Sometimes I feel like I live in a world where I do not understand anything. Or at least, I feel like I have no ability to rationalize with what the majority opinion is. Maybe Willy Wonka said it best
"You should never doubt what no one is sure about."
But you see...I do not believe Michael Vick is a heinous criminal. I do not believe in a world in which men go to jail for 30 days for killing humans (see Donte Stallworth) but then men also go to federal prison for 2 years for financially backing dog rings that kill dogs.
I am sick and tired of watching 2 cent scribes on ESPN and other networks give us there moral statutes on why Vick is 'one of the most notorious players in NFL history' and we need to ease him back into society.
I NEVER thought I would agree with much that Terrell Owens has to say....but when he got after NFL commissioner Roger Goddell in response to Goddell further punishing Vick on top of Vick's NFL suspension and 23 month jail sentence...I could not have agreed more.
"I think the Michael Vick situation is unfortunate,” Owens said. “I think the way the commissioner is handling it is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he’s done the time for what he’s done. I don’t think it’s really fair for him to be suspended four more games. It’s almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.”
Did Mike Vick make the kind of decisions you pay a franchise player 100 million to make? NO!
But I also know covering pro sports as long as I have that infidelity and other indiscretions could be attached to players you think are daisy do rights in Vick's same position.
The point is not... oh he did this and others do this...it's that people are human. We make mistakes. We deserve not just the cliche second chance...but we all deserve the right to make our best case as to why we are not what the public image has pegged us to be.
Having lived in the South near where Vick grew up, I know the kind of neighborhood, friends, and the lifestyle he grew up around. I know what kind of ill advised ideals are revered and that is all debatable. What I believe cannot be argued is the fact Mike Vick served federal prison time to get this chance to reprove himself.
He has paid a ginormous price for the right to show something we would all want. Unless you are Jesus Christ reincarnated, I am pretty sure all of us have a worst moment or bad decision that we are glad we are not defined by. If you never have a chance to atone this world and society would never evolve.
That is why the Philadelphia Eagles are brilliant and why they will benefit from giving this guy a second chance to change peoples opinions about what kind of human being Mike Vick is.
Vick is getting mentoring advice from Tony Dungy. Players and personnel people from every organization around the league love and respect Tony.
This is a man that has drank from the supreme elixirs like winning a Super Bowl and writing a best selling book. He has also had to swallow the ultimate poison like losing son James to suicide.
"You should never doubt what no one is sure about."
But you see...I do not believe Michael Vick is a heinous criminal. I do not believe in a world in which men go to jail for 30 days for killing humans (see Donte Stallworth) but then men also go to federal prison for 2 years for financially backing dog rings that kill dogs.
I am sick and tired of watching 2 cent scribes on ESPN and other networks give us there moral statutes on why Vick is 'one of the most notorious players in NFL history' and we need to ease him back into society.
I NEVER thought I would agree with much that Terrell Owens has to say....but when he got after NFL commissioner Roger Goddell in response to Goddell further punishing Vick on top of Vick's NFL suspension and 23 month jail sentence...I could not have agreed more.
"I think the Michael Vick situation is unfortunate,” Owens said. “I think the way the commissioner is handling it is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he’s done the time for what he’s done. I don’t think it’s really fair for him to be suspended four more games. It’s almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.”
Did Mike Vick make the kind of decisions you pay a franchise player 100 million to make? NO!
But I also know covering pro sports as long as I have that infidelity and other indiscretions could be attached to players you think are daisy do rights in Vick's same position.
The point is not... oh he did this and others do this...it's that people are human. We make mistakes. We deserve not just the cliche second chance...but we all deserve the right to make our best case as to why we are not what the public image has pegged us to be.
Having lived in the South near where Vick grew up, I know the kind of neighborhood, friends, and the lifestyle he grew up around. I know what kind of ill advised ideals are revered and that is all debatable. What I believe cannot be argued is the fact Mike Vick served federal prison time to get this chance to reprove himself.
He has paid a ginormous price for the right to show something we would all want. Unless you are Jesus Christ reincarnated, I am pretty sure all of us have a worst moment or bad decision that we are glad we are not defined by. If you never have a chance to atone this world and society would never evolve.
That is why the Philadelphia Eagles are brilliant and why they will benefit from giving this guy a second chance to change peoples opinions about what kind of human being Mike Vick is.
Vick is getting mentoring advice from Tony Dungy. Players and personnel people from every organization around the league love and respect Tony.
