Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said his teammates realized in the second quarter of Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots that Michael Vick would become the fourth quarterback on the roster.Vick signed a two-year deal with the Eagles on Thursday night and is expected to attend his first practice on Saturday.
The contract, according to various media reports, has an option for the second year, but before that time arrives, Vick has plenty of work to do.
The reasons Vick is coming to Philadelphia and the NFC East are varied. But one thing is certain, coach Andy Reid's personal troubles probably led him to have a soft spot for Vick.
Last year, Reid's two sons were arrested for various drug offenses, and are still dealing with their addictions. A judge ceven alled the Reid home a "drug emporium."
Reid understands what it means to be a high-profile person and have your personal life broadcast all over the place. He wanted his sons to get a second chance at life.
"I've had my space invaded," Reid said following Thursday's game with the Patriots. "I've had people in the trees taking pictures of me around my house, so I understand how that works. I've gotten pretty good at it the last couple of years."
Reid has a close relationship with former coach Tony Dungy, who is mentoring Vick. Reid visited with both Vick and Dungy during this process, and hoped he heard the right things from Vick.
"It's up to Michael to prove that change has taken place," Reid said. "I think he's there. That's what he wants to do. He knows everybody won't have that trust in him or belief in him. I think he'll prove that to people."
Reid said he wasn't sure if he could have given Vick a second chance if his own sons hadn't messed up with drugs.
Before Reid took on the task of signing Vick, he asked Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie, president Joe Banner and general manager Tom Heckert to explore it from a personal standpoint.
Reid said Vick's meeting with Lurie was the key to bringing him to Philly. Reid knows about meetings. He's met with judges, lawyers, drug counselors and drug addicts about his sons, in an effort to understand their struggles.
Reid did his homework for his sons -- and that led to the homework he did on Vick, which has prompted him to make this decision.
"I've kinda followed Michael's situation very close," Reid said. "With the situation my boys went through, they were right around the same time. So, I've had a chance to follow that and I know the kinds of things Micheal has gone through, on the other side of that, and things that can happen there and the changes that can be made."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-14-2009 @ 2:11AM
celtsic said...
Their is no comparison between Reid's sons drug problems and Michael Vick. Vick is a heinous ficious murderer who sent many animals some of which were beloved pets to a painful and torturous death. I am no longer and Eagles fan and will not support any of their sponcers. BOYCOTT!BOYCOTT!BOYCOTT! Make a statement Eagle fans and leave the stadium empty for this seasons opening game.
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8-14-2009 @ 4:07AM
Bigg Daddy said...
It is sponsers dummy, plus you are just one person who probably had plenty of 2nd chances so don't be a hypocrit cause the Eagles can do without a fan like you, by the way i'm a Cowboys fan!!!!!
8-14-2009 @ 4:20PM
bgnfatt said...
he served his time why do people like you continue to want him to pay. If it was Dale Ernhart would you feel the same way. Not let the man live Please. If he was not a Black man would he be treated the way he is being treated? Let's be real they were dogs not people get a life.
8-26-2009 @ 12:34PM
Donald Henley said...
u must live a perfect life. Congratulations!!!
8-14-2009 @ 6:51AM
mjjpac said...
Who's the dummy? S_P_O_N_S_O_R_, and H_Y_P_O_C_R_I_T_E.
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8-14-2009 @ 7:26AM
TONYA said...
Ok... what he did was wrong. He did his time. Let the man move on. It seems as if more people in this society care more about dogs than they do people. I didn't see anybody protesting and boycotting when the d@mn NY City police killed Sean Bell and walked free... BTW he was a man...not a dog! Get over it already. If we have a forgiving GOD then we should be forgiving as well. Oh and a crime is a crime, be it dog fighting, bank robbing or drug offense. If other criminals get second chanced why shouldn't he? Convicted murderers get out of jail and move on with their lives everyday... but I guess that's ok because they killed another human being? *SMDH*
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8-14-2009 @ 7:45AM
emb said...
I personally think that this is rediculous. The eagles have a perfectly good quaterback with perfectly good stats, and not to mention he is actually a good person. Why would we want to give the eagles that sort of name. Being a professional athlete should be a privledge. I'm a fourteen year old girl and i do not respect somebody like michael vick. He didn't make a mistake, he knew exactly what he was doing the entire time and people need to stop standing up for him. what he did was wrong, he's not sorry, and he should not be rewarded with a job? i mean if this was any normal person, they'd be still be in jail. i support donovan mcnabb 1000000%.
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8-14-2009 @ 8:30AM
cmd82242 said...
Who said Vick was taking anything away from McNabb?? I don't understand why people make such a big deal out of somethings and other things tend to get down played. Vick did his time, the same as tons of other criminals (and he actually did more time than most would have for the same crime). Leave the man alone already. I love animals just as much as the next person, and don't support what he did in any way. But I think it's time to move on already. BTW...I don't understand when dogs moved higher up the chain than humans, because last time I checked certain individuals are only getting like 23 days in jail for taking a human life!!! Something is wrong with this picture!
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8-14-2009 @ 9:09AM
maddie444444 said...
Michael VIck is nothing but a sick repulsive disgusting PIG! He has showed NO remorse whatsoever!!! Serial Killers begin by torturing animals just like Vick did! FOOTBALL IS DEAD TO ME & THOUSANDS OF OTHERS BECAUSE OF LETTING THIS DISGUSTING PIG VICK BACK IN!@!!
