Vick Is Rich Again

QB Michael Vick got his second $100 million contract.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick has signed a new contract worth $100 million over six years, with about $40 million guaranteed. This is Vick's second contract worth over $100 million. In 2004, he signed a 10-year deal worth $130 million with the Atlanta Falcons. At that time, Vick was 24-years old and primed to be the Falcons' franchise quarterback for years to come. However, the dogfighting ring issue in 2007 that eventually landed him in prison cost him a lot of money in the future.

When Vick was released from prison in 2009, it didn't seem as if a lot of teams really wanted his services. Teams with struggling quarterback situations at the time, like the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the Buffalo Bills seemed to be questioning his off-the-field issues as opposed to getting him on board and looking to see if he can be the franchise quarterback he once was. The 49ers continue to struggle at the quarterback position, and it seems the Browns and the Bills have figured out their quarterback situation for now.

Surprisingly, the Eagles signed Vick to a two-year deal worth about $5 million. The Eagles already had QB Donovan McNabb and future franchise QB Kevin Kolb. All of a sudden, Vick was in a position where he probably didn't know if his NFL career would ever be where it was when he was in Atlanta. After the Eagles went 11-5 in the regular season, they bowed out to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round. The Eagles only scored seven points. McNabb was the starter, but it was Vick's touchdown pass to WR Jeremy Maclin that provided the only points of the game.

The Eagles got rid of McNabb in the offseason via trade to the division-rival Washington Redskins. That propelled Kolb to the starting position, and Vick as the backup. The Eagles came into the 2010 season with a lot of doubters. They didn't prove the doubters wrong in the first game against the Green Bay Packers, as they struggled mightily in the first half. A concussion for Kolb in the first half put Vick in the game, and Vick almost led the Eagles back to victory.

Vick would go on to start the next three games, which happened to be impressive victories at the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars, before starting at home against McNabb and the Redskins. Vick got hurt in the game, and the Eagles eventually lost. The Eagles won the next two games with Kolb as the starter, but it was clear the city wanted Vick as the starter. Vick went on to have a career game a month later against the Redskins en route to a 59-28 win.

Vick had one last hoorah at the Meadowlands against the New York Giants, leading them to victory after being down 31-10 in the fourth quarter. Vick wasn't impressive the next week in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and in the playoff game against the eventual champion Green Bay Packers, was lackluster offensively and was shut down in only scoring 16 points in the loss. Vick hasn't been impressive this preseason either, but several other players haven't been impressive either.

The Eagles gave Vick the franchise tag, worth $15 million for the season. If I were the Eagles, I would've paid Vick $15 million for the season and see if he can duplicate the success he had in the 2010 season. This could turn out to be a terrible investment if Vick doesn't pan out this season, and plays like he did against the Chicago Bears, the Vikings and the Packers. Only time will tell whether Vick is worth the money.

With Vick being paid that much money, where does that leave WR Desean Jackson? Jackson is only going to be paid around $500K this season, and his production thus far is not worth just $500K. The Eagles spent money this offseason, but none of it on Jackson. Jackson was Vick's reliable deep threat, as he is the fastest guy in the league.

Jackson took a crushing blow against the Falcons during the 2010 season when CB Dunta Robinson gave him a helmet-to-helmet hit going over the middle. Jackson may not want to go over the middle this season, and who can blame him? Another concussion can end his career, and he wouldn't have made a lot of money in his brief career. For Jackson, he needs to take care of himself and make sure he's around to potentially make a lot more money next offseason. With Vick, who's 31, it is Super Bowl or bust in the next two seasons.




http://twitter.com/andfralec

Eli's Statement

Giants QB Eli Manning says he's in elite class with QB Tom Brady.

New York Giants QB Eli Manning was on Michael Kay's radio show on ESPN 1050 yesterday when Kay asked Manning a very good question. Kay asked Manning if he thought he was in the elite class of quarterbacks, in the top five or top ten quarterbacks in the game. Manning definitely answered that he thought his career was along the same lines as New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. Manning said Brady is better now than he was when he won the three Super Bowls, and he is improving every year like Brady.

Many sports analysts laughed at Manning's statements, claiming he isn't an elite quarterback and is not in Brady's class. ESPN contributor Michael Smith said Manning shouldn't even have made the statement because it's not his job to assess where he ranks among quarterbacks in the game. It was certainly surprising to hear Manning come out and speak on where he ranks among his peers, as he has been a quiet leader his entire career.

Smith makes a great point. It isn't Manning's job at all to answer Kay's question. Manning could've simply deflected the question or give a simple answer that leaves both sides happy. Making a statement like that could put more pressure on you, and pressure is the last thing any NFL player needs, let alone a quarterback.

