Michael Vick Added To Eagles Roster, Kendra's Husband Hank Baskett Released

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick can throw passes to his teammates instead of ball boys.

The Philadelphia Eagles elevated Vick to the team's 53-man roster Tuesday, a move that allows the quarterback to practice with the team.

Wide receiver Hank Baskett was released to make room for Vick, who is eligible to play Sept. 27 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Vick will begin practicing with the team Wednesday, though he cannot play in Sunday's home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Vick was suspended for the first two regular-season games as the final league penalty for his role in running a dogfighting ring.

Kevin Kolb is expected to take the snaps with the starters Wednesday because Donovan McNabb has a cracked rib. Jeff Garcia was signed to back up Kolb in case McNabb can't play.

Vick was brought in to give the Eagles another dimension on offense. He ran Philadelphia's version of the wildcat offense and took some snaps as a traditional QB under center in two preseason games.

The Eagles were heavily criticized by animal rights activists for signing Vick less than a month after he finished serving 18 months in federal prison. Dozens of protesters voiced their outrage outside the team's practice facility the day after Vick was signed, and many fans threatened to give up their tickets.

A month later, Vick's jersey is the fourth-highest seller in the NFL behind Brett Favre, Jay Cutler and Troy Polamalu. The league rankings are based on the sales period from April 1 to Aug. 28, so Vick – and Favre, for that matter – had plenty of catching up to do since both joined their teams last month.

Vick hasn't played in a regular-season game since Dec. 31, 2006, when he was with the Atlanta Falcons. It's highly unlikely he would have started even if he were eligible to play this week. Eagles coach Andy Reid has maintained all along that Kolb is McNabb's backup.

Baskett was one of seven receivers the Eagles carried on their 53-man roster through Week 1. He became expendable after Philadelphia selected Jeremy Maclin in the first round of April's draft and added Brandon Gibson in the sixth round.

Baskett had 72 catches for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns in 48 games with the Eagles.

Comments

[NorthSider]

According to ESPN, Hank Baskett will be signed by the Indianapolis Colts (Peyton Mannings's team) today:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4480266

[FirstBiteBooks]

So, now Kendra is going to be the breadwinner of the family??? Who could have imagined THAT?

[postman66]

Who is Kendra?

[Bajos]

Mike Vick should be able to hold any job that he is qualified to hold; that should be solely up to his employer. He served his time and now he should be free to entertain those who wish to be entertained by him. If you don't like it don't watch any Philadelphia Eagles games, either in person or on television. Meanwhile, focus your energies on your own lives, families and communities. Get a grip, people!!!

[Deli]

I bet Vick will be caught staging dog fights before the season is over. He has to be a deeply disturbed person to have done what he did to those poor animals.

Karma is in no hurry Vick. No hurry.

[Topknot]

Kendra's husband! .. how dare they!

[Cimms]

Who is Kendra?

[riskybusiness]

Vick should be thrown into a pit with a bunch of dogs like those he was fighting. I don't believe he is one bit sorry about anything he did. He's just sorry he got caught. I have always been neutral on Philly but now I hope they lose every game they play.

[joceeco]

If you throw Vick into a pit with a bunch of fighting dogs, Vick would be the only one left standing after the dust clears!

[Elrancho2]

Nice. Very 'Christian' of you. Have a nice life hating...

[riskybusiness]

I do animal rescue and rehab and I make no apology for thinking people like Vick are a sub species that should be removed from the gene pool. Your use of "Christian" sounds like a personal problem to me. You might want to get help with that since you seem to like to accuse others of being hate filled.

[HoosierRadical]

I hope that Hank guy saved some of his money...him and Kendra have a baby on the way. They may have to move back in the playboy mansion. LOL

[Deadra Martin]

really lol what are they gonna do now do you think this is gonna be an episode on the show? the screen actors guild couldn't write this stuff. do you think they will move back in with the old dirty man? mommy will have to start posing again to put food on the table? and michael vick need i say more

[Cathy22]

It makes me wish I was an Eagles/football fan, just so I could STOP being their fan! I hope the Eagles lose games and revenue because they hired Vick.

[hallowellboy]

They best check on their dogs. Eagles will pay in lost revenue for this Vick boondoggle.

[mlr710]

What lost revenue? The season has already sold out and Vick's jersey is their top seller on the eagles site.

[Elrancho2]

As usual, the haters are out in force against Vick. I love dogs and would never hurt any animal but I also know that this man has made a public apology and paid his debt to society by serving a jail term. Those of you who want to see him burn in hell are nothing more than racist hypocrites. If he were a white player I know damn well that you would forgive and forget but because he's not, you'd like to string him up and lynch him, wouldn't you?! Those of you who want his blood are sick with jealousy. I for one hope he has terrific success.

[AKKMIST]

Vick doesn't need to pay his debt to society. He didn't torture society. He tortured gentle, loving dogs. Forget prison, how in the world did that help him turn from monster to human? It didn't! Perhaps the biblical punishment of an "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth." Now that would be fair.

[Elrancho2]

He's not a monster but people like you, people who think they're so high and mighty and have the right to pass judgment on others might well be facing 'biblical punishment' when the time comes.

[UKBlue]

Wow, how things do change. So now, pit bulls are "gentle, loving dogs". What happened to banning them?

[David Fruits]

They are gentle, loving dogs. EVERY behavior study puts them above poodles, Rottweilers and beagles. The problem is when people train them to kill. They are so loyal they will do anything, even die a slow painful death, for their master.

Contrary to media touting, they are not people aggressive. If you ever see footage of dogs fights, the handlers are in the ring with them. It is a sad, despicable act that proves that humans have a capacity for hate beyond comprehension.

[DSOTM]

To think Kendra might end up on food stamps because of Michael Vick.

[keerod76]

LOL! As long as she keeps doing reality shows, she might be alright. She damn sure wont be getting any money from her husband.

http://balmer.typepad.com/keithsmooth/2009/09/billionaires-for-wealthcare.html

[DSOTM]

I can't wait to see all the bloody stuffed animals thrown on the field when he plays his first game.

[Elrancho2]

Thankfully, not everyone's as nasty as you.

[sort84]

Philly fans booed Santa...so be sue to take that into consideration.