Source: Eagles may release Michael Vick

Posted to: Michael Vick News Sports
Login or register to post comments

The Associated Press
© July 4, 2010

PHILADELPHIA

A person familiar with the team's thinking says the Philadelphia Eagles are strongly considering releasing Michael Vick.

The person says the team might cut Vick no matter what police conclude during their investigation of a shooting that followed the quarterback's birthday celebration in Virginia Beach last week. The person spoke to The Associated Press early Saturday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The Eagles issued a statement Saturday saying "any report or speculation that suggests the Eagles are considering releasing Vick are not true. We will continue to gather information and monitor the situation and we will not have any further comment until that process is complete."

Vick has said he had nothing to do with the shooting. He also said he reported the incident to the Eagles and to the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell told the former Atlanta Falcons star after reinstating him last season that his margin for error was "extremely limited."

Vick is entering his second season with the Eagles and is due to earn $5.2 million. A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Vick is Kevin Kolb's backup and the most experienced quarterback on the roster following the trade of Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles were heavily criticized by animal rights activists and fans for signing Vick last summer less than a month after he finished serving 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting operation.

Team owner Jeffrey Lurie called Vick's actions "horrific" and "despicable." He said he did serious "soul-searching" before agreeing to sign him.

Vick was a model citizen off the field and in the locker room during his first season with the Eagles. He was popular among his teammates, who voted him winner of the Ed Block Courage Award.

But this latest incident could end up costing Vick his job, even if he's exonerated of any wrongdoing.

Vick was expected to play a major role in Philadelphia's offense running the wildcat formation. Instead, he was used sparingly. Vick completed 6 of 13 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown and ran for 95 yards and two scores. He tossed a 76-yard TD pass in a 34-14 loss to Dallas in the playoffs.

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.

He should be shunned

Submitted by AyeAyeCapn on Wed, 07/07/2010 at 12:19 pm.

We always see it reported that Vick has "seen the light", "paid his debt to society," etc. etc. etc. That is hardly the issue. A human that could do what he did is a cruel, deviant individual that may not be possible to rehabilitate with respect to his demented mind-set. I'm referring to what constitutes torture and slow, painful killing of animals. He realizes what he did wrong? He didn't understand that beating animals against a wall or electrocuting them was sick beyond all imagination??? He either enjoyed that, or did it to impress his equally sicko "friends."

I've thought this out pretty

Submitted by Mr. E on Wed, 07/07/2010 at 9:11 am.

I've thought this out pretty well and I can now say I feel sorry for Michael Vick. The guy grew up in a bad neighborhood and was basically a thug with thug friends who want to be gangsters when they grow up. When he was on the field I think he cut those ties and felt free and played an awesome role. He made it to Tech with a full ride scholarship and then into the NFL. While he was at Tech, I can't recall hearing anything bad about him. I think that's because he got away from the thugs and they didn't have the money to go see him very often. After signing with the NFL and making it to the bigtime, I think he felt powerful and somewhat above the law. He comes back to town to live and guess who he meets. Yep, the thugs are back and the bad thing is...he's too scared to tell them he doesn't want to live that life anymore. When placed in that situation you have two choices: 1.take your stand as a man and do the right thing, or 2.let the thugs take you and all you've achieved right back down with them. Michael, I'd hate to be in your shoes. Good luck!

Michael Vick

Submitted by tarheelfan on Mon, 07/05/2010 at 2:06 pm.

Michael is just to stupid to be in public and to take care of himself.......I really am tired to hearing about him, I have never seen a stupid person get so much publicity over nothing.........

Same for LeBron, he hasnt won crap and you would think he is first coming of a basketball god.........come on Va. Pilot can you find something else in the sports world to write about. If you cant, contact me I will give you something.

There was a 50 team fast pitch softball tournament in Va. beach this weekend, not a word. Major colleges in town to look at potential players........not a word. Boo Williams basketball teams play all summer, not a word.. American Legion Baseball, not a word, summer league basketball, neary a word, summer soccer, zip, 7 on 7 high school passing league, zip-hear nothing.

And you wonder why your distribution is shrinking, because people hear about M. Vick and L. James everywhere, try doing something different with local emphasis.......if you can.

get the issue straight

Submitted by GeorgeM on Sun, 07/04/2010 at 11:46 pm.

Michael Vick's issues have nothing to do with race. If he was Asian, Caucasian, American Indian, or any other race he would be despised for his moral character.

Wow!

Submitted by harri on Tue, 07/06/2010 at 4:44 pm.

Really George, Really. "Despised". That's a very harsh word to use.I think you are being a little dramatic. I will say this time and time again. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE. After all he has lost I am sure he has learned his lesson, and I don't even know him or football, but society rides him so much that one can't help but to be familiar. WOW!

P.S.-Speak for yourself, and if all the other FOLLOWERS who want to jump on your band wagon that's good for you, I guess.

Michael Vick did not lose one single, solitary thing. Not one.

Submitted by steven.m on Wed, 07/07/2010 at 12:06 pm.

If he has or is less now than before it is because he threw it away.

He by no stretch of the imagination misplaced (or lost) anything.

There is only one person responsible for Michael Vick's problems, and that is Mr. Vick.

lmao

Submitted by johng37202 on Sun, 07/04/2010 at 11:37 pm.

Ray Lewis?

Convicted MURDERER

Your point?

The Point........

Submitted by johng37202 on Sun, 07/04/2010 at 11:30 pm.

........is that Mike has served his time.

He's lost millions.

We all make mistakes.

But Micheal? Dont do anything with your Old Crew. They rolled on you 1 time. Dont give them another.

Head up Mike.

Let him go

Submitted by John S. on Sun, 07/04/2010 at 4:12 pm.

Keeping Michael Vick on the Eagles sends the message to thugs and criminals that you can be a criminal, get caught, go to jail, then defy your parole limits and it is still all okay, you'll keep making the big bucks so do what you want and all the bleeding hearts will still feel sorry for you. After all you had a bad upbringing and don't know any better, do you? I hope the Eagles let him go tomorrow!