Michael Vick Promotion Might Haunt Philadelphia Eagles' Andy Reid

After Tuesday's stunning announcement, Andy Reid has seemingly painted himself and the Philadelphia Eagles into a relatively small corner. 

Reid's about-face in naming Michael Vick the starting quarterback until further notice surely has the potential to back fire on many fronts.   

On the surface, it would be difficult to argue that Vick has provided a spark to an otherwise moribund Eagles offense and would appear to give the team a better chance to win in the here and now. 

The post Donovan McNabb incumbent starter Kevin Kolb showed very little reason to believe that he was about to lead the team to a successful season— let alone become the next Aaron Rodgers as he had been routinely billed over the past several months. 

Although he never made the comparison, Reid himself consistently praised Kolb's ready for primetime capabilities and big upside potential as he figuratively pinched himself everyday to believe that he could be so lucky. 

Perhaps Reid was whistling in the dark? 

Perhaps he was forced to unload McNabb as some have speculated and needed to create a positive spin for fans as well as build the young QB's confidence?  

Perhaps he started to realize that he and the "so called young guns" overestimated Kolb's abilities or readiness with every misfired pass, every bad read, every unsuccessful effort to deal with a heavy pass rush, and every three and out through the pre-season. 

The only sense of hope was that when the curtain went up on the regular season, everything would magically click. After all, everyone knows— pre-season NFL games mean nothing. 

Unfortunately, things never fell in place for Kolb when the games started to count. Although his body of work was just two quarters, Kolb looked overmatched and devoid of confidence. 

Perhaps this sent shivers down the spine of Reid and the rest of the Eagles brain trust who had made such a  bold decision on Easter Sunday?

And, speaking of the "young guns", they seemed to quickly jump on the Michael Vick bandwagon. 

This is the same group that expressed pleasure when McNabb was traded and Kolb was installed as his successor. Subsequently, the group's recent enthusiasm for the former "NFL rock star" seemed to suggest greater confidence in Vick. 

With arguably the best quarterback in franchise history now enthusiastically wearing a maroon and yellow uni in the Nation's capital, there was no turning back. The Eagles brass had confidently looked forward to the "Kevin Kolb Era" as if it was a foregone conclusion that it would be filled with similar, if not greater, prosperity. 

As doubt transitioned from a creep to a steady flow— up stepped the pre-incarceration version of Michael Vick. Sleepless nights could be diverted for awhile why Reid and staff further evaluated Kolb or figured out the cure for his lackluster play. 

But, this all comes at considerable risk. Reid and team now have very little wiggle room and the potential for future troubles. 

Although it has been suggested that he has a tough exterior, it is reasonable to surmise that Kolb is smarting from a sense of abandonment by his coach and possibly the "young guns" who were singing his praises just months earlier. 

What if Vick's performance tails off?

Let's not forget that a UCLA Bruins colors-clad McNabb racked up something like 600 yards and 70 points in a half versus the same Detroit Lions team a couple years ago. 

Just like it was unreasonable to expect that McNabb would replicate that same level of play throughout the season, it is dangerous to assume that Vick will impersonate Steve Young in his prime the rest of this season. Even Reid described Vick as "playing out of his mind"— which tends to suggest a temporary state. 

What if Vick falls prey to the injury bug that is the occupational hazard of a 30-year old running quarterback?

In both of these scenarios, it would be very difficult for Reid, Kolb, and his teammates to simply hit the "reset" button and rally again around the "Kevin Kolb Era."

What if Vick continues to perform at a very high level throughout the 2010 season? 

Does a 31-year old become the QB of the future for the same team that just launched into a youth movement by jettisoning its more accomplished 33-year old signal caller? And, it is worth noting for a quarterback that has not been known for the pinpoint accuracy that the team was seeking for its West Coast offense. 

Perhaps Tuesday's move was simply "pure genius" on the part of Reid? 

With Vick having set the bar very high, the offensive line currently battered and broken, and Kolb not hitting on all cylinders— perhaps the risk of playing is greater than being unceremoniously benched after one half of live action? 

Only insiders really know the thought process as Reid and company continue to be unwaveringly vague and elusive when addressing the media. 

No one knows how it will all play out. As we have already seen, fate can quickly twist and turn in different directions. 

Maybe Vick will put together the best season of his career and lead the team to success. Or, maybe it will all get very messy.

One thing we can likely count on, though, is that the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season will not lack for drama. It brings to mind a sage observation of the world around us—  real life can often be stranger than fiction.   

Will the Eagles Capitalize On QB Riches?

Now that the Saints have partied on Bourbon Street and paraded through New Orleans to celebrate Sunday's Super Bowl triumph, media and fan attention quickly turns to key offseason issues throughout the rest of the country. One of the biggest story lines in the NFL, which has been brewing over the past month, involves the Philadelphia Eagles three headed quarterback quandary.

The airwaves and Internet are filled with opinions and speculation about the possibilities and ultimately what the Eagles should do with their three starting-caliber quarterbacks. With so many teams in desperate need of a face lift at this most critical and impactful position, several of them should be looking for the Eagles to share the wealth.

Philadelphia clearly seems to be in a very enviable position, and if handled correctly, it could help propel them towards that ever elusive Super Bowl championship. But, the key question now is whether Andy Reid and company will do just that, or will they bungle a golden opportunity?

I staked my opinion a couple weeks ago in a post ("The Philadelphia Eagles: Seven Semi-Controversial Steps to a Super Bowl Title") regarding Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. With the situation continuing to evolve, it now appears the Eagles best course of action might be to wrap their arms around one of their QB's and aid their efforts to fortify their team by trading the other two.

Initial trade rumors primarily revolved around McNabb and Vick, but now speculation has also turned towards Kevin Kolb. Perhaps this is because teams contacting the Eagles are getting a message that Donovan is not going anywhere?

Or, maybe it is a matter of teams setting their sights on a player that best fits their particular scenario. Not ready for prime time clubs could be looking to rebuild around a young quarterback such as Kolb. Conversely, teams such as the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers or possibly the Minnesota Vikings feel they have all the pieces to go with an established veteran such as McNabb or Vick.

Although going young would likely be their first choice, rebuilding organizations like the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins might be willing to take a shot with any of the three players due to their dire need for a quality signal caller to propel them in the right direction.

In terms of economic theory, the Eagles are clearly in a great position due to overall demand outstripping supply throughout the league. In fact, they might hold the only attractive excess supply of projected starting quarterbacks currently in the NFL.

