News from Philly: Vick named starting pitcher … er, QB
Arthur Blank and Michael Vick before the Eagles beat the Falcons last year. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Philadelphia — Talk about timing. I was planning to stop by the Eagles’ practice facility tomorrow en route to the final game of the Braves-Phillies series. My intention was to speak to Michael Vick about how graciously he has accepted his role as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback behind Kevin Kolb. And then …
Ten minutes ago the press box at Citizens Bank Park, which is just across the street from the Eagles’ stadium and down the road from the training complex, went nuts, and it had nothing to do with the Phillies or the Braves. The Eagles just sent out a blast e-mail announcing that coach Andy Reid has named Vick the starting quarterback. (This represents a major reversal on Reid’s part: Even after Vick had led Philly to victory Sunday over Detroit, the coach maintained that Kolb, who missed the game with a concussion, would remain No. 1.)
And I’m thinking: Good for Michael Vick.
Because I’ve never been able to dislike him as a person. Because I’ve always considered him capable of being a first-rate NFL quarterback. And because tomorrow just got a bit more interesting for yours truly.
Oh, and you’ll never guess which team visits Lincoln Financial Field — that’s the stadium across the street — on Oct. 17. Yep. The Atlanta Falcons. Them again.
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219 comments Add your comment
waynester
September 21st, 2010
9:28 pm
The Falcons’ franchise– (owner, fans and it’s city) gave Vick everything he ever dreamed of and he flipped us all off. Ya’ll conveniently forget ALL the things he put this franchise through while accusing others of “throwing him under the bus” when you know dang well it was all on him and his foolishness. For those praying for his soul, more power to you–but don’t come on here trying to rewrite history. It won’t wash…
Truth-Serum
September 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
My Bad NOLA You were quoting some one else who is lower than hitler.
Over It
September 21st, 2010
9:29 pm
GT Alum …..Do you accept the ‘cultural’ wrong your people did years ago? Slavery, lynching and the current hatred towards people of color are all wrong, but the abusers of these ‘crimes’ were and are not properly punished for their crimes. Where is the real justice system when you need it? As far as the dogs that were mistreated, find some of today’s vicitms of these dog ‘bittings’ and ask them how they feel! You would feel different if you were getting your butt and face chewed on by these vicioius animals.
Truth-Serum
September 21st, 2010
9:30 pm
Author Blank….Eat CROW AND DIE! YOU SHOULD HAVE GIVEN VICK A SECOND CHANCE.
Truth-Serum
September 21st, 2010
9:31 pm
BLANK, WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR OWN SON A SECOND CHANCE? DID GOD GIVE US A SECOND CHANCE?
YOU BLANKING RIGHT!
crabapplejoe
September 21st, 2010
9:53 pm
@Over It who wrote: “Do you accept the ‘cultural’ wrong your people did years ago? Slavery, lynching and the current hatred towards people of color are all wrong, but the abusers of these ‘crimes’ were and are not properly punished for their crimes”
I look forward to your mission trip to stop slavery in the only place it is practiced today…black on black….in Africa…LMAO. And the current hatred of people of “non-color” by people of color, as evidenced by the astronomical black on white violent crime is also “wrong”…don’t you think Chief?
waynester
September 21st, 2010
9:54 pm
serum
Blank gave Vick MORE than a second chance– he gave him 100 million more chances than most owners ever would– and here you are acting like it was Blank who did something wrong.
Over it
We’re talking about the specific actions of a particular individual and you’re trying to compare this with the evils of generations past? Trying to make this about race when it is completely irrelevant to the ongoing discussion? You ought to be just as ashamed of calling someone on here “lower than Hitler” but there doesn’t seem to be any sense of shame or decency among the Vick apologists….
Scott
September 21st, 2010
9:55 pm
I think it’s great that Vick gets the chance to play QB again…He definitely hasn’t lost his amazing skills, and I wish him the best…
Vick Supporter
September 21st, 2010
9:58 pm
Wow!! I’m still in shock. We all saw that Vick played the best football of hiis life, but I was expecting him to take over at Good for you Vick.
Four years I’ve been on these blogs telling you people what was gonna happen….I used to say..
