Dogs?!?...We Don't Need no Stinkin' Dogs!!

From Falcons to Eagles, Michael Vick is flying high again.
The only thing better than one scrambling QB is two scrambling QBs. I find it very interesting how Vick’s comeback has been foreshadowed for weeks.
8/4: Vick practices for the first time with the Landstown High School Eagles.
8/9: Vick’s mentor, Tony Dungy, said:

"He's talked to a lot of people, and I don't know why I say this, but I think something will happen this week. All you need is that one team. That is our prayer -- that he finds that one team and that he finds the best opportunity to make it work."

Source: NBC Sports

8/11: When Chris Mortensen asked Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid if would consider Vick, Reid said that he believes that Vick deserves another chance, but he is happy with his quarterback situation.
The Eagles’ front office kept their plot under wraps until they felt the time was right: their first preseason game against the Patriots.

“PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds…while he laughed. PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes-but since he’s given no public indication that that’s the case, only time will tell.”

Dan Shannon, PETA director of Youth Outreach & Campaigns

Donovan McNabb knows a thing or two about unhappy fans – Philly faithfuls have been upset since the ’99 Draft. Hopefully he can coach Vick through what is shaping up to be a hostile home-game environment. If it was not the Eagles, whomever signed Vick would have received the same statement from Shannon. You cannot please everybody all the time and as heated as this Vick situation is, there is no pleasing PETA people and their delusional followers. The whole "forgive, but never forget philosophy" is flawed.
Shannon’s statement is PETA’s way of reopening old wounds. As we continue to live life, there has to be a point where we grow up enough to forgive a person for what they have done, know/hope they learned from their mistake(s) to change and never bring it up again. By living it the past, there is no chance of ever being able to move forward.
I have been a critic of Vick's critics since the beginning. With Tony Dungy – and now Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb and the entire Eagles franchise – in his corner, anyone who does not think Vick should have been reinstated and deserves another chance is an insult to Vick and everyone who is putting their faith in him.
My personal dislike for dogs does not stem from some traumatic incident from my childhood. I am pro-human not anti-dog, but am beginning to wander into that “anti-man’s best friend” zone the more I see humans treat dogs better than other humans. Since when has a dog’s life become more valuable a human’s life? Since when do people weep for abandoned and neglected dogs feeling a need to help and shed not a tear nor lift a finger for little children (of all ethnicities) homeless and abandoned? Since when has it been the “in” thing to buy a dog expensive name-brand carriers and collars and clothes when there are people around the world who’s only “name-brand” thing is the name they were given?
PETA people and other animal rights organizations have the right heart, but their message is misdirected toward the wrong species.
The main issue I have is this:
We have two NFL players. One was involved with dog fighting that took the lives of several dogs. The other was involved with a DUI that took the life of one man. The dog fighter got 21 months in prison, about two months house arrest and lost millions of dollars in contract and endorsements. The drunk driver got 24 days in prison, 2 years house arrest, 8 years probation and will lose three-quarters of a million dollars in salary. One lost two full football seasons and the other will lose one.
Let me be clear, I believe Donté Stallworth served his time, is truly remorseful and deserves a second chance just like Vick. I have a problem when society and the judicial system are lopsided in their sentencing standards. MADD should have spoken up condemning all the DUI cases involving celebrities much louder than PETA did for a single Michael Vick dog fighting incident. Because at the end of the day, which event is more serious and occurs more often?

All in all, I am excited about this season. Madden 10 drops today (well dropped at 12:01am at Walmart for all those hardcore, gotta-have-it-so-I-can-have-extra-time-to-practice gamers who will be at the EASPORTS Challenge in Dallas, TX on August 29-30) and I am curious what Vick’s rating will be when the new rosters come out. Surely nothing close to his 99 rating when he graced the cover in ’04.

For all the drama in my Mile High city, I hope Denver goes 0-6 before their Week 7 bye to show how boneheaded Josh McDaniels was for getting rid of Jay Cutler.
I do not really care for Tom Brady, but after seeing him disarm Turtle’s diehard NY Giants pride with kindness on Entourage, I do not not like Brady that much anymore. I hope he makes a good comeback.

I am torn. As much as I want to see the Bears win the Superbowl, Culter win MVP of the regular season while throwing for 8000 yards, then win MVP of the Superbowl and rub it in the face of McDaniels for his bonehead decision, I will be cheering on Vick and the Eagles. It would be nice to see Vick win a Superbowl and silences every single one of his critics and haters.

"I have said several times in recent weeks that I want Michael to be on of the NFL's success stories as an individual and as a football player. I believe he can accomplish both goal with the Eagles organization, which has done an outstanding job in the community and on the field these last 15 years under the direction of owner Jeffrey Lurie. I know the Eagles will provide stron support but, ultimately, Michael's success is up to him and the decisions he makes."

Roger Goodell

Source: ESPN

When the commish has your back, you know it is going to be a great season.

Are you ready for some football?