Of course, in a free market system, capitalizing on the excess inventory comes down to the decisions, actions and tactics deployed by the supplier. How the Eagles brass play their cards has the potential to make a huge difference in the team's near-term and future success.

And, its not just who they decide to keep, move or let walk– it is going to be all about the art of the negotiation and the deal.

The most pressing situation involves Vick as the clock continues to tick towards Philadelphia's early March option expiration date. Because they would be obligated to pay Vick $5.25 million for his services if they exercise that option, many believe they have a short window to trade him and otherwise will have to let him walk.

My perspective is substantially different. By now it is clear that teams around the league are interested, so the Eagles should not be bound by this trigger date. If they can work out a deal of commensurate value prior to then, fine. If not, they need to pony up and keep him– for the time being.

General Managers around the NFL are not inquiring about Vick to make him a back-up. Clearly the whole Wildcat thing was a bust. They would want Vick as a starter– and wouldn't shy away from those financial terms, particularly since both sides would be willing to renegotiate a longer deal.

The Eagles need to lock him up (pun intended) if need be, and use the abundance of potential suitors to extract a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Anything less than that will signal a serious organizational weakness in negotiating skill. And, surely, they can't let him walk for nothing.

Its no secret, the most controversial and critical aspect comes down to the whole McNabb versus Kolb debate. Who will Reid clutch in a bear hug and who will he tender a parting handshake?

Since the post playoff meltdown press conference in Dallas, the signals have been noticeably mixed. The weak organizational vote of confidence for McNabb has been conspicuous. While McNabb has clearly stated his desire to finish his career in midnight green, black and silver– the team has played things straight down the middle.

Perhaps this is to avoid tipping their hand and maximize negotiating strength? Or, perhaps Reid and the team had not reached a conclusion or are ambivalent until they assess market value of each player?

Retaining both McNabb and Kolb is certainly a viable option– as long as the plan is to have the latter carrying the clipboard. A training camp competition is a bad idea on several fronts, but if Reid were inclined that way, he should just go ahead and trade McNabb for a high draft pick.

The conditions seem to be right, though, to trade Kolb now and invest the spoils in shoring up the current team weaknesses. Would swapping Kolb to the Rams and former Eagles coach Steve Spagnuolo for free safety O.J. Atogwe be a possibility?

In the absence of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the door is open to creative deals. For the other teams in the hunt for a new quarterback, it would certainly seem that each would possess a safety, linebacker, offensive lineman or defensive end that would fancy the Eagles' interest.

My point of view has been abundantly clear that the best choice to lead the Eagles is McNabb, but how the Eagles brass capitalizes on their current embarrassment of riches at this valued position can have profound impact on the team's prospects over the next three years.

Shrewd decision making and handling right now could re-position the Eagles as a true Super Bowl contender– starting this coming season. Certainly, a good portion of it will be about the "who" and the "what, but the "how" will be critically important, too.

DeSean Propelled Eagles Too Much for Giants

After sitting out a week with a mild concussion, DeSean Jackson exploded back onto the scene to lead the Eagles to a 45-38 win over the arch rival Giants. On a night that the NBC experts were predicting would end with 3 NFC East teams standing at 8-5, the Eagles kept lighting up the scoreboard to prove them wrong and take sole possession of first place with a 9-4 record.

Jackson put on a show, scoring twice more from greater than 50 yards to add to his growing collection. Last night's effort tied an NFL seasonal record of 8 touchdowns of that length, with 3 games left on the schedule to add on further. First, he grabbed a punt, momentarily stepped backwards and then exploded up the left sideline 72 yards into the end zone. Later, seconds after the Giants had fought from behind to take a 31-30 lead, Jackson sprinted past defenders on a post pattern and took a 60 yard pass from Donovan McNabb in stride, back peddling the last 15 yards into the end zone.

Neither defense offered much resistance, but both offenses also looked sharp. The combined point total was the highest in 150 meetings over the long history of the match-up. The Giants controlled the ball for almost 35 minutes and racked up 512 yards in a losing effort. While the Eagles accumulated less yardage, this mainly traced to the punt return TD and a defensive score by Sheldon Brown taking them off the field.

With strong protection all night, Eli Manning played far differently than in the team's previous two meetings. Manning hit on 71% of his passes for 391 yards and 3 TD's. The Eagles defense aided his cause with some shoddy tackling, allowing both Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon to score on long catch and run plays. On the flip side, Manning completed some passes as he was being tackled and had a few excellent long throws dropped by his receivers.

As good as he was, Manning did hurt his own cause with a pair of fumbles, the first of which was very costly. After the Giants picked off a McNabb pass while trailing 30-24 in the 3rd quarter, Manning fumbled the ball back on the very next play at the Eagles 15 yard line. Upon getting the ball back, though, he hit Hixon for a 61 yard scoring strike that gave the Giants their first lead at 31-30.

This could have been a major turning point and sent many teams into a downward spiral after surrendering a pair of 14 point leads. McNabb showed his frustration when it occurred, but promptly took the field and fired the bomb to Jackson, and just 15 seconds later they were back on top.

At this point, the defenses stiffened and the teams traded 3 punts, the last of which pinning the Eagles back at their own 9 yard line. After deploying a deep passing game all evening, the Eagles proceeded to use a short passing game and ground attack to methodically move the ball down the field. They chewed up a large amount of the clock before Leonard Weaver pounded the ball in from the one to re-establish a 14 point lead.

For the second consecutive week, Michael Vick was a significant contributor both running and passing. Looking more athletic and faster like his days before being suspended, Vick connected with Jackson for 32 yards on a tight pass on their first drive and ran around left end for a touchdown in the 2nd period. The formation and Vick are both starting to show some promise that could prove helpful down the stretch.

McNabb had another solid game, accurately spreading the ball around, but clearly enjoyed having the home run hitter Jackson back in the line-up. For the game, the speedy receiver hauled in 6 passes for 178 yards. He now leads the NFL averaging a hefty 18.9 yards per reception and 17.8 yards per punt return. He is quickly establishing himself as one of the premier playmakers in the league.

Although the big win gives them sole possession of first place in the NFC East, both the Cowboys and Giants still have a shot. The former due to hosting the Eagles in the season finale, and the latter due to their schedule. It is easy to envision the Giants winning out as they play two losing teams finish with a Vikings team that will probably have no incentive to win. With their previous win in Philadelphia, the Cowboys would hold the tie breaker if they were to defeat the Eagles and end with the same record.

