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Michael Vick is a disgrace, a despicable human being. This second chance is undeserved and unsavoury, however, he was punished for his crimes and so it is difficult to make a case for continuing to ban him from his previous profession.

Before his conviction he was a fantastic Quarterback, and genuinely exciting to watch, but that means nothing in light of his off-field activities. Someone who runs a brutal dog fighting ring because they need the money is also despicable, but at least you can understand their motives. This famed, multi-millionaire sportsman did it for two reasons, the thrill of being involved in underground, illegal activities, and because he is a sadist with a considerable personality deficiency.

It is disappointing that he will be returning to the NFL, but understandable.

I was unaware that he had admitted to personally killing dogs, I did not think it possible, but he has gone even lower in my estimations.

I agree Neil, Vick was never a star quarterback.
He had great scrambling abilities and was a good entertainer but I'm not expecting his stay in Philly to be a long one.
Vicks has very little option but to work hard in Philly, shut up, and just be grateful the Eagles gave him a shot when most others wouldn't go near him.
Any negative noise coming from his camp and he will be seen as the spoiled ungrateful, selfish #### many already think he is.
I expect Philly to draft a QB next April and offload Vick.
At least he's guaranteed a semi polite reception on Sunday .................... it'll be a different story in Oakland next week

The simple fact is that if he had not been a famous black multimillionaire athlete he would not have had the full force of the Federal Government coming down on him. For a start dog fighting, however awful, is NEVER prosecuted in federal court. If he had been Joe Blogss it would have been a state court charge and he probably would have got probabtion and an order never to own dogs. In this case, Vick's fame worked against him.

What Vick did was wrong but he has been punished. I wish PETA would put a sock in it.

I'm hoping the nutters from P.E.T.A. show him the 'respect' he deserves.

Fair point Neil, given the fact that they have already stuttered against the Saints (not taking anything away from the Saints Offense who are dominating at the moment).

I doubt however that it will effect them for the immediate future - with easy match up's against the Chiefs and Buccs, plus an early Bye Week, I reckon they will be in a positive, winning position. And when you're winning very little can phase you.

The problem with Vick is that we will get grief not only from the fans, but there will be opposing players that will want to absolutely destroy him - and it doesn't help they have to play probably the best Defense in the league twice in the form of the Giants.

(PS - I'm not a Philly fan even though the name implies it, I prefer the real Eagles from South London!)

I think I have Vick fatigue to be honest. Blah-blah-Stallworth-blah-blah-race-card-blah-blah-did you think your burger commited suicide-blah-blah-he took pleasure from the killing-blah-blah-and dogs are cute-blah-blah.

People really do love a good fall-from-grace story though and this is one that kept on giving.

Im not sure the off-field issues will be a distraction (Andy Reid is too experienced to let off-field issues affect his team); the initial arrival of Vick didnt seem to be that much of a distraction.

The on-field issues is where the problems will arrive.
McNabb clearly isnt happy with the whole "Wildcat" package (regardless of whether Vick is in there or not). He believes in the success they had last year just playing "football"; he has made this clear in comments in pre-season and also this Sunday when he wasnt playing.

If McNabb performs and the wildcat formation comes in and disrupts "his" drive then there will be problems.
If McNabb doesnt perform and the wildcat formation comes in and plays well then there will be problems.

The only way this franchise suceeds is if McNabb plays well and there is no need for wildcat or for McNabb to play well and the wildcat formation is just as effective.

Vick's crimes were gruesome, but he has done the time. I'd like to have seen him locked up for much longer, but he got what he got from the system, in theory has paid his due to society, and is now a free man. So he should be allowed to play football again.

But I don't see that having Vick will be a distraction to the Iggles per se... It's the old story that if they get good results, then you generate a good vibe and this counteracts any ill-feeling toward Vick (or any other team-mate you don't like).

One thing with the Iggles in recent years has been that when their offense becomes unbalanced - typically through not running the ball - they have gotten inconsistent, and that seems to be the bigger risk this season. If Westbrook and McCoy are trusted to carry a decent work-load, and especially if this happens and McNabb plays, then the Iggles will be okay. Otherwise they won't make the play-offs.

As for your prediction... really not seeing it. New England's defense is scarily vulnerable, and Atlanta's offensive arsenal is up with the scariest in the league. At best, my Pats could win a shoot-out, at worst, we're going to watch Atlanta spring into an early lead (as Ryan hits White, Jenkins and Gonzalez at will) and then unload a truck-load of Michael Turner on a hesitant defense.

