The Show.

After replacing an injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1 and showing that he can do some damage, Vick got the nod for the Eagles' week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions. A lot of speculation was buzzing about what was to become of Vick's career, but after his performance in week 2 one thing is clear: Michael Vick is still capable of being a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.

Some people may be unwilling to accept this apparent reality because of who he was, but there seems to be a new side of Michael Vick, and this new side makes him someone to root for. To put this idea in perspective a bit, think about this: Vick was possibly the most hated person in all of sports. People wanted him to suffer. He was arrested, and after having everything he ever earned stripped from him (and rightfully so) he was forced to start from scratch and prove himself once again. The Eagles, who were the only team willing to give him another chance, put him under the wing of Donovan McNabb for a year, in which he played well during limited action. The Eagles then parted ways with Donovan, and with McNabb gone, the Eagles decided to overlook Vick as a starter and give the job to Kevin Kolb, which was understandable considering Vick was still unproven since his return to the NFL. Fast forward to week 1 of the season where Michael Vick was thrown into the fire after Kolb went down with a concussion, and Vick's performance in that game surprised just about everyone. Come week 2, all eyes turned to Vick. All these things considered, that's a lot of adversity to overcome. This is the side of Michael Vick that I like. He started over, took the one chance he was given and he's now making the best of it. Does this excuse his actions that got him arrested and put him out of football? Of course not. But it does, however, warrant a second look at the man no one wanted to look at - the man that everyone thought was better off suffering. I'm not saying I didn't want Vick to suffer, but I am realizing that I have a new respect for Vick as a player and a person. I can't imagine it'd be easy to come back after all he's been through, and it takes a strong football player and a strong person to do what he's been able to do since returning. And with the pressure continually mounting and the questions perpetually swirling - Can he start as a quarterback? Is he as good as the Michael Vick of old? Could the Eagles have a difficult decision to make about who their starting quarterback is going to be? Should he even be given a second chance? - he has responded. In his week 2 start he had 284 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions while also helping the Eagles get their first win of the season.

So now in Philadelphia a decision will have to be made regarding their starting quarterback situation, but perhaps more surprising than what the answer to this question might be is the fact that the question is even being asked - the fact that Michael Vick is being considered as a starting quarterback. When he was arrested, who thought he'd make it here?

Nothing he ever does on the football field will excuse certain actions he took off the field, but what his actions on the field can do is restore some faith in those who gave up on him as a person and a football player, because what he's doing wouldn't be easy for anyone.