This Eagles offense is looking to be playoff worthy, and with continuing consistency and the possible return of Brian Westbrook, could prove to be Super Bowl worthy. Last night's performance on defense, however, will still keep Andy Reid and staff up at night if they want to have a shot at beating high powered teams like New Orleans, Minnesota or Arizona. The hope would be to get players settled back into normal roles with the return of missing players, but 500-plus yards and 38 points would suggest they have a lot of work to do. After all, as good as he is, it would be unreasonable to expect Jackson to be a highlight show every game...or maybe not.

Defense, Weaver and Vick Lead Eagles to Victory

On a day when both teams were missing key players, the Eagles dominated the Falcons using several big plays to inflict much of the damage. Philadelphia's defense bottled up Atlanta until they scored a fluke touchdown as time expired, while Leonard Weaver played a starring role on offense. And, poetically, Michael Vick saved his best performance by far for his former team in his dramatic return to the Georgia Dome, accounting for a pair of touchdowns.

The Eagles took control of the game early as its defense played its best game since week 8 against the Giants, while the offense capitalized using several big plays. After a three and an out by the Falcons to start the game, McNabb quickly drove the team down for a field goal. They then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and four plays later McNabb hit Weaver for a short touchdown to give the Eagles an early 10-0 lead. On the next drive, David Akers missed his first field goal in weeks that was set-up by Weaver's 59-yard catch and run.

They added a field goal in the 2nd quarter after a 56-yard Maclin reception and held the Falcons off the board with a goal line stand at the end of the half on a drive that was primarily orchestrated by the officials. First, the Eagles recovered a fumble that was ruled down by contact, and then were told they could not challenge the call because they never recovered the ball. If the officials had reviewed the play, they would have seen that the were clearly wrong on both counts. Later, two marginal personal foul calls put the Falcons in position to score, but the Eagles held onto a 13-0 lead at half.

McNabb led the team on a 80-yard drive to open the 2nd half, hitting on 6 of 7 passes. The drive culminated with Vick scampering for a TD on 3rd and 1 at the Falcons 5 yard line. A bit of irony followed when Vick's attempt to toss the ball into the crowd was intercepted by the net being raised for the extra point as if to shun the gesture from the city's fallen hero.

The Eagles quickly expanded their lead to 27-0 when Sheldon Brown stepped in front of a Chris Redman pass and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. The defense then stifled another drive when Sean Jones picked off another pass to start the 4th period. At this point, Andy Reid decided to reward Vick by turning things over to him.

Vick did not disappoint as he connected with Reggie Brown for 43 yards on the first play. He added a 5-yard run before hitting Brent Celek on a 5-yard touchdown pass to put the Eagles up 34-0. Unfortunately, Vick banged up his right thumb on the drive, so Reid opted for Keven Kolb to finish the game.

The only thing left for the Eagles was to preserve a rare road shutout. Redman dinked and dunked his team down the field against a prevent defense, benefiting from a little luck along the way. A deflected pass landed in the hands of Tony Gonzalez for a large gain and then as the clock expired, another deflected pass popped into the arms of Roddy White standing in the end zone.

McNabb had another very solid game, tossing for 238 yards over 3 quarters. With the absence of other key players, besides Vick, the Eagles got large contributions from Weaver, Maclin and Brown. On a day that rookie LeSean McCoy could not get untracked, Weaver put on an impressive display of running. Overall, he accumulated 100 yards, including 5 rushes for 37 yards, 2 catches for 63 yards and the touchdown. Maclin stepped in for Jackson, averaging 21 yards on his four receptions.

Although Sean McDermott and his defense left the field a little disappointed that they lost the shutout, the Eagles could surely feel good about a very solid 34-7 win against a team right behind them in the standings. They were also very happy for Vick to play a starring role in his emotional return to the city that was home for his era as a superstar. Hollywood could not have written a much better script.

The day got even better when the moribund Giants found life against the Cowboys and gained an upset win. At the end of the day, the Eagles found themselves tied with the Cowboys at 8-4 and next week's opponent, the Giants, just 1 game back. With the Boys hosting the red hot Chargers, next Sunday's Football Night in America game in the Meadowlands carries large playoff implications. Also, with the regular season ending in Dallas, the Eagles control their own destiny in the NFC East.

Eagles, Falcons Prepare for a Battle of Attrition

Both the Eagles and Falcons are playoff caliber teams, but both are also severely weakened by injuries. Philadelphia currently holds the 1st Wild Card spot in the NFC, followed by the Packers. The Falcons sit one game back, tied with the Giants at 6-5. Accordingly, the game has significant playoff implications, but is somewhat overshadowed by the return of former Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick.

The outcome of tomorrow's game might hinge on which team is best able to overcome missing and injury compromised players. The Falcons will likely be without quarterback Matt Ryan, star running back Michael Turner and wide receiver Michael Jenkins, while their best wide receiver, Roddy White, will be less than 100% if he plays.

On the other side of the field, the Eagles will be without their top running back (Brian Westbrook) and wide receiver (DeSean Jackson), while tight end Brent Celek will be playing with a sprained thumb that caused him to drop passes last week. Also, they will once again be playing with a patchwork defense, including two starting corners that will play, but are hurting. Besides the players on "Injured Reserve", Akeem Jordan and Joselio Hanson will still be missing as well.

Veteran Chris Redman will start in Ryan's place, and played well in relief a week ago. Overall, he has been a solid player and should be able to take advantage of the Eagles weakened defense. He will not have the services of one of the top runners in the league as Turner aggravated an ankle injury, so Jason Snelling will get most of the carries. Jerious Norwood will likely play, but his normal explosiveness will be limited by his own lingering injury. Redman will primarily look for White and tight end Tony Gonzalez when he drops back to pass.

Once again, Donovan McNabb will be tested with a cast of relatively inexperienced players around him and if they hope to win, he will need to show the same veteran leadership that has been instrumental in the past two games. Rookie LeSean McCoy seems to get better as he gets more playing time under his belt, cutting off his blocks on runs and chipping pass rushers.

Both Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin enter the game nursing injuries, but need to play and be an integral part of the offense. The little used Reggie Brown will get a lot of work as the third receiver as will back-up TE Alex Smith. Fortunately for the Eagles, McNabb is used to spreading the ball around and will not hesitate using any of his options.

