Our man Sal Paolantonio sat down with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick for a SportsCenter conversation that touched on a number of topics, including the perception that this is a critical year for Eagles head coach Andy Reid. Sal asked Vick what he thinks when he hears that Reid might not be back in 2013 if the Eagles struggle, and Vick said, "I hate to think about it ... Let's just say that won't happen."
It's well known Vick feels a very strong affection and respect for Reid, who signed him once he got out of prison and with whom he credits his development into the quarterback that took the league by storm in 2010. If Reid's job is in jeopardy, Vick may well be motivated to make that not be the case any longer. We don't know what we'll get from Vick in 2012 -- the brilliant magician of 2010, the turnover-prone quarterback of 2011 or something in between. It could be anywhere on the spectrum with a player of Vick's abilities, and his performance this season will go a long way toward determining whether the Eagles make good on their promise this time.
Sal's a team player, and he sent me a couple of extra quotes from his Vick interview, including Vick's response to "Is this the year?":
"Should be. I don't want to make any predictions, but with the guys that I've got around me that's playing for the Philadelphia Eagles including myself truly believe that we can push for it."
"The window is closing for me as well. I'll be 32 next month and so I'm on the back now. I still feel good, don't get me wrong, but it's only a certain amount of guys can say that they played with the group of guys that I played with and I'm just thankful to have a group of guys around me and the coach that I have. It means a lot."