Yesterday, Eagles head coach Andy Reid held a press conference, saying that QB Michael Vick will continue to be the Eagles starter, until further notice. I was elated to hear the news. Vick has waited a long time for a second chance at football, and this is now his time to shine. Vick also is a free agent after the season, so even if the Eagles decide not to keep him, his starting opportunity can be footage for the next team up, looking for a veteran QB.

But, as I saw the headline on the cover of the Philadelphia Daily News, I was highly disappointed in the selection of words:



Come on, now...................

How distasteful using such a poor choice of words. I can never understand how people cannot allow a person to serve his time and move on to start a new chapter in life. This cover is tasteless, period. Then again, this is the same city that booed Donovan McNabb, threw snowballs at Santa Claus and had a jail under their old stadium for disorderly fans.

I'm rooting for you as a QB Vick... and as a person. Good luck!

Last week, the Most Hated Athletes list was released and the Top 5 of the list was as follows:

Michael Vick makes his reality show debut on BET (premieres tonight at 10pm). Vick's 10-part series gives us a glimpse into the life of a former #1 draft pick who has seen the highest of highs (10 year- $130 million contract- the highest at the time) to the lowest of lows (convicted of federal dogfighting conspiracy charges), and on the road to redemption.

Vick, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, is looking to show people that he has paid his debt to society and how he's changed to be a better person. I'm compelled to watch this series, I was a fan of Vick as an Atlanta Falcon, and I believe in giving someone a second chance. Glad to see Vick show a different side of himself.

Will you watch??? I will.

If you've missed the breaking news in the NFL, Michael Vick finally has found a home. Vick agreed to sign a 2 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, going to his first team since being released from prison. The first year of the deal, Vick will make $1.5 million with a 2nd year option at $5.2 million.

Most people are surprised by the Vick-to-Eagles signing, but I'm not. Vick is not a threat to take McNabb's job, in my opinion. Backup QB Kevin Kolb just went down with a strained knee ligament earlier this week. So Vick could be backing up McNabb, at least until Kolb returns.

For the most part, I think we can all agree that Vick will be a great wildcat player. Philly is stacked with offensive weapons and Vick only enhances that roster. Vick has previously played in a West Coast offense, so it should take little time for him to learn the playbook.

This Sunday Vick will be on 60 Minutes in an exclusive interview with James Brown. I'm glad Vick is getting a second chance and putting his past behind him. Hopefully this interview will allow him to speak once and for all about his experience, so he can have closure so folks can move on and just let the man do what he does best... play football.

Here is a sneak peak of the interview on Sunday. This will be a good one, I suggest everyone check it out.



Petty Sidenote: I'd love to see the PETA people come to Philly and protest. Philly fans don't play, they protect their own, and PETA doesn't know what's gonna hit them if they do. They better stay away



In other NFL News, Browns WR Donte Stallworth has been suspended for the 2009 season, from his fatal accident which killed a pedestrian earlier this year.

While some people think that Stallworth's sentence is too harsh, personally I have no real issue with it. Stallworth needs to thank God that he's not sitting in jail for that long. A DUI is a serious offense, and killing a pedestrian while under the influence is even worse. But even with that said, I feel for him, because I can't imagine playing a roll in the death of a person.

In an E:60 interview, Stallworth talks about the night of the accident, what led up to the it and how it affects him to the day. It was a very good interview and I thought he was pretty sincere when say he still thinks about it. Here's a snippet of the interview with ESPN's Michael Smith:



The show aired earlier this week, so check your local listing for the re-run. I hope this is the time to reflect and to learn how to move on for Stallworth. I fully expect him to be ready and motivated as ever next year. The Browns could really use him this year, but since most folks think the Browns will suck anyway, he can save it all for next season, when (hopefully), the Browns start to turn it around.

It's Wednesday and already so much has happened the last couple of days. And training camp JUST started. But in any event, I love it. I smell fresh cut grass and football in the air, and it's what I've been waiting for. Let's discuss what has happened in the last couple of days, shall we?!

R.I.P. Jim Johnson


I'll get to Favre in a second, but he can wait. I'm gonna pay my respects first to a great defensive coordinator who deserves the top spot right now. The Eagles are one of the top defenses in the league, and you can accredit that to Johnson. Johnson's health deteriorated towards the end of the 2008 season, but still managed to coach, sitting in the booth to call plays. An offensive player in college and in the NFL, he became a mastermind behind an Eagles defense that ranked 2nd in sacks from 2000-2008.