Of course, the big story line is Vick's return to Atlanta, where he played for his first 6 years and led the Falcons to the NFC Championship game in 2004 before being convicted for running a dog fighting ring. Vick should not be much of a factor in the game, although the Eagles could conceivably make the mistake of playing him too much due to his ties with the Falcons. If Andy Reid is smart he will limit Vick and the Mildcat to its typical pair of carries for five yards and an incomplete pass so as not to disrupt too many drives.

Although both teams will be without key offensive weapons, expect the game to still be relatively high scoring. The capabilities of the offensive replacements, along with the play of each defense, should keep the ball moving down the field. Redman is a capable back-up and the Falcons will try to use their top two offensive weapons as much as possible. The Eagles have struggled to stop opposing tight ends all season, and with Jordan sidelined, Gonzalez is likely in for a huge day. Also, expect Redman to try to connect with White down the field.

The Eagles will counter with McCoy and Leonard Weaver sharing duties at running back and the usual large dose of passing. Expect both Avant and Maclin to have big games as McNabb will target a high percentage of passes in their direction due to Jackson's absence and Celek's injury. It would not be surprising to see Smith get more balls thrown his way while Celek is used as a decoy. McNabb will also use Brown, McCoy and Weaver to balance things out and keep the Falcons guessing.

Ultimately, the presence of McNabb along with the play of Avant, Maclin and McCoy should push the Eagles over the top. I see McNabb tossing a long TD to Maclin and a pair of the shorter variety to Avant. Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown will look to take advantage of Redman's rustiness, and one or both of them should pick off a pass to give the Eagles the turnover edge. Expect the Eagles to maintain a lead and have enough defense to hang on for victory.

Eagles 34

Falcons 27

Where Do the Eagles Go From Here?

At the 2009 season's mid-point, the Eagles find themselves sitting at 5-3 and one game out of first in the tough NFC East by virtue of their loss to the Cowboys Sunday night. For the casual observer, this seems like a good record that gives the team reason for hope over the balance of the year. A pragmatist, though, sees that the team probably underperformed, should likely have 1 or 2 more wins and has a more difficult schedule in the second half of the season.

To be fair, the Eagles had to weather the storm of some key injuries, but this is an aspect that most every team has to overcome in the NFL, where the overall size, speed and strength of players creates a figurative train wreck each week. The loss of Donovan McNabb to a broken rib may have cost the team a chance to be competitive against the Saints, but the biggest blows have been on the offensive line, at middle linebacker and the absence of Brian Westbrook. With Shawn Andrews never seeing the field, his brother Stacy playing in a limited back-up role, Todd Herremans just now seeing action and Jason Peters being banged up, the line play has been commendable, but erratic. The loss of Stewart Bradley in pre-season created a weakness until recently. And, losing a weapon the caliber of Westbook is always impactful.

Thus far, the Eagles have been a bi-polar bunch, with the high's very high and the low's very low. The highlight of the first half was the 40-17 demolition of the Giants a couple weeks ago. The low point was the dismal loss in Oakland against a Raiders team that has been inept and is in disarray. Sunday's loss to a 6-2 Cowboys team does not fall into the same category, but it surely was disappointing coming off the Giants game and because it appeared that a win was only a little bit of execution away.

The Eagles roster definitely has talent and the potential to do much better over the course of the season. The team has flashed its capabilities with big plays in all phases of the game. The offense has evolved into an explosive, quick strike unit, but in between big plays demonstrates very little consistency or ability to grind out drives. The defensive personality over the past decade has almost always been aggressive, and now has a knack for interceptions. And, the Eagles possess explosive returners on special teams, but have a difficult time avoiding penalties to make it worthwhile.

In order for the team to improve and make a successful post season run, here are some thoughts on what needs to happen:

Leadership must emerge.

Many of the Eagles better players are young or have never played a substantial leadership role. With the departure of key veterans such as Brian Dawkins, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, the team seems to be a little lacking in terms of leadership. There appears to be a particular void on the defense as Dawkins was such a strong presence and the team sadly lost one of the most influential coordinators in the league with the passing of Jim Johnson.

Some of the schizophrenic play of the team most likely can be attributed to the gap in leadership. McNabb needs to recognize that he must assert himself as the unquestioned leader on offense, demonstrating a high level of intensity and control while demanding more from his players. On defense, someone needs to emerge as the motivational leader who keeps the pressure on to perform at a high level. Could recently acquired Will Witherspoon be that person?

Attain stability on the offensive line.

It will be difficult for the Eagles to have any real success this season as long as their offensive line is in a constant state of flux. To a certain degree, changing this will require some good fortune, but it will also require Herremans and Andrews to round into shape in order to perform to their potential. Until this happens, breakdowns in protection and the inability to create running lanes will continue to stall the Eagles offense, which is a segue to the next two needs.

Develop ability to execute on methodical drives.

The Eagles need to cultivate their base offense, and develop the ability to grind out methodical drives to complement their big play capabilities. So far this season it has mostly been all or nothing, which typically leads to unfulfilled promise when the playoffs roll around.

Clearly DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin give the team a new found explosiveness, but the Eagles also have the tools to move the chains. Brent Celek is emerging as an excellent tight end, who gets open, makes tough catches and is hard to bring down. Jason Avant continues to impress with his ability to catch the ball in traffic and serve as a complementary possession receiver. Even if Brian Westbrook is out of the line-up, both LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver have demonstrated that they can run and catch very effectively.

Make Vick the emergency QB.

The team needs to bite the bullet and admit that the Michael Vick experiment is a bust. They need to make a clean break by taking him out of the offense altogether and slide him into the emergency back-up role. Vick not only does not add anything to the offense, he clearly detracts from it. Wasting a valuable timeout to shuffle him in and out for yet another nothing play on Sunday night added insult to injury. Although it surely is not the sole reason, it is not sheer coincidence that the offense still has not been able to find any level of continuity this season. Heck, you can even see the frustration and lack of confidence on the face of players every time Vick shuffles onto the field to run some exotic dive or sandlot formation.

Hire a "Time Management" coach

A long-time nemesis of the team has been its inability to manage the clock and make "in game" snap decisions. Squandering all three second half timeouts the other night, although one can be attributed to poor vision or pure stubbornness of the officials, was further compounded by an almost nonsensical late game decision to kick a field goal. The Eagles needed a touchdown to avoid defeat, with or without the field goal, so they essentially doubled their chances of losing simply by attempting a field goal. By not trying to get a first down, the entire game now rode on them being able to get a quick 3 and out, plus they would have to drive much further to score.

