First Dogs, Now Eagles

Breaking News: Michael Vick has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

OK, that is not exactly breaking news or a scoop, but it is interesting.

I think this is going to be bad for the Eagles. This is going to be a PR nightmare. They are going to catch hell from everywhere. Every sports TV reporter, columnist, and little piss-ant blog is going to say something, and it will be mostly bad. Evidently the backlash from their own fans has already started. Scanning the message boards at the Philadelphia Inquirer's website shows that many of the fans still haven't forgiven Vick and wish that he had signed somewhere else.

Many don't think he has paid his debt to society completely and don't think he should be allowed to play football.

About that, let me say this. I don't agree with what Vick did at all. I am an unashamed animal lover. However, he served his sentence. He didn't get off easy because of his money or celebrity. In fact, he may have served more time than a "normal" person because he was being made an example of, according to ESPN legal analyst Jack Ford. Also, probation agreements always allow for an ex-con to earn a living. Michael Vick is an athlete. That is how he earned his living before he was convicted. His situation is different from other convicts only because his skills allow him to earn tens of millions instead of tens of thousands.

The other way I think this is going to be detrimental is in the locker room. What exactly does Donovan McNabb have to do to get some respect in Philly?

Last year he bristled when the team drafted Kevin Kolb, a player whose biggest accomplishment in college was leading his team to losses in the Hawaii Bowl, the Fort Worth Bowl, and Liberty Bowl, for which I give him the career college football post-season "who gives a shit" award. How is McNabb supposed to feel now with the younger, faster, more dynamic, McNabb 2.0 on the sidelines?

Anyone who thinks Vick is being brought in just to run some crazy wildcat package or be a change of pace is being naive. If he performs well he will be McNabb's heir. And a cheap one at that.

(Sidenote: I'm sick of the word "wildcat" and hearing about how it is this new crazy offense. It is a variation of the "Wing-T," the oldest offense in American football history. 1882, Walter Camp, look it up.)

It is no secret that I am a NY Giants fan, and therefore an Eagles hater. But I feel for McNabb. The little amount of respect he gets is out of proportion to his performance on the field and the man he is off the field.

The disrespect started in high school. Only Syracuse offered him a scholarship to be a pocket QB. He was booed by Eagles fans when he was drafted. Rush Limbaugh said the media inflated his ability. The stink with Pam Oliver and Freddie Mitchell.

No one seems to remember he has led the Eagles to more success than they have seen in their history. He is the Eagles' all time leader in career pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. He is also the team's career leader in what matters most, wins. He has led the team to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl. He is also the least intercepted quarterback per pass attempt in NFL history (!).

For crying out loud, the man once played on a broken fibula.

Anyone remember 4th and 26 against the Packers in the 2003 playoffs?

McNabb has been a tough valiant player, a leader, and model citizen in Philly. He is one of the smiling faces of the NFL. It's a shame he doesn't get treated better.

We all knew that Vick was going to sign somewhere and bring a firestorm with him when he did.

As a Giants fan I say it couldn't have happened to a better group people than the Fluffy Iggles and their fans.