There is a common theme early this NFL season: The Philadelphia Eagles are the team to beat and a favorite to win the first Super Bowl in franchise history. A lot of that hype comes from key offseason signings and trade acquisitions, of course (Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins). But it also is the excitement of seeing Michael Vick under center after posting his best year as a professional in 2010. His passer rating (100.2) was by far the best of his career. He had the most passing yards (3,018), the most passing (21) and rushing (nine) touchdowns and the fewest interceptions (six) in a season with more than four starts. All that led to a reported six-year, $100 million contract with the Eagles — even if only $40 million is guaranteed. Now comes the hard part for a man still seeking redemption after his stint in prison for running a dogfighting ring.
“Seeing what Michael Vick has gone through and what he’s been through and the way he’s handled it up until this point, I think it’s a fantastic story,” NBC football analyst Rodney Harrison said. “However, I think now the pressure comes on him. Now he has the contract. Everything is going good in his life. Can he keep the same humble spirit that he has? Can he continue to avoid the negativity, that dark side off the field?”
Earning as much of that $100 million as possible should keep Vick out of trouble off the field. He still has creditors, after all. But his play on the field is just as important. Last year’s performance was a sign Vick isn’t the same quarterback he was in Atlanta.
“I know that it takes a certain humility to walk in a building and admit that my work ethic wasn’t where it was supposed to be,” NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said. “My study habits weren’t where they were supposed to be. My discipline in the pocket, my making the reads wasn’t where it was supposed to be. To humble yourself professionally was what I found very, very impressive about what [Vick] did.”
– Brian McNally