Is it out of the realm of possibility to have an assistant who's job it is to study probabilities, and most importantly, who possesses stellar skills in logical reasoning? This coach could help prepare thinking in order to make the right decisions in the moment, and be standing ready for quick consult. It sounds crazy, but is at least worth consideration as time management surely has not been a forte.

In the NFC, the Saints and Vikings are both playing with a level of consistency and skill at a higher level than the Eagles. In the AFC, the Colts, Patriots and Steelers all appear to be a cut above. But, as the Eagles stand at the mid-point looking back at their first half body of work and peer ahead to what might lie ahead, there is a great deal of reason for optimism. As the many previous flashes of brilliance have signaled, the potential is there; however, it is going to require adjustments and an evolution. The next five games, four of which are against winning teams on the road, will likely reveal whether the Eagles are a true contender.

Rejuvenated McNabb Leads Eagles Past Bucs

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the elite teams in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Bucs are not. The outcome of yesterday's game, a 33-14 Eagles victory, was about what you would expect, even though the Eagles committed an inordinate amount of penalties.

But, games are not won based on opinion or expectations, especially in the highly competitive NFL, so credit the Eagles for taking care of business. Donovan McNabb made his return to the team from a broken rib, and played brilliantly, completing 76% of his 21 passes for 264 yards. He also tossed 3 touchdown passes, including two long strikes to rookie Jeremy Maclin. With the game well in hand, he gave way to Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb in mop up duty.

The Eagles other returning star, Brian Westbrook, did not fare as well. Although he scored a touchdown, he was limited to a total of 35 yards rushing and receiving. Unlike McNabb, he did not appear quite ready for prime time and fortunately, the team did not need him to play a big role.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles gave up more yardage than expected. Some key turnovers and unusual coaching decisions by the Bucs helped keep the point total to 14. Although rookie QB Josh Johnson threw three interceptions, he looked surprisingly good under the Eagles heavy dose of pressure. With some more NFL experience and a stronger cast around him, Johnson appears that he could have a bright future.

Overall, the Eagles defense was up and down throughout the day. They persisted in blitzing all day, but sometimes seemed to lack urgency in getting to the young QB. Tight end Kellen Winslow had a big day, roaming free through the middle to catch 9 passes for 102 yards. Big plays, such as Asante Samuel picking off two passes and Sheldon Brown picking off another, helped to contain the Bucs.

Yesterday may have been Maclin's breakout game in the NFL. With the Bucs focusing on shutting down DeSean Jackson and Westbrook, Maclin took advantage of single coverage to rack up 142 yards on 6 catches. Early in the first quarter, he made a nice grab on a 51-yard TD and followed that with a 40-yard TD strike at the end of the second quarter.

The "Wildcat" formation was once again very unsuccessful. The team ran 9 such formations with Michael Vick on the field, including 2 with him flanked out as a receiver. The production increased .5 yards per play from their last game, but 3.2 yards per play does not get it done. From a distance, it appeared to be a disruption and hindrance to an otherwise productive offense. The Eagles can get away with playing around with this against foes like the Chiefs and Bucs, but they won't be so lucky against more formidable opponents.

This is particularly true since the Eagles current array of offensive talent is too good to waste with gimmick plays and formations. With McNabb behind center, two explosive wide-outs in Jackson and Maclin, an emerging star in tight end Brent Celek, two elusive running backs in Westbook and LeSean McCoy, and playmaking fullback Leonard Weaver, the Eagles have the best bevy of weapons they have ever had.

The Eagles kept pace with the Giants, who destroyed their next opponent, the Oakland Raiders, staying one game behind at 3-1. It will be important for them to once again take care of business against a lesser team, as they then face their NFC East division-mates over the following three weeks. When the schedule reaches that point of the season, the team will not be able to prevail committing more than 100 yards in penalties or wasting production with the Wildcat.

Kolb Shows What Reid Sees in Eagles Easy Win

The Eagles raced to an early lead yesterday and maintained clear control of the game throughout the day, soundly defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 34-14. The score makes the game seem much closer than it really was, as the Chiefs were aided by Jeff Garcia's fumbled snap in mop up duty. The Eagles dominated on both sides of the ball and Kevin Kolb demonstrated what Andy Reid has liked about him.

Kolb threw early and often, carving up the Chiefs defense for 327 yards and 2 long touchdowns. He also eliminated the deadly turnovers which have plagued him in other performances. Overall, Kolb looked poised, confident and completed more than 70% of his passes. He also displayed the requisite NFL arm strength and some nice touch.

All of this needs to be tempered a bit by the fact that Kolb was virtually under no pressure all day long thanks to his offensive line and the Chiefs lack of pass rush. He is also coming off previous appearances where he turned the ball over when opponents limited his time and showed more complexity. Of course, all aspiring young quarterbacks go through the "school of hard knocks" as they develop, especially when jumping into the fire against a top flight defense such as the Ravens.

The Eagles defense returned to form, looking a lot more like the week 1 version than last week's edition. The Chiefs seemed resigned to the fact that they would not have the time to get the ball down the field, so running and short passing would be the only real way to move the ball without risking the health of Matt Cassel or turnovers. It seemed obvious all day that they were never going to mount a serious threat to win the game. Their only touchdown came late in the game after Garcia fumbled his first snap deep in his own territory.

With Brian Westbrook de-activated due to an ankle sprain, rookie LeSean McCoy filled in nicely, racking up 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Additionally, DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek each broke the 100-yard mark receiving and scored on long passes. These three, along with Kolb, provided a window into the future and a great deal of optimism about their ability to make big contributions as needed. Of course, Kolb and McCoy are clearly back-ups at this point, but it is comforting to know that they will be able to step in and perform well if needed.

The other major story line in the game was Michael Vick's return to the NFL. He participated in 11 plays, mostly designed to run, with very little productivity- unless the team opts for a nostalgic "2.7 yards and cloud of dust" offense. The Chiefs appeared to have little trouble defending the Vick Wildcat, and the best that can be said for it was that Kolb and the Eagles found a way to overcome it. The Eagles either need to get much better at designing or executing on it, or greatly curtail it, as they will not be able to waste plays as they face better teams.

