Andy Reid and the Art of the Insurance Policy

The Eagles signing of Mike Vick is a head scratcher. Donavan McNabb’s fiery resurgence in the wake of a benching last season seemed to be the catalyst for the influx of new talent in the City of Brotherly Love. The Eagles brought in a Pro Bowl OT in Jason Peters, added WR’s in the first round of the last two drafts, and picked up LaSean McCoy with a second rounder this year. The offense seemed poised for a breakthrough with McNabb finally having both weapons around him and job security for the first time in his career.

 So, why sign Vick? Why now? Reid seems to have finally learned from this past season’s NFC championship game disappointment what he didn’t learn from the previous three. McNabb and Westbrook can’t do it all on their own, and both have shown susceptibility to a season ending injury. Vick isn’t going to push McNabb for the starting job, but he may be able to spell number 5 and fill in more admirably than could Kevin Kolb should McNabb miss a game or three towards the end of the season.

If Westbrook goes down, McCoy can step right in. If Kevin Curtis misses significant time again, a three-receiver set of DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, and Jeremy Maclin would be as good as McNabb has had since T.O. departure. Andy Reid finally has the depth to maintain an offensive balance. It may just be enough to get this team back into the Super Bowl.