By Bill Mattis
AllStarInc

Who’s in charge of the insane asylum?  Is it the doctors, or the patients?

You kind of have to ask the same question about Michael Vick, don’t you?

The guy is basically on quadruple probation at this point, right?  He’s been given a very special second chance after a very serious situation almost cost him his livelihood as well as jail time.

If I’m Mike Vick’s agent after Vick was released from jail, I’m thinking a task force needed to be appointed to make sure that he walks DIRECTLY down the straight line…never straying outside the lines ever…EVER.

I’ll bet the agent did that, because agents are usually pretty good about that type of thing.

Now put yourself in the position of the task force kept to keep Mike Vick out of trouble.  The idea of a birthday party at a nightclub comes about and you request a guest list…because guest lists DO EXIST for this type of function.

When you see the name of a co-defendant from the dog fighting scandal on that list don’t you ask yourself the question…”Is this really a good idea?”

Maybe there were other people attending that night who Vick should probably refrain from associating with in public as well, who knows? 

Consequently, later that evening a shooting occurred after the birthday party started to break up, and supposedly the victim was the co-defendant. 

Michael Vick has claimed to have been “long gone” from the scene when the shooting occurred.

A video has surfaced that make Vick’s claim of having left the party “much earlier” potentially invalid.  In fact, if the tape is true, it supposedly shows Vick leaving about 4 minutes prior to the shooting.

Now, for the record, let’s remember that all of the facts have yet to surface.  Speculation can be a very dangerous thing.  If all is proven that Mike Vick had nothing to do with what happened, then I guess he needs to be given the benefit of the doubt in regards to the specific incident.

But you see, this article isn’t about who did the shooting, or who was shot, or any of that.  Those crimes will all be determined down the road by somebody who is much more intelligent than me. 

And in Vick’s defense, let’s be for real.  I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to bars only to have somebody I know SHOT later that evening after I left, so I know where he’s coming from.  I mean c’mon….It happens!  Right?  Tell me this hasn’t happened to you too?

Yes, please read lots of sarcasm into that last sentence.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire…guilt by association if nothing else.  Why even be in the place?  Why even put yourself in the position to have to experience the drama?  What’s the point?  Or is it something that just cannot be avoided when it comes to Michael Vick?

I believe these are all fair questions.  Drama is something that Michael Vick needs to avoid like the plague.

In addition, drama (especially in regards to Mike Vick) is something the Eagles want to avoid as well. 

That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles “pulled the trigger here”….WHOOPS, poor choice of words I suppose….I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles chose to “move on” regarding the Mike Vick experiment and cut Mike Vick from the team later this week.

It seemed like a good idea at the time (to me).  Many people did not agree then, and don’t agree to this day.  This group of people doesn’t only consist of dog lovers and animal rights activists either.

From a pure football standpoint, you have a guy who is an amazing natural talent but very replaceable and probably a luxury.  And this is a “luxury” that carries a great deal of baggage in a time when extra bags can cost you a lot.

From a “Wildcat formation” standpoint the Eagles can use DeSean Jackson or LeSean McCoy.  McCoy ran the wildcat offense at Pitt and was very successful in doing so.

Getting a backup QB is a little more of a challenge, but you KNOW some reliable veteran will be a salary cap victim somewhere and become available between now and the end of training camp.

I’m not so sure re-visiting the Jeff Garcia days is the answer.  I’d definitely like to see what else is out there first.  Jeff was great when he was here before, but I’m thinking there must be something better out there.  Garcia would be on a pro roster right now if he was such a great answer.

Even if Vick is proven to be innocent of the actual crime committed that night, he still is making headlines on sports pages that the Eagles would prefer not happen.

And this all comes at a time when the Eagles have been conspicuously absent from the headlines. 

The Sixers have their new Coach and new star draft pick.  The Flyers are seeking a goalie.  The Phillies are scrambling to try and keep their drive to another pennant despite injury after injury.

And the Eagles have Mike Vick at nightclubs where people are getting shot.  Great.  What do you think that does to Jeff Lurie’s blood pressure?

If one existed, I’d guess that the person in charge of keeping Vick out of trouble has likely been fired at this point.  At least I hope so.

Now, I think it’s time for the Eagles to do the same thing with Mike Vick.  I think it’s time to move on and let him see if he can continue his career somewhere else.