Eagles coach Andy Reid addressed reporters today at the start of his team’s training camp, and questions about backup quarterback Michael Vick dominated the session. Reid has steadfastly defended Vick, and today was no different.
“Michael is a very nice person,” Reid said. “He really is.”
Nice person or not, Vick is a convicted felon who may have violated his probation by having a birthday party at which he associated with his dogfighting co-defendant Quanis Phillips. Phillips was shot shortly after a confrontation with Vick at the party; Vick left before the shooting and is not a suspect.
Reid thinks Vick was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but did nothing improper beyond that.
“He didn’t break the law,” Reid said. “That’s the No. 1 thing you look at. I’m just going to say Michael learned from it. Just don’t put yourself in bad situations.”
But when Vick does put himself in bad situations, he can consider himself lucky that he has a coach who believes in second (and third) chances.