As all football buffs are aware, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has named Michael Vick the team’s starting quarterback. This is a complete reversal of what Reid has been saying since Vick came in against the Green Bay Packers in relief of an injured Kevin Kolb. “When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity,” Reid stated.
Performing intensely well for the past three weeks now, Vick first relieved Kolb in Week One after he sustained a concussion late in the second quarter against the Packers. Because of a superb performance two weeks ago in the Eagles’ win against Detroit, he has been given permission to start the rest of the season for Philadelphia.
Few predicted Michael Vick’s return to the NFL after a 23-month prison sentence for dog fighting, much less one as triumphant or heralded as this. The 30-year-old Vick has amassed a QB rating of over 100 in both games this season, throwing for 175 yards and one touchdown and running for 103 yards in a 27-20 season opening loss to Green Bay. He had 291 yards passing and accounted for four combined TDs in a 35-32 win at Jacksonville last Sunday.
“I’m very proud of him,” Reid said last week regarding Vick’s performance against Detroit in their 35-32 win. “It’s a true testament that if you work hard, you keep your nose clean, good things can happen. And he’s worked very hard at doing both those things and I’m proud of the way he led the football team yesterday.”
Reid has been persistent in his statements that Kolb was the starting quarterback of the Eagles and that he would regain the starting job once he had fully recovered from his concussion. Acting as back up to Vick, Kolb’s spotlight is dimmed for the time being, as Vick will now have a chance to reclaim his status as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL, which he accomplished with the Atlanta Falcons prior to his incarceration. He will be a free agent after this season, raising questions about whether the Eagles will once again give Kolb a shot, or resign Vick before he hits the open market.
But what are the fans’ reactions to the criminal turned franchise quarterback? The majority of them are ecstatic about the change. The fans want wins, and want those in charge should do what it takes to make that happen.
If it means putting in another starting QB, go for it, right? Some other fans are not so appreciative of the switch. Abclocal. com user Cathy stated, “This is a terrible decision. I did not agree that he should have even been let back into the NFL, now the Eagles go and promote this idiot… It is another sad day for the City of Philadelphia… I guess it will be another year that I don’t watch the Eagles…”
Another member, Isinchak refutes: “I too was dead set against him LAST year. This is a new year and I think he finally has shown some remorse and trying to change his life around.
“Let’s give it a rest and all just root for our team. We don’t want Kolb getting more injured because we are arguing over who should play and not play. Vick has shown he still has the stuff to get it done.”
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