Full Cirlce

Some say Michael Vick came full circle last season when he ran and threw for a touchdowns against his former team (in Atlanta). Where the fans chanted "we want Vick" despite their hometown team losing. This must have been some vindication for Vick after the organization's and city's falling out with him (in the wake of the notorious dog fighting scandal). Others tell you it was recently when he started his first game since 2006 and defeated the now 0-3 Detriot Lions. However, I say his true full circle unfolds this Sunday afternoon. Michael Vick is about to play in what is perhaps his biggest game since returning to the NFL.

Vick has returned from the rock bottom of his career (banned from the league) to again lead a team into a huge rivalry driven, in division NFC match up. This all important divisional showdown will be the first time in many years that a team has believed and trusted in Vick (as the starter) to lead them to victory. While diving into the stands (last season) and basking in the glory of re-acceptance by the Atlanta fan base was important to his NFL revival, Vick now has his true second chance to solidify himself as that franchise quarterback.

Vick became the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise by leading them to the playoffs twice. including a trip NFC Championship. The Vick led Falcons were one game shy of facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 39, but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10. Two years prior in the 2002 NFC Divisional Playoff game, Vick's team also lost to the Eagles by only managing 6 points, in a 20-6 defeat. The opposing quarterback in both of Vick's playoff defeats was none other than Donovan McNabb. McNabb was  the face of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2000-2009 with a 92-49 (in game's started) record and led the team to  a super bowl and five NFC Championship games. In 2009 McNabb lobbied for his team to acquire Vick who became the Eagles third string quarterback in 2009. Now as a member of the struggling Washington Redskins, McNabb must face his old city, old fans, old team, and their new leader Michael Vick.

This is only a week four match up, but there is drama thriving beneath the surface, despite McNabb's claim "it's just another game". There is much on the line for these two quarterbacks on Sunday. McNabb will want to defeat the man who has replaced him, and Vick will want to prove himself as a worthy replacement in the city of brotherly love. What makes this game so hard to predict is that it is difficult to see the McNabb/Mike Shannahan Redskins dropping to 1-3. It is also hard to see McNabb not playing well in such a big game. A game that has him returning to the place where he became great. On the other side it is hard to see the Eagles not playing well, as they have been such a revitalized offensive team under Vick. The  new Eagles  quarterback is back in his top form and is such a dynamic player that in the end it seems safest to say the Eagles take this game, 27-20. If the Eagles do indeed win; in steps Michael Vick and out steps Donovan McNabb as the face of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sources Used

www.espn.com
www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com