Originally published in the September 24, 2010 issue
Michael Vick
Sunday, when the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars, the much maligned Michael Vick will be the starting quarterback.
Eagles coach Andy Reid made the right decision choosing Vick over opening day starter Kevin Kolb.
Before his legal troubles, Vick was one of the most exciting players in the game. He could change the game with his arm and feet at any time.
This season, Vick has proven he can once again be a starting quarterback in this league.
In two games this season, Vick has passed for more than 450 yards and rushed for 140.
Vick gives the Eagles more versatility, and though it was several years ago, Vick has proven he can win games in this league.
Fourth year quarterback Kolb has only started three games in his entire career. In two starts last season Kolb played well, but he is far from a proven commodity.
Vick has not only won regular season games, he has won playoff games. He has the talent and experience it takes to win in the NFL.
Vick is a talent that the NFL has never seen. He has regained his form after not playing football for two years, and is too good not to be on the field.
-Alex Ross
Kevin Kolb
The Philadelphia Eagles have been going through a youth movement over the past few years. Like the political landscape of today, the Eagles are throwing out any old incumbents they can sink their teeth into.
Meet the new Philadelphia Eagles of 2010: 23-year-old DeSean Jackson, 22-year-old LeSean McCoy, 22-year-old Jeremy Maclin, 25-year-old Brent Celek and 30-year-old Michael Vick.
As the Cookie Monster would say, one of these things is not like the others, one of these things is OLD!
26-year-old Kevin Kolb has been learning the offense with these other young guns for years now, and you cannot stunt the growth of a young offense just for immediate gains and a couple of wins.
In a year where the NFC East is up for grabs for any team, it may seem tempting to ditch the future and go for it all now with Vick, but then their future is doomed.
Tony Romo and Eli Manning both have young offenses around them and are poised for success for a solid five years. If Kolb is benched and not able to grow up along with these young guns, then the Eagles will feel the negative repercussions for years to come.
-Zach Berg
