Mike Vick spoke to the press yesterday about his lucrative long-term deal with the Eagles. He spoke of the gratitude he feels at having the opportunity to once again receive a $100 million deal from a team.

The commitment shown by the Eagles to Vick now drives him to move towards one goal: Putting a Super Bowl ring on the finger of Andy Reid and the rest of his Eagles teammates.

Here are some notable quotes from Vick:

-”I just go back in time and think about how hard it’s been over the last two years with the sacrifices I had to make and what I had to give up, it’s been all worth it. With that said, I’d like to just thank this organization for the opportunity. The common goal is to bring that ring back to the City of Philadelphia, and that’s what we’re working towards.”

-”I think if anything it will make me want to work harder, and just to continue to show that I’m worthy of everything that I’ve gotten.”

-“That’s an outstanding feeling for me to know that I’m going to be here, possibly for the duration of my career. And I know I can’t play this game forever and I know the clock is ticking and that’s more motivation for me to try and get it done as early as I can,” Vick said. “And you know, it’s just another opportunity that’s been created in my life to press forward and shoot for the stars. I look at it as a challenge and as a competitor you love challenges, you want to be in this position and nothing would make you happier then to put a ring on (Reid’s) finger and mine as well. So that’s my goal, that’s what I’m setting out to do and that’s what I’m going to rile this team up to do.”

Vick’s teammates had nothing but respect and congratulations for their team’s leader on his new deal. You can check out what they had to say via PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

In other news…

The Eagles roster now stands at 80, as was required by the NFL by 4 pm on Tuesday. The team released wide receiver Gerald Jones, offensive tackle Spencer Johnson, defensive back Jamar Wall, tight end Martell Webb and CB Isaiah Trufant.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/phillysportmuse.

Rating of the Eagles

I expected to wake up to find all kinds of pronouncements that the “Dream Team” isn’t so dreamy or some such crap. And that’s exactly what I found, including from my own colleague Emily Miklasevich.

There are no two ways about it: The performance of the Eagles in last night’s game was horrid. But let’s keep our heads. It’s the preseason. It’s the time to see what the issues are and fix them before the start of the regular season.

The Eagles have a lot of fixing to do in the immediate future.

Coach Reid put it very simply:

“We’re all in the same boat. We all stunk.”

Pretty much. Things that seemed to click in camp fell apart on the field, starting with the performance of Mike Vick. Vick was 5-12 for 47 yards and had 3 interceptions. His quarterback rating? You don’t want to know. Really? You’re sure? It was 13.5. » Continue reading “Eagles Endure Ugly Preseason Loss to Pittsburgh”

Strap in for the craziest day yet.

-The Birds acquire Pro Bowl DE Jason Babin. And I liked his entrance onto the Philadelphia scene–he announced the signing by tweeting:

As noted yesterday, the signing reunites Babin with Jim Washburn.

Babin was signed for a reported $28 million, returning to the Eagles following a stint in Philadelphia in 2009. Ray Didinger has an excellent piece outlining how Washburn got the best out of Babin in an otherwise lackluster career. Here’s hoping Washburn can replicate that success with Babin in Philadephia.

-The Eagles landed DRC–Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Here’s some info on the acquisition, courtesy of the Eagles:

Rodgers-Cromartie (6-2, 182) has recorded 16 interceptions (13 regular season, three playoffs) in 54 career games (49 starts) since entering the league. That total ranks him fourth among all NFL cornerbacks during that span behind new teammate Asante Samuel (22) and the Packers’ Tramon Williams (18) and Charles Woodson (18). In addition, his four interception return touchdowns since 2008 ranks tied for second among all NFL CBs behind Woodson (6).

 

Rodgers-Cromartie started in all 16 games in 2010, posting 44 tackles, three interceptions and a career-high two INTs returned for touchdowns. He garnered Pro Bowl honors following the 2009 season after posting 51 tackles, a career-high six interceptions, three forced fumbles and 33 passes defensed. In 2008, he earned All-Rookie honors from the Sporting News and the PFWA after tying for the NFL lead among rookies with four INTs. That included a 99-yard return for a touchdown vs. StL (12/7/08), which tied a Cardinals record for the longest in franchise history.

 

Do we feel a bit more at ease about the corner position now, Eagles fans? » Continue reading “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Kolb Traded, DeSean’s Holdout, and Weaver and Akers are Gone”