Does Cunningham support Vick addition?
As the Michael Vick story continues to unfold, we've heard opinions from just about everyone.
Does Cunningham support Vick addition?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
As the Michael Vick story continues to unfold, we've heard opinions from just about everyone.
Columnists, ex-players, coaches, politicians -- each trying to take a stance and offer a different spin on the situation.
But as we all know, few can offer a "different spin" like former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham.
Cunningham joined ESPN 950's Mike Missanelli yesterday to discuss Vick's addition. He said we did not create this world, and Vick's redemption is in God's hands. He also praised Jeffrey Lurie for carefully considering the move before making a decision.
"Am I for it? I'm happy that people get a second, third, fourth, fifth chance regardless to what they've done," Cunningham said. "The man [Vick] has gone, basically completely broke. He's done everything he could to reconcile himself to what he had done. There have been people who have murdered people and got a second chance."
Missanelli asked Cunningham if people who are not willing to forgive Vick are less Christian. Cunningham said he wouldn't go that far.
"I just think that people as a people, we're opinionated," he said. "We want our opinion to mean something, but if we put ourselves in the same predicament as other people, people would say Jeffrey Dahmer deserved the electric chair or whatever, and God would say, 'As long as you give me your life, I'll give you a chance to have eternal life with me.' Thank God we're not God because we would mess this world up."
That last line drew a chuckle from Missanelli, and likely 99 percent of the people who were listening.
Cunningham also discussed Vick's ability on the field, saying he fully expected the new Eagle to retain his skills despite being away from the game for more than two years. He went as far as saying Vick could play 15, 16 or 17 years in the NFL and be successful.
"I'm in the gym right now, and I can bench-press just as much as I did in the pros," Cunningham said. "I can run and throw the ball. My arm has not changed at all. Now whether I could take all of those hits, that's a whole other story. I don't think I could take the hits."
And finally, he talked about the question that will not go away. How will Vick's addition impact Donovan McNabb?
"Donovan is one of the most patient, long-suffering, consistent and committed players that I've ever played with," Cunningham said. "I never second-guess him, ever worried about anything. I think the team knows this is not about Michael Vick coming in and trying to take Donovan McNabb's position. This is about making the team better."
So there you have it. Like I said, always a different spin with Randall. No one can argue differently.
I'll be back later telling you why we care about tonight's Eagles-Colts game. And join me for a live chat at 8 p.m. for updates and commentary on the action.
Randall is my favorite NFL player of all time. Nobody was more exciting to watch, and no QB before or since has had that much natural talent. In his time with the Eagles, Randall did a whole lot more with a whole lot less to work with. It's a bummer for us Eagles fans that the coaching on the offensive side of the ball was so subpar, not to mention inconsistent, the whole time he was here; what might have been. That said, I always cringe whenever somebody puts a microphone in front of him because he always makes wacky comments, that is when he's not yammering on about god and religion and blah blah blah (which is even wackier). I put Randall in the HOF because he changed the game, he struck fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators, and let's face it, he was a human highlight reel. The lack of playoff success with the Eagles? Let's not forget this is the ultimate team game. Reggie White lost those games too, didn't he? Anybody remember KJ dropping a TD pass in the fog bowl? Then there's his time with the Vikings - anybody remember a field goal kicker that hadn't missed all year suddenly missing a 38 yarder that would have put them, and Randall, in the SuperBowl? So what if Anderson makes that field goal - is Randall a hall-of-famer then? Because of a field goal that would have happened when he wasn't even on the field?— bobby-d- I find it important to remind the world that Lurie immediately aimed to undermine and destroy Cunningham's career the moment the ink dried on his purchase of the team. He supported trading Randall to LA for the right to draft Trent Dilfer, and then was part of the effort that not only got rid of Cunningham, but bad mouthed him to the point where he was blackballed by other coaches. Many former teammates on various teams have confirmed that Randall Cunningham is the real deal when it comes to walking the walk as a high character and righteous man. So Cunningham got his opportunity and was league MVP in 1998, but his prime years 1995,96,97 were spent riding the pines in large part because of Lurie. So, Lurie helps rob the NFL and its fans of seeing one of its most exciting and high character players in the 1990s and now he is eagerly waiting at the prison door to throw money at the league's lowest character player. Just shows you what kind of ownership we have to suffer through.— jtj06
- Evilvet: no need to point out the weak puns. thanks!— Lunchboy
who cares?— potus- What Randall did when he was a pro is one thing people grow and change. It seems he is happy and living in a place we all need to get to someday. As far as McNabb goes it is funny how people blast Donovan, he hasnt one a super bowl but when has this team been a contender this long of a stretch? This is his eleventh year and we start this year just like most of them with a reasonable chance to make it to the super bowl.— skills
- Unfortunately, Jack Russell, you don't put up Favre's INTs--which killed the Jets last year and killed the Pack in the NFCCG the year before that.— bobbyuk
- I'm truly excited to hear what Rodney Peete thinks. Or Bobby Hoying. Or even Jeff Kemp. Please. Missanelli must have misplaced his top 64 Wawa sandwiches tournamnet bracket and needed to fill air time.— deanwermer
Comment removed.- Starship 12 makes an appearance...and of course he mentions God.— JSaq
- jack russell ... It's no accident that you chose to show us two years worth of stats. That's the only way you could make Favre look good. He's been mediocre, at best, in three of the past four years. He's led the league in interceptions in two of those four years & his teams have gone 34-30. His qb rating over the past four years has ranked 25th, 31st, 6th and 21st. He's had a great career (and is one of my all-time favorites), but he's a 40-year-old guy who has managed one good year out of the past four. If he makes the Vikings better, it's only because the alternatives are abysmal.— GoPhilsGo
- good comment randall......i feel that this decision to bring in mr.vick was a biz decision.heck why shoot it down before it gets started?he was going to play in the league,regardless which team signed him.the eagles showed that they're in to try to get back to the big show,and if he can help, they pulled the trigger,and spun the wheel.as long as he shows he's committed to doing what is required, i don'tsee any problem.as many criminals who've got 2nd chances.,he'll b ok..........speaking on 2nd chances,PETE ROSE DESERVES HIS......LETS GET HIM IN ON THE BALLOT .AND GET HIM IN .HIS PLAYING AND RECORDS AS A PLAYER SHOULD STAND FOR SOMETHING.GET HIM IN GET HIM IN!!— teephilly76
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