Gonzo: Vick controversy just beginning for Eagles

The NovaCare Complex has been overrun since the Eagles signed Michael Vick on Thursday. A battalion of local and national media members stormed the Birds' stronghold and turned it into their own personal base of operations.

About 100 reporters - armed with TV cameras and digital recorders and notepads and pens - showed up for Friday's news conference. They set up patrols outside the gate and stationed personnel in the parking lot, on the lawn in front of the entrance, in the media room, in the auditorium - absolutely everywhere. It had to be Andy Reid's own personal media hell.

That was merely the start of what figures to be a bizarre, protracted siege. I wonder if Reid and the Eagles fully understand that. I wonder if they realize this is only the beginning, and that the end and a return to normalcy are a long way off.

On Friday, Vick was at the center of a profoundly weird scene. He was clearly nervous and fumbled some of his statements (he said he wanted to express his "gratification" to Jeffrey Lurie), then talked about dogfighting, prison, making amends, contributing to the community, and, to finish it off, working to save more dogs than he killed.

Though it was beyond surreal, at least on Vick's end, it all unfolded as expected. The question, though, is what the Eagles expect from here on out. Do they think the city will support them simply because they're the Eagles, or are they concerned that giving Vick a second chance might damage the team's relationship with the fans? And are they prepared to deal with a season-long media crush that promises to choke off much of the usual football talk this year?

"Not everybody agrees with every decision that's been made no matter where it is or what organization it is in the National Football League," Reid said. "In Philadelphia, it's no different. I know some people will not agree. But on the other hand, I think the majority will.

"I expect the public to have questions initially, which is obviously taking place, but also at the same time to trust that we do the right things here, that we have done our homework, and that Michael himself has his life going in such a positive direction. I think with that, the majority of the public wants Michael to do well."

Reid used "majority" several times during his remarks. I'm not sure if he really believes that or if he knew no one would buy it but decided to toss it out anyway.

In the 24 hours following the announcement that Vick signed with the Birds, about 35,000 people voted in a Philly.com poll asking whether they were for or against the move. That's a huge sample, and it was split almost right down the middle - about 51 percent were in favor of the Birds' adding Vick while about 49 percent were against it. At best, it appears the Eagles have divided the city in half. Good luck with that "majority," gentlemen.

"Yes, there will be people who will be against giving this man a second chance," Lurie said. "I understand that. That's why it's a soul-searching decision. I don't disagree with the feeling that some people don't deserve a second chance. . . There is no room for error on Michael's part. There's no third chances. We know that. That's the thing: If this isn't fulfilled the way we expect it to be, then that will be the end."

That's fine. But, again, do they understand how ugly it can (and will) get regardless of whether Vick proves he's been rehabilitated? I've received countless e-mails about Vick since he joined the Eagles. Many have been indescribably nasty. One fan took the time to rewrite the Eagles' fight song. The remix included the lines "die, Fido, die" and "drown, Fluffy, drown."

That was one of the tamer messages.

While Lurie was onstage the other day, one reporter shouted out a question that was every bit as biting and direct as some of the e-mails: "If this had happened to your dog," the journo bellowed, "would we still be having this news conference?"

Before Lurie could answer, one of the Eagles' PR handlers stepped in, ended the news conference, and ushered him off the stage. I suppose that's good staff work, but you can't dodge those kinds of questions forever because fans and the media will keep lobbing them like grenades as long as Vick is wearing midnight green.

The Eagles had better get used to this - the commotion, the distraction, the doubt, the criticism, the heated debate, all of it. Because it's not going away.

The Birds took a turn here that no one expected, and now they are headed down a long, lonely road. They should plan accordingly for their trip.