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8-14-2009 @ 9:51AM
lawrencehagen said...
eff Michael Vick, He should not be allowed back in the NFL, He conspired to kill dogs in that ridiculous dogfighting ring.
Go Steelers
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8-14-2009 @ 10:01AM
coachmld said...
Lets see for 1.6 million you could hire
40 teachers at$40,000 each. But the sports fans will show up paying their hard earned money.
Shame on the Eagle organization.
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8-14-2009 @ 10:11AM
lazyindiankid4 said...
First, let me say that I am no Michael Vick fan. As far as I am concerned, anyone who can abuse animals has a major character flaw, and is just one short step away from abusing people. However, this guy has been punished severly for what he did, and has paid a steep price both financially and in terms of injury to his reputation. As a result, he deserves a second chance. I can only hope that he is not just saying what he thinks people want to hear now, and really does understand the depraved nature of his past acts. It would be nice to look back on this situation in a couple of years and say that this man used this opportunity to change his life, and that the Eagles management was brave in giving him that opportunity. Good luck Vick, Hope he succeeds.
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8-14-2009 @ 11:09AM
hdstyle1957 said...
Coach Reid will take him in and treat him good like he does his doper sons, giving them as many chances as they need to be sober, LMAO. It will be like an all (criminals) in the family deal.
Everyone in PA hide your animals, vick is in town.
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8-14-2009 @ 11:39AM
jsloroll said...
You people... you people. You have a lot to learn about redemption. Most of you so-called football fans call out for blood of the opposition anyway, so it's no wonder why I would expect anything less than your cold-hearted view points. Most of you would'nt give hot water to an egg. That is why America is despised all over the world, because of people who claim to know and love Jesus Christ the King of Kings, yet walk and talk out the side of your necks. God bless Michael Vick in his walk in Christ and his quest to quiet the nay-sayers. If anyone can save souls it's Jesus Christ.
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8-14-2009 @ 11:49AM
Steve said...
AT LEAST SOMEBODY HAS THE ?ALLS TO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THE SICK PEOPLE CALLING FOR Vicks BLOOD... im glad he has been given a second chance in the NFL ,Move on people and look after your own affairs and let the people who know more about football do their job..After all thats why threy get paid for it and you dont..SHOW THEM ALL WRONG VICK and good luck..Regards Steve Dublin Ireland
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8-14-2009 @ 3:25PM
jjmcclain312 said...
I love dogs and am repulsed by anyone who would torture any animal for sport and gambling. However, I believe this is the right thing to do. He has paid his dues to society and has paid a very severe price. Wherever he goes he will hear the jeers and not cheers from opposing players and fans. A horrible reputation is very hard to overcome. Let's give him a chance and see what he will do to be proactive in preventing dog fighting. He has said he will ...let's see if he does.
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8-14-2009 @ 8:50PM
hatborojerry said...
If Vick can help the Eagles WIN ,that's all there is.I would take J effery Dahlmer if he could win and take the team to the super bowl.Lets stop this holyier than thou crap.I watch the Eagles with the hope the go to a super bowl and win.Vick did his time and sure is a better QB than Kolb,who reid has the hots for.If mcNabb gets hurt or resorts to one of his off games,which happens a few times a year,I want Vick,not Kolb.Besides with Vick,the blacks will support the team more than ever.They never were in love with McNabb because he wasn't Black enough.If he beat the hell out of his girlfriend in college,he would of been accepted.As it was it was chunky soup and mom.Now don't get all upset,I lived in Philly for the past72 years before moving to Wyoming.When it comes to the athlete,i'll take Vick
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8-15-2009 @ 12:16PM
dscarrollinlv said...
“I urge NFL fans not to judge NFL players or me based on my tragic lapse in judgment. I am a good person who did a bad thing. I will use the period of my suspension to reflect, fulfill my obligations, and use this experience to make a positive impact on the lives of those who look up to NFL players.”
Stallworth did some thing bad, but look at his Character..........Vick faced a multitude of charges, and denied and lied for months before he ultimately admitted guilt. Stallworth took full and immediate responsibility for his actions, and has been sorrowful and contrite. He didn’t waste time fighting the court system over his guilt,,” Stallworth wrote. “Regardless of the length of my suspension, I will carry the burden of Mr. Reyes’ death for the rest of my life. Character!!!!!!!!!
I dont see Mr. Vick acting Sorrowful or Contrite.
The real person that lost here is Stallworth, He understands KIds look up to players in the NFL and showed great Character. Where is Mr. Vicks Character..........? As he leaves the tunnel on the field and flips off the fans that pay to see him play? Or gives Security at the airport a hard time for doing their jobs, trying to keep you and I safe when we fly, or running around with known gang members and drug dealers. Or bank rolling a dog fighting ring. You do something once its a mistake, You do something over and over again........killing your own family pet is a choice, lieing about that choice, acceptable as long as you are talented, my kids look up to the NFL players..........Mr Gooddale you let me down and my family.
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8-20-2009 @ 9:53AM
Ingrid Michaels said...
Vick is a low life. His career belongs in the toilet right along with Jeff Lurie & Andy Reid. Torture never never never gets a 2nd chance.
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8-21-2009 @ 5:23PM
Another Great Da said...
Micheal Vick - Has returned to football to play. End of story - Let see how history record his Comeback? Not the ever changing at time child like public opinion.
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