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Giving Vick A Chance Could Improve Philly's Chances
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There was never really a question that one of the NFL’s 32 teams was going to give Michael Vick a second chance at playing top-level professional football, but the Philadelphia Eagles were pretty low on the list of probable suitors.
The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers were a rumored destination, with many believing that Vick would soon find a home. Instead, Vick lands in Eastern Pennsylvania with a team still ringing from the decision to roll the dice on Terrell Owens a few years ago.
Vick is not Owens, by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, Vick made several poor decisions – from the choice to participate and bankroll a dogfighting ring to lying to Commissioner Roger Goodell – but he was never considered a bad teammate in Atlanta.
The chance the Eagles are taking on Vick is vastly different.
He has yet to be introduced to the city of Philadelphia and its unforgiving media, but he’s already the enemy. The general public perception of Vick is far more negative than that of Donte Stallworth or even Ray Lewis, which I have a hard time wrapping my mind around despite the fact that I rate dogs nearly as high as people.
The United States is heralded as the land of second chances, but not many want to give Vick one. He did some bad things, spurred on (I think) by having the wrong people around him (a common theme in sports), but he did his time and paid more of a price than most of his colleagues have for equal or greater offenses.
With that said, there will be a lot of negative attention placed on the Eagles. Expect PETA and other animal rights picketers outside of Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, if they haven’t already congregated outside of Philadelphia’s sports complex.
The argument for or against a second chance would have been a hot topic no matter where Vick signed, but it’s magnified in a very intense Philadelphia market. It took some time for the news to soak in, partly because it’s a move that was described best by ESPN’s Merle Hodge as “interesting.”
Philadelphia recently gave Donovan McNabb a new contract, and it’s in no way a move signaling the end for #5 with the Birds. Expect Andy Reid to use Vick, once he’s able to return to the field around midseason, in dynamic offensive packages.
My RealGM colleague, Jeff Risdon, pointed out that the Eagles could use Vick a great deal if (or when) Brian Westbrook gets hurt.
My other RealGM colleague, Chris Reina, already sees some parallels lining up between Vick and McNabb that will echo the Joe Montana/Steve Young relationship of the late 80s and early 90s. McNabb has never been the paradigm of a healthy quarterback, so Vick provides insurance in that capacity and could also eventually succeed him, as he is four years younger.
As has been pointed out endlessly for more than a year now, Vick is the perfect quarterback for the Wildcat offense. However, Reid is famous for his pass-first, West Coast scheme. He rarely strays from his philosophy and was even predictable at times in 2008. Vick is already familiar with the West Coast offense, though he did struggle in that system.
The Eagles will pay Vick $1.6 million in 2009, which is substantially greater than the league minimum, but the total isn’t eye-popping. However, Philadelphia will have the option to bring him back in 2010 for $5.2 million, according to reports. Some are raising their eyebrows at the amount, but it’s just an option. If Vick excels, that figure could be considered fair market value or a bargain.
My main criticism of the signing, which again would have come no matter where he landed, is that he’ll have to produce a sizable amount in order to outweigh the negative publicity he’ll bring along with him. In Philadelphia, that production will have to be greater than it would have had to be in Pittsburgh, Green Bay or even New England.
We won’t be able to properly evaluate this move until October, at the earliest, and even then it’ll likely be a while before we see Vick take a meaningful snap.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM's Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com
