The title of a recently released CBS News article is "Vick: I want to be part of the solution". Well, in 2008, the Eagles were 9-6, putting them second in the NFC East. In 2007, they were 8-8, putting them fourth in the NFC East. So, the Eagles definitely improved between 2007 and 2008. The question for 2009, then, is: how much can Michael Vick help them? Or, more accurately, can he help them at all (considering that he has been off the football field for about a year and a half) or will he be a hindrance (because of poor play) or even a nuisance (if the whispers about the dogfighting don't go away pretty soon)?

For now though, the former Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback must accept that he is now a convicted felon who has recently been released from jail which means that he will have a criminal record for the rest of his life. The question that this article tries to answer is: how will he be received by his new coaches and teammates?

The subtitle of this article is: "(The) Newest Philadelphia Eagle Vows to be (a) Be a Positive Force Agaisnt Animal Cruelty After Serving Time for Dogfighting". This soon after serving time for a federal indictment? If dogfighting is TRULY a FEDERAL crime, animal rights groups really are getting too powerful. This must be some kind of a joke which has been exacerbated by the excessive media attention that it has garnered/attracted.

Vick, at his introductory press conference as the newest Philadelphia Eagle, started off: "I know (that) I've done some terrible things (and) made a horrible mistake". This specific statement is very culture-specific. In China and Japan for instance, PEOPLE EVEN EAT DOG MEAT. "I think (that) everyone deserves a second chance...as long as you come back and do things the right way". Again, this sounds good, but does Vick's new coach and do his new teammates trust him?

Vick was joined at his introductory press conference by Eagles' head coach Andy Reid and mentor Tuny Dungy. According to Dungy, the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, "I really got the sense (that) he wanted to do some great things". "great things"? Well, Vick's career WAS on track, until the dogfighting allegation and conviction. "He wanted to be a positive role model for young people". "a positive role model for young people?" Vick was born in Newport News, Virginia, so he should know that Americans love their dogs as much as or in some cases, even more so than their kids. With this in mind, funding dog fights and getting himself a criminal record because of this minor incident doesn't sound like something that "a role model for young people" would do.

So what does Vick have to say for himself? "FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I can't understand why I was involved in SUCH POINTLESS ACTIVITY". Well, this is acting. Vick knows it and the NFL knows it. Dogfighting is "pointless" so should it have warranted a suspension of one and a half years? Of course not."Why did I risk so much at the pinnacle of my career?" Again, this is acting, but in a society that loves dogs, sometimes more than kids, Vick basically HAS TO act (i.e. PRETEND to love animals when it's obvious that he couldn't care less about them) in order to get reinstated and to get his career back on track.

Next, what does his new coach think about him? According to Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Andy Reid, "He's an unbelievable athlete, both running the ball and throwing it. I'll think of SOMETHING for him". Well, Vick only has the final two preseason games and a little more than half of the 2009 season left to play now, due to the suspension incurred from his ridiculous action. He certainly won't overtake Donovan McNabb as the starter, at least not in 2009 (McNabb completed approximately 60% of his passes for 3910 yards with 23 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions last season).

Now, what are Vick's new teammates saying about him? Here's cornerback Sheldon Brown: "He can definitely make a lot of plays". It's interesting that Brown has this opinion because Vick has only been cleared to practice recently.

Of course, Vick had the final word about/concerning his future: "I'm glad (that) coach Reid and the rest of the organization stepped forward (to help me out during the toughest time of my life/stretch in my career). I'm glad I got the opportunity and the second chance. I won't disappoint. I'm ready to go (out there and show everybody what I can do)". Of course, it's up to commissioner Goodell when Vick can fully return to the NFL (i.e. play in games), but only Vick himself can prove to us that "I won't disappoint".