Exit Ingram, Enter Vick

Courtesy: AP/Matt Rourke

After reading this excellent article by Bob Brookover recounting the decision to sign Michael Vick, the ol’ wheels began a spinnin’. Apparently, the Eagles brain trust tabled the Vick question only ten days ago. I assumed it was further back, more like a month, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. So, around August 5th or 6th is when the team first introduced the idea of signing Vick.

This date roughly meshes with the time when rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram left practice with swelling on his knee. On August 8th, an MRI revealed he had torn his ACL once again.

Remember all the talk in mini-camps and the early days of training camp about how great Ingram looked? Reid spoke of his unique athleticism and potential as a playmaker. It was rumored Ingram would be moved around in formations to create mismatches. There was even talk that the former quarterback would be ideally suited to run a “Wildcat” offense. Ruben Frank of phillyburbs.com wrote the following on April 27:

“Ingram’s versatility and athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect in the Wildcat formation. Here’s a kid who was ranked as the No. 11 high school quarterback in the U.S. coming out of Hawthorne (Fla.) High School. There’s a lot the Eagles can do with him.”

There’s a lot they can do with him. Sound familiar?

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Vick became an Eagle after Ingram suffered another devastating, possibly career-threatening, knee injury. The Birds had big plans for Ingram. Now, they have even bigger plans for Vick. Or so we are led to believe.

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Tags: Cornelius Ingram tears ACL again, Eagles draft Cornelius Ingram, Michael Vick signs with Eagles, Vick practices with Eagles