However, Manning has to be the most disrespected quarterback in recent memory. When talking about the game's elite and the quarterbacks behind the elite, Manning is never put in any category. Manning was left off the NFL Network's Top 100 NFL Players of 2010 list, with quarterbacks like QB Donovan McNabb, QB Joe Flacco, QB Josh Freeman and QB Tony Romo on the list. Manning certainly had a better season than all of those quarterbacks, although Romo was hurt against the Giants in Week 7, thus knocking him out for the rest of the season.

When the Giants were in Houston to play the Houston Texans during the 2010 season, there was a Sportsnation poll question that asked whether Manning or Texans QB Matt Schaub was the better quarterback. An astounding 72 percent of voters voted Schaub as the better quarterback. Schaub isn't even in Manning's league, yet almost three out of four Americans believed Schaub is the better quarterback.

Manning's numbers this past season was pretty good, except for the interceptions. Manning led the league with 25 interceptions. However, we all know Manning isn't a 20-interception quarterback at all. Some of the interceptions came from the fact the receivers couldn't hang on to throws that were placed in their hands. Manning, along with New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, were the only two quarterbacks to have at least 4,000 yards passing, at least 30 touchdowns, and at least 20 interceptions. However, Brees is regarded very highly while Manning is an afterthought.

Manning, along with Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers, were drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Roethlisberger went 16-1 his rookie season with the playoffs included, and won a Super Bowl despite his subpar performance in his second year, immediately endearing him to the hearts of the fans and the analysts. Rivers has put up spectacular numbers in the past three years, etching his name among the game's greats. Both of them have personalities that make themselves different.

Eli is the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, and considered by many to be a poor imitation of him. Eli is rarely heard from in the media, thus making him the forgotten man. When the Giants have made the playoffs in four of the six years with him as the full-time starter, analysts always said it was because of their defense or the running game. Since Manning became the full-time starter in his second season, the Giants have not had a losing season. The Giants did not make the playoffs this past year despite a 10-6 record. If it weren't for the defense's collapse at home against the Eagles, the Giants win the division.

Manning is certainly top-10 in the game, and maybe he can get more respect among his peers and the fans if he backs up his statement. The Giants cut OL Rich Seubert and OL Shaun O'Hara, so it won't be an easy task to have an elite season. However, Manning has dealt with the pressure of playing in the New York market for this long, so he will be good, and more importantly, the franchise is in good hands.

Get An Invite

Texas A&M won't be headed to the SEC just yet.

Over the weekend, ESPN reported that Texas A&M were definitely going to join the SEC, becoming the third team to leave the Big 12. Also, the Aggies were looking to join the powerful football conference as soon as the 2012 season. Then, the next day, ESPN reported that the SEC was not interested at the moment in extending an invite to Texas A&M.

The SEC currently has 12 teams, six in the SEC East and six in the SEC West. Adding Texas A&M without another team would make it an uneven 13 teams in the conference, something they probably do not want. There has been other reports that the SEC is pursuing Clemson and Florida St. from the ACC. No word has come from Clemson or Florida St. about plans to join the SEC or stay put in the ACC.

If the SEC can get a 14th team to join, they will most likely extend an invite to Texas A&M to make it an even seven games apiece for each conference. The Pac 10 were able to get two teams in Utah and Colorado to expand to an even 12 teams. Expansion among conferences has certainly been trendy as of late, and it is a big money grab for those conferences. Even recent football powerhouse Boise St. changed conferences, going from the WAC to the Mountain West Conference.

With all of these changes happening, Texas A&M made themselves look bad by making it appear as if the SEC had a ton of interest in inviting them now. Will this affect Texas A&M's decision in the future if the SEC actually extends an invite? The SEC hopes that doesn't happen, but Texas A&M should feel a little slighted. The Aggies staying in the Big 12 is great, as they keep their rivalry with Texas going. Who knows what will happen in the future with Texas A&M, but the decision they make will come down to dollars and not sense.

Newton Over Clausen

Even though QB Cam Newton was 8 for 19, he made impressive throws.

QB Jimmy Clausen wasn't too impressive in the first preseason game.

The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-10 in both teams' preseason openers. The obvious story going into the game was the competition between last year's second round pick QB Jimmy Clausen and 2011 first overall pick QB Cam Newton. One preseason game isn't nearly enough to determine who should be the starting quarterback come September 11, but the country got a glimpse of what could happen in the near future.

Clausen's numbers were decent. He completed four of his seven attempts and one of the four completions went for a touchdown. However, one of Clausen's three incompletions resulted in an interception from LB Michael Boley, which was returned for a touchdown. Clausen rebounded to throw a touchdown to TE Greg Olsen before he turned the reins over to Newton.

Newton only completed eight of his 19 passes, but for 134 yards. However, he didn't throw a touchdown pass. Even if Newton's numbers don't indicate he was better than Clausen, he showed more maturity with his pocket presence and accuracy. A couple of Newton's passes were incomplete because they were thrown in coverage, but they were certainly on target. After playing in his first ever NFL game, Panthers' fans have to be impressed by what they saw from Newton and what they could get from him in the future.

