Michael Vick started his first game since 2006. Vick led the Philadelphia Eagles to 35-32 road victory over the Detroit Lions.
Vick was named the starter for this contest because Kevin Kolb was still suffering from the effects of a concussion he sustained last week against the Green Bay Packers.
Now the Eagles, albeit begrudgingly, depend on the guy nobody wanted to lead their team... what do they do now? The Eagles have to rely on the guy who virtually hasn't played meaningful football in three years to lead them because their anointed savior cannot.
Vick continued to show glimpses of the greatness that made him the most electrifying quarterback in the NFL when he was the highest paid quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons. Vick was 21 of 34 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards.
Based on how Vick played last week and yesterday, hasn't he done enough to solidify his position as starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles?
Despite what head coach Andy Reid suggests, it has become quite obvious the Eagles need to make Vick the starter on a permanent basis.
Reid has consistently proclaimed, "Kevin Kolb is the No. 1 quarterback."
How can Reid continue to stick to his guns based how Vick is performing?
How can Reid continue to have faith in a quarterback who has only three NFL starts to his credit?
It's quite simple: The Eagles have to save face. Publicly they have to stick with Kolb because of their incompetent decision to let Donovan McNabb walk in favor of an untested quarterback with questionable potential.
McNabb wasn't shown the "brotherly love" he deserved. Reid gave McNabb the vote of confidence that he'd be the starter during the off season yet rumors persisted of an imminent trade.
The Eagles front-office displayed utter disrespect for McNabb by trading him to the Washington Redskins. Trading him within the division was a slap in the face. It suggests the Eagles believe Kolb could supplant McNabb and face him twice a year and win.
Quite frankly, the Eagles organization is engaging in a form of politics that's both disturbing and obvious. Disturbing because McNabb was sent packing in favor of a quarterback with just two starts going into this season.
It's obvious because their plan has backfired. A blind person can see Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win rather than Kolb. Despite this, Reid continues to state Kolb is their "No. 1 quarterback."
In essence, Kolb represents Reid's "Great White Hope." The Eagles think Kolb is so "great" they got rid of a proven trooper in McNabb. Kolb is getting the benefit of the doubt partly because he's "white."
Furthermore, Reid consistently proclaiming Kolb to the their "No.1 quarterback" despite play to the contrary that demonstrates the Eagles organization's "hope" he can get his act together and prove them right.
After what Vick did against the Lions, I say it's too late.
The Eagle quarterback situation is the classic example of Karma because of how McNabb was treated. The Eagles "Great White Hope" isn't panning out as planned. Now they are forced to play a guy they thought would be no more than a mere "wildcat" quarterback as their leader.
What a difference a year makes. Last season Vick barely saw the field ;now he's making the best of his opportunity. I applaud the Eagles for giving Vick a chance to play in the NFL when many teams would not. Now he gets an opportunity to show the Eagles his gratitude with his play. He has shown them he deserved a second chance to be a starter in the NFL.
Granted Kolb suffered a concussion in the second quarter of last week's game, but he did very little before the injury to show he belonged on the field.
Reid needs to abandon the pre-recorded script of declaring Kolb the starter and anoint No. 7 his No. 1 guy.
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