“The Great Mike Vick Has Returned”….you laughed
“Vick Will Shine Again” …you laughed and called me a thug, a n,i.g….etc,etc.
I told you Vick would be back better than ever and I was right, and here you are complaining aout Ryan after FORCING comparisons of Ryan to Tom Brady. What a f’in joke, and I told you so. Ryan is a good, above average QB, but lets face the facts, he’s no Mike Vick.
Yeah, Vick was coddled, had bad coaching (except for Dan Reeves), and yes, he relied on his out of this world football talents instead of putting in the proper work. But that’s all hindsight now. Its a new beginning for Vick, who is focused and HUMBLED. The man thought he could do anything and it blew up in his face.
Here’s one for ya…don’t be surprised if the Eagles make it to the SB. Vick will have the Comeback Player of the Year trophy locked down, and he already has MVP….again..MVP numbers. I know its early, but Vick has that kind of ability.
Like I used to always say….
“Put that in your pipe and smoke it” LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WWWHHHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
waynester
September 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
crabapple
It’s a particularly bitter irony that you noted in your 2nd paragraph but not surprising since African slavers are historically at the top of the supply side of that peculiar institution and even more amazing the gravitation of many people of color to Islam when it was the Arabs who promulgated the sales of human beings from Africa(and elsewhere) to begin with….
mikeDW
September 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
whatever y’all…he’s an asshole…but I’m glad he’s on my fantasy team….that should say it all
Scrooge X
September 21st, 2010
10:01 pm
Mike Vick has not paid his dues. He cannot bring the animals lives back.
intellibird
September 21st, 2010
10:02 pm
Pretty soon Mike Vick will be leading the Eagles in rushing and his number of interceptions will be equal to his number of touchdowns. Then, people will start saying things like he doesn’t have anyone on the team helping him. Then he will start with the scrambling first before looking downfield and the fumbling in the backfield. Then people will be talking about the bad coaching in Philly. Same story, seen and heard it all before.
PETA
September 21st, 2010
10:05 pm
It is a crying shame how the Eagles are treating Kolb. Clearly the front office forced Reid to start Vick. Just last night, Reid stated that Kolb was the starter.
Poor Kolb is gping through the same thing that aaron Rodgers went through with Favre.
Really?!
September 21st, 2010
10:06 pm
I feel like everyone deserves a second chance. Most people convicted of such a horrendous crime would face a long climb back in any occupation if their sins were made public and I wish him the best on his hopeful path to redemption! What bothers me even more than his crimes are the sickos that try to minimize them with statements such as “it’s not like he robbed a store” or “it’s a cultural thing”. Yes, worse things happen but that doesn’t minimize how horrible his actions were (including the outright lies to his boss- was that a “cultural thing”). I would rather have MV living beside me and QBing my team than one of these people so morally bankrupt they try to those explain or minimize why it wasn’t so bad It was a very horrible thing period, but anyone defending his past is harming his public persona and making it harder for him.
waynester
September 21st, 2010
10:11 pm
supporter
I don’t see anyone on here calling you ugly names so what’s with the victimhood mentality? You continue to suggest that everyone else put the damage that Vick caused to this franchise in the past in one post and accusing others of forgetting the past in the next. Vick cost his owner coaches teammates and everyone else who worked on his behalf in the entire organization money and in numerous cases, their jobs just for trying to help him live up to the talent he was given. Forgive? Yes. Forget? No…..
DHD
September 21st, 2010
10:20 pm
More AJC LOVE for their main squeeze, Mike Vick. You guys just can’t help it, can you? I have never seen anything like the numbers of articles that has been written about Vick. When will the insanity end???
Your Conscience
September 21st, 2010
10:22 pm
@UGABugKiller September 21st, 2010 6:37
@Scrooge X September 21st, 2010 10:01 pm
@waynester September 21st, 2010 9:54 pm
@Charlie Manuel’s Colon September 21st, 2010 9:05 pm
Were all of you as outraged when Tim McVay killed all those people? What hypocrites or should I say what racists. Find something worth while to be outraged about instead of crucifying Mike Vick til time indefinite for killing dogs. He has paid for what he has done.
All of you need to put down that Meth pipe and have some compassion and forgiveness!! Even Jesus forgave Judas.