Yesterday's win runs the Eagles record to 2-1 and puts them back on track. The early bye week turns out to be a blessing as it should allow McNabb, Westbrook and Kevin Curtis to avoid missing another game and risking further injury. Additionally, Jackson will have time for his groin to heal and would be well advised to avoid the Dancing with the Stars acrobatics and splits that he displayed after his touchdown catch.

Eagles Should Focus on Offensive Basics to Reach Ultimate Goal

It seems pretty clear that the Eagles have made a major commitment towards becoming perhaps the most gimmicky offense in the NFL. They signed Michael Vick, and even with him still sidelined by suspension, they ran 9 Wildcat formations last Sunday against the Saints. Only Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg know what might be in store for us this week with Vick being activated to play.

While coaches have obviously spent considerable time drawing up trick plays in the dirt, a compelling argument can be made that they should be focusing on sharpening up on the basics of an already somewhat unconventional offense. The Eagles are one of a handful of teams that passes more than 60% of the time. This has proven effective for them as they have been a top scoring team, but it does require precision and doesn't need to be complicated further by an array of trick plays.

The Eagles have always added some "wrinkles" to their offense. Mornhinweg indicated in an interview yesterday that Reid's philosophy has been to infuse approximately four to six "special" plays each game into the regular offense. This year, he appears to be doubling down on that philosophy.

So, what's the rub here? A handful of "special plays" have been part of the Eagles typically high scoring offense for years. Besides being entertaining and sometimes explosive, these plays maintain an element of surprise that defenders need to account for as they interpret what is unfolding in front of them, on those gadget plays as well as others. Part of the value of these plays comes from forcing the opponents to watch for it at anytime.

Conversely, the Wildcat formations scream "trick play!" It does not present a variation or twist off of a more normal formation, so the defense does not have to be watching for it when the Eagles line up in their conventional formations.

Another byproduct of the Wildcat formation is that it appears to put players in positions for which they are not physically or experientially equipped, which introduces a much higher probability of someone getting hurt. Last week, DeSean Jackson aggravated a groin injury on a Wildcat formation. It stands to reason that placing smallish receivers in vulnerable positions will eventually result in wear and tear, as well as injury. It also stands to reason that a quarterback is going to be taken out as they are asked to play another position not so well protected by NFL rules.

It is even a little scary seeing Brian Westbrook alone in the backfield taking a direct snap. Everyone would agree that he is instrumental to the team's fortunes in 2009, so wouldn't it make more sense to protect his ailing body as much as possible? Perhaps the team is willing to take the risk of using Vick in more vulnerable formations because they have two other quarterbacks behind Donovan McNabb?

Another argument against the Wildcat relates to the increasing frequency that it is being used around the league. That is taken to another level, when one team increases its own frequency of use. Surely, the uniqueness and element of surprise diminishes, and ultimately the effectiveness. This being true, it begs to ask the question why would you invest in something that know will have declining value?

This leads me to a related question. Wouldn't it be better to invest your time, energy, mental resources and practice repetitions working on parts of the game that will be instrumental and necessary to reach your goal? All games are important in a short NFL season, but the ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl.

Perhaps the best argument against gratuitous use of the Wildcat can be summed up in two words- Buddy Ryan. He was a defensive genius as well as an entertaining and somewhat successful coach. But his teams never fulfilled the promise provided by his dynamic defense or talent on the team.

The main reason for this was that Ryan attempted to compliment the dominating defense with an offense that was "hit or miss." It was not built on precision or excellence in execution, but rather the chance that playmaker Randall Cunningham would somehow break a run or throw a touchdown on a fire drill type of play.

By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Eagles had nothing in their offense to count on. Invariably, the opponents would develop a game plan to a account for Cunningham, reduce the probability of those happen chance plays and ultimately send the Eagles to another disappointing playoff loss. And, importantly, the Eagles offensive squad had no confidence or conviction when they took the field that they had a proven scheme and formula for success.

The 2009 Eagles would be wise to consider how they might be creating a similar scenario with their infatuation with the Wildcat formation and gimmick plays. When the season is on the line each week in the big games at the end of the year, even if the trick plays got them a couple cheap scores or higher than average yardage earlier in the year, what will they draw upon to win games when both sides have equal intensity and laser-like focus? History suggests that gadget plays don't get it done in those times. What has been successful, though, is a mindset of the players that exudes confidence that if they execute on what they do best, they will win.

I'm Just Saying......

A weekly collection of random thoughts and observations for you to consider.

• The Astros stadium, Minute Maid Park, seems to have been designed by a bunch of wiffle ball and toy train enthusiasts. It has everything from a choo choo train carrying a load of oranges in left to a hill with a flag pole in the field of play to a balcony with a gas pump that hangs over the field of play. What, no parked car behind shortstop or a 60 yard scoreboard hovering above the field?
• Carlos Ruiz is in the midst of an extended hot streak offensively, but it would seem that he could benefit from an offseason strength and conditioning program. He hits so many warning track flies or drives that don't quite have enough juice to find the gaps, so a few more feet could translate into a big offensive season.
• Is the "Wildcat" so wild anymore? At what point does it become so common place that the defenses cover it easily and at what point does a quarterback go down with an injury?
• Donovan McNabb should not even attempt to play this week and probably next.
• Would the NFL see anything wrong with the blind side hit on McNabb taken by the IHOP waitress?
• Andy Reid seems to be using twisted logic. On one hand, he abruptly places former pro bowler Shawn Andrews on IR (who has had physical and emotional issues) to eliminate a distraction, yet weeks earlier signed a player coming out of incarceration for some highly polarizing crimes. Although maybe a little eccentric, Andrews seems to be a good guy, while Dr. Phil labeled Michael Vick a sociopath the other day.
• Did Kendra have anything to do with the Eagles picking Reggie Brown over Hank Baskett?
• What was up with Tom Brady pulling a "reverse Namath" on sideline reporter Suzy Kolber after Monday night's game?
• Rex Ryan has a little bit of Buddy in him which makes him fun, especially if the Jets can actually do what the Bills bungled away Monday night.
• With the Jets getting fined as a result of Brett Favre's comments, his actions towards the Packers and Jets make me think of that line, "hell hath no fury like a ......."
• Those orange striped jerseys worn by the referees working the Raiders/Chargers game Monday night is a case of nostalgia gone bad.

