The long wait is over. Michael Vick has agreed to terms on a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles which, assuming he passes a physical today, he will sign before participating in all team activities starting Saturday. Here are a few questions I’m getting in my email and my answers:
As a consultant with the Eagles the past several months, did you negotiate this deal?
I did not. This was a matter handled at the highest levels of the organization (which certainly did not include the consultant) – ownership, head coach/general manager and team president. As I wrote in a general piece on the potential signing of Vick, it was an organizational decision that needed buy-in from the top of the franchise on down, from ownership to personnel to coaching to contract management to community and public relations.
In the case of the Eagles, having the same person, Andy Reid, hold the titles of head coach and general manager allowed for a more streamlined decision to take place. Of course, this was only possible after ownership bought into the concept of having Vick represent the Eagles. The Luries gave their consent, and the process was set in motion.
Are you surprised by this?
APAndy Reid
Not really. Andy Reid is an offensive coach at heart; offensive coaches like to have weapons. The more, the merrier. The dream of every offensive coordinator and coach is to have multiple ways of attacking defenses to keep defensive coordinators from focusing on one or two options. The Eagles’ offense now is one that will keep defensive coaches working late into the nights the week before they play the Eagles.
After solidifying the offensive line in free agency with pieces like Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters, Reid was able to draft a couple of nice weapons in LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin. Having been actively involved in the deals of these four players, I knew how important they would be in the present and future of the team.
Now comes another piece, one that has the potential to be as fancy as any out there. Vick is an electrifying talent; there’s no debate there. It will be interesting to see what he’ll eventually bring to an offense that can be an offensive coordinator’s dream. Lots of toys to play with.
What do you think of this signing beyond its impact on the field?
A couple of things. First, I believe there was no greater favor Commissioner Roger Goodell could have done for Vick than “assign” Tony Dungy to be his mentor and liaison with potential NFL employers. Dungy has the utmost respect among coaches and management in the NFL, Andy Reid included. Without the endorsement and approval of Dungy, I’m not sure the Eagles or anyone else signs Vick as easily. Whatever words or actions Vick has said or shown to him, Dungy has come away a believer. That was good enough for Reid.
On the other side of the fence, however, I learned long ago that it really doesn’t matter what people say; it only matters what they do. Vick has clearly said the right things, to the commissioner, Dungy, Reid and others. Now he has to do the right things.
The part that always concerned me was not Vick but what I always refer to as the “herd” that surrounds him, a large group that includes friends, family and other enablers. It is this crew that seems to always be there for Vick to tell him what he wants to hear rather than what he needs to hear. Vick even admits in his “60 Minutes” interview, to be televised Sunday, that he should have taken more control of what was going on around him with his friends and dogfighting. Hopefully, Dungy – and now Donovan McNabb and other Eagles – will offset the enabling herd. That will be something to watch.
What kind of contract did Vick sign?
APMichael Vick
I can’t comment directly on the contract, but I know that risk management is very important to the Eagles and all teams that considered signing Vick.
It has been reported that Vick signed a deal for this season with a club option for next year. In order to have Vick under contract for 2010, a potential uncapped year with a year under his belt to prove to the league that any lingering character questions have subsided, the Eagles had to provide some upside in the form of bonus money going into the uncapped year. That, however, is 2010.
In 2009, the Eagles certainly protected themselves from giving Vick at-risk money in the form of guarantees. With the reported amount being $1.6 million, that amount suggests a $100,000 sum for every game played by Vick. The key is that Vick must be on the roster to make that money. Thus, all of the money paid to Vick this year will be “earned,” not given to him simply for signing his name.
The Eagles likely have a play-for-performance method of compensation in exchange for some potential upside in 2010. That represents a win for the Eagles in the short term and a potential win for agent Joel Segal and Vick next year, as the amount of the option is likely large enough to cause the Eagles to think twice about keeping Vick for a limited role.
In other words, Vick and Segal can reasonably conclude that they’ll be well compensated in 2010 for a solid performance in 2009, whether by the Eagles or another team as a free agent.
What does this mean for McNabb?
Nothing, other than he has another talent playing alongside him. The Eagles did not invest $6 million of no-strings-attached money in McNabb to have him in any kind of reduced role. McNabb remains the focal point of the Eagles. Vick is a new item added to the shopping cart.
