ESPN.com's Dan Graziano cited sources as saying the Eagles and QB Michael Vick have "agreed on a six-year, $100 million contract with $40 million in guarantees." Graziano wrote, "My first thought was that this speaks loudly about the way the Eagles right now are managing their franchise: Everything they do revolves around and depends on Vick." The deal is "about Vick and the Eagles' decision to hitch their wagon to his mercurial star in spite of his risky style of play and his proximity in time to his legal troubles" (ESPN.com, 8/29). In Philadelphia, Jeff McLane notes the Eagles "have spent an incredible amount of money since the lockout ended in late July -- approximately $225 million in contracts to rookies, free agents and now Vick" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/30).
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: In Pittsburgh, Ed Bouchette reported the Steelers promoted Dir of Football Operations Kevin Colbert to GM, making him "the first to hold that title in Steelers history." Colbert had held his previous title since the team hired him in '00. Bouchette noted the Steelers have had three presidents, player personnel directors and directors of football operations, "but never a general manager." The new title "was merely slipped into their 2011 media guide, which is available only in digital version at the moment on the team's website." There is "no elaboration as to the promotion, merely a title change for Colbert and a line in his biography that he is in 'his first year as the team's general manager'" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/29).
BLACK & TEAL: An editorial in this week's JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL notes the "disappointing news that the Jaguars are in danger of falling back into the TV blackout abyss this season." Season ticket sales last week "were about 15,000 short of the level needed to avoid a TV blackout for the opening game of the season on Sept. 11" against the Titans. The Jaguars avoided TV blackouts for home games last season when "a volunteer effort led by Team Teal made tremendous progress drumming up ticket sales." The editorial notes the Jaguars' front office is "now worried that if the opening game is blacked out, it could dampen ticket sales for the rest of the season" (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/26 issue).