Just a quick reply to "Ravens Defense"......Andy Reid is too experienced to let off field issues affect his team......DO YOU REMEMBER McNABB - OWENS?????

I have never been a great fan of Vick. I prefer my quarterbacks to be passers not rushers. However he is an exceptional player, and with the evolution of the 'Wildcat Offense' he is tailor made to run that to perfection. I am amazed how many teams passed him up given how prevalent the Wildcat is going to be this year.
As for his criminal past. Its certainly not the most pleasant of crimes that he was convicted with, but he served his time so should have been allowed to play and the NFL were correct to reinstate him IMO.
On a different tangent. What happened to MNF? I checked all my TV schedules (SKY, ´óÏó´«Ã½, 5, ESPN) and could find no sign of it being aired. If it was and I was just blind could somebody post which channel it is being shown on. Thanks.

Ugh not again ... can we all just see Vick as a football player? What he did was despicable? As against shooting defenseless birds for sport on TV? Give me a break please. I'm only interested in watching a football game not having "pundits" continuously reminding us of dogfighting charges.

PATRIOTS ALL THE WAY!!!

Yeah I do remember. Andy Reid didnt let that affect his team on the pitch.

2004 is the Eagles most successful regular season of the past 10 years with 13 wins and only 3 losses. They also got to the Superbowl (lost to the Patriots - no shame their then) with TO grabbing 122 yards receiving.

I'd say that is handling the off-field issues pretty well.

Dog lovers think this is the worst crime that can be committed, however, some perspective is needed here. Fox hunters (now banned of course) used to chase foxes down and have them ripped apart by dogs. The dogs themselves were bred only for hunting and most were euthenised once they were past their use by date.

My point is cruelty to animals is dependent on your perspective, and dependent on what "class" you are from. Michael Vicks background was stepped in such activities. He has served his penalty, and should be allowed to go about making a living without hindrance.

He is a very talented and exciting quarterback, one of very few with any mobility, and I hope he can entertain us soon ( though I would prefer it if the eagles still lose!).

Neil, you suggest that McNabb is not happy with Vick joining the organisation - yet it was McNabb who actively pushed the Philly back office to recruit Vick - so any issue he has are more likely to be with playing style than Vick himself - I believe they are friends.
On a second note let me first say what Vick did was despicable and I think the punishment fit the crime - however the level of hypocracy here in the USA is unbelievable - we have TV footage of Sarah Palin shooting wolves from a helicopter for fun and she is lauded as a hero yet Vick is public enemy No1. It do not see the difference in these actions and think it is typical of the double standards set in this country. If PETA and all these animal lovers want a hate figure - go after the person who continues to glorify the killing of animals for pleasure and has faced zero sanctions /punishment for it - Palin- ( and her other hunting pal Cheney!)

I think Vick will do surprisingly well in the Eagles game, he will certainly get much support as the U.S. media and fanbase has been very supportive of him ever since he has came out of prison. I think what Vick has shown as far as being apologetic is that he seems to honestly mean it, unlike having a lawyer by his side having him read an apologetic note. Vick has been spending time giving talking to the public as well about what he did was bad and he just recently held an assembly with some children and told them that he is "exactly who you shouldn't be".

P.S. Tom Brady will have another sub-par game.

I've written complaints to the NFL, to the Philadelphia Eagles, and even the commissioner. I do not feel Vick has shown genuine remorse for his actions, I feel he's doing what he has to do to get back into the million dollar contract is all. I refuse to watch him play, I'll never support the Eagles again. Anyone who has ever seen a dogs face ripped off their bodies from another Pit Bull with intentionally sharpened teeth designed only to do damage, and a great amount of it at that, should know that Michael Vick has no place what so ever back in the forefront of the public eye, especially where kids can look up to him. He did one of the most despicable things imaginable, and did so on purpose. Having over 50 dogs certainly didn't show he was doing it by accident. He should have never been allowed such an easy avenue to make millions again since he's already proven he was ready to misuse the money he made before. I could be a happy human being never having to look upon his face again on TV.

Well, looks like SnowCajun is set to be unhappy for a very long time.

