoretically, the move makes some sort of sense for Vick. He explained on Friday in a press conference that he wanted to snail his way back into the league and that he believed he was not ready to take over and lead a football team. What better place, Vick must have reasoned, to play for a franchise that already has a well established QB, and thus be apt to take on a smaller, more subtle role.
For instance, the Eagles utilize the West Coast offense and one of its premises is to try and create running lanes by spreading out the defense. The Wild Cat Formation, which the Eagles used sparingly last season, has a wide receiver option, where the receiver, in order to throw the defense off, takes snaps as opposed to the quarterback and then finds a running lane to attack threw. Surely Vick realized that his joy stick speed could be used there, or even some niche on special teams or maybe as a backup wide receiver.
But why not, Mr. Vick, play for a town with less media complexity? Play for a team that actually needs a starting quarterback somewhere down the line. Surely Vick wants to climb back to the top again. How about a team like the Buffalo Bills who have a middle of the road QB in Trent Edwards who can surely be replaced? How about a Bills team who also ranked 9th in the league last season in rushing yards and can surely use the speed? How about laying low for a while, play for a team with low expectations, relearn the game a bit, and then strike when the Iron is ready? How about a Vick-Terrell Owens pairing?
No matter how much Vick can pull his weight, as long as the Eagles are sane, they can never replace McNabb, a guy who brought them to numerous NFC title games and one Super Bowl.
So why than would the Eagles decide to bring in a guy, with more baggage than a 790 cargo jet, to their team? In any business decision the benefit usually has to outweigh the risk. The Eagles already have a dominant QB who happens to be pretty good at running the ball, one solid receiver and a couple of up and coming ones, a decent running game and a promising backup Quarterback. Note: According to NFL.com the Eagles were second in passing yards and third in rushing yards in 2008.
While Vick can possibly fix some small holes here and there with the running game ( a banged up Brian Westbrook last year) and add even more firepower to an already potent wide receiver core ( DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin) he carries the potential to dig some holes that may make it impossible for the Eagles franchise to ever climb out of.
Possibly Andy Reid, the Eagles long time coach, feels for Vick. Reid admitted that his son’s, who have also been in trouble with the law, also deserve second chances.
Touching, but does Reid really want to field questions such as “When is Michael going to get a crack at some playing time?” After a loss does he really want to read the papers and have writers urging him to re-bench McNabb and try Vick? Does he really need another T.O. experiment?
How about McNabb? He says he lobbied for his friend Vick to join the Eagles. Really? Why? Does he need to feel like his job is in jeopardy every week? Doesn’t he want to remain the topic in Philly? Surely he deserves to. Doesn’t the drafting of Kevin Kolb, the fact that he was benched and now the signing of Vick make McNabb question the Eagles commitment to him? To quote a twitter remark I saw, “Either McNabb is telling the truth or he is just a really good actor.”
Maybe McNabb truly believes that Vick can help him finally win a ring.
Perhaps Reid feels Vick can be used in other ways besides at the QB position.
Possibly the Eagles feel another side show can liven up their expectations and create some energy in the locker room which will translate onto the field.
As for Vick? He probably jumped at the first opportunity to play for a team and cash in on a contract.
Hey, everyone deserves a second chance, let’s just hope for Vick and the Eagles it works out better than cookies and spoiled milk.
Keywords: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles
