Michael Vick Gets Franchise Tag: Eagles Place Tag On Pro-Bowl QB

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick.

Vick led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1. Despite missing three games with an injury, Vick had his best season. He set career highs in yards passing (3,018), touchdowns passing (21), touchdowns rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).

The team's website reported Tuesday that the Eagles used the exclusive franchise tag on Vick, meaning he can't negotiate with any other team. By applying the franchise tag, a team must pay a player the average of the top five salaries at his position.

Vick was voted The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year after missing two seasons while serving a jail sentence and playing sparingly in 2009.

The Eagles also placed the transition tag on Pro Bowl kicker David Akers.

"Michael Vick and David Akers were two of our most valuable players last year," coach Andy Reid said. "They were well deserving of their Pro Bowl berths and we're happy to take this step to ensure that they'll be back in Philadelphia next season."

Comments

[EvieEve]

06:10 PM on 02/23/2011

As an Eagles fan, this is good news.

[USMAMule]

09:45 AM on 02/18/2011

On the viciousness and hypocrisy of a large swath of liberal reaction to Vick and his renewed career:

I think it has more to do with a very large part of the liberal base that values animals over people, or at the very least equally. This one of those places I part from liberal orthodoxy: Animals are to be treasured and protected. But animals aren't people. They aren't equal to human's though they should be treated humanly. My puppy wasn't equal to my son or my wife at any point in my heart. So my point is only that the wanton killing a dog, horrible as that is, is NOT the same as teh wanton killing of a person.

What Vick did was heinous. And he PAID THE PRICE. Arguably a larger price than any person has EVER paid for this offense - but it is not enough for these people. Because puppies are so cute. And nothing he will ever do will ever be enough. And I am not talking about being a QB.

I am a dog lover. I would probably do my best to maim someone who did what he did to my dog. But after they've paid their debt to society, at some point - isn't this part of liberal mantra - don't people deserve to move on and get a chance to go back to their life? Don't liberals believe in redemption­? Apparently not if puppies are involved.

Now you all can go ahead and

[Edogg62]

03:43 PM on 02/16/2011

I'm glad he's making the most of his second chance... as long as I don't have to hear from Vick how being tagged the franchise player is some heinous crime I'm good. "ONLY 25 million guaranteed?! This is an OUTRAGE!!!"

[jourdankr]

02:22 PM on 02/16/2011

only one year back in the league, and he gets tagged? Guess they aren't concerned with long-term consistency...

[clutchkill]

03:30 PM on 02/16/2011

His injury prone frame and lack of sliding ability scares me too.

[jfair80]

12:38 PM on 02/16/2011

Great, Philly is now saddled with one of the most overrated players of all time.

[GonzoLoungeLizard]

09:03 AM on 02/16/2011

As an Eagles fan I am happy because Vick is the most exciting offensive player in the league. But I'm still not sure if he can lead this team to a Super Bowl. The offense is big plays or nothing. And the defense is pathetic.

[UKNOWHOW ICM]

06:33 AM on 02/16/2011

Lovie screwed up. Shoulda got him for the Chicago Bears. I bet they would have won the Superbowl.

[jayquintana]

07:56 AM on 02/16/2011

Lovie Smith's the GM, too?

[Aubjack06]

04:51 AM on 02/16/2011

Putting all the Dog stuff aside. I'd be more concerned Philly Fans in what you got from Vick after the NFL got used to him and figured out how to defense him. It wasn't much different from what they had in Atlanta years back.

[GonzoLoungeLizard]

09:00 AM on 02/16/2011

You're absolutely right. The only difference is that Andy and Marty will make him throw 35+ times a game. Vick's record is 3-10-1 in games he throws 35+ passes. So give Shady McCoy some carries!

[CaliTLC]

08:33 PM on 02/15/2011

Congrats Mike!! You've worked hard this year and deserve the success that you're getting.

[chucknchar]

08:15 PM on 02/15/2011

Making the most of a lesson learned, Michael Vick had a great season, showed a new maturity, coupled with his talent, I hope nothing but the best for him.
You dog people, shouldn't save your compassion just for animals

[lmab]

08:00 PM on 02/15/2011

At least in public Michael has stopped brutally kllling and torturing dogs. Way to go Michael. Hope you get what you deserve.

[Trickery]

08:32 PM on 02/15/2011

You think dog fight happen in public? Like in an arena? :/

[mfoto1986]

12:15 AM on 02/16/2011

I knew you would feel bitter about this news.... remember our debate earlier today about him going to Oprah show?? LOL

[lmab]

03:51 PM on 02/16/2011

Just to be clear. I would not deny Vick a second chance at a career and success. I never, in any of my posts, said that I would. I do not even begrudge him his success.

I do, however, have disdain for him personally and it would be a long, long, long time coming before I could possibly consider him a role mode. There is absolutely NO evidence that he has changed as a person and I believe that it would be impossible to know that either way, at this point. He could do all the talk shows in the world. We know that with a good publicist, anyone could be "rehabilitated".

Once someone commits a horrendous act, it shows what they are capable of. Never let a ped ophlle near children and never let Vick be in control of animals....just the way it is.

[bryan broome]

07:40 PM on 02/15/2011

Congratulations Michael Vick. You deserve it.

[Sherri Howard]

07:20 PM on 02/15/2011

We have NBA players fathering multiple children with multiple women and ignoring responsibility, MLB players using drugs, and NFL players involved with gang violence but it is Michael Vick who is the forever villain because he was raised in ignorance around Dog Fighting- Get over it people- bad as it was it's not like he was killing babies.

[broogha]

08:01 PM on 02/15/2011

why only talk about athletes???? somehow this society has an easy time over looking all the self-rightous politicians who are no better. no need to explain. easy for most to figure the answer to that question.

[The Albany Kid]

06:50 PM on 02/15/2011

Congrats, Mike! You were poetry in motion last season and totally deserve your franchise tag (AND your Comeback award too)!

[mfoto1986]

12:18 AM on 02/16/2011

Why are you wishing bad things upon other people?? That says a lot about your personality and your hypocrisy!!!

[MissMel10]

07:38 AM on 02/16/2011

He DID get what he deserved--in a court of law. Thank goodness YOU alone aren't judge and jury.

[gfs5541]

06:45 PM on 02/15/2011

It's sad when though a person has served their time for a crime, you are forever convicted in the court if public opinion.

[bryan broome]

07:42 PM on 02/15/2011

Ther are some of us who still believe in redemption. He'll win some more hearts eventually.

[broogha]

08:02 PM on 02/15/2011

and those who don't believe in redemption can await their fates when they stumble.

[habeass]

08:33 PM on 02/15/2011

It's even more ironic when progressives show their unforgiving, hateful side.

[mfoto1986]

12:19 AM on 02/16/2011

For example???? waiting...................