After 2 years away from football, Michael Vick is back in the NFL on a conditional basis.

Michael Vick has been reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. According to the NFL these conditions allow Vick to sign, practice and play in the final two preseason games, former coach Tony Dungy mentor. Finally, Goodell will evaluate Vick’s reinstatement status by week 6. It still sounds like a blanket suspension with pay to me. But I’ll take what I can get if it means getting him back into the League.

In a statement released to the Associated Press, Vick expresses remorse and gratitude for the opportunity to play in the NFL once again:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League,” Vick said. “I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.

“As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.”

Personally, I hope that it works out for Vick – he has paid his debt to society and deserves another opportunity to earn a living.

The professional career of Eagles rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will be on hold for at least a day as the speedster out of the University of Missouri remains unsigned.

As of press time there are only three signed first round picks. In the case of Maclin – selected 19th overall there was only one player signed in the bottom half of the first round (Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns – terms undisclosed). The Eagles need apparently need to gauge where they can begin negotiations with Maclin so they’re waiting possibly for picks 18 and 20 to sign.

Given Maclin’s potential and the possibility of losing too much practice time to negotiations, this isn’t a chance the Eagles can afford take.

In other camp news: Andy Reid says that he spoke with disgruntled cornerback Sheldon Brown via text and says that he will be in camp by mid-week. Players 30 years and older will be given every third morning of practice off. Great news for players like Donovan McNabb, Kevin Curtis and members of the offensive and defensive lines.

It’s the question that’s been plauging Eagles fans since  running back Brian Westbrook underwent offseason ankle surgery. The Birds are optimistic that Westbrook will remain in one piece and effective if he sees little to no action in the preseason. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet LeSean McCoy.

At 5’10″ 200 lbs, Eagles second round pick LeSean McCoy is a Brian Westbrook clone. Whether he can step in and give the coaches anything resembling their Pro Bowl prototype remains to be seen. The Eagles seem to be comfortable with every position of the offense except the running back position. Westbrook may miss a game or two and the Birds can live with that, the problem lies in the production of his replacement. Last season, Lorenzo Booker was brought in only to fail miserably. Correll Buckhalter, a mainstay always there to spell Westbrook signed with the Denver Broncos – leaving the Eagles to turn to the draft and free agency.

Enter McCoy, who last season had 308 carries for 1,488 yards and 21 TDs as a senior at Pitt. He is looked upon as a shifty receiver with good hands that can provide the same element to the West Coast Offense that Westbrook does. In the event BWest goes down McCoy’s carries last season prove that he can endure a hefty workload.

Leonard Weaver may be the best fullback acquired in the Andy Reid era and possibly the best Eagles fullback since Kevin Turner in the mid-late 1990′s. Weaver, a free agent signing from the Seattle Seahawks brings the R&B element to the fullback position Running, Receiving and most importantly Blocking. Weaver will get his touches in this system while giving the Birds a much needed blocker for Donovan McNabb. Lorenzo Booker is going to be the third back on the depth chart and may see more action on special teams this season.

 I believe the Birds need to cut their loses with Booker and go with a veteran that could split time with McCoy in the event BWest goes down. Edgerrin James and Warrick Dunn are out there, nothing more than 10-12 touches a game.

Of course we’re hoping it doesn’t come to this…