by William Engelman

Created on: August 12, 2009   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

A great player is truly defined by his actions. A great player makes smart, unpressured and responsible decisions. A great player knows that with fame comes great responsibility. Michael Vick lost his status as a great player.

The once QB for the Atlanta Falcons, had a blossoming career. That blossoming career became withered when he was found guilty of gambling and running a dog-fighting ring.

Vick has been sidelined in jail for two years, and two years to think about what his selfishness cost him. His actions not only affected his career, but have affected fans and children who looked up to the 3 time pro bowler.

Vick constantly lied to his team and coaches, the ex-QB even found it in his heart to lie straight to the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell. Those are the kind lies that ultimately kill any chances of redemption for most.

If Vick took his time in jail to mature, he is one of the few that can still be redeemed.

So where does that leave the once feared Quarterback? He could run and gun better then anybody to lead an offense. Michael Vick can arguably have been better then Randall Cunningham in his prime. Now it would seem he is starting almost as a rookie but worse.

If Vick does what a great player does, he took this opportunity to make him better. Two years in jail gives someone a lot of time to train and think. Hopefully Michael Vick did both.

Now that Michael Vick found a team the Philidelphia Eagles, we should expect to see him with a coach that will discipline this fine athlete. We can expect that Vick will still do some wonderful things on that field; hopefully Vick and Coach Andy Ried can control the media frenzy that will follow.

The now Eagle Quaterback will have to focus on building relationships with his teammates and fans. His past is surely going to follow him throughout the remainder of his career; and a great player, which Vick has the potential to become, will spin that into something for a lot of people to learn from. Everything that has happend to Vick should be used as fuel for the fire.

We can expect Vick to play with tenacity that we have never seen from this young man. He will want to redeem himself, and it will take a game or a season for him to play a down comfortably. The first series of downs that we will see from this All American will be big and we can believe will be memorable.

If there is a team that can handle the baggage, then there is a team with a Super Bowl in its future and now it's the Eagles. If there is a team that has a great coach; he will find himself with an individual that is ready to prove his value and to regain that status of a great player. Andy Ried has found his player.

With a double threat from McNabb and Vick, anything will be possible on the field. Just as anything is possible for an Athlete that rises to the challenge of redemption.

Learn more about this author, William Engelman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.