Archive for August, 2009

Why I think the Eagles signed Michael Vick

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

It’s obviously not for the controversy, unless it’s for a giant distraction from some other problem. The Eagles have said that there is no quarterback “situation,” meaning that McNabb is the starter and Kolb is the #2. But I still can’t figure out a football based reason why Vick is there.

Then it occurred to me: McNabb is desperate to win a Super Bowl. He’s on the backside of his career, at 32 and in his 11th season. Not that old, but getting there in NFL terms. He has said numerous times that there is a “limited time window” to win a championship. The older he gets, the more limited the window becomes. I think the Eagles are doing whatever they can to help him get his ring. But even so, signing Vick doesn’t make sense to help that goal. Why not sign a wide receiver? There were a few available in the off-season and the Eagles had money to spend.

Winning cures lots of problems. It will take a hell of a lot of wins (i.e., minimally getting to the Super Bowl) to overcome the controversy of signing Vick.

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Owen Wilson is a giant douche

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Owen Wilson (yes, the actor) is a giant douche. Let me explain.

He’s here in Philadelphia, filming a movie. He’s staying at the Four Seasons. Karen and I were at a wedding there on Saturday night. The cocktail hour after the ceremony was outside, in the courtyard. We were near a window and could see inside, specifically the entrance to The Fountain. I happened to be looking in, and there’s this shabbily dressed guy standing looking at the menu. It was Owen Wilson, possibly just coming from the gym. The bride was inside and asked him if he wanted to join the party for dinner. She was about 15 feet or so away from him. He said about two words and dismissed her with a wave of his hand, like he was waving off a dog.

How rude. Now I can understand his desire to be left alone. But he could have been nicer. Especially to a bride in her wedding dress. No congratulations, nothing. A little courtesy would have been nice. Apparently he forgets that it’s people like us who allow him to do what he does.

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Eagles’ dumb move: signing Michael Vick

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Wow.

I think the Eagles have made an insanely stupid move by signing Michael Vick (see the ESPN story).

Karen’s reaction was stronger than mine. The Eagles are banned from being on TV in the house. If I want to watch, I have to go out. But I am also very disgusted by Vick and his behavior. I don’t really care that he “served his time” – it was celebrity justice.

Do I now need to carry a weapon when I walk the dog? I hope not. I’m guessing there will be a strong reaction from Eagles fans. The problem is that it will probably be a mixed verdict – people desperate to win at any cost. I’m sorry, but the cost of having Vick on the team, regardless of how good a football player he is, doesn’t outweigh the negatives. We had to put up with T.O. and now this? Ugh.

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