YOUR CONSCIENCE
JSS
September 21st, 2010
10:24 pm
Well I see the four bile masters have arisen from their crypts to spew their daily mixtures of falsehoods and reverse double psycho babble…
Let’s see,
Vick will never play again… They missed on that…
He’ll run afoul of the law, he is too stupid to stay out of trouble… Well, 0 for 2…
He’ll never regain a semblance of his old skills… You’re striking more than Andruw Jones during his Dodger year…
He’ll be more than 3rd string QB… Golden sombrero!
@ the Doh one…
So Mr. N. Fulton Genius, still think Pape Sy will never the light of day in the NBA? I would laugh at you four; but I understand just how deeply disturbed you all happen to be…
Hoping for the best
September 21st, 2010
10:31 pm
Nothing is more inspiring than a person who has made horrible choices turning their life around. But nothing is more disgusting than watching the people trailing after him trying to make horrible choices seem like no big thing. I hope MV is moving on to turning it around and I feel there’s little hope for anyone who sees his past actions of torture (torture because of the horrendous pain they caused helpless animals) as no big deal because worse things happen. It’s like saying “heck I read that some guy was a serial killer and murdered 50 people, so what’s the big deal if I murdered one person”. There’s a spectrum here definitely, but if you can’t recognize when something crosses the spectrum into evil then God help you. I wish MV all the luck in the world and hope he can be a role model for turning your life around. For those of you who see this as no biggie, I hope you mature and find a better path. No wonder there’s so much crime in this world if so many are running around thinking their crimes not so bad because worse crimes are committed!!!!
Sec346
September 21st, 2010
10:31 pm
Michael Vick went to jail for illegal gambling not dog fighting. The law obviously doesn’t hold animals in high regard, which is why dog fighting is only a misdemeanor. There are much more egregious crimes than dog fighting (e.g. DUI). We all know people that have gotten behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while intoxicated; potentially killing other HUMAN BEINGS…talk about sick, disgusting and irresponsible. Think about that before you start pointing fingers at Michael Vick. Self-righteous hypocrites are what’s wrong with society, not Michael Vick.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
September 21st, 2010
10:33 pm
Mark…..Please help me understand why this is news worthy in the AJC sports pages???? Vick doesn’t get this much coverage from the sports writers for the Philadelphia Inquirer…..just saying!!!!!
Funny how you can write about Vick constantly, but wrote nothing about the Atlanta Dream making it to the finals of the WNBA…..just saying!!!!
GTFan1
September 21st, 2010
10:41 pm
Naming Vick the starter is the right decision…or is it?
http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/09/21/the-kevin-kolb-career-debate%E2%80%A6-common-sense-or-kevin-kolb/
Charlie Manuel's Colon
September 21st, 2010
10:41 pm
Tim McVay didn’t kill dogs, and we didn’t have blogs back then.
J-Man
September 21st, 2010
10:43 pm
Wheres your 8 reasons NOW!!!!!!!!! You jinxed us Bradley
waynester
September 21st, 2010
10:44 pm
conscience
I know it’s a waste of time as you’ll hear only what you want to hear but I said:
“Forgive? Yes. Forget? No!”
That doesn’t make me a hypocrite nor does it make me a racist.
Hoping for the best
Exactly right!
Chuck Clausen
September 21st, 2010
10:45 pm
I was on the Eagle’s coaching staff for 10 season before moving to Atlanta – coached with the Falcons for four years and retired from coaching and have become a Falcon Fan and an Eagle fan from a distance. I’ve been an Mick Vick Fan, he has incredible athletic skills, but needed to learn to be an NFL QB. Andy Reid was the perfect coach for Michael, it looks like Mike has matured both as a person as well as a QB. He’s paid the price for his early errors, I wish he nothing but the best.
pretty red
September 21st, 2010
10:56 pm
go get them vick you are still my favorite QB, and I don’t care who you play for wish I had a team love ya!
smart
September 21st, 2010
10:56 pm
I’m just wondering why the AJC didn’t blow this story up like they did the bad.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 21st, 2010
10:59 pm
Dang! Sorry I’m so late to the Welcome Back Vick convo. *Pause* somebody please tell WhopperDawg to go back and look at Vick’s stats before Dan Reeves left town. I’m pretty sure had Reeves not been 86′d Vick might have made believers out of more people in the ATL.
