Birds of Prey – Michael Vick and the Eagles

I’ll get back to my Ireland trip in a sec, I know you really want to hear about how I saw U2 in Dublin. And, of course, the saga of the missing luggage. (23 days and counting)

But first things first. It’s football season! (Woo!) And it started out with a … thud. That was my heart, which bleeds green, falling into my stomach.

Now, I’ve been a proponent of Vick getting a second chance with his life and with football since this debate started.  He went to jail and paid his debt to society.  I will admit to a big case of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) right now. I trust Andy Reid, but I don’t trust the management office. And apparently Donovan McNabb is not on board, although he said otherwise in the press conference after the preseason game. (How can you blame him?)

Also, on a personal note — ok, who am I kidding, I take my football very personally — I won a bet last year with Sports Fan, who is a Giants Fan.  The bet, based on the last Eagles/Giants match-up, was whether our dog, Matty, would wear an Eagles or Giants jersey this year.  The Eagles won, so Matty is supposed to wear an Eagles jersey.  I don’t think I can do it. I know Vick does not and will not represent the entire Eagles organization. And no, matter what, they are my team. I love them and I will always support them and root for them.  And I support this decision they made, as a lawyer and as a person. But I cannot put my DOG in an Eagles jersey. Not with Vick on the team. Not this year. Does that make sense?

Other reasons I am selfish about Vick joining the Eagles:

1. The press. Signing Vick is going to attract a lot of press. The whole season. McNabb attracts a lot himself and with the T.O. debacle in all-too-recent-history, we just are still suffering from media hangover in Philly.
2. McNabb. Could we show this guy a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T? I feel like Philly phans are just one interception shy of carting him off the field and offering him to the opposing team for a bag of footballs and used shoulder pads.  People think New York fans are bad, but being a New Yorker, Mets fan and Philly phan, I can tell you that McNabb has it the WORST.
3. The Mets. They are pooping the bed. Again. Can ONE of my sports teams come through for me this year?
4. Sports Fan. It will be IMPOSSIBLE to live with my Giants Fan husband if this Vick-periment is a bust. Really. You have no idea.  Wildcat-ho!