So Michael Vick is an Eagle...

First off...The thought of Vick coming to Philadelphia has me ecstatic! (Yes...I'm an Eagles' fan) I'm not going to get into too much football jargon tonight but let's be clear and honest about one thing: A healthy Vick on the football field, taking snaps under center or not, is a tough task for any defense to handle as well as a head-scratcher for defensive coordinators. Even if he's had some athletic drop-off, he will still be able to make plays just because of his raw athleticism (not to mention the talent that is around him now). The Eagles' offense this season is already loaded with speed and elusiveness (McNabb, Westbrook, McCoy, Maclin, Jackson, Curtis) and adding Vick to the mix opens up endless possibilities, especially with the infamous wildcat formation that burst onto the scenes last season (This one's for Laurence...lol). Sports' writers nationwide are already all over this. I think alot of people forgot there were pre-season games on tonight amidst the breaking news (we lost a nail-biter...hopefully not Celek too). But the media circus and the speculation on McNabb's future should die down quickly with this. So that leaves one thing left: the public opinion, especially the passionate Eagles' fans.

A less-than-thrilled Dan Shannon, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, (PETA) released this statement earlier:

"PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees. He electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water. You have to wonder what sort of message this sends to young fans who care about animals and don't want them to be harmed."

Ouch! So Vick loses his job, every financial possession not completely paid for (houses, cars, etc.) all endorsements, does 18 months in Leavenworth, and has been active in educating and discouraging the urban youth on dogfighting and PETA isn't even partially satisfied? Attitudes like this don't end with animal rights' activists though. Many Eagles' fans are livid about the move.

"I am officially no longer an eagle fan
I can not believe this.I’ve been an eagle fan since 1981 and it’s over.Reprehensible"

"Obviously you have no kids..
As a parent AND a faithful Eagles fan, I would hope that you’d see how important for our players to be good role models for our kids. How many years at Leavenworth would it take for YOU to reconsider supporting him? He’s a felon. He’s a poor representation of the Eagles values and the Eagle’s fan’s good nature. I vote to get rid of him."

"Me too
I have been a fan since 1976. This disgusts me and Andy Reid clearly deserves to have the family problems that he has. There are very few things less important to me than an Eagles SB. I have always been proud that Andy supposedly only brought on high character guys. It was obviously a lie on his part. He may have paid his debt to society based on the law but he certainly cannot be perceived as a decent human being.
Throw out the moral argument that I know most of you disagree with, how does he even help this team? Does he play RT? LDE? Tight end?
Good bye Bleeding Green. It’s been great being a part of this but I refuse to do it now, no matter how hard it is."

"I hate the signing
And I hate Vick"

And the list goes on...

The above posts don't reflect the stance of every Eagles' fan, or even most (I think). But it goes to show just how touchy of a subject this was and still is now that he's on an NFL team. Many fans argue that dogfighting and hunting are one in the same. Others believe he's served his time. And even more realize that there are and have been much, MUCH worse crimes being committed by NFL players, few of which get this much publicity. Nonetheless, chances are he wont play a meaningful game until mid-season. I can't help but wonder though...Isn't this situation exactly what the rehabilitation system was initially designed for? For a criminal to go through one form of hell in hopes of avoiding the other, more ultimate one? At any rate, fan bases have the power to look past a players negative attributes and appreciate them for their contributions to their team; and if there's a city that can do that, its Philly. Will they? We'll see...