It’s amazing at how much hate people have for such a dynamic player who, in football, has done nothing but entertain (save for one incident where he gave the finger….likely to one of you bloggers who harness so much hate). What he did off the field has nothing to do with what he does on the field. Personally, I don’t like atheletes for who they are when they’re not playing. There’s no defense for animal cruelty but their is a defense on how a person is reared (raised for the verbally challenged) and the culture that a person is brought up in. In the bible it says that God only holds us accountable for what we know. If a person is raised to think that something is “not a big deal” and “accepted” in their community, how does he know any better? The real test for Vick now is being sure he is surrounded with positive influences in life in order to avoid anything else he may not have been raised to understand as being wrong.
Indifferent
September 21st, 2010
11:14 pm
I don’t care for Vick the person but the numb skulls who like to say that all he can do is run and can’t pass, I suggest you go look at his passing numbers this season as well as over his career and compare them to certain starters in the league like oh I don’t know, perhaps Matt Ryan? Notice how the golden boy currently running the show for the Falcons isn’t much better in the passing department than Vick. And Ryan arguably has far better options in the receiver corps. Difference being Vick who has a far stronger arm can also win a game with his legs. I know who I’d want starting for me.
Sec346 says it all
September 21st, 2010
11:24 pm
Seriously, those of you who minimize his actions or focus on the “gambling” conviction must have buried your head in the sand and avoided his confession which included acts of torture and killing of numerous dogs. No doubt he didn’t want to admit anything too bad until lie detectors forced him to fess up to get the deal he did. And yeah, if it makes you feel better Timothy mcveigh committed a much worse crime. And he got the death penalty for it! This isn’t about MV to me, it’s about the soulless people who refuse to accept the horrendous nature of what he did. All that being said, I believe MV has a right to turn his life around. The only thing that makes me pull against him is the blind supporters who minimize his crime.
jonnyQuest
September 21st, 2010
11:32 pm
I love the turmoil in Philly. They told McNabb to kick rocks and now they’re eating a well deserved desert. Oh the misery…LOL
TheCommish
September 21st, 2010
11:40 pm
NFL Football is a business 1st. #1 Goal is to make money. Put the players on the field that can help you win, fill up the stadium, maintain tv coverage for your team = make money. Most of you sports fans because of your emotions would make terrible team owners, coaches and gm’s. NFL is just like Hollywood in how bad behavior brings in more money. Its just the way it is.
Come on TXdawg
September 21st, 2010
11:41 pm
So if it was a cultural thing and he didn’t know better why did he lie to the commish? Let’s all get this straight, regardless of what illegal activities your culture or even your family for that matter teaches you, knowing wrong from right is pretty simple. People lie when they know they are doing wrong. Committing a crime because it’s part of your culture does not make the crime less wrong. By your line of reasoning We should look at child abusers in a different light because most of them were abused as children. Let’s bring back some pressure on people to choose the right path regardless of their “culture” or history and do what’s right. Otherwise we live in a spiraling society that lives by “well this was done to me so I can do it to the next guy”. That’s how 12 year olds think, not grown men!!! There are plenty of people who lived side by side in MV’s “culture” who walked away knowing it was sick to kill dogs and taking the right path. MV stood up and said it was wrong, why can’t you? Again, pulling for MV to become a beacon of right against this kind of mentality!
Peter
September 21st, 2010
11:43 pm
I for one was pissed at Mike for the lies, and the lack of professionalism…out partying and not preparing for the games, and for what he could have accomplished.
I also was angry at the in humane way he treated the dogs, both the animals that fought, and the dogs that got tore up as he was using them as bait/ training for the fighting dogs.
Imagine the terror of a passive dog being thrown into that ring with killer dogs…..similar to be thrown to the Lions for fun and sport in Roman days…..a house pet for gosh sakes.
All that said……. yes he screwed up big time….but what happened next is he was humiliated for his actions, paid a huge price as a person, as an athlete, and as a rich person.
I have to look at myself and say, I make mistakes, and frankly so did Mike…… He paid his debt, lost almost everything, and is starting out again.
