Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years
Rockin' my peers, Puttin' suckers in fear
Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon
Listen to the bass go boom.....
- Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J
When he played for the Atlanta Falcons and was leading the league in rushing, many complained he isn't a real quarterback. Many complained a quarterback sits in the pocket and throws the ball. It's been said that's why he runs because he doesn't really have a championship caliber arm.
Then the dog fighting charges came up and eventually led to his incarceration, lost of endorsements and his NFL future was very much in question. Michael Vick did his time. Paid his debt to society and didn't blame anyone. When he promised to be a better person, the critics again claimed that was just a tactic to get back into the NFL. Some wrote him off, said he didn't have what it took any longer to make it in the pros.
Philadelphia Eagles decides to take a chance on him. He is signed as a second or third string quarterback. Many questioned if he could cut it. The season he returned he had a few moments like lighting up his former team. He walked into the Georgia Dome to a few boos but left with his first 2 touchdowns since he returned to the game.
All that being said Vick was still a third string quarterback right. When The Eagles traded Donavan McNabb, Vick was still Kevin Kolb's backup. Kolb was handed the starting position over Vick. It wasn't like he deserved it or even earned it.
Now this would have broken a much lesser person. But while people were playing Monday morning quarterback at their jobs and talking about Vick. While the media all but writing him off and still talking about the dog fighting. Michael Vick was doing what champions do. Yeah it may have started as a third stringer. Yeah it may have graduated (if you will) to Kolb's back up. But championship caliber players don't sweat that. Superstars know that if you just give them a chance they will show you what they got.
Week 2 after helping the Eagles slay the Detroit Lions with 284 passing yards, 37 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, Vick denied the media's attempt to create a quarterback controversy. Vick told the press Kolb is the Eagle's leader, I'm fine being his backup. The old Vick would have given the press the business, but now he talks with his hands on the field.
His patience has paid off. The very next day, Andy Reid announces Vick will be named the starter and will start on Sunday. Gone is the cocky Vick, again he let his hands and his feet do the talking. Michael Vick knew he was still a game changer that you can't tale your eyes off him for a second. To anyone questioning Andy Reid decision, Vick offered plenty of answer. No word needed, Vick threw three touchdown passes, ran for another score and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3 Sunday.
A much more focused, more dangerous, more mature Michael Vick completed 17 of 31 passes for 291 yards, mostly staying in the pocket and picking apart Jacksonville's secondary. When he did run, he broke a tackle, shook another Jaguar and scored from 17 yards out.
Eagles may be 2-1, but more importantly they are 2-0 with Vick. More questions to be answered next week when McNabb and his new team come to town and the following week, Vick welcomes the Falcons to town. It may be too early to start shouting Superbowl but Vick is back and to all his hater's with actions, not words, he says, How Ya Like Me Now?
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