Reid on Vick: 'This is what I think is right"
The national talking head network had it right, after all. Andy Reid has named Michael Vick the Eagles' starting quarterback.
Reid on Vick: 'This is what I think is right"
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The national talking head network had it right, after all. Andy Reid has named Michael Vick the Eagles' starting quarterback.
"I took plenty of time to evaluate it and this is what I think is right," Reid said.
Reid told reporters at NovaCare that up til now, he had told us what he believed -- that Kolb would be the QB, but that Vick did "an exceptional job" the last two weeks. "It's my obligation to make the proper decision" Reid said.
Reid said it was his decision and that he has full backing of the front office on the move. He said he met with Kolb over the last two days and Kolb was the first to know about the move.
"Kevin Kolb would like to be the starting quarterback of this football team and I wouldn’t expect anything less," Reid said. "This is one of the most competitive kids I’ve been around. He wants to be out there and he wants to play and his day will come here.”
Vick has shown he can be a pocket passer, Reid said. "I didn't expect, obviously, the accelerated play of Michael Vick," Reid said, when he repeatedly insisted Kolb would be the Eagles' starter.
So far there have been no discussions on a contract extension for Vick, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Reid said he "absolutely" felt the Eagles could win a Super Bowl with Vick and said Vick is possibly playing better than he ever has.
"One of the great things about America is you're given a second chance if you handle it the proper way," Reid said. "His teammates will stand up for Michael and so will I."
Reid said Kolb, scheduled to make $12.25 million guaranteed this season, has not asked for a trade. He also stressed that he sees a bright future for Kolb and called him a potentially "championship caliber" QB.
Earlier: The Eagles' signing of RB Joique Bell finally is official, and the roster move made to bring him aboard is a mild surprise. Hank Baskett, cut last year about this time just because Reggie Brown wouldn't have caused too big a cap hit, is gone now for other reasons, presumably because with rookie Riley Cooper in the fold, Hank is redundant.
Baskett, a wideout who arrived in a 2006 trade with Minnesota, is best known for being married to reality TV star and former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson.
Bell was was signed off the Bills' practice squad. The Eagles now have five running backs, if you include fullback Owen Schmitt, an unwieldy number, which is another reason the Baskett release seems odd.
Adding to the intrigue, the Eagles just released RB Martell Mallett from their practice squad -- not odd, given the number of RBs on the roster -- but they also released practice squad safety Chip Vaughn.
Poll: Do you agree with Reid's decision?
Tell him how important it is that he doesn't fall onto the back of the legs of Peters. That would be a big improvement.— MikeP- That's funny, MikeP.
- Since reg bush broke his leg last nite, I'd be calling the saints to try to get a 7th rounder for bell, word.— Onlineps2beast
- "Joyk"? That's absurd.— B in DC
- The joykstore called— JohnnyN
- Bell back to the Saints for a 5th rounder is more like it.— USAFruss
Comment removed.- Hank and Kendra----happy trails.— Romus
- Comment removed.
- Saints aint taking Bell back, with or without Mr. Heisman. I think he can add something to mix if he hit the other team's player first instead of running into the back of his own guys. Of course Ernie Sims got all kinds of press hitting his own guys in training camp, so maybe there is something to it.— Bleue
- There's more to come on this one. It doesn't make sense for the Eagles to carry 5 running backs and 4 receivers (especially since they don't use their running backs very much).— SteveS11
- One has to wonder how long Kendra is going to put up with an underachieving (and unemployed) husband.— SteveS11
Does seem kinda odd. Hate to think it, but after a move like this with the way things have been going, they'll probably get injuries to a couple receivers— Mabus- You're right SteveS11 - she just might have to dump Hank and go back to Hugh Hefner - little Hank and all!— Maceo
- Reid figured he only needs one guy to botch onside kicks on the roster
