Chip Calls an Audible: New Deal for Vick
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Chip Calls an Audible: New Deal for Vick
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
A couple hours before the first Chip Kelly press availability since the Senior Bowl, the Eagles made a surprise announcement: they've agreed with Michael Vick on a restructured contract, which reports indicate will be for about $10 million over one year.
What does this mean? Well, it means nothing good for Nick Foles, first of all. Vick has said he is not amenable to staying here as a backup. The Chipper, after reviewing 2012 film, must think a 33-year-old Vick is a better option for his offense than Foles, the bigger, slower-footed 2012 rookie. He must also think he isn't getting his longterm franchise QB out of the 2013 draft. So he's going to try to buy a year with Vick, see how it goes, and if disaster ensues, as it did for Andy Reid the past two seasons with Vick, then there's the 2014 draft and a more promising quarterback crop.
If you're a Vick fan, this validates your view that a terrible offensive line was the QB's main problem last season. If you're a Vick basher, it's easy to see how you might want to grind your teeth to dust, watching Kelly have to repeat Reid's mistakes instead of learning from them.
Kelly obviously will get quite a few questions on this matter at his 1:30 press conference. Among them will be how a two-turnover-a-game quarterback who hasn't played a full, 16-game season since 2006 is going to represent a step forward in rebuilding.
Of course, this contract doesn't mean Vick absolutely is the Eagles' 2013 starter, and I'm sure that will be emphasized today. But the odds just went from near nothing to overwhelmingly in Vick's favor. It's fair to say this is not the clean, fresh start a lot of fans were envisioning.
derp— bhamss1- RUNNING QBs DON'T WIN SUPER BOWLS!!!!!!!!— Mr. Underhill
- VICK WAS AWFUL 2-14...you do NOT rebuild with an OLD Vick who has already FAILED FOR THREE YEARS...DUH.— jim35
- Vick is simply better than Foles. It will help if Eagles OL isn't all injured and out of position. No QB can succeed with a makeshift, vulnerable OL.— 2smart4philly
- The Eagles are now just something to read about in the paper and comment on. Who cares what they do with their money?— Boru
- Kelly obviously does not want to spend a year trying to groom Foles, so Vick is the choice until another option is found. The Eagles are taking the long view, and not trying to win next season. They are waiting for better QB prospects in upcoming drafts. Vick may or may not be better behind a more effective line, if that will happen. I also would not be surprised to see them pick up Dennis Dixon as another backup option.— jerseyshorefan
- Think about last season, the O line sucked bad and Vick got hammered, no way he would last the season. Reid had no viable back ups on the O line, then as the D was improving slightly he unloaded Castillo. Also the field position was poor, April should have been fired before Castillo.
Reid is a moron, give Chip a chance. I say they go 9-7 next year.
— dc8333 - Possibly more of a reflection on the available options for 2013. Vick will probably make considerably less than 10M if he is injured or doesn't start. Remember what the Cardinals did to Boomer Esiason when he was about to hit some big incentives in a losing season. To the bench.— mlogan49
- bottom line is that there is nobody better available right now. everyone loves alex smith yet the guy was beaten out by an unproven rookie. lets give Chip a chance to evaluate and put some things in place. Sometimes a few tweaks make a world of difference - at least i hope.— nyphillyguy
- VICK was 4-12 last season....now Vick is even OLDER and slower...any young QB would be a better decision than the old loser Vick who will FAIL AGAIN this season.— jim35
- Check your facts. — cous76
- Kelly had no choice. If he let Vick go, he'd be pigeon-holed into drafting Geno Smith with the #4 pick if he wanted to run some semblance of his zone read offense. He must not be sold on Smith. I think it's fair to say that no one could have been incredibly effective behind the Eagles offensive line last season. If Kelly shores up the line (Luke Joeckel!), then I believe the Eagles could be on their way back to he playoffs. Plus, with improved protection, Vick would have no excuses. He'd have to be respected QB again or else be the next Vince Young. I think its a smart move.
— MrMiles1 - and the reverse racist rejoice.— defroe
- As long as Lurie owns this team this is what you'll get. Lurie is trying to be the new Jerry Jones.— Taser
- jim35, Foles was 1-5 as a starter so Vick was actually 3-7. Still nothing to brag about.
I disagree with those that think this is a Jeff/Howie decision. The stories I heard was that Jeff did not want Vick here to begin with but Andy (& Donovan) persuaded him to sign Vick. I also can't imagine that Jeff would want to commit to $10million (including incentives). I think, as others have said, that Kelly wants to try to win starting next year and thinks Vick gives him the best chance. He apparently doesn't feel that he can successfully adapt his offense to Foles (or doesn't want to try, that will be answered if they trade or release Foles). I heard several analysts say that the reason Kelly came here after saying no was power/control, not money. To me, here is the 1st example of that.
Personnaly, I would have released Vick, gone through 2013 w/ Foles & ? (Dixon, etc) and look for my QB for 2014.— John Klink
