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Michael Vick
The Eagles' dream season took another hard left turn into the realm of dystopian night terrors Thursday, as they were embarrassed by the Seahawks in a 31-14 laugher. Philadelphia is 4-8 and at the very bottom of the NFC East, which has led some to believe that Andy Reid's job is in jeopardy. Reid's lengthy tenure with the Eagles has seen a lot of regular-season success contrasted with an equal amount of playoff failure, so will this disaster of a season claim him as a casualty?
- "Why are most writers giving Reid a "past performance success" pass? Players are in a "what have you done for me lately" status.....why not Reid? " -- SN commenter CuelessJoe
- "I have been one, of a very few, die hard iggles fans who has supported Reid, but enough is enough! Like Shanahan in Denver, Gruden in Tampa, Landry in Dallas and Fisher in Tennessee; eventually you lose the locker room and the players simply don't respond to you. " -- SN commenter txtchlax8
Who's to blame?
Andy Reid may take a lot of the heat, but the Eagles as a whole have drastically underperformed this season.
Vick the answer?
Michael Vick wasn't able to continue his 2010 success before his injury this season, leaving Vince Young to attempt to pick up the pieces.
Considering he had nothing to do with tackling Matt Forte, we're guessing Michael Vick isn't the most disliked Eagles player in Philadelphia today. But are you surprised to learn Vick is the player you most dislike? A Forbes.com survey found 60 percent of respondents disliked Vick to some degree. Does SportsNation have a different opinion?
- "It's just easy to pick on Vick. He did his time and learned his lesson. He apologized a million times. People just don't want to let him move on. Give the guy a break already. He has accomplished a lot by making a comeback and playing successfully in the NFL again." -- SN commenter farleyjam
- "I define 'dislike' of a player by their actions on the field (Tom Brady crying to refs that someone's pinky touched him). Not if or how they screwed up outside of their sport. That's just ridiculous." -- SN commenter Da Machine
Does SportsNation agree?
It's safe to say Vick qualifies for the 10 percent "awareness level" with the public used by the poll, but do a majority of fans really dislike him?
Whom do you dislike?
Vick was followed in the Forbes poll by Plaxico Burress, Ben Roethlisberger and Albert Haynesworth. Do you dislike any of them?
Jay Cutler or Michael Vick?
The quarterback who helped beat Vick on Monday, Jay Cutler, also made the top 10 in the Forbes poll. Who is more likable?
Do wins trump character?
Whatever you think of Vick and Roethlisberger, would you trade a generic good citizen for a generic great quarterback?
What was supposed to be a dream season for the Eagles is taking on an "Inception" feel after three weeks. Michael Vick is hurt again, this time a bruised non-throwing hand, and he's not happy about it. Vick questioned why officials, at least in his mind, allow defenders extra latitude in hitting him. Is he right, or is it the price mobile quarterbacks pay?
- "If Vick thinks he's the only QB who gets hit and doesn't get calls, he should watch a Steelers game and see the hits Ben takes. Keep calling out the refs Vick and see how that helps." -- SN commenter captain morgan 2008
- "His style of play puts him at greater risk than [Aaron] Rodgers or anyone else. He could be pump faking to take off running. He could be doing anything. And not once were the Giants flagged for a hit, so obviously they were within the confines of the rules." -- SN commenter rbinks83
Does Vick get fewer calls?
"I'm on the ground constantly, all the time. Every time I throw the ball, I'm on the ground. And I don't know why I don't get the 15-yard flags like everybody else does." -- Vick on Sunday.
Did Chris Canty deserve a flag?
Vick had released the ball by the time he got hit, but did Giants defensive end Chris Canty's contact warrant a flag?
What does hindsight suggest?
Vick's status for next week is unclear, just as it was for much of last week. Should the Eagles regret trading away Kevin Kolb, or was it a move that had to be made?
Vince Young or Mike Kafka?
Mike Kafka completed 4-of-7 passes but was unable to rally the team to a win. If Vick isn't available, who should get the call?
