The piladhelpia Eagles have sign former falcon Quarterback Michael Vick to a two year deal,Eagles president Joe Banner confirmed during halftime of the teams exhibition game agains the New England Patriots on thursday evening.
Published report say that Vick will receive $ 1.6 million for the first year,with an option of $ 5.2 million for the second.
Vick will return to the NFL after two seasons away,including 18 months in federal prison and five more in home confinement after he was convicted on charges related dogfighting , and the conditional suspension by the NFL.
The animal -rights group People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals reacted quickly to the news.
"PETA" and Million decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from threes.he electrocuted them with jumper cables and hell them under water, " PETA Spokesman Dan Shannon told The Associated Press.
The potensial exists for Vick to face his former teams this season.The Falcon host the Eagles on Dec. 6,The Falcon's 12th game.
" I am tickled to death,former falcon coach Dan Reeves said after hearing the news." it looked like it wasn't going to happen for a while there. I am glad someone took a canche on him."
Eagles coach Andy Reid in a news conference Thursday night,said he expect philadhelpia fans will give Vick a chance to prove and reedem hinself.
"This is America.......we do make mistakes " Reid said." He (Vick) has a chance to prove he's doing the right thing."
Reid cited Vick's recent work with Humane Socieity and speaing to youth groups about the ills of dogfighthing.
" I think our fans will understand, Reid said. " I also thing that when you look indepth at this.......the change he's made in his life.you'll see the positive in what he's tring to do."
The Animal Advocacy Group PETA,though,remains,skeptical.
"PETA" and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the philadhelpia Eagles have chosen a sign a man who hanged dog from trees electrocuted them with the jumper cables,held them underwater until they drowned in his swimingpool and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed," said the groups in a statement.
Eagles starting quarterback Donnovan mcNabb said he was pleased Vick was joining the team and said he " pretty much lobbied to get him here.everybody deserves a second chance.
Vick wasn't to compete with mcNabb for a starting job,but the two chould end up on the field together.
He's an unbelieveable athlete,both running the ball and throwing it, "Reid said." I'll think of something for him.
mcNabb said he has known vicks since vicks was in high school and has been somewhat of a menthor to him.
To controversial quarterback has gone through a whirlwind of high and low since the falcons drafted him with the first pick in 2001.
He sign a $ 62 million deal that included a $ 15 million signing bonus.after year a waiting in the wings,took over the starting position in the 2002 season an dled the team to its playoff berth since the 1998 Super Bowl.
Sports watchers,at the time,were calling Vick the most athletic player in the league and comparing him to Gayle Sayer and O.J. Simpson in their heydays.
A broken ankle in 2003 shortened his seasons and stifled the team's momentum,and Reeves paid the price,lossing his job.
The following year Vick gained the yards rushing tan any quarterback in league history,leading the Falcon's to the NFC title game,where they would lose to the Eagles.
His performen for the 2004 season netted him a second career season off MVP talks
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