I can go on and on regarding his laundry list of accomplishments with the Eagles. But right now I want to take the time to send my condolences to the Johnson family. Any guy that can dial up 9 sacks on Big Ben in one game is okay with me! Johnson lost his battle with cancer, and he will be missed.




Favre Retired.... Finally (We Think)



So Vikings coach Brad Childress says that Favre told him he will remain retired. I'm not gonna get into detail about this. This has taken up way too much valuable NFL space anyway. I feel sorry for the dimwits who went out and bought Vikings Favre jerseys. What a waste of good money. All I'm gonna say is, I hope he stays retired because I'd hate to have to add him to the Sitcho Old Azz Down list. If he stays retired, we should dance in the street in his honor..



If he comes back, let's go egg his ATV and put sugar in the tank.

In fairness, I really started watching football because of him. So in a way, I owe him because without him, there is no me... and c'mon..... y'all know I'm awesome!



The Ocho Cinco Channel

Chad Ochocinco is a damn fool. He first came to twitter with his crazy tweets, giving tips on relationships, how he's going to "embrace" his "Mexican culture", and just tweeting back with fans. Well, now he's added The Ocho Cinco Channel on Ustream.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-ocho-cinco-show



I dunno where he has the time to do this or why he wants to... but I actually think it's kind of cool. You guys already know, I love me some Ochocinco. I know he plays for the Bungals, but he's entertaining and charismatic as hell. He seems like a down-to-earth dude, and that's hard to find nowadays. I'm sure he'll give me tons of blogging material, especially when he plays my Ravens. So I'm sure I'll tune in.


The Sitchoazz Down Award For The Week Goes To.....

All of you who think Vick should go to the Vikings. With Favre finally retiring, it does leaves a lot of questions at the QB position for Brad Childress and the Vikes. But that doesn't mean Vick should be next in line.

Let me tell you why. While we all know that Jackson is on thin ice in Minnesota, the have 2 other QBs on their roster already. Sage Rosenfels (who they just signed this offseason) and John David Booty (who they drafted in 2008). More than 3 QBs on a roster is almost unheard of. So who do you let go to bring in Vick, a player who's been out of the league for 2 years???

Also, let's set the record straight here. Favre is Favre. He hold just about every record possible for a QB to have right now. He's one of the greatest QB's to play this game. And when Favre became a free agent, it made perfect sense to go to the Vikings. He was still bitter and wanted revenge on Green Bay, and the Vikings feel like they are only a QB away from going to the Super Bowl. So the possible union made sense.

Vick is Adrien Peterson with an arm. Vick is not Favre. Let me repeat that. VICK... IS NOT... FAVRE!!!!

Okay, so now that we have that squared away, Vick is not what the Vikes are looking for. They are looking for a championship caliber QB that can possibly make game changing plays. They aren't looking to bring in a player that needs to knock the rust off and possibly take them back a step. If Vick goes to the Vikings, I'd be very surprised. But I don't see it happening. Vick is a great talent but he is not Favre... sorry

What a huge difference 24 hours makes.

Yesterday around this time, I was ready to join the T.O. Renegade to support the reinstatement of former Falcons QB Michael Vick. I was down for the cause, let Vick play. He's paid his debt to society and should be able to start anew!!

Fast forward to today. Commissioner Goodell announced that Vick will be partially reinstated, allowing him to practice and play preseason games with a team and could be fully reinstated as soon as Week 6. Great news, right?! Apparently not according to twitter.

Once word got out, the tweets rolled in and Vick became the #2 trending topic within minutes. Folks were saying a lot of different things. Some good, some bad. But the comments that stuck out to me the most were the ones that folks thought that was still too harsh of a punishment for a player who paid his debt to society.

Really now?!



Now that may or may not be true, but crying and complaining about his partial reinstatement should be the last thing on your mind. I hope some of you lobby for a raise the same way you lobbied over Vick's reinstatement.

