"What we've talked about is how you balance this when you do get back to playing," Dungy said. "I said, 'You've got to carve out time for what's important.' I think he'll do that. I think he feels like his decisions let some of his fans down and he wants to make that right."
When it was suggested that there would be some backlash over the Eagles' decision to sign Vick, Reid did not disagree and said he understood. He added that it was up to Vick to convince the skeptics that he is sincere about being rehabilitated.
"This is America," Reid said. "We do make mistakes, and in this situation he has a chance to prove he is doing the right things and I think the fans will be excited for him as long as he continues to do them. He's been proactive, speaking all over the country and working with the Humane Society."
Perhaps some will be forgiving, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent out a strong statement condemning the signing.
"PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon told the Associated Press. "He electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water. You have to wonder what sort of message this sends to young fans who care about animals and don't want them to be harmed."
The Eagles source said Vick was interested in coming to Philadelphia even though he knows he won't be the starting quarterback.
"He wanted to be in a winning situation and he thought it would be ideal to be in a situation where he could ease back in as opposed to having the pressure of having to be the starting quarterback from Week 1," the source said.
Vick's last game, in fact, was on New Year's Eve of the 2006 season against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. He suffered an injury that knocked him out of the game before halftime and his life went into turmoil the following summer when the allegations about the dogfighting ring surfaced.
Now, Vick is back in Philadelphia and back in the NFL.
Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.
