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What they're saying about the Eagles

Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:

Dan Pompei of the National Football Post has Michael Vick fifth on his Comeback Player of the Year list, behind Brian Urlacher, E.J. Henderson, Wes Welker and LaDainian Tomlinson:

He didn't get my vote because I figured he came back from his two year hiatus last year, not this year. But he broke through this season and had the best season of his career.

Pompei said he's heard Eric Mangini's name as a possibility to become the next Eagles' defensive coordinator:

The Eagles might be interested in changing to a 3-4 defense. I am hearing the name of Eric Mangini as a possibility. They previously expressed interest in both Chuck Pagano and Dean Pees of the Ravens. What do all three have in common? They all know the 3-4.

It should be noted that sources have told both Les Bowen of the Daily News and Jeff McLane of the Inquirer that the Eagles do not plan on switching to a 3-4 defense. I have not seen Mangini's name in connection with the Eagles' opening anywhere else. And while ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Birds were seeking permission to speak with Dean Pees, that turned out not to be the case.

SI.com's Peter King has Henderson and Vick tied for his top comeback player:

Comeback player can mean coming back from anything -- injury, jail, whatever -- and I realize Vick was on the team last year and just didn't play much. I was solid on Henderson all along, but Vick's resurgence was so compelling and so great that I had to include him.

King has no Eagles on his All-Pro team. He's got the Birds ninth in his Fine Fifteen:

Sean McDermott replacing Jim Johnson turned out to be like Dave Van Gorder replacing Johnny Bench. Didn't quite work out.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com had Vick No. 2 on his final MVP list behind Tom Brady:

Vick seemed to be gaining on Brady late in the season, but his daring style caught up with him as December wound down. Vick fashions himself as a football player, not just a quarterback, and that is part of his appeal. But injuries affected his performance and availability late in the season, raising questions about whether he could make it through a 16-game season without adjusting his approach.

ESPN.com's Next Level gave Vick its Escape Artist award:

Michael Vick's development as a pocket passer elevated him into the MVP discussion this season, but the Eagles' signal-caller was still at his best when on the move. Among quarterbacks with 50 pass attempts outside the pocket, Vick was the only one to rank among the NFL's top four in completion percentage (55.6), passer rating (93.5) and yards per attempt (7.7).

Additionally, Vick's knack to run remained, as he led the league in scrambles (57), scramble yards (566) and first downs via scramble (23). Vick narrowly escaped with this award over some mobile competition in Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans (nine touchdowns, no interceptions outside the pocket), Sam Bradford of the St. Louis Rams (NFL-high 98 pass attempts outside the pocket) and Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons (58.4 completion percentage, tops among quarterbacks with at least 50 attempts).

ESPN.com's Howard Bryant says that in Vick's case, the system worked:

In a culture numb to the gilded escaping freely, the rich buying their way out of responsibility by writing a check or signing an autograph, society won, too, for Vick was not handed a golden key following his incarceration. He was held accountable by the justice system, which sent him to prison; by his employer, which suspended him and treated him with appropriate skepticism; and most importantly by the public. Some members of that public appropriately view him as having served his time, meaning he is now free to resume a better, rehabilitated life; others appropriately want him to pay his social debt as well as his legal one; and still others will never forgive him for killing and torturing dogs, essentially for profit.

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