This week's game isn't Michael Vick's first trip back to Atlanta since returning to the NFL, but it is his first trip back as a starting quarterback. A starting quarterback of a team with the potential to keep Matt Ryan and the Falcons from the Super Bowl, at that. Vick's history is undeniably complicated, but is he still the star in his old home? Vote: Week 2 questions
- "Vick will return to ATL and rip the fans hearts out AGAIN, this time by spanking the Falcons. And I'm glad he will spank the Falcons. They should of never released him. After all, we do live in a society that believes in second chances (except Arthur Blank and the Falcons). Most ATL fans were and are willing to forgive Vick except for the organization." -- SN commenter ruilemos
- "Matt Ryan has had back-to-back winning seasons with the Falcons, for the first time in their franchise history. Vick never did it." -- SN commenter blue_rabbits
Does Vick still have keys to the place?
Vick suggested the stadium that used to fill with fans to watch him play is now the property of Matt Ryan. But is Vick just a visitor?
How will Vick be greeted?
If Vick is just a visitor, how warm will the welcome be? Vick was a fan favorite, but nobody needs a reminder of how his departure unfolded.
Would the Falcons rather have Vick?
Both teams seem entirely happy with their current situations. But if the Eagles called the Falcons with an offer, what would the latter party say?
What about this week's game?
Ryan threw for 319 yards on 31-of-47 passing last week, but he lost to the Bears. Vick managed just 14-of-32 passing but got the win at the Rams.
When Michael Vick reached a plea agreement related to dogfighting charges in 2007, 54 percent of SportsNation believed he would never play another NFL game -- and 79 percent didn't want him on their team if he did. Well, Vick isn't just playing football again; he's reportedly set to sign the second $100 million contract of his career. Comeback complete?
- "Good for him. He did his time and came back with a different team and instantly put his stamp on it. If that doesn't deserve a pay raise then I'm not sure what does." -- SN commenter kulatan2138
- "I just dont get the infatuation with VICK. How many NFC titles with the Falcons? What did he do last year in the playoffs? He is a dynamic player, but like every other scrambling quarterback, when he has to stand in the pocket, take the hit, he can't make the pass and deliver. I dont know what the Eagles are doing. Don't think he will have the year everyone think he will. Too enigmatic." -- SN commenter jeditig
The right move all along?
We now know Vick wasn't sold on Philadelphia when he returned to the league, but were you convinced the team made the right call signing him?
What does $100 million buy?
With only $40 million reportedly guaranteed on the new deal, the $100 million figure may be a little misleading. But what kind of quarterback are the Eagles paying for?
Has Vick won you over?
The Eagles seem sold on Vick, but what about SportsNation? How many of those fans aligned against him four years ago have warmed to his second act?
Matt Ryan or Michael Vick?
Vick's old team moved on without him and found themselves a new franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan. Which guy would you rather have?
As if Bills and Bengals fans don't have enough reasons to be depressed, now they can go to sleep at night knowing they might have had quarterback Michael Vick if not for some nudging from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick says he viewed both teams as better options than the Eagles but was convinced otherwise by the NFL. Whether Vick would have flourished in either location the same way he did in Philadelphia is unknown, but we're sure fans of both teams would have liked to find out. That aside, do you believe the NFL did something wrong?
- "If I was a Bengal or Bill fan, I'd be upset the commish had a hand in pushing a potential starting QB away from my team. Sounds like tampering to me." -- SN commenter jodya2229
- "Interesting that Goodell is steering superstar athletes away from small market teams and handing them over to the NFL's more beloved franchises. I thought this league prided itself on its parity. Apparently not. Who punishes Goodell for tampering?" -- SN commenter Stephen02120
- "He made the right choice in going 2 Philly he would of went crazy if he went 2 the Bills or Bengals." -- SN commenter Super_Thursday203
Is this what "collusion" means?
Michael Vick says the NFL played a role in getting him to sign with the Eagles. Was it a shrewd move by the NFL or something much less sinister?
Revisionist history?
Michael Vick says in 2009 he saw the Bengals and Bills as better landing spots than the Donovan McNabb-led Eagles. Would you have agreed?
Vick's approval rating?
Michael Vick understands some people still hold a grudge. "There may still be masses of people who feel that way. Just don't put it in my face. Because I will take the initiative to put it back in your face."
- Vote: Can the Eagles win a Super Bowl with Vick?
- Rank 'Em: Where did fans rank Vick among NFL quarterbacks?
