This One Is For The Birds

ESPN - Quarterback Quarterback Michael Vick has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, his agent, Joel Segal, confirmed to ESPN.com.

Vick arrived in Philadelphia Tuesday morning and remained there Wednesday evening. The Eagles will hold a news conference on Friday morning to announce his signing. The first year of the deal is for $1.6 million with an option for the second year at $5.2 million, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Vick can also earn an additional $3 million in incentives over the two years of the contract, sources told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli.

Let me say that I am all for second chances. But I am damn glad the Giants weren't interested in this guy. No shock that the Eagles signed him. I can go wither way on this one. First, being a back-up to McNabb is one of the better things for Vick to be right now. McNabb, while not as fast or as much of a running QB as Vick, did have some wheels in his early years. What McNabb has done is transform himself into more of a packet passer (as overrated at that as I still think he is). Vick wont have his speed forever, do its probably good he learns how to be a real QB from a guy who did run a lot as well. I expect to see Vick and McNabb in the backfield a lot this year running numerous variations of the WildDog - er - WildCat formation. Vick also is in an organization that doesn't shy away from troubled players in the past. While the Eagles head coach is also overrated in big spots, i.e. clock management at the end of games as well as play calling, he is a "player's coach." There is no doubt that he will be behind Vick and protecting him from the media as much as possible. Which brings me to why Philly is not such a good spot for him. Two words: NFC Beast. This division is stacked with talent. I argue its the best division in the league. But that's not the reason its a bad move. The reason is that each team in this division comes with a huge media market. NY, DC, Dallas - All three media outlets are crazy. Do you really think Vick will skate by without being asked the hard questions such as: How was your prison term? How was the pen football team? Did you drop the soap? In addition, the NFC Beast teams have rabid fan bases, including Philly's own. Do you think the cream-cheese heads will be lenient on Vick once he start screwing up due to the rust factor. Em, no, I don't think so. I believe Vick would have been better served in a smaller market, and maybe on a worse team. Only time will tell. Here is to second chances.