• The NFL subscribes to the policy that it is all good until someone breaks a rib...oh, that's right....according to the NFL, that's good, too.

  
  

Eagles Overwhelm Panthers, But Suffer a Bad Break in the End

On a day that the Eagles defense looked like a throw back to the terrorizing Buddy Ryan units led by Reggie White, the buzz was dampened when Donovan McNabb writhed in pain with a cracked rib. The defense in midnight green collected turnovers like they were beads at Mardi Gras, turning an early deficit into a dominating 38-10 win by early in the second half.

McNabb was injured in the third quarter when he was speared in the back after he fell to the end zone turf at the end of a 3-yard touchdown scramble that stretched their lead to 28 points. Although no penalty was assessed, replays showed that the hit by Damione Lewis was late and could have been avoided. Ironically, the play occurred in the exact spot where the Eagles had been given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a moderate display of joy after a Brent Celek touchdown catch about an hour earlier. The NFL may need to re-examine its priorities.

The day started with a Panthers drive that lasted more than 8 minutes and culminated with an 11-yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown run. The stadium was rocking and it appeared that the Eagles were going to have a tough challenge in the season opener. For the Panthers, it quickly started to unravel from there and you could sense both the players and crowd going flat. Jake Delhomme was mercifully pulled in the third quarter after committing five turnovers, while being subjected to relentless pressure after the opening drive.

Conversely, on the Eagles side, the defense forced a flurry of turnovers, keyed by their fierce pass rush. On the day, they collected 5 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and a touchdown by Victor Abiamiri. Trent Cole (who forced the fumble that resulted in the touchdown) and Darren Howard led the pass rush, repeatedly disrupting Panther quarterbacks and setting up opportunities for the secondary.

Another game turning play occurred early in the second quarter when DeSean Jackson retreated to his own 15 yard line to field a punt, and then weaved through Panther defenders and raced up the left sideline for an 85-yard touchdown. This, along with Abiamiri's score, killed the buzz in the stadium and seemed to put the Panthers back on their heels the rest of the game. Many fans left at half time and throughout the third quarter as it seemed quite evident that the Eagles were not going to relinquish control of the game.

The dominating play of the defense and special teams allowed the Eagles offense to focus on ball control and taking time off the clock. They only accumulated 85 yards passing on the day, but tallied 185 yards on the ground. Brian Westbrook appeared healthy, showing elusiveness and quickness as he broke runs to the outside. LeSean McCoy also ran well in his rookie debut and should get even better as he watches Westbrook turn runs north and south. A less noticed, but important aspect of the game, was the strong play of Winston Justice, who handled Julius Peppers all day and provided strong lead blocking on running plays.

It remains to be seen what will happen with McNabb and the Eagles quarterback situation overall. With home games against the Saints and Chiefs, and then a week four bye, it is conceivable that the team will try to allow McNabb to heal over that time. Kevin Kolb will likely get the start next Sunday, but with Michael Vick eligible the following week, various scenarios could play out. It could be the beginning of quarterback controversies, or possibly the opposite, solidifying McNabb as the starter and leader.

Eagles 53-man Roster Watch

As the Eagles prepare for their final preseason game tomorrow night, there are still many questions to be answered. The roster itself has yet to be determined, but barring any player transactions, it would not seem that there will be any major news. Surely, several players are competing for a select few remaining spots, but it does not seem likely that the Eagles will make any really bold moves other than what has already been speculated.

One significant issue revolves around the wide receiver position. There have been reports that the team has looked into moving Reggie Brown to possibly clear a roster spot for rookie Brandon Gibson. Another significant matter will be Roger Goodell's ruling on reinstatement of Michael Vick, which will likely determine the fate of back-up AJ Feeley. This would not constitute major new news simply because it has been discussed for quite some time and Feeley himself is prepared to be traded or even waived.

Certainly, the offensive line continues to be an area of substantial concern due to the abundance of injuries and lack of player preparation. As a result, it is conceivable that the Eagles will retain more offensive linemen than what might be normally warranted, and at the expense of more talented players at other positions. Along the same lines, it is conceivable that Andy Reid will keep four QB's on the roster to allow Vick to practice while not risking being short-handed until he is cleared to play.

On the sidebar below "Blog Archive" is my stab at the Eagles 53-man roster. I believe that the team will, in fact, keep four QB's until Vick is cleared to play, and to make room, will take a chance with carrying one less offensive lineman. Also, on the defensive side, because of his upside and the investment the team has made in him, they will keep Jack Ikegwono in lieu of a 7th linebacker. It is my estimation that Brandon Gibson has done enough to make the team. Of course, injuries can always alter the final picture, but this is what makes sense to me today.

Checking In On the Michael Vick Experiment

Now that we are going on three weeks since the Eagles stunned everyone with the signing of Michael Vick, lets take a pulse on the situation. Much of the initial backlash and strong reactions have calmed, so it becomes easier to evaluate how it might all play out. We now have some more insight into key variables such as: 1) how Vick will fit into the team, 2) what the dynamics between the quarterbacks might be like, 3) how fans will approach the situation, and 4) what will be the magnitude of distraction.

As far as the on field role of Vick, we have not gained a great deal of insight, particularly since the team will not want to preview their plans in the pre-season. It does appear that the intention is to be very creative with him by varying roles and moving personnel around. This could turn out to be too cute for their own good, though, as it has the potential to disrupt continuity and transform the offense into gimmickry rather than being a consistent force. The latter tends to be a more proven Super Bowl winning formula. And, importantly, Donovan McNabb displayed some frustration with the approach in Thursday night's game.

Speaking of McNabb, signs have emerged that he may not have been as big a proponent of bringing in Vick as originally indicated. It would also appear that the task of integrating Vick has detracted from McNabb and his teammates honing the base offense.

Surely a key element will be how the fans (and the media, who influence fan opinion) handle the entire situation. In Vick's first game at The Linc, fans greeted him with warm applause and possible protests outside the stadium were minimal. Additionally, a "We want Vick" chant broke out in the 3rd quarter, accelerating forward the virtually certain quarterback controversy that will ensue this season. Football pundits Michael Irvin and Ron Jaworski (who both understand the Philadelphia atmosphere very well) have both expressed that it is inevitable.

In the post game press conference, Andy Reid exhibited stoicism and some impatience when questioned about the McNabb/Vick situation. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Reid will be challenged throughout the season much as he was last season during the McNabb debates and with the whole T.O. episode.