So today I have to respect the change he made, the time he was in jail, and the courage he will need to live with his mistakes and move on.
He is an exciting football player to watch……. AND…….. reluctantly I wish him well, why reluctantly…..mostly because he would improve my team……… the Falcons !
DHunt
September 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
The more you hate on MV7, the better things are going to go for him. You gonna f* around and hate him all the way to the SB. I just bought a fresh MV7 jersey, So y’all feel free to hate on me too. I could use some more motivation in my life.
I got your back VS. I was there for all the abuse heaped on you, and you must be feeling pretty mellow right about now. Don’t let these crabs blow your high.
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
September 22nd, 2010
12:48 am
“RISE UP”. That slogan fits very well for Vick instead of the Falcons right now. I can only hop the best for you Vick. DO you best and the wins will come your way!!!
B
September 22nd, 2010
12:48 am
This is what is going to happen the falcons get to show Vick what they have become since he has not played here. Vick will get to show the Falcons what he has learned . Remember last year though he was not the #1 pick for nothing. Last I recall 2 players went before Ryan just saying Vick is a must have. Two struggling franchises passed on Ryan and no one is condemning them for not drafting Ryan. The Eagles are like Vick said when he signed a first class organization the puts winng has a high priority. The Fakcons have just had back to back winning seasons the Eagles have been a consistent contender. The Falcons should take notes. Vick is a free agent next year last I checked there is no cap
dub366
September 22nd, 2010
12:59 am
all u Vick hater i hope you and your kids never have to go to jail.
dub366
September 22nd, 2010
1:10 am
Braves r through cook and ready to be sent home. this is a reflection of the manager had a 7 games leads did nothing to cushion it. first thing hayward should have been hitting third or cleanup prado hit second. then of all thing put Mclouth back in the lineup. trade blanco for a less bat. i’am not going in SS situation which didn’t make any sense at all.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 22nd, 2010
1:22 am
“.Please help me understand why this is news worthy in the AJC sports pages????”
Atlanta has had pro sports teams for about 45 years. In that time, how many superstars have ever played in this city? You can probably count them on one hand — maybe on one Antonio Alfonseca hand — and Vick is one of them.
Joshua
September 22nd, 2010
1:29 am
UGAbugkiller, you sir, are a remarkable dolt. How ironic it is that you sit there with your sanctimonious attitude and criticize anyone. Personally I believe the world would be far better served if you and all of your ilk were not in it. You are a greater detriment to society than Vick by several orders of magnitude. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
SOUTHGADAWG88
September 22nd, 2010
9:02 am
Come on Bradley.You can’t tell me deep down in your gut you didn’t think your boy was going to end up the starter in Philly the moment you heard they traded McNabb!Be honest
Falcon since 78
September 22nd, 2010
9:07 am
My only point is that the AJC forgetes Michae Vick is the enemy now. If this were the Bulldogs, would you see the blah blah blah? HELL NO. The Falcons are a playoff team this year and we would not have done what we did in 08 and 09 if Vick were QB. That’s my only point, I just wish people shared my passion for the Falcons like they do for their pathetic Bulldogs.
SOUTHGADAWG88
September 22nd, 2010
9:10 am
I don’t know…Mike Vick and MikeTurner in the backfield together?That could have been special.
rekingball
September 22nd, 2010
9:26 am
I hope he doesn’t blow “this” opportunity, like he did with the Falcons, with his choices of personnal passtimes.
I never thought that he was that good of a QB, but he does have superior athletic ability.
If he hasn’t been injured or demoted by the time the Falcons get to Philly, I hope that the Falcons can stuff him into the turf.
GregKennesaw
September 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
So where does Kolb end up, Vikings? Jags? Carolina? Cardinals? Who else is hurting for a QB? I don’t see the Eagles paying Kolb his big $$$ to sit on the bench, he makes more than Vick. He’s probably not to excited about staying in Philly anyway.
GregKennesaw
September 22nd, 2010
9:50 am
I think they should try to keep Kolb happy, the way Vick throws his body around like a RB, he was prone to injury while here in Atlanta.
GregKennesaw
September 22nd, 2010
9:59 am
No way Vick comes back to Atlanta, just not going to happen. Falcons have moved on. There are a lot of teams that will be interested