For those that are upset at Goodell, let me give you the logical reasons why some of you need to sitchoazz down (I'm sorry, but some of y'all need it LOL). and be okay with Goodell's decision:

1. He Needs To Find A Team First

As of right now, Vick won't be playing at all... because he's not signed on to any one's roster right now. If Vick had a team by now, then maybe I can understand the big issue of getting him back on the field. But no one has beaten down Vick's door to have him as the QB of their team right now. First things first, he needs to find a home and ASAP. Without it, the rants are pointless. Right now he's unemployed. You must crawl before you walk, young grasshoppers.


2. He Wasn't Gonna Start Right Away Anyway

I don't know if you've heard, but Michael Vick was in jail for almost 2 years [/sarcasm]. While I'm sure that gave Vick plenty of time and opportunity to stay in shape, it's not the same workout as being on an NFL roster. No matter if he was signed today or when he was finally released, the reality is he may not even be ready to play until at least Week 6. NFL conditioning is not what he was receiving behind bars. Let him learn a playbook and get healthy enough to play and be effective against defenses. Throwing him back out on the field with just his natural instinct is almost unfair.


3. Once He Signs To A Team, He'll Be Paid To Sit

This is my main reason why I'm not crying for Vick. I'm all about people getting their money, so yesterday I was all for Vick getting back in. In my mind, once Vick played, he would get a paycheck and be able to live his life. But once word got out that, even though he wouldn't play until Week 6 he can still get paid during that span, I wiped my tears away for Vick. He's living it up right now. Think about it: He will have six extra weeks to learn the offense, get in good football shape and still earn a paycheck. Sounds like short term disability to me. Hell, who doesn't like to get paid and do nothing in the process? If you said you don't, seek help now!


4. I Gain Nothing From Him Coming Back

Okay this is extremely selfish of me. But hell, let's be real... Other than watching him play on the field, what do I get out of voicing my opinion?? I don't know Vick, never met him, never seen him person, nothing. So what do I get out of the deal, other than being an unimportant voice?? Do I get a thank you card, a tax credit or a reparation check for speaking out?

Welp, doesn't really matter to me either way, then. Besides, Vick will go back to being rich and I'll continue being regular.

Now, I have my own opinions on Vick's punishment on his federal charges. but that's another story for another day. I will say that Vick is extremely lucky to be able to play football in the NFL again. I'm sure we all know or know of a former convict and the reality is, regular Joe's don't get anywhere near the opportunity that Vick was given. He's been given a second chance and if that's not a blessing, I don't know what is.

As for folks spewing venom towards Goodell for his ruling, I think he has a big bullseye on his back and no matter what decision he makes, he would have to deal with scrutiny ( there are fans threatening to boycott the NFL because of Vick's upcoming return). But some folks are taking it too far. Goodell's a hard ass, sure. But I've even seen the word "racist" get thrown out there which, to me, is kind of comical. Ask Brandon Marshall, an alleged woman beater who had his suspension reduced, if Goodell is a racist.

Folks, don't cry for Vick.... trust me, he'll be just fine.

So much has been going on the past week... tragedy, players communicating with fans/opponents through twitter and Michael Vick. So much to discuss, so little time. Let's take a look shall we....

McNair Situation Finally Sinking In



On Saturday, when I heard about the McNair death, I was numb to it... I think the human mind is numb to really bad news the first day, but once the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day comes, the reality starts to set in. With all of the explicit details of McNair and his alleged relationship with Sahel Kazemi, it's really brought out a lot of hateful comments regarding McNair.

I would never condone a married man cheating on his wife and family, but I refuse to make harsh comments about a man because he was flawed. McNair made mistakes like every other human walking this earth, but he was still a great football player and did great things for the community. No one can deny that. There is a column in the Baltimore Sun today regarding McNair. It was a really good read and I agreed with everything Peter Schmuck had to say.

My heart goes out to the McNair and the Kazemi families. Although he made some bad personal decisions during the last few months of his life, he didn't deserve to go out like this. I'm far from perfect and I don't know anyone who is. Jeff Fisher gave a great example of how we should remember Air McNair. I, for one, will miss him dearly



Darnell Dockett Tweets About Future With Cardinals


I love twitter. Whoever created twitter is a genius! It's like reading athlete's and celebrity's personal text messages and random thoughts. You can find out a lot about people if you follow them on twitter (shameless plug moment, follow me on twitter @thenflchick).