Newton has three more preseason appearances to make before coach Ron Rivera has to make a final decision. The decision should be Newton. Newton's attributes as a developing pocket passer, in addition to his ability to run and take hits, gives the Panthers a great chance to improve. Clausen certainly won't be happy if Newton becomes the starter. Clausen's opportunity may not come with the Panthers, but if he improves his accuracy and pocket presence, he could be a good fit for another NFL franchise. 

Edwards Signs With 49ers

WR Braylon Edwards signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

WR Braylon Edwards, formerly of the New York Jets, signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth $3.5 million. Edwards was one of several marquee wide receivers that was on the market longer than expected, but nonetheless, it is a good signing for the 49ers. Edwards was decent for the Jets this past season, catching 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns. Edwards was instrumental to QB Mark Sanchez during the Jets' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular season, catching eight passes for 100 yards in his best game.

Edwards' addition to the 49ers adds to an already explosive offense with first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. With RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, and WR Michael Crabtree, Edwards should bolster a competent offense. The only question with their offense remains QB Alex Smith's ability to run the offense. Harbaugh is showing faith in him, as opposed to drafting a quarterback with their first-round pick or getting QB Kyle Orton from the Denver Broncos.

Edwards' tenure with the Jets was somewhat successful, but he also provided a headache to the organization. Recently, Edwards and his friends got into an altercation at a bar in Michigan, adding to his troubles. This past season, he was arrested for DUI and he had an altercation with one of Lebron James' friends during his time with the Cleveland Browns. Even so, Jets' coach Rex Ryan still wanted Edwards to re-sign with the team for a little bit of money.

Many people say Edwards' subtraction and WR Plaxico Burress' addition is going to hold their offense back a little, but that will not be the case. The one subtraction that will impact their offense this upcoming season is WR Brad Smith's departure to the Buffalo Bills. Smith was their best special teams player, but he also ran the Wildcat offense, in addition to being a good fourth receiver. The Jets have just cut WR Jerricho Cotchery as well, and it is reported that they will sign veteran WR Derrick Mason, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. However, without Smith, the Jets' offense will take a small step back.

Even with their changes on offense, the Jets staple is their defense. Rex Ryan is an excellent defensive coach and has gotten the most out of his defensive players. Their performance in the playoffs, including against the Steelers when they lost, was outstanding. Sanchez is merely asked to not make mistakes and hand the ball off to the backs. That is the Jets' formula for success, and as long as they stick to it, Edwards' departure doesn't hurt their offense one bit.

Orton or Tebow?

QB Kyle Orton threw for 3,653 yards in 13 starts before he was replaced by QB Tim Tebow.

QB Tim Tebow completed 50% of his passes this past season.

The Denver Broncos were held up by the NFL lockout in trying to trade QB Kyle Orton, the starter for the majority of last season. Once the lockout ended, the Broncos started their pursuit for suitors who will offer a good deal for the services of Orton. About a week and some change later, Orton is still with the Broncos. It was thought that the Miami Dolphins would make a strong bid to acquire Orton, but they ended up signing QB Matt Moore, who went 1-4 as a starter for the Carolina Panthers last season.

It has now been revealed that Orton is taking all of the snaps with the first team in training camp. Many people have been behind the idea that new head coach John Fox should roll with QB Tim Tebow instead. The Broncos drafted Tebow with their first-round pick, to the amazement of myself and many others. However, he has captured the hearts of many and he is receiving a lot of support to be the starter.

The question to many NFL followers remain -- who should be the starter this season? Orton started 13 games, and had four games where his passer rating was over 100. In four of his first six games, he threw for over 300 yards, including a 476 yard game against the Indianapolis Colts. Interim coach Eric Studesville inserted Tebow for their Week 15 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Tebow completed passes at a completion percentage of 50 percent or lower in two of the three games he started. Tebow was 1-2 as a starter, and Orton wasn't better with a 3-10 record in his 13 games.

With that being said, it is clear that Orton gives the Broncos the best chance to win football games. During the 2009 season, the Broncos started out 5-0 before bottoming out. Orton's accuracy and efficiency was one of the biggest reasons why. The Broncos have many problems on their defense, who gave up 59 points to the Raiders and 43 points to the lowly Arizona Cardinals. Tebow's passing ability in his three games as a starter was comical at some moments. His accuracy was way off during some of his passes, and from the looks of things, he doesn't appear to be an NFL starting quarterback anytime soon.

The Broncos feel compelled to start him sooner or later because they drafted him in the first round. However, that is management's fault that they thought that highly of him when no one else did. John Fox was not there when they drafted him that high. Management should not pressure him to start him because of that. Fox should start Orton because he makes them a contender in a division that's slightly questionable. What happens remains to be seen, but the Broncos will realize their mistake if they take Tebow over Orton.