Michael Vick is an Eagle - OMG!!!

[Ephrum]

I understand how all of you feel about what Vick did, and it makes me sick as well.

But that's sports in this country. While I don't believe for a minute any of those guys should be treated differently than us, when it comes to the law, they are.

And it would be great if team owners held players to a higher accountability. But I'm of the immpression that if the Fans of the NFL really wanted higher standards and morals out of the players, the could just stop buying tickets. Nothing would be more effective in sending the NFL a message that the fans will hold the league/teams/players accountable to the same laws we are.

But collectively, the sheeple of this country just won't do it. When it comes to sports and entertainment(one and the same) the sheeple of this country are really no different than those who packed the Colosseum in Rome, so long ago.

[norb]

See, I should have been a judge! I just can't help seeing myself or someone I love screw up huge and hoping/praying that they would get another chance. I see Vick having to tell his kids about what a dumbass he was. Also having to tell them how he killed those dogs. To me that is the punishment. But as far as the NFL goes and the laws of our country, he broke them, he did his time, he should be given a second chance.

Now Donte is a tough one. The reports are that the accident would have happened whether or not he was drinking. He was not what any of us would consider drunk. Probably no more than some of us drove in college. But.... I say out of the NFL FOREVER!!!! That is the only way to show that you are serious about this stuff! This is a human life! He should be in jail and out of the NFL, otherwise what is the point of the laws. He killed a man. Sure, it might of happened anyway, but it didn't. He drank, he drove. That was his choice, someone died. He might have stopped his car if his reactions were better, most of the investigators do not think it made a difference. But unless they enforce the rule and enforce it hard, they are just opening themselves up to more players thinking they can get away with it.

What sucks is that I really like Donte, and am disgusted by Vick. But when I look at it from a legal point of view, Vick deserves "one" second chance, Donte doesn't deserve any. Wopner has spoken

[dale]

I have had changing emotions on Vick myself. Vick was remorseless until he was convicted when his associates turned on him in the trial. I think he learned two things in jail. The first is that he was not above the law after all. The second is that everything can be stripped from your life. Both of these things have humbled him.
To this day I think Vick has no compassion for the dogs. Personally killing them by bashing their heads in was just a business matter to him. To hear him sing a different tune now is just saying the right words to get a job back in the NFL. He has been coached in every word of what he says in public and private.

As far as playing in the NFL I think that if the NFL wants him back then they deserve him. The Eagles are getting a quarterback who has two years of rust on him whose main asset has always been his running ability. Do the Eagles need him? This is the part that puzzles me. I could think of other teams that needed Vick worse (the Vikings for instance). It will all make for an interesting season for the Eagles' fans. In every game in which the Eagles are the visiting team there will be a sideshow in addition to the game. Will this bring the Eagles teammates together or will there instantly be a split in the team the first time Donovan has a stinker of a game?

[norb]

I agree dale, the Eagles do not need him at all. I think that Reid gave him a chance because of his own legal troubles with his own son's. His sons get a second chance, so why shouldn't Vick. I think that most players are forgiving, they don't care about what a guy can do as long as he does his football job. But, as we can see on this forum, some people are very passionate about it, will not forgive it, so it could be a divider. If I was in charge of the Eagles, I would not have done it. They just don't need a QB right now, so what's the point?

[Gfran64]

Maybe Donovan's knee or arm isn't feeling that good.


Greg

[norb]

The way he was throwing at the receiver's feet on Thursday, that wouldn't surprise me But that's pretty standard for him. I do have hope though, he said that this year rather than just bulking up, he worked hard on his touch of the ball. Trying to throw a catchable ball rather than bullets. He frustrates us Eagles fans, but most of us realize that he's still an amazing talent.

I am quite certain that Vick will get booed the moment he steps on the field.

[louie raider]

there are some of us out here who remember his contribution to our alma mater (where he did not decide to finish his tour of duty in order to pursue more lucrative interests) and are similarly conflicted -- having to put up with his initial transgressions, which some of our own feel besmirched the same college he left prematurely -- to see his attempt to make himself a very decent living after all that has transpired...

... well, it only leaves this Hokie conflicted as to what to believe. Generally, i hope he feels he can have another chance to make things right.

but then, i feel like i'm incredibly biased, as i remember Vick to be considered by myself (and many, many others) to be the Second Coming only ten years ago. i mean, he got VT to the Big Game, man. as a Sophomore too. well, i know it doesn't excuse things.... i guess when i see where he's been, the letdown is a lot more evident. i think he peaked back in '99, before he even saw an NFL field.

[dale]

Just wondering, Louie, what you thought of Marcus Vick's time at VT?

I am an old Wahoo myself but I rooted for the Hokies during the Michael Vick era.

[louie raider]

dale wrote:

Just wondering, Louie, what you thought of Marcus Vick's time at VT?

I am an old Wahoo myself but I rooted for the Hokies during the Michael Vick era.

Lots of wasted talent there. i really enjoyed watching him play, and he had flashes of brilliance physically, some said he was better than Mike in certain aspects -- but IMO he thought he was too good for the rules imposed upon him, and was not a team player... both Vicks had a tough time making correct decisions in the past; hopefully they'll be a little smarter about things. we'll see, i guess.

[Richmond]

norb wrote:

I am quite certain that Vick will get booed the moment he steps on the field.

Legend has it that even Santa Claus was booed there!

As for Vick, I would hope that he has had a change of heart, but after seeing the effects of Jerry Jones's "reclamation projects" on team unity and morale in Dallas over the years, good luck with that.