What he did was despicable yes but there are others in professional US sport who have committed worse crimes. I could give examples but i´m sure you know whom i mean.
Vick has served his time, deserves a second chance and i for one think he will star oncemore in the NFL. He was very, very good before his misdemeanours.

SnowCajun, The whole point of having the laws of society and Prison system is so that people serve their punishment for the crime they commit, learn from their mistakes and get re-introduced into society with a new outlook on life.

As a Giants fan, I want to see Michael Vick fall on his face, purely from a fans point of view, however, you cannot and should not condemn a man who has served his punishment and is trying to ply his trade (so what if it's highly lucrative) as one of the best employees in production one way or the other.

As mentioned many times above, there are multiple people who kill animals as part of their jobs, and some for entertainment. I don't see you calling for the heads of any farmers who shoot rabbits running through their fields destroying their crops, or refusing to eat the summer freshest strawberries because they came from hands tainted with blood... Farmers do that through choice I know, and not entertainment, but I hope you see my point.


I can understand why people may not like the guy, however, in my eyes, he has served his time and now we must trust that OUR prison system has done its job, so he can try to rebuild his life, let alone his career.

Good luck Michael Vick.

SnowCajun - in terms of the horrors of dog-fighting, I am with you completely. I wish society would hand out more severe penalties for crimes of this sort. And I hold general skepticism over really how remorseful felons are for their crimes.

But neither of these points should be relevant in terms of Vick's reinstatement. The NFL is no more the arbiter of what is an appropriate punishment for dogfighting than you or I, and when it comes to convicted felons generally, I am very firmly of the view that the NFL should allow players to return to the league when sentences have been served. Not just on the principle of second chances, but because spent convictions should be recognised as just that.

If franchises want to take a risk with some badly damaged goods, let it be on them.

Well he's served his time , you cant have a system where you punish people for their crimes, release them after a said time and then continue to punish them as some people find his actions morally offensive. People always like to occupy moral high ground and cast down judgement on others.

What he did wasn't good , not good at all but if he was a stockbroker would he be banned from stockbroking after his release? Of course he wouldn't that would be ridiculous. Thankfully punishments are set by judges and the legal system not hysterical reactions of the morality police.

"Michael Vick is a disgrace" "Blah, blah, blah". There have been NFL players who have dones so much worse than Michael Vick but where are the calls of condemnation from the same people calling Michael Vick a disgrace - how many of those PETA folk are calling for Donte' Stallworth, for example who just began serving a 30-day jail sentence for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk (there was a financial settlement; is that difference here) - WHERE ARE YOU??? I don't agree to what Michael Vick's done but how do you compare animals to someone killed by DUI? Who's worse - Michael Vick or Donte' Stallworth? I could go on and on and on as to how many people have done worse; Marvin Harrison shot a man last year who remains in critical condition. Why does Vick stand out? It's nothing but a witch hunt and a little more.

Is there a "morals clause" in the players' union agreement? I don't know. In the USA, we have, or try to have a system of governance (of/by/for) that relies on the rule of law, not the rule of silent and statistical public opinion, or powerful praying ayatollahs, or strongmen issuing pronunciamentos, or sports reporters baying at the news cycle's new clock (24/7/365, all ragtime all the time). I think many people who are worked up about Vick might more usefully ask what the league's pack of jacks-in-office, the team owners, and the players' union are doing about ----oh, say, betting on games over the Internet and the opportunities there for players'/officials'/owners' skullduggery , or the use of [various prescription and over - the counter] performance - enhancing chemicals.

Vick's future at Philly really depends on Vick's level of ambition for his return, Kolb has really stepped up in place of McNabb these last two games, McNabb is 33 by the end of the season, this is probably his last big shot, if he can't get Philly to at least the conference final this year then I can see him moving on, then it comes down to a fight between Vick and Kolb for the starters job, but Vick would be a solid back up and a lock for the wildcat, Vick's future depends on Vick.

Drafting a QB in the draft, there'll be a lot of teams other than the Eagles looking for QB's and a few that'll be ahead of them on form, you've got to think the Browns are going to look for one, Bulger's getting on so the Rams have got to be thinking about it, Unless Vince Young undergoes a startling rehabilitation the Titans are sure to be looking, in fact either way Kerry Collins can't go on forever, Warner and Favre must retire at some stage, Heck even the Raiders might bite the bullet on Russell's contract. I've not really followed the college season but is there that much depth in the college QB's this year?