Good For Vick…Bad For Giants??
Michael Vick didn’t just re-enter the NFL, he jumped right into the toughest division in football and smack into the middle of one of the nastiest rivalries in the NFL: Giants – Eagles.
Back on July 20th, the day Vick was released, I said on the blog that ANY team would be wise to add Vick to it’s roster.
Around that very day, the owners of the Giants (and Jets) came out and said that under no circumstances would they sign Vick.
Now the Giants will have to plan around containing Michael Vick - in addition to Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Macklin – AT LEAST two times a season.
That is a DYNAMIC offense with Vick inserted as a hybrid QB/WR/RB in a “Wildcat” style offense. While it still remains to be seen what Vick can bring to the table and to what extent his skills have diminished, on paper, that appears very hard to stop.
As for the public relations hit the Eagles will take as a result of adding Vick, I don’t really foresee a problem.
Like I said three weeks ago when I argued in favor of adding Vick, the team that brings him aboard can spin it as “we’re willing to be a part of Vick’s turnaround as a human being.”
Philly is about as tough as a town gets, but when it comes to one of their own, they are fiercely loyal. I predict that once Eagles fans get an idea of what their offense will be capable of once Vick rounds into shape, they will adopt him with open arms.
That city always has an underdog, blue collar mentaility – and right now, is there a bigger underdog in the NFL than Michael Vick (no pun intended)?
I like the move for the Eagles. A LOT. They don’t really have much to lose and they have everything to gain.
As for the rest of the hyper-competitive NFC East, if this thing comes together and Vick returns to 80% of the player he was pre-prison, it could be enough to put Philly over the top in the division and leave the Giants, ‘Skins and ‘Boys roughing it for a Wild Card spot.
And for the teams that end up watching the Eagles in the playoffs from their couches at home, they’ll be sorry they didn’t add Vick when they had the chance.
Matt Estreich for The Huddle
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Comments: 5
Vic is an evil person. He showed his true colors and should never be alowed to play football again. What he did to those dogs should be done to him. Anyone who has a dog knows they have feelings just like us. How do you think Vic's dogs felt?
Johnny - I hear you. His actions were 1000% despicable. But he served his time in jail. Doesn't he, just like anyone else, deserve a second chance? You would expect the same opportunity to return to your job if something like this happened to you. Why should it be any different for Michael Vick? Because his job just happens to be high profile? That's not fair. He deserves a second chance, and he messes that one up, then he'll be out of the league and we won't have to deal with it anymore. But until then, you have to give the guy a chance.
Vick is certainly saying all the right things. In a press conference this morning, he spoke about trying to be part of the solution and working with the Humane Society. It might be all smoke and mirrors but I agree with Matt, you have to give the guy a shot. I would appreciate a second chance if I ever got into a situation. However as a dog owner I am horrified by the fact that he had it in his heart to even be able to torture those poor animals in the first place! I hope he is not at home saying "thank goodness I got past this" but not truly feeling remorseful. I can only go on what is out there and for now, I have to believe he does feel horrible about what he did and has newfound compassion (that he should have had to begin with) Tony Dungy is his mentor and according to those that know him, a good man. Having that relationship helps me have some belief in Vick becoming a changed man.
So I had a huge discussion with my husband on the way to work today and he is of Johnny's perspective. As we stated our points we both kept coming back to two things: the cruelty of the acts imposed by Vick are egregious, and for my hubby, beyond repair. The intent of Vick's CONSISTENT acts of torture, including electrocution, rape and drowning have me thinking that I am being disingenuous or naive about my "hope" that Vick has the ability to resurrect himself. The other point was the "second chance" issue: would you or I be given a second chance to come back to our existing professions so easily? Ultimately, this topic has me a bit confused and teetering on the line. As I sit here and write this, I am agreeing more and more with my husband. (Look I never said I was on the Debate team or anything) Forget about football and how good or not the Eagles will be with Vick. I think talking about football downplays the severity of the real topic at hand-the intent of a person to perform such cruel acts with no value placed on LIFE is disgusting. Goodell should rethink his decision come Week 6 and get Vick out of there. If Vick is honest in what he told JB on "60 Minutes", that it's "not about football" then he will continue bettering himself with or without the game. Let's see how he becomes a changed man out in the world.
I see everyone's point, but what about the players who have killed someone while drunk driving....do they deserve a second chance? Is that more forgivable?? (ie. Donte Stallworth)
I will be the first to say that what Vick did to those dogs was disgusting, but have you ever been to a third world country?
Animals are not treated like they are here in the US. In some places there are no vets, let alone even food for animals.
Can YOU save all the animals of the world? Or are you just picking on Vick because he was CAUGHT?
If you don't know by now, it's a doggie dog world out there.
Where does animal abuse fit in when PEOPLE are being abused everyday, on every level.