Lastly, you need to look no further than the national media attention that arose from Vick swilling a vodka and grapefruit at an airport hotel last week to know that the distractions will persist throughout the season. Protests will occur. Every action and reaction will be analyzed.

For the Eagles to prosper through the situation, coaches and players will need to be somewhat de-sensitized to the matter, especially Reid and McNabb. Vick will need to walk the straight and narrow. And, the team will need to figure out how to integrate Vick into the offense without disrupting the flow and diminishing the already existing great potential. Stay tuned.

Many Unanswered Questions on the Eagles Remain

As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their third pre-season game tomorrow night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, many questions still linger regarding the team and how they will fare in the upcoming season. By most accounts, the team had a very productive off season after a run to the NFC Championship Game in January, so on paper, the Eagles appeared to be a Super Bowl contender before training camp opened.

Now that a few weeks have passed, that assessment seems a bit more tenuous as several question marks still persist, while others have arisen. The biggest concerns surround the health of the team's offensive line. After all, as the NFL coaching fraternity tends to say, everything starts up front- and this is particularly true with the pass heavy Eagles offensive approach.

Concerns are not limited to the front line, though. Obviously, several emanate from a recent team addition as an hour does not pass without a TV or news blurb on the topic. Depending on how these lingering issues unfold, the fate of the team could vary widely. As testimony to the high competitive balance in the NFL, the Eagles season could range from disappointing to conceivably competing for the Super Bowl title.

Here are some, but surely not all, of the questions surrounding the 2009-2010 edition of the Eagles:

▪ Can Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters fulfill their advance billing and measure up to the team's commitment to them? At this point, even more pressing is whether they will see the field?
▪ Will Shawn Andrews find his way back onto the field on a regular basis? If so, will he return to the Pro Bowl form of the past?
▪ Can rookies Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy make the adjustment to the NFL well enough to contribute similarly to DeSean Jackson last season? Both show flashes of wonderful potential that needs to be consistently present as the team is probably relying on their contributions more than any rookies in previous seasons in the Andy Reid era.
▪ Will Bryan Westbrook come close to the form that he showed in the 2007-2008 season, or will he be last season's part-time, limited performer?
▪ Will Michael Vick add enough to the offense to compensate for the distractions and make his signing worthwhile? On a more basic level, will he fulfill his commitment to the team in regard to conduct and behavior?
▪ Can Donovan McNabb continue where he left off in January? Will he prosper or falter through the almost inevitable quarterback controversies that will ensue?
▪ Can Joe Mays or Omar Gaither step up to fill the big hole created by MLB Stewart Bradley's season ending injury?
▪ Will a true leader emerge on the defense to fill the vacated shoes of the former Eagles icon Brian Dawkins?
▪ Will the players and coaches respond well to the Michael Vick experiment by not allowing the distractions to disrupt team chemistry or game preparation?
▪ Can the secondary come together to once again become a team strength needed to make their defensive scheme work?
▪ Can Sean McDermott come close to replacing one the NFL's best and most beloved defensive coordinators, Jim Johnson?

Tomorrow night, Reid and his coaching staff hope to gain some valuable insight and possibly gather some answers. Certainly, other questions will remain that will only be answered under the spotlight of the network cameras, when the games count in the regular season. All teams have question marks as they head into each campaign, but this Eagles team would seem to have more than its fair share, particularly considering that they are widely viewed as Super Bowl contenders.

Reflecting on Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

A few days have passed since the Philadelphia Eagles shocking announcement that they had signed Michael Vick to a 2009 contract with an option for 2010. Because the news was unanticipated and sudden, there was no chance to formulate thoughts on the situation prior to the story breaking. My previous thoughts on Vick re-launching his career centered on which team might take the risk to sign him, but it had not even occurred to me that the Eagles might be considering signing him.

After reflecting on the matter, observing the groundswell of reaction, reading and listening to the widely ranging opinions and watching those most closely involved, my own thoughts have started to sort out. It is safe to say that those thoughts will continue to evolve as more data becomes available when conjecture starts turning into reality- good, bad or indifferent.

It is very obvious that this business transaction and this player evoke strong reactions that skew towards opposite ends of the spectrum as opposed to a typical bell curve. For me personally, after allowing a few pages on the calendar to turn, my current mindset is not about passing judgment on Vick, but rather centers on the business decision made by the Eagles. As an unabashed animal lover, it is sometimes hard to not fixate on some of the unsavory details of the past, but this business transaction will prove itself by what happens now and in the future.

From that perspective, it is truly difficult to understand what the Eagles were thinking and how this signing makes sense? Although "gut" instincts are often key components, successful business decision making is about evaluating the pros and cons, the risks and rewards, and the magnitude of the upside and downside. So, from a purely business decision quality standpoint, it is hard to imagine the pros, rewards and upside envisioned by the Eagles organization could possibly outweigh the cons, risks and downside.

There is no question that adding Vick to the team has already had and will continue to have a polarizing effect on the community, fan base, media, and most importantly, others in the Eagles locker room. This will undoubtedly cause distraction and likely challenge team unity. Additionally, NFL quarterbacks looking over their shoulder very rarely results in a positive outcome. This is especially true in Philadelphia, where fan and media opinion is very strong, and where Donovan McNabb performs best when the winds of sentiment are mostly at his back. It will only take a less than stellar game or two, or a couple losses, before the noise will crank up whether Vick should take over at the helm. And, this signing is very likely detrimental to the development of Kevin Kolb.

In exchange, the Eagles would seem to get a player to run 2-3 Wildcat formations or other gadget plays each game. It is conceivable that by some unfortunate circumstance such as an injury to McNabb, Vick would provide insurance; however, the team has indicated that Kolb is #2 on the depth chart.

I believe the world champion team across the street has it right in that they put a premium on their culture and team chemistry. The best case scenario for the Eagles would seem to be that team chemistry will not be affected, but all other scenarios head south from there.

All in all, when evaluating this transaction from a pure business decision basis, this seems to be very unbalanced and ill advised. This is especially true considering that the Eagles had an excellent off season, further strengthening a team that was one touchdown drive from going to the Super Bowl. They did not need to roll the dice, particularly with the odds against them and the downside risk so great. Lets hope that ultimately Michael Vick is a model citizen on the team and in the community, the fans and players rally around him, he makes positive contributions on the football field and the Eagles win the Super Bowl- but the percentages do not seem to be with us.