Vick hopes to remain with Eagles
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Vick hopes to remain with Eagles
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Before there was Cliff Lee, there was Michael Vick.
As shocking as the Phillies' blockbuster acquisition was, the Eagles' decision to sign Vick in August, 2009 was the ultimate jaw-dropper.
And in the end it proved to be prescient decision, one that has the Eagles in playoff contention and poised for greater ambitions. Vick has played so well that it seems almost inconceivable that the Eagles wouldn't bring back the quarterback, who is in the last year of the two-year contract he originally signed.
Vick spent Tuesday morning at Boys' Latin of Philadelphia Charter School speaking out against dogfighting and his journey back to the NFL. Almost every answer the Eagles quarterback gave to a questioner drew an applause, but Vick drew the loudest response when a young student asked if he was going to be an Eagle next season.
"I would hope so. I would like to," Vick said as most of the Boys' Latin student body erupted into cheers. "A lot of things that have to happen. A lot of things have to take place. ... But hopefully I'm a Philadelphia Eagle next season."
Vick has said as much to Eagles beat reporters. But a lot still has to happen before he's inked in as the team's starting quarterback for next season. NFL labor unrest has put almost all contract negotiations on hold. The Eagles may be willing to extend Vick to a long-term deal, but more than likely they'll use their franchise tag to keep the quarterback in the fold for another season.
So it would appear likely that Vick is back with the Eagles next season, barring an unforeseen event.
"We don't even know if we're going to have a season next year," Vick said later in front of cameras. "So I'm just enjoying this season and taking it one game at a time, enjoying the locker room and enjoying the guys."
Vick spent most of his appearance lecturing the students on the wrongs of dogfighting and using his past mistakes as an example. At one point he asked the assembled students to raise their hands if they knew people that were involved in dogfighting. Almost every student raised his hand.
"Dogfighting is prominent all across the country and I know it goes on in a lot of different urban areas," Vick said. "A lot of kids have probably seen it happening before. Hopefully, they're not involved in it and hopefully they take away from what happened in my situation and avoid it at all costs."
The Eagles face the Giants in New York on Sunday in a game between NFC East co-leaders. A victory would give the Eagles a season sweep over the Giants and move them one step closer to clinching the division.
"Every game is a big game," Vick said. "You just have to go out and do what you do best and that's play the game and play with confidence and play the game to win. I think this week ... preparation is going to be key."
Vick was also asked to comment on the Phillies acquiring Lee. (Which begs the question: "Will the Phils be criticized for making the move now and trying to upstage the Eagles several days before their big showdown at the Meadowlands?")
"You got to look at it as a plus," Vick said of the Lee deal. "Any time you sign a guy to that type of money it shows your belief and your faith and your confidence in him. I think he's definitely going to bring a spark."
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In other Eagles-related news, the Sunday night's game against the Cowboys that was aired on NBC was the most-watched "Sunday Night Football" broadcast ever. The game attracted 25.73 million viewers.
Vick is a lock for a long term Contract, and Kolb is far from a bust. Kolb will get a lot of 1 round trade conversation, He's a very well schooled QB and has been a successful sample starter— CoolRunnings- BTW, DW4 "Korn Kolb" as you call him is far from a wasted draft pick, your head seems to have gotten lost in your dark place.— CoolRunnings
It's not working wiff. You bailed, you're out. Hit the bricks.— tpizza- ...and this is Kolb's last half season— tpizza
- Kolb isn't the only wasted draft pick, you guys forgetting FredEx already. Don't blame you. I'm hosting a beef and beer to raise money for the Keep Mike Vick Fund. So Derrick Burgess is back in town, any chance I can get him and Lee to come over to draw some publicity for my Beef n Beer? Or at least get them to talk to Vick the love of Philly. Remember Charles Barkley,— dapmman
- Kolb isn't the only wasted draft pick, you guys forgetting FredEx already. Don't blame you. I'm hosting a beef and beer to raise money for the Keep Mike Vick Fund. So Derrick Burgess is back in town, any chance I can get him and Lee to come over to draw some publicity for my Beef n Beer? Or at least get them to talk to Vick the love of Philly. Remember Charles Barkley,— dapmman
- Vick will stay. Reid hit the jackpot. I do feel for Kolb.— Brohn
- By his comment, I get the feeling Vick isn't a big baseball fan. That being said, you have to sign him, and I would think that in return, he'd want to play here, since Reid gave him the chance to play, and not only that, coach him to play better than he ever has. Good for team morale too.— watsonmr
Vick isn't going anywhere. And for you people downing McNabb, the Skins have ZERO weapons— elijah29- How do they know how many people watch a show or game?— simplefreedom
- Where are all the Redskin fans that troll this site? How do they like that McNabb trade now. They were saying the Eagles would not even win 5 games this year, and they had a great quarterback. Well, enjoy your long offseason and YOUR 5 wins.— simplefreedom
- DW4, are you serious? Have you watched him play at all this year? I don't think the Redskins fans would agree with your assessment. He is washed up...period. Look, I was a #5 jersey owner, but it was easy to see that he lost it a few years ago. I finally gave up on him after last season. He was never accurate and when he lost his ability to run (and/or decided to stop running) he became a mediocre (not horrible, but mediocre) NFL quarterback. Being #7 in passing is only a stat. Yardage means absolutely nothing. I wonder how many of those yards have come in the meaningless fourth quarters when they are already out of the game? While you are throwing around stats, maybe you can tell me what his TD/Int ratio is? Never mind, I'll do it for you...14/15. Yep, more Int's than TD's. So he is the 40th rated QB in the NFL this year. 40th!!! So take your stats back down to your basement filled with #5 gear.— jackinhtown
- elijah29, you give Brady Cooley, Moss, and Armstrong, which McNabb has and I bet you he can win with them. So can Brees. What all pros does he have. Please stop it with the weapons. Its old and worn out and more and more people are seeing that its just a poor excuse.
— watsonmr - Vick saved this season. He deserves the big contract and to stay with the Eagles. What's next? Brian Dawkins re-signing with the Eagles?— TripleOption
I am sold I would like Vick signed to a long term Deal. I believe the organization will reward him. Got to speak up for my favorite Eagle QB' I agree the last five years has been painful watching my favorite QB DMac diminishing skills and failures. But however he is now labeled. MAC will forever be my favorite Eagle QB McNabb brought respect for the Eagles with gritt, gutts and wins, for years he kept us in the CIRCLE OF Contending Teams and bled for this TEAM though we didn't win it all I still believed with the right team he could still win it all. Funny thing happened he got too old at 33 to lead this young team of 20 somethings. DMAC he is having a tough time in WASHINGTON. I think SHANNAHAN has deliberately TANKED this season. If Don got a pro-bowl berth or took Washington to the playoffs Philly would get a 3rd round pick. Don't think Shannahan was letting that happen. Mac truly has little help. A weAk receiving corp his only Quality option Cooley has to stay in and block to keep MAC off his back. Hope he gets traded to a better situation. Go Eagles. SEE U IN DALLAS.
