Another Brad Lidge save opportunity, another bitter pill to swallow.  One doesn't even need to see tomorrows interviews to know that Charlie Manuel, when asked why he continues to go to Lidge, will answer "He is my closer."  I would love, LOVE, to believe that Charlie is holding out for Brett Myers to return to the team so he can be given a chance at the closer role, but right now that would be hard to believe.  Fans and media alike are second-guessing Charlie's decisions to continue to throw his support behind Lidge as a closer and it will continue to get worse ever time he chooses him over another pitcher.  When does enough become enough?  Nine blown saves....nine wins.  Even if the Phillies manage to make the playoffs this year, who do they turn to in the last inning to hold down a lead?  It is too late in the season to be having this kind of problem, especially for a team leading the division.  I could run down the list of pitchers in the bullpen who could be given a chance to close, but what's the point.  So at this point, what do you do if you're Charlie Manuel?  How much longer do you stick with your closer?  Who do you put in to nail down these wins?  I'm no pro when it comes to baseball, but there is one thing I am sure about.  Brad Lidge, for this 2009 season, is not an effective closer and I cannot continue to put faith in his ability, hoping he will show that form from 2008.  Whatever has gone wrong with his stuff, it has gone terribly wrong and he is dragging down his teammates and his team with him.  I hope I'm not the only one noticing that the Phillies defense gets pretty sloppy behind Lidge, like they're trying too hard to cover for his mistakes or something.  I don't know.  Hopefully something will be resolved in this situation, that's what I have to believe.

I can say that on Thursday when I heard Vick was signed by the Birds, my jaw was hanging open for quite a bit.  I'm a dog owner, I love my dog, I respect animals, so what Michael Vick did several years ago had me disgusted.  To hear he was now going to be part of the team that I've been supporting and watching for 15 plus years had me thinking "32 teams out there in the NFL and he lands on mine???"

Then came the press conference.  I