So, yesterday afternoon, NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus (@RosenhausSports) tweets that Cards DT Darnell Dockett has some news he wants to tweet at 8:15pm. Being as though I follow Dockett (@ddockett), I figured I'd check in and see what this is all about. Here's what Dockett tweeted last night:

"I am happy to announce that after meeting with the team recently, I have full faith and confidence in the Cardinals organization

and I am looking forward to a great season. From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me

or my team from reaching our goals-. I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title

and I appreciate the support I've received from all my fans this offseason. - WE WILL WIN THE NFC WEST"

Oh snap!!!!!

Dockett's styling on you, NFC West!!! LOL... But seriously, I think it's great that he tweeted (in caps by-the-way) that they will win the NFC West. If the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers needed any motivation this season, this is it. Not to say I don't agree with Dockett.... the NFC West is pretty pathetic and I see them winning it with flying colors. But the fact that he put it on the world wide web for players and fans to read it all at once is great entertainment for fans like me, feening for some NFL news during this dry patch.


This is great news for the Cardinals organization. Dockett is a great talent to have on their defense and anything that will keep him and the team focused is a plus. Kudos to Dockett for not allowing his personal business to get involved with playing football. That's why you pay Drew the big bucks. He's supposed to do that for you.



Now all I have to do is retweet his comments to Matt Hasselbeck, Steven Jackson and Frank Gore and ask them what they are gonna do about it... tee hee hee.... God, I love twitter!



UFL Considers Vick To Play In New League



Okay, Roger Goodell, if you can read this and have any sense at all, please don't allow this to happen.

Michael Vick is a great athlete with a lot of talent and still has a great deal of star power amongst NFL fans. Whether it be, fans showing up to show their support of fans coming to heckle him and flip him the bird, they will come out if Vick is on an NFL roster. So when I read that UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue is considering Vick to play for them as long as he has no pending legalities, my initial reaction was like so


I was saying to myself this cannot possibly happen. The NFL cannot be this simple to let this go down!



Think about this for a sec. If the UFL brings in Vick, they'll be doing something that the USFL and XFL were unable to do. Bring in a NFL superstar who is still relevant to fans.

Dennis Green even had this so say when it came to recruiting Vick,

"Now he has to show he loves the game and is a responsible citizen. You can't show you love the game if you're not able to play the game. So if Michael Vick were to say, 'I will play for not a lot of money,' well, hello. We're here.

"If he is not allowed back into the NFL and he wants to show he is a model citizen and he loves the game, there is not a better situation for him."

If this isn't a selling quote to Vick, then I dunno what is. While the other leagues may have tried to compete with the NFL and failed, Vick may actually give this UFL a leg to stand one.

Okay who am I kidding here... I'm lying... I don't see the UFL making it past 3 years.. this is just a ploy to speak out because I think Vick has paid his debt to society and will always have to live with the mistakes he made, which should be enough punishment to allow him to come back and play for the NFL.

Again... Roger Goodell, if you can read this and have any sense at all, please don't allow this to happen. Let Mike back in to play... NFL fans will thank you.

Michael Vick is officially out of jail today, finishing his sentence via home confinement in VA. I, for one, am glad.

Look, I think dog fighting is wrong. Killing dogs is even worse. But do I think Vick should have served the time he did??? Absolutely not.

There are players in this league who have done worse in my opinion, yet got an easy ride. Jamal Lewis' drug federal case??? Only 4 months in prison and served all of his time in the offseason. Leonard Little drunk driving and killing a pedestrian??? Just 90 days in jail. I'm sure there are more cases I could use, but you get my point. Vick was made an example of, and he's served his time.



No matter how you feel about Vick, you cannot deny his talent. Vick was dubbed the most exciting player in football, coming out of Virginia Tech, and lived up to that hype with the Falcons . While his overall stats didn't live up to the hype (53.8 comp %, 75.7 career QB rating), his legs skyrocketed the team, even beating the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau (a rarity up until that loss) and advancing to the 2004 NFC Championship.

With the current craze over the wildcat formation, thanks to the Miami Dolphins, Vick could immediately be a factor moving forward in his career. Hopefully he'll find a new NFL home and move on with his life. He's served his time, now it's time move to the next chapter.

If you missed last night's NFL Total Access, check out this video of the Michael Vick Roundtable, with Deion, Marshall, Warren and Jamie. Very interesting.

Welcome Back Vick! May you pick up where you left off and resurrect your image and career!