Eagles Deny Any Intention of Releasing Vick
The Philadelphia Eagles have issued a statement regarding the Associated Press report which stated they were considering the release of Michael Vick following his possible involvement in a shooting.
According to the Eagles: “Any report or speculation that suggests the Eagles are considering releasing Vick are not true. We will continue to gather information and monitor the situation and we will not have any further comment until that process is complete."
The AP report stated that an anonymous source close to the Eagles said the team was releasing Vick in the wake of a shooting that followed the quarterback's birthday celebration in Virginia Beach, Va., last week.
According to the source, the Eagles were going to cut Vick regardless of the findings of the shooting investigation.
These anonymous reports forced the generally muted Eagles organization to speak to the public. The team summarized this notion in the opening of their statement. The statement read: "Under normal circumstances, we would not issue a public statement regarding a matter still under investigation. However, due to the intense speculation that exists, we believe it is important to make a statement this afternoon regarding Michael Vick."
The Eagles' statement continued: "Following the incident that occurred in Virginia on the morning of June 25, Michael and his representatives promptly contacted law enforcement agencies, the Philadelphia Eagles and the National Football League. The Eagles were provided with very detailed information during that discussion as to what took place at the event. Those details have not changed in any way over the course of the last week. Our investigation to this point has confirmed and has been consistent with the information that was originally communicated to us."
The actual incident in question was the shooting of Vick’s former dog fighting associate Quanis Phillips outside of the Guadalajara Mexican restaurant and nightclub in Virginia Beach during Vick’s 30th birthday party at the venue. Vick has denied involvement in the shooting, but is also prohibited from any interaction with Phillips based on the conditions of his release.
Vick, who according to National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has a very limited margin for error, would almost certainly be banned from the NFL if any evidence of even slightly dubious involvement is uncovered.
Although video tape evidence shows Vick leaving the club at 2:07, merely three minutes before the shooting that occurred a block away, the Philadelphia Eagles do not think Vick did anything illegal, but merely exhibited some poor judgement. The police have neither ruled out Vick as a suspect nor considered him one.
Vick is essential to the Eagles, who traded away franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb to division rivals Washington Redskins. He is slated to compete with Kevin Kolb for the available starting position on the Eagles and has far more NFL experience.
Last season Vick was also an important locker room presence, and was even voted by team mates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. The Ed Block Courage Award is given to players that team mates consider role models of inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage.
If investigation and the NFL clear Vick, Philadelphia is much too thin in the quarterback department to get rid of him. The three-time Pro Bowler could easily be the one behind the helm of the Eagles offence and will definitely see more playing time than he did last year.
Vick’s initial year with the Eagles was spent as a third-string back-up running the Wildcat formation. If he is in fact innocent, he has the motivation to overtake Kolb for the starting job, and given Kolb’s showings at quarterback that might be the Eagles best option.
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