This is a man that has drank from the supreme elixirs like winning a Super Bowl and writing a best selling book. He has also had to swallow the ultimate poison like losing son James to suicide.
Dungy's ability to stay even through high's and low's is helping Vick and it has alot to do with his signing by the Eagles.
Andy Reid said it during the signing presser-
"Tony has taken and spent alot of time with Michael. Tony is a good friend of mine. I've had a chance to visit with him and talk through some things with him."
"I've done my homework...I feel Michael is on the right track."
The Eagles know Vick's head is in the right place but they also know the guy is hungry to get back to being and proving he is one the best and most dynamic players ever to suit up in the NFL.
Is he a great quarterback? I would say the majority opinion with sports fans and football experts is no. Vick's career record of 47-49 as a starter is not great but QB Warren Moon was 102-101 career and he is in the Hall of Fame. Vick did take the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC championship in 2004. Many fans and insiders point to his problems throwing with accuracy. Vick has never completed more than 57 percent of his passes in a season.
Look close at the numbers and you will see a quarterback who has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions 71 to 52. Compare that to Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw's first six year totals of 66 TD to 90 INT.
Andy Reid said it during the signing presser-
"Tony has taken and spent alot of time with Michael. Tony is a good friend of mine. I've had a chance to visit with him and talk through some things with him."
"I've done my homework...I feel Michael is on the right track."
The Eagles know Vick's head is in the right place but they also know the guy is hungry to get back to being and proving he is one the best and most dynamic players ever to suit up in the NFL.
Is he a great quarterback? I would say the majority opinion with sports fans and football experts is no. Vick's career record of 47-49 as a starter is not great but QB Warren Moon was 102-101 career and he is in the Hall of Fame. Vick did take the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC championship in 2004. Many fans and insiders point to his problems throwing with accuracy. Vick has never completed more than 57 percent of his passes in a season.
Look close at the numbers and you will see a quarterback who has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions 71 to 52. Compare that to Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw's first six year totals of 66 TD to 90 INT.
In Vick's last full season in 2006, #7 did something we have never seen- 2,500 yards passing 1,000 yards rushing....FROM A FRIGGIN QUARTERBACK...are you kidding me???? It was not a fluke either because in 2004 he went 2,300 yds passing and 900 yards rushing.
The guy is not as accurate as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and will never be...but those guys will never run for a 1,000 yards from the QB position in the NFL. The goal is to move the ball...secure it....and score touchdowns to help win games. Vick has proven he can do that.
Now he has to prove it again after being gone for 2.5 years and Philly seems to be on the surface a good fit. The Eagles have a solid organization with good structure in place. There is a culture of strong veteran leadership with an expectation and proven track record of winning.
Andy Reid is an incredibly diverse offensive coach. Look at the powerhouse he has turned RB Brian Westbrook into in terms of doing things from every angle on the field. Westbrook is a top 5 pick in most fantasy leagues because Reid gets him the ball in so many different ways.
The guy is not as accurate as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and will never be...but those guys will never run for a 1,000 yards from the QB position in the NFL. The goal is to move the ball...secure it....and score touchdowns to help win games. Vick has proven he can do that.
Now he has to prove it again after being gone for 2.5 years and Philly seems to be on the surface a good fit. The Eagles have a solid organization with good structure in place. There is a culture of strong veteran leadership with an expectation and proven track record of winning.
Andy Reid is an incredibly diverse offensive coach. Look at the powerhouse he has turned RB Brian Westbrook into in terms of doing things from every angle on the field. Westbrook is a top 5 pick in most fantasy leagues because Reid gets him the ball in so many different ways.
The only weird thing about Vick's signing is the fact that Donovan McNabb is the incumbent franchise QB. He just re-signed a two year deal. Philly has always had a 'we love you...ahhh maybe we don't' attitude with Donovan and that is really ridiculous when you look at the body of work he has given Eagles fans.
But if you listen and believe McNabb this might not be a problem after all. McNabb and Vick are good friends and several news outlets are reporting it was McNabb who went to Eagles management and said 'let's look at this.'
"I'm the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm pretty sure when Chad Pennington went to the sidelines last year in Miami for the wildcat formation he didn't have a problem with it. I won't either." McNabb's reaction to Vick's signing.
That sounds good now and certainly drips a little of being spin-doctorish but we shall see what happens if the Eagles start slow and McNabb struggles...let us see how the city of brotherly you better win or else we get not so lovey feels then.
I love it though, more drama in a league oozing with it now that Michael Vick is back!
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