Michael Vick had proven last season that he is back to his fullest potential by leading the Philadelphia Eagles into the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers.
Vick had won the award "NFL Comeback Player of the Year" in 2010 because in 2006 Vick was found guilty of involvement with illegal dog fighting. Before going to prison, Vick was in the 2001 NFL Draft and was picked first overall by the Atlanta Falcons.
Vick went to prison for 21 months and was on home confinement for two months. During that time, it seems that Vick had gotten his mind together on where he wants his future to go. In 2009, the Eagles signed him for one year as their back-up quarterback. Even though he wasn't a starter, it was a start to a comeback. But, in 2010, he would really make his presence known in The NFL League by playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles won 28-3; Vick threw 291 yards and three touchdowns.
After that win, things are looking up for Vick by getting to the NFC Championship game, making the Pro Bowl and his autobiography, Finally Free, was released in stores in late September. Nike was a sponsor of Vick before he went to prison, but of course dropped him when he was found guilty. But recently, Nike just signed him back!
Vick is going into his third year now in the NFL after leaving prison. Hopefully this season brings him even more happiness and excitement. Example, how Plaxico Burress felt when he scored his first touchdown from Mark Sanchez since exiting prison.
Burress was selected eighth in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played with the Steelers for four years, and then moved to the New York Giants for another four years and won a Super Bowl which everyone clams he scored the game winning touchdown thrown by Eli Manning.
Burress went to prison for two years for weapon charges. But, others would like to say, Plaxico Burress went to jail because he was stupid enough to shoot himself by accident in his own leg!
When Burress was released from prison, there were a lot of questions on where he what team he was going to play for. The New York Jets contacted Burress before he left for prison and again when he left from prison. The Jets knew he was a talented player who made a mistake and knew he wouldn't make it again. The Jets signed Burress to a one year deal worth a little more than three million dollars.
Burress would have to sit out of his first preseason game against the Houston Texans because of an ankle injury. But he came back strong in the second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bangles catching the first pass of the night by Mark Sanchez. Then Burress caught another pass from Sanchez which ended up being a touchdown.
Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick are becoming leaders by playing well and staying out of trouble. Vick and Burress also owned up to what they have done. Vick had done an interview with 60 Minutes about the actions he took and Burress had done an interview with HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. They are not trying to hide from their troubles and just want to become better men for their families.
With the Philadelphia Eagles being called the "Dream Team" and the New York Jets making the AFC Championships game twice in a row, maybe we just might see these two guys playing in Super Bowl XLVI.