One thing we’d consistently heard over the past few weeks -- and for which ESPN.com recently gave us credit -- was that some of the teams that publicly had said they have no interest in Mike Vick were, in reality, very interested.
Here’s what Eagles coach Andy Reid had to say on the matter the day after Vick was reinstated: “Number one, I think he’s a good kid,” Reid said. “Right now we have a good situation at quarterback so that’s not the direction I’m looking. I’m glad Tony Dungy is involved, no finer person around than Tony Dungy. And Michael, the times I’ve talked to him, he’s a good kid, so I think that combination there will help Michael and probably increase his marketability there.”
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen placed the Eagles at the second position on a list of teams that were being connected to Vick via speculation. Reporting from Eagles camp, Mort thereafter removed the Eagles from that list.
It remains to be seen whether the local media or the fans hold the Eagles’ play-action move against them. Our guess? It the team does well this year, it will never be mentioned. If they stink, the media and the fans will seize upon any shred of evidence they can to justify their anger, and the courtship and acquisition of Vick will give them plenty of ammo.