Out of the Doghouse...
It was announced during Thursday nights televised pre-season game on ESPN that Michael Vick has agreed to a two year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick is expected to make $1.6 million this season with a $5.2 million club option next year.
This move was made with the full support of Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid as well as Philly's top player, QB Donovan McNabb.
"I wanted to make sure I know where he is at and I feel like he is in a good place," Reid said. "I'm very excited, on the other side of that, to have a good football player. You're talking one of the top quarterbacks in the league when he was playing. He's familiar with our offense, having run it the last few years with Atlanta before he was incarcerated."
A humbled Vick was introduced as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Friday in a televised news conference.
"I've made some mistakes. I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem," Vick said "I know playing in the NFL is a privilege and not a right. I have to keep pushing forward and do more good than bad."
Like He Wasn't Gone...
Coming off a knee injury that kept him off the field for the '08 season, Tom Brady returned to action against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night amid the breaking news of Philly's signing of Michael Vick. Playing most of the first half, Brady looked sharp, tossing two touchdowns against one pick and best of all for Pats fans, he moved around without showing any lingering effects of the devastating injury.
"There's no place I'd rather be," Brady said "This is the place where I probably have the most fun and enjoy it the most. Preseason game doesn't have quite the feel of a regular-season game, but to be out there on the field with my teammates and celebrate after a win, and the bus ride home ... those are the things you probably enjoy the most."
Still Got it...
The reigning Champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, took the field against the Arizona Cardinals in a muted SuperBowl rematch Thursday night and looked to be right where they left off in a 20-10 win.
Returning 20 out of 22 starters, the Steelers main goal this pre-season can be summed up in two words...'STAY HEALTHY', and they managed to keep to that goal with the first game in the books.
The high point of the night came from Steelers undrafted free-agent Isaac Redman who powered his way to two second half touchdowns in easy fashion. Listed 7th in the running back depth chart, the former Bowie State standout Redman has made the most of his opportunities so far; impressing both in practice and on the field.
"This team prides itself on being able to find those free agents that are capable of playing," Redman said, referring to finds such as the undrafted James Harrison and Willie Parker "Hopefully I can be that next free agent. I knew I had to make an impression, or I might not even make it to the first [preseason] game."
Other Scores...
Oakland beat Dallas 31-10.
Baltimore blanked Washington 23-0
