Michael Vick Hit the Jackpot in Philadelphia

Judging from the tone of his voice and the red in his face, Ron Jaworski was an sharp critic of his former team's signing of Michael Vick.

"Jaws," a former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback turned ESPN football analyst, blasted the move, saying the Eagles were no better as a football team after the Vick signing. He couldn't understand why Vick would go to a team with an established starting quarterback. He even went as far as to say Vick's presence could present a threat to Donovan McNabb.

None of this made sense.

It didn't take long for Jaworski's peers to arrive at the correct conclusion - effectively reversing everything he claimed - but there were certainly other football fans who shared Jaws' opinion. Truth is, Vick's courtship of NFL franchises the past month has been the one of the largest and most high-profiled arranged marriages in sports history. Fortunately, the beleaguered quarterback and Philadelphia couldn't

Understand first that Vick's endeavor for a suitable NFL team wasn't an attempt to find an organization where he could quickly become a starter. It would've been a nice perk, but Vick's primary goal was to find a place where he could comfortable his feet wet. Patience is a virtue, and Vick needed a suitor who would allow ample time for him to readjust to pro football.

He found that in Philadelphia.

The Eagles have an established starting quarterback in McNabb, an unquestioned head coach in Andy Reid and an unyieldingly loyal fan base. Sure PETA will rally against Vick and the Eagles throughout the 2009 season, but the hardcore fans inside Philadelphia will quickly buy into this newly formed union. Once Vick starts reeling off highlight plays, his No. 7 Eagles jersey will start flying off the shelves of sporting goods stores in eastern Pennsylvania. PETA's protests won't be enough to stop the love.

It shouldn't be understated, either, that Vick received the fortunate of hooking up with a Super Bowl contender. The Eagles offense - a perennial yanwer compared to their vaunted defense - is revamped with talented second-year receiver DeSean Jackson, rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin and rookie running back LeSean McCoy joining proven tailback Brian Westbrook.

Vick adds another dimension to an offense that should already be one of the best in the NFC. (There has never been a better prototype for a Wildcat quarterback than Vick. The Miami Dolphins drafted Pat White in the second round exclusively so he could run their Wildcat package. Vick is 10 times better the better fit than White. Think Jaworski's face was red? Wait until defensive coordinators try to game plan against him.) Sure there were other teams who could've benefited more from bringing Vick on board. I will never understand why Minnesota and Carolina didn't jump at the chance of signing him. But there is no risk adding an explosive Vick to an already dynamite offense. None.

Make no mistake. Barring injury, Vick will never start a game at quarterback in Philadelphia. He likely won't even crack second string. McNabb is rightly cemented in the starting spot after leading the Eagles to the playoffs in 2008 for the seventh time in his career with a career-high 3,916 passing yards along with 23 touchdowns. His undisputed heir apparent is Kevin Kolb.

But everything is lined up well enough in 2009 for Vick to prove himself to the rest of the NFL. He's only 29 and reports from his first practice with Philly indicate he still has plenty of skill. The Eagles could use Vick as trade bait next offseason like the New England Patriots did with Matt Cassel this summer.

If he approaches it the right way, a perfect marriage in Philadelphia could allow Vick to spend his honeymoon with another woman.