You couldn't tell the story of the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles without telling the story of Michael Vick. More than any other player, he was responsible for getting Philadelphia to the playoffs, as his electrifying play rejuvenated a stagnant offense. However, Vick might have been responsible for the Eagles' heartbreaking loss to the Packers on Sunday, as his late interception may have been an avoidable mistake.
Vick performed well otherwise, as his 292 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) will attest, but fans may have caught a glimpse of the old Michael Vick when he threw an errant pass to Green Bay's Tramon Williams in the end zone. Should he have played it a bit more slowly, or was it a worthwhile risk to go for the big play?
- "As to this being Vick's fault: I believe about half of all playoff games are lost by a quarterback, and this was one of them. As tight as it was, he really needed to not throw an INT with the game on the line. Sure, you can blame the kicker, not to mention a poor Reid decision not to to go for a fourth down. You can also blame the receiver who stepped out before catching the two point conversion. Having a field goal to tie might have changed the play call. But the truth is, the team that loses a playoff game very often is the one whose QB throws that key INT late. " -- steelersfanthg
- "Lets all be real Eagles fans we are putting way too much blame on mike vick right now. He threw for almost 300 yds had a passing TD, MORE DROPPED PASSES! (story of his career) a rushing TD until the last drive with the pick was very efficient...I think as an Eagles fan that David Akers should garnish some of the blame 34, 41 yd field goals are very makeable and at home EXPECTED." -- babyboy27003
3. Who has done the best image rehab?
He hit the championship-clinching shot against the Celtics, and now Ron Artest is planning on giving some or all of this salary next season to charity in support of mental health awareness. Has anyone done much image rehab than Ron Artest. Well, maybe that guy playing quarterback in Philadelphia. Who you got?
- "This guy has had charities for years. His program has put thousands of kids into college from when he started his fund in Sacramento. He has never made a big splash about it, but now he has the LA stage and what better way to get people to donate than using it to the maximum potential. Props to RonRon." -- SN commenter aggiedart
- Rank 'Em: Where do Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler rank among quarterbacks?
- Vote: Are the Bears the best team in the NFC?
You have to wonder if yesterday's games marked somewhat of a sea change in the NFL's power structure. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the most consistent teams in the NFL, will not reach 12 wins this season (the first time since 2002 that's happened) thanks to Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, now winners of four straight. The Chicago Bears, no one's choice to be 8-3 at this point in the season, weathered a fourth-quarter comeback from the Eagles behind Jay Cutler's four touchdowns. Is this a sign of things to come for both teams?
- "Other than Philip Rivers, I'd take Peyton Manning over any other QB in the league." -- Patriciodaflop
- "Chicago dominated yesterday. Anyone who actually watched the game knows that the only reason the score was close (and that Vick's numbers look deceivingly decent) was because the Bears played a deep prevent for the last 2/3rds of the fourth quarter -- a purposeful strategy that successfully gave up a score only after forcing the Eagles to blow all their TOs and leave under 2:00 on the game clock. That drive gave Vick another 80 yards, some completions, and a TD, but those are what the experts call "false statistics" or "ghost statistics." They mean nothing." -- halasjackson
- Rank 'Em: Who has been the best fantasy bet this season?
- Vote: Are Brandon Lloyd and Roddy White bigger surprises than Arian Foster?
- Vote: Would you start Randy Moss over Wes Welker or Vincent Jackson?
This Thanksgiving, it's important to be thankful for the little bits of good luck that one has experienced in the past year. For those of you who picked up Arian Foster with the average 47th pick in fantasy football, you should be very thankful indeed. The same goes with anyone who picked up Michael Vick with the average 200th pick or Peyton Hillis with the average "so low he was practically never picked" pick. Those of you who picked Randy Moss with the average 11th pick, on the other hand ... well, we feel for you. Take an extra slice of pumpkin pie. You look like you need it.
- "Has anyone noticed how bad the Houston Texans Defense is? Helloooooooooo? Moss will finally have a big fantasy game this week." -- treelimb23
- "Chicago has the best pass defense in the league. Mike Vick will get his 20 points, but the Colts-Chargers Sunday night game is gonna be a shootout. So Id def bench Vick for a 4-TD, 300-yard game from Rivers and Manning." -- XthedeepakisherX
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