Vic signs with Eagles

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Michael Vick, recently reinstated to the NFL after being freed from federal prison after a dog fighting-related conviction, has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to his agent, Joel Segal. The league suspended Vick in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia. He was freed from federal prison on May 20

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News (http://www.cnn.com)

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Perfect, I understand Eagles stadium has a jail and on sight court room with Judge in the basement. If Vic violates his probation, he won't have far to walk.

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Whoops, letrock was ahead of me by 3 minutes. Please CLOSE this thread. Sorry folks.

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Jeez its late, and letsrocks thread dicusses reinstatement not his Eagles signing. Keep my thread alive thanks.

[Kristy]

I still say he won't last long. The fan base there will chew him up faster than one of his pit bulls did to a poodle.

[Dan]

I still say he won't last long. The fan base there will chew him up faster than one of his pit bulls did to a poodle.

Agree,The Peeps Are Just Going To Laugh At Him.:biggrin:

[fryingdutchman]

What a fucking joke.

I guess Andy Reid has a soft spot for criminals because he has two sons doing time.

Unfortunately, I'm sure opinions on this will fall along racial lines.

A majority of blacks will love it.

A majority of whites will hate it.

But ultimately I guess it doesn't matter. Vick was always overrated, and to think that he was once the highest paid player in the league is an abomination.

He never played up to the level of his paycheck....ever.

[fryingdutchman]

An excerpt from the Philly Inquirer...

The Eagles' decision was driven by coach Andy Reid, who made it clear after the 27-25 loss that he felt as though Vick deserved a chance to turn his life around.

"I'm a believer that as long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance," Reid said. "Michael has done that. I've done a tremendous amount of homework on this, and I've followed his progress. He has some great people in his corner, and he has proven that he's on the right track."

Reid also admitted that his personal life influenced his strong feelings about Vick, referring to the arrests of his two sons, Britt and Garrett, on drug charges.

"I've seen people that are close to me who have had second chances that have taken advantage of those," Reid said. "It's very important that people give them an opportunity to change, so we're doing that with Michael. The other side of that is we're getting one of the best football players in the league."

People "close to you" have "taken advantage" of their second chances, Andy?

Bullshit.

Remember what your boy Garrett did with his "second chance?"

He shoved drugs up his ass to smuggle them into County jail where he was on his way towards getting off fairly easily in light of serious drug and weapsons charges.

Then, just this past May, he got his ass thrown back in jail for flunking a drug test and beating up another resident of the halfway house he was staying in.

What's your opinion of 5th and 6th chances Andy? Because you might have to answer those questions when it comes to Michael Vick.

[fryingdutchman]

Unfortunately, I'm sure opinions on this will fall along racial lines.

A majority of blacks will love it.

A majority of whites will hate it.

Just found this from last night's 11pm news here in Philly.

Click the link and watch the video. You be the judge.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=6964596

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Headline on Front page on Philadelphia Daily News (can't find an online pic)....

"Hide Your Dogs"

[fryingdutchman]

Headline on Front page on Philadelphia Daily News (can't find an online pic)....

"Hide Your Dogs"

Here ya go VA...

http://media.philly.com/storage/dailynews/covers/front.jpg

[Va Beach VH Fan]

That's the one...

Of course, it's really big news around here in his backyard....

The shots that ESPN is showing of Vick throwing the ball players at practice is literally about 1000 feet from my house, I can see it from the upstairs windows.... His old HS coach now coaches here, which is the HS that my youngest son will be a sophomore and my oldest boy graduated from.... My boy and his friends were over there watching him one of those days he was there....

[fryingdutchman]

That's the one...

Of course, it's really big news around here in his backyard....

The shots that ESPN is showing of Vick throwing the ball players at practice is literally about 1000 feet from my house, I can see it from the upstairs windows.... His old HS coach now coaches here, which is the HS that my youngest son will be a sophomore and my oldest boy graduated from.... My boy and his friends were over there watching him one of those days he was there....

That's cool!

I'm watching the press conference right now. As is usually the case in things like this, Vick is saying all the right things. He's cautiously reciting what is obviously a well-scripted mea culpa to try and curry favor with the fans:

"I've done terrible things"

"I've made mistakes"

"I want to be part of the solution, not the problem"

"I'd like to thank Philly for this opportunity."

"I'd like to thank Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb"

Blah, blah, blah....

He's looking to make upwards of $7 million if Philly options him for a second year.

And the thing that makes me really sick?

After living here my entire life, and knowing Philly fans and their hunger for championships...(because I am one of them)

If Michael Vick has a hand in leading the Eagles to a Superbowl, he could crush Lassie's skull with the Lombardi Trophy on the 50 yard line, and there would still be some who hail him as a hero.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Well, for as much as I despise everything remotely related to Philly sports, I applaud them on their coverage so far.... Don't give this guy any breaks...

