Vick Flys Up North To Eagles

Extra Extra, Michael Vick is Philadelphia Eagle. Today, news broke that the convicted dog fighter and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has reached an two year agreement to play with the Philadelphia Eagles. The news was a surprise but then again it was not. Late last week former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy hinted that Vick would be signed by the end of this week. Usually when Dungy speaks, people listen. Not only is he known as a great football mind, he is also the most respected figure in the game today. Dungy has always expressed his desire to mentor and guide young people after his coaching career was over. He began with Vick.Upon Vick's release from federal prison, Dungy opened up a healthy dialogue with the fallen star. The relationship Vick and Dungy formed has a lot to do with Vick being back in the NFL.

Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid was recently asked about the possibility of Vick joining his team before news broke today. Although Reid kept quiet about the signing, he noted that Vick's association with Dungy automatically boosts the former Falcon's credibility. Vick has also received public support from the stern (and sometimes prison warden like) NFL commissioner Roger Goddell. Goddell has met with Vick and believes that the dog fighting and questionable behavior is in the past. Since Vick's credibility has been somewhat restored, hopefully he does not destroy the credibility of Dungy or Goddell with another stupid action.

Its great that Vick will have another opportunity to play NFL football. However, do you know where he fits into the Philadelphia offense? The wildcat offense caught the league by storm last season. With Vick's running and throwing ability he seems to be the ideal athlete for this deceptive offensive formation. Wait, my mistake, he was the ideal athlete for this offense formation back in 2006. Vick has been in prison for the last two years, and the last time I checked, he was not getting any younger either. Maybe Andy Reid sees something in Vick that we do not. Also, Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and Vick have been close friends for approximately the past seven years. McNabb lobbied to get Vick in an Eagles uniform. In Reid and McNabb's first press conference since the Vick signing, both are not sure what Vick's place will be in the offense. One thing is for sure, I will stay tuned all season long to find out, and so should you.

GREAT WEEK, PAPI TESTS POSITIVE

Over the past week, I was fortunate enough to attend a sportscaster seminar led by the CBS Sports icon Ed Ingles. The idea of getting 16 adults in a room that all love and know sports as well as I do (and some better) was an opportunity I not could pass up. I did things in radio and television I have never done before and hope to do for next 30 years. The instructors were hands on, patient, and knowledgeable. My fellow students were positive, enthusiastic, and possessed the arrogance necessary to back up any sports argument.

During the week, I did NBA, NFL, and MLB play by play and color commentary. Obviously, I was strongest doing the NBA game. However, the week really made me want to get better at calling football and baseball games. Overall, it was a week I will never forget, and hope to experience again next summer.

Now back to the action, its been a while since Ive stimulated your minds with my unique view on sports. The biggest thing going in baseball right now is the series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. However, before we get to the field the New York Times reported this past week that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez tested positive for performing enhancing drugs back in 2003. The infamous 2003 list contains some pretty big names who have either admitted to trying PEDs or denied ever touching illegal substances. When confronted with the news report, Ramirez pointed reporters in the direction of Michael Wiener, president of the MLB Players Association. When Ortiz was confronted, he vowed to get to the bottom of this and report back any and all information he found. Ramirez just came off of a 50 game suspension after testing positive for a PED earlier this season. The report by the Times has seemed to put an asterisk next the Red Sox 2004 and 2007 championship teams. Ortiz, the clutch October performer and Ramirez, one of the greatest hitters in major league history, were the driving forces behind those two World Series teams. It seems as if the news report surprised Big Papi as much as it surprised Red Sox Nation. Ortiz came out earlier this season and expressed that he believes all players that test positive for PEDs should be banned for at a least a year. Really Big Papi!! Ive always believed that there is no place in any game for steroids. David Ortiz knows what he ingested. I'm so tired of all these players playing dumb and looking for sympathy after testing positive. A-rod lied to Katie Couric on CBS about ever using PEDs. After that he was at a spring training press conference asking for forgiveness and a second chance. Rafael Palmeiro went on Capitol Hill to vehemently deny ever using PEDs. That next week, he tested positive and was suspended for 10 games (that move essentially ended Palmeiro's career. And are we to really believe these guys are truly sorry. A-Rod was sorry he got caught, while Papi only apologized for the report being a distraction. Ortiz is a competent individual well aware of what enters his body and the effect it has. Now, Ortiz's big drop in production last season and this season isn't that big of a mystery. Its seems that since Papi has dropped the needle, hes lost his grip on the bat. The good guy to Ramirez's bad guy. Ortiz was the lovable figure in Boston everyone rooted for. Even when Ortiz started the season without a home run for the first two months, he was still encouraged and cheered by the Fenway faith. Fans actually felt bad for him. They felt his pain and disappointment. Now no one will fell sorry for him. PEDs are a choice, and its choice that gets major league players p-a-i-d. My only hope is that the future generation look at the trangressions of their heroes and dont repeat them.

I'll be back on MOnday with a recap of the Yankees and Red Sox.