No matter what happens next, this i a VERY SAD day for the eagles franchise and their fans. I've always admired the way the eagles went for the high character , work ethic, blue collar players instead of the mega-buck free agent hot dogs. You could trust the players were for real. Instead of Dawkins working the bench to spark great team play, you'll see the vacant eyes of a dimwitted ex-con with a proven record of lying to everyone about everything. TEAM CHARACTER MATTERS, and the eagles are taking a huge blow. Not that ownership cares , but I'm gone. They won't miss my money, but I will see just where Lurie's money comes from, and it will have none of mine.
I'm pretty sure Jeff Lurie's neighbors in Newton, MA will let him know just how much this signing not only affects the Eagles on the field (for maybe a couple of plays a game) but how it affects everyone associated with that organization - even the families.
There seems to be a perception that Vick was a multi-faceted player @ Atlanta. Doesn't reality say he was a QB but wasn't effective so was compelled to opt out and created the impression of being "versitle". Where is the value? After two years of hibernation? Other issues aside!
What ever happened to the moto of those that make the biggest noise in March and April...
The Eagles have made a lot of noise this year, will they fall short? Yes. Yes they will.
Where is the value? I can understand people's who think Vick's crime was one that he shouldn't be given a second chance for, but how can you not see the value on the field? Ok, fine not an accurate dropback passer. But he's not gonna be their QB - that's McNabb right? And come on, have you watched this guy - he was one of the most explosive game-changing players I've ever seen in the NFL. No idea what he brings now, but if he's still got that in him, there's huge value there.
i am not surprised at vick signing with an nfl team but i am surprised it was with the eagles. the owner's past statements on vick and the teams past record releasing players who hurt animals are in direct conflict with the signing. who is running that organization and how will it affect the team going forward, it cant be good when the owner says one thing and the team does another.
I'm glad that Vick finally signed with a team. I could care less what the man wants to do with his pets. He didn't go to prison for fighting dogs and killing them, he went to prison for interstate gambling, He was just training his pets how he sees fit. Its no different than training a horse to race. Its just animals. As for the player, I can't wait to see him play again. When he has the ball in his hands, he's one of the most exciting players to watch in the game. He's a proven winner and is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. Bet he scores a TD by week six. Here's hoping for McNabb to get injured so I can watch more of Vick.
Etienne, one does not kill their pets for entertainment. A pet is an animal that is cared for. I think it's an important distinction. Those animals can only have been seen as commodities to make him money.
If a man earning the money that he did feels the need to get even more money, and then decides to choose to do it via gambling, let him stick some chips on red rather than letting animals tear each other to bits. Clearly casinos aren't exciting enough. Perhaps someone should phone up Las Vegas that tell them that they're doing it wrong?
Someone should ask Andy Reid why he thinks it's acceptable to have a player on his team that takes enjoyment and rewards from such a high level of cruelty. He didn't stop dog fighting because he'd reached a moral crossroads, he stopped because he got caught. I love football but at what point to you put winning a game, and it is only a game, ahead of condoning the actions of a despicable human being.
If you can't stay out of trouble, even with all the breaks you have as football players, and you end up being jailed for a felony you have no place being in the NFL.
Bad, bad boy MV.
I raised dogs and horses most of my life and I realize the ugly truth that has been MV.
That said, he did the crime and served the time. He has a great deal to prove to everyone not to mention GOD.
Let's sit back, listen and watch what MV does with the rest of his life and in his career.
For this eagles fan, I hope he does an about face with his life and helps the eagles to the SB. Keep it together fans. Everyone should be giving a second chance.
MV did the crime, and he also did his time. He deserves a second chance, lets see which way he blows....
Summed up beautifully Joe Dirt. Everyone can say what they want about Mike and most of the things said will be true. Was he malicious? Certainly. Did he stop because he realized what he was doing was wrong? Of course not, he got caught. Did he lie when the truth would have made the situation minutely better? Yes.
However, no matter how bad of a person Mike WAS....he did the time that our judicial system assigned him and deserves the chance to earn a living just like anyone does. What people refuse to realize with his situation is that Mike was and is a young man and we all know that people, especially young men, make mistakes.
Someone's life shouldn't be determined by their mistakes, but rather by what they learn from their mistakes which is yet to be seen with Mike.
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Aug 14, 2009
12:55 PM
Andrew,
Are you surprised that Lurie approved the Vick signing? His body language at the press conference gave the impression that he was very uncomfortable (e.g. arms crossed, slumped in his chair, dire expression). Also, morally, do you agree with the decision? Thanks