[sadaist]

Wait until they play in Cleveland. What will be the Dog Pounds reaction to him?

I checked the schedule, he does have some rough away cities to go to this season:
@ Jets
@ Raiders
@ Bears
@ Cowboys

I usually get to go to 1-2 Chargers game per season. Week 10 they come to San Diego. I won't try to get tickets to this game as there are others on the schedule I'd rather see. But if someone happens to invite me to this game on their tickets I'll go.

[sadaist]

OOOH! Week 13 they play @ Falcons. Damn, that should be a good one.

[ULTRAMAN VH]

What pisses me off about this asshole, is if he had not been caught he would still be abusing dogs. If a law enforcement officer or fire fighter pulled this shit and served time, they would not be reinstated to their former positions of employment. What gives this shitbag the right to go from the Pen to the Penthouse.

[letsrock]

Love that he is back. I bet PETA is pissed.

[Fairwrning]

Brilliant move by Philly..I would start the guy off running back kickoffs and punts and a few plays in the offense. Philly fans are gonna be hard to please..but WHEN Mcnabb gets hurt( and he will ) those ungrateful fucks will be kissing Vicks ass.

[TAKIN WHISKEY]

The Eagles DON"T need him. They are stacked offensively already and are pretty much everyones preseason favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. As a Cowboys fan, and as hard as it is for me to admit, The Eagles are going to be very good this year and don't need distractions that this self absorded moron brings to the table. I'm just glad Dallas stayed away. My question is how in the world is Vick going to stay healthy taking hits when 1) he hasn't played in two years and 2) the last couple of years he did play, he couldn't stay healthy. What position is he going to play? I wouldn't take McNabb off the field for a second for this guy. If Donovan goes down, Vick isn't the answer, he isn't even close to as good as McNabbs WORST season.

[hideyoursheep]

What gives this shitbag the right to go from the Pen to the Penthouse.
It's a GAME.

He paid his debt. Now Philly is paying him. You want this guy unemployed and dodging Milk Bones the rest of his life? He, unlike Orenthal, did his time.

I don't think he's as fleet of foot as he used to be. The dodging of dog biscuits will come soon enough...that's a given.

[fryingdutchman]

Philly fans.......those ungrateful fucks

Easy there, chief.

We're not all "ungrateful fucks."

What have we really had to be "ungrateful" for in the last 28 years?

[fryingdutchman]

McNabb hints at "double-teaming" opposing defenses with Vick?

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Here's a scenario that must have defensive coordinators scrambling to their chalkboards: Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick on the field together.

Though Vick has spent his three practice days with the Philadelphia Eagles playing quarterback, it's more likely he'll see most of his action in a nontraditional offense. With his speed and powerful arm, Vick is an ideal candidate to run a variation of the Wildcat formation.

Eagles coach Andy Reid isn't revealing any secrets, but McNabb said Monday he wouldn't mind if Vick took some of his snaps.

"I wouldn't have a problem with it if it's helping us win," McNabb said.

If Vick lines up behind center, McNabb won't necessarily be watching from the sideline.

"I'll be a receiver. I might be a tight end. I might be a running back," he said with a smile. "You never know where I'll be."

It's uncertain whether the Eagles would risk putting McNabb at an unfamiliar position and expose him to the defense. But it's clear that Vick was brought in to add a different dimension to the offense, not to push McNabb for a starting job.

"Coach will think of something," McNabb said.

So far, Vick has been mostly an observer at practice. He gradually works in behind McNabb, A.J. Feeley and undrafted rookie Adam DiMichele. McNabb's backup, Kevin Kolb, is out with a knee injury.

Vick took nine snaps in team drills during a nearly two-hour session Monday afternoon. He completed 3 of 6 passes and handed off three times. Vick's best throw came on his only play during seven-on-sevens when he fired a 25-yard completion to wide receiver Danny Amendola.

Again, Vick was the last player to leave the field. He spent 20 minutes working with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and two assistants after practice.

McNabb has been impressed with what he's seen from Vick on the practice field and in the film room.

"He's done a great job. You have to be excited about his work ethic and attitude," McNabb said. "I see a guy doing whatever it takes to turn his life around. He's going through the proper channels."

McNabb said he first lobbied the Eagles to sign Vick a month ago. He said he approached Reid with the suggestion even before Vick was released from federal custody after serving 18 months of a 23-month sentence for his role in torturing animals and running a dogfighting operation.

The two have been friends since McNabb escorted Vick on a campus visit to Syracuse a decade ago - Vick chose Virginia Tech.

"I believe in second chances and I have strong faith in God that he forgives our sins," said McNabb, a dog lover who owns two American bulldogs and a Belgian Malinois. "Yes, it was a bad thing and a malicious act, but somewhere in your heart, you have to have forgiveness."

McNabb isn't concerned that Vick's presence ultimately will create a quarterback controversy. When McNabb went down with a season-ending knee injury in 2006, Jeff Garcia stepped in and led Philadelphia to a division title and a playoff victory.

But the Eagles didn't re-sign Garcia after that season, and McNabb regained his starting spot once he was healthy.

"I've been through many situations here throughout my career when they've cheered for the backup," McNabb said. "It happened with Garcia. It happened with Kolb. It happened with A.J. I'm used to that."

McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl pick, has led the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance in 10 seasons in Philadelphia. He was rewarded with a $5.3 million raise in the offseason when the Eagles tore up his old contract with two years remaining, and gave him a new deal worth $24.5 million over the next two seasons.

Vick signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Eagles, who hold a $5.2 million option for a second season.

If Vick is a success with the Eagles, he could earn almost $8 million next season, with incentives. He can collect an additional $2.75 million in 2010 if he plays in 51 percent of the offensive plays in 13 or more games next year, a person familiar with the contract confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Eagles have not revealed the terms of Vick's contract.

If Vick does not reach the top incentive next season, he can still get an extra $850,000 if he hits the 51 percent mark in at least nine games and $1.9 million if he does it in at least 11 games, the person said.

ESPN.com first reported the 2010 incentives on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Vick went to three Pro Bowls in six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. But he's known more for his running ability than his passing skills. Vick holds several rushing records for QBs, including most yards in a season (1,039) and most career 100-yard games (eight). His career completion percentage is only 53.8 percent. He has 71 career touchdown passes, but 52 interceptions.

"You kind of have to go back to the way he was coached," McNabb said. "The guy had about (two) head coaches and three coordinators. The coach probably taught him if one's not open, then take off, or look for two and then just go.

"Here, you have to know the offense. You have to know where everyone is going to be and the right routes and if you get a certain coverage, how to be able to adjust to that. Sit in the pocket and have confidence that your guys will make plays for you. I think that's something that he's learning right now. It's just like he's a rookie again. He knows the different concepts, but he still has to get his feet up under him of just playing the quarterback position."

In Philadelphia, Vick as a chance to learn from one of the best.

"I kind of can be a mentor to him, give him an opportunity to get his feet under him, get his life together," McNabb said.


That should be interesting....

Almost GUARANTEES that McNabb will get hurt if he puts himself out in the open field and gets piled on...

[Fairwrning]

Easy there, chief.

We're not all "ungrateful fucks."

What have we really had to be "ungrateful" for in the last 28 years?

Maybe "ungrateful" isnt the right word...what would you use to describe those folks that use laser pointers on opposing teams..throw anything they can get their hands on..cheer when a player is in a neck brace, on a gurney and being put in an ambulance?
:umm:
I know not EVERY Philly fan does this shit...but I would actually feel a bit wary of wearing a Dallas jersey in that place..but wouldnt think twice about anywhere else.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

And PLEASE, let's not just restrict this to Eagles fans...

Flyers fans are real beauts themselves....

[fryingdutchman]

Maybe "ungrateful" isnt the right word...what would you use to describe those folks that use laser pointers on opposing teams..throw anything they can get their hands on..cheer when a player is in a neck brace, on a gurney and being put in an ambulance?
:umm:
I know not EVERY Philly fan does this shit...but I would actually feel a bit wary of wearing a Dallas jersey in that place..but wouldnt think twice about anywhere else.

Well...I think Philly gets a bad rap far too often because of how passionate we are. It's become such a crutch for everyone who wants to be a Philly hater that it's almost cliche.

I'm waiting for someone to bring up snowballs and Santa Claus....

Unfortunately, a few bad apples have spoiled the bunch.

But throwing shit is universal. I submit to you the douchebag who doused Shane Victorino with beer AND the cup it came in as he was playing a fly ball last week in Chicago...

As for "cheering when a player is put into an ambulance on a gurney"...please cite the specific instance when that occurred.

The last time I remember a player being carted off in Philly was back in May when St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel slammed into the wall on a great play.

The Philly fans did cheer, but that's because Ankiel gave a "thumbs up" on the way to the ambulance, and the fans appreciated his hard work and hustle to make the play.

[fryingdutchman]

And PLEASE, let's not just restrict this to Eagles fans...

Flyers fans are real beauts themselves....

So are New Jersey Devils fans Va...

I've been to some games in the Meadowlands wearing a Flyers jersey and there were a few occasions when I thought I might not make it out alive.

Again...I know there are some REAL assholes in this town who go to the games.

All I ask is that you not paint with a broad brush...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

OK, I won't paint YOU with it....

Deal ??

[fryingdutchman]

OK, I won't paint YOU with it....

Deal ??

OK...I can live with that.;)

[Fairwrning]

Michael Irvin was the player that landed on his head after getting hit...he wasnt moving for a bit..they put the brace on him and put him on a gurney..the crowd was cheering the entire time..that was the last game Irvin played and the guy still had some years left in him.

[ELVIS]

Well, for as much as I despise everything remotely related to Philly sports, I applaud them on their coverage so far.... Don't give this guy any breaks...

Yeah right...

Once he throws a few touchdown passes, people will ignore his past...

At least, he paid the price for his crimes...


:elvis:

[TAKIN WHISKEY]

Maybe "ungrateful" isnt the right word...what would you use to describe those folks that use laser pointers on opposing teams..throw anything they can get their hands on..cheer when a player is in a neck brace, on a gurney and being put in an ambulance?
:umm:
I know not EVERY Philly fan does this shit...but I would actually feel a bit wary of wearing a Dallas jersey in that place..but wouldnt think twice about anywhere else.

I always wore my Cowboys jerseys into Philly, and never really had a problem. I got a lot of COWBOYS SUCK comments, but hey, you can buy a Dallas Sucks t-shirt in May outside a Phillies game, so it just goes with the territory. I was never stupid enough to get into it with a group of Eagles fans in their house. I don't think it was any worse in Philly than in the Meadowlands. I can tell you that NY and Philly are much more testosterone driven football crowds than most NFL stadiums.

[fryingdutchman]

Michael Irvin was the player that landed on his head after getting hit...he wasnt moving for a bit..they put the brace on him and put him on a gurney..the crowd was cheering the entire time..that was the last game Irvin played and the guy still had some years left in him.

Not the "Michael Irvin" thing again...

Irvin's a crackhead and a drama queen, and for all we know the fans at that game probably thought that Irvin was "embellishing" his injury.

Philly appreciates a good, clean hit. If Tim Hauck had put a dirty hit on him, I'd agree with you.

Let's take a good look at the guy who set the stage for players like "Pacman"....

1996 arrest
In March 1996, Irvin was arrested on charges of cocaine possession at a hotel party celebrating his 30th birthday. After numerous court appearances amid a national media circus, which featured Irvin showing up to court in a full-length mink coat, he pled no contest to the charges and was sentenced to community service, ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, and put on 4-years probation.


1998 alleged assault
In 1998 Irvin was alleged to be involved in a bizarre incident during training camp when he allegedly inflicted a two-inch cut in the neck of Dallas guard Everett McIver while some team members were getting haircuts. Whether it was battery or accidental McIver did not press charges, and rumors swirled that Irvin brokered a six-figure settlement with McIver to drop the matter.

Arrests since retirement
A year following his retirement from the NFL, Irvin again was arrested on drug possession charges. In this case, Irvin was in a Dallas apartment with an unrelated woman. Neither answered the door when police drug task force agents arrived with a search warrant. Police entered the apartment forcibly, finding drugs. Irvin and the female were placed under arrest, though charges against Irvin were later dropped.

The promises of a new lifestyle in broadcasting appeared to be short-lived, with Irvin again arrested. In this instance Irvin was pulled over in Plano, Texas for speeding on November 25, 2005. Irvin was arrested on an outstanding warrant on an unpaid speeding ticket in Irving, Texas, but was also cited for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his car and found the marijuana pipe, and plastic bags with marijuana residue

Two days after his arrest, Irvin appeared on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown", as scheduled, on November 27, 2005. In his on-the-air comments that evening, he stated that he had taken the drug paraphernalia away from a longtime friend who was battling a drug addiction. Irvin told the Associated Press he was trying to help someone close to him get off drugs and cares more about that than his chances of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The next day Irvin said the pipe was in fact his brother's and he (Irvin) was going to throw it out but had forgotten to do so.

It doesn't sound to me like any team in their right mind would have wanted anything to do with Irvin, no matter how many years he had "left in him."

[Fairwrning]

Never said it was a dirty hit or that Irvin was a role model.......just think its uncalled for to cheer when a person is in that situation.

[TAKIN WHISKEY]

Never said it was a dirty hit or that Irvin was a role model.......just think its uncalled for to cheer when a person is in that situation.

Amen, I was watching that game when it happened and couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Philly fans were clearly booing Irvin. There was NO DOUBT that he was seriously hurt. He lay on that cheap ass turf at the Vet and didn't move. The paramedics had to remove his face mask and immobilize him by strapping him to a gurney.