What Lies Ahead

Now that the shock and awe has worn off most of us, we can only now begin to wonder as to what lies ahead for Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.

It's not breaking news to say that the Eagles are taking a major risk with this signing. However, the risk is not a financial one or a question about skill-set, but rather a plain and simple 'distraction'. The Eagles can spin this anyway they want to, but the bottom line here is every player is going to be asked about Michael Vick all season long. We've already seen the sound bites from players being asked how he looked in his first practice. This is only the preseason.

What's going to happen at the Eagles home opener? Judging from the initial reaction from Eagles fans, it appears to be split down the middle in terms of support and opposition. Sadly, as we've seen in Atlanta, often this difference of opinion is divided by racial lines. I can't imagine what the atmosphere might be like in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field.

If the Eagles think there are distractions at home, wait until they go on the road. Imagine the game on October 18th in Oakland. Those fans aren't obedient when the boring, bad teams come to town, imagine the antics, the verbal assaults, the props we will see from Raider Nation when Vick and Eagles hit Oakland. December 13th at New York: I imagine Giants fans taking a different approach. They might go after McNabb with antagonizing expressions like, "Donovan, you're a bum! Vick will have your job by next season!"

And then their is the big one. The game on December 6th in Atlanta. This will be the most anticipated game of the season for Falcon fans and Michael Vick. The media storm in Philadelphia leading up to that game will be of epic proportion. That game is week 13 on the Eagles schedule. Their season will have taken so many twists and turns by the time they even arrive in Atlanta.

If McNabb has one awful game in Philadelphia prior to December 6th, Eagles fans will be calling for Vick to be their starter. There is the possibility of an injury to McNabb prior to week 13. Let's not forget, McNabb is 33 years old and it's not too far fetched to assume he could miss a start or three throughout this season.

Bottom line is every week there will be a new story line, a new distraction and a new set of reporters from an opposing team asking questions about Vick. McNabb will be looking over his shoulder waiting to hear weekly heckles from fans in the expensive seats, at home and on the road, calling for his benching.

It's rather ironic that we are right at the start of hurricane season, because, the "storm" surrounding this controversial signing is going to last for 17 weeks...