Michael Vick to be named Eagles starting QB
In an unbelievable turnaround, Andy Reid announced on Tuesday that Michael Vick would become the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The announcement comes just days after Reid made comments which were, at the time, taken to mean that Kevin Kolb would return to the starter's role. Reid was asked after the last week's game about whether
he had a quarterback controversy on his hands.
"I think it's a beautiful situation," Reid had said. "I look at it a lot differently than other people look at it. I've got two quarterbacks that can play ... at a very important position. I'm a happy guy
about it. There are a lot of teams that don't have good quarterbacks, ones that they feel like they can win with, and I feel like we can with both of those guys.
"Kevin has a lot of confidence in himself. I think the players have a lot of confidence in him and I think he knows that. At that position, sometimes things aren't going to always go the way you want them
all the time. So, Kevin's a tough kid and that's what you have to bank on and what he does bank on. He'll be fine. He's an upbeat guy that knows how to play the game."
What at the time was taken to be a vote of confidence in Kolb's ability to win as the Eagles starter now reads more like a vote of confidence in Kolb to stay positive as a backup.
It is another amazing twist in the story of Michael Vick, who plummeted from being one of the most popular, and best paid, players in the league to one of the most reviled after his involvement in a dog-fighting
ring became public in 2007.
Vick missed two seasons through suspension, serving 19 months in prison during that time, before returning as a backup QB and gadget player for the Eagles last season. Vick had limited success and seemed
to have lost the burst which made him one of the most exciting players in the league
With Donovan McNabb traded in the off-season, Vick became the Eagles number two quarterback behind Kevin Kolb. However, Kolb's struggles in the pre-season and in the season opener and his subsequent concussion,
opened to door for Vick to show what he could do, an opportunity he has grasped with both hands.
Vick replaced Kolb at halftime of the Eagles opener against the Packers and led the Eagles on a comeback effort that fell just short, despite entering the game down by 17 points. Vick was magnificent, however,
throwing for 175 yards and a touchdown, and showing that he had regained his footspeed, running for 103 yards on 11 carries.
Vick followed up his great debut with another fantastic performance in leading the Eagles to victory against the Lions. In his first start since his days as a Falcon, Vick went 21-of-34 for 284 yards with
two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 37 yards rushing.
Vick's first game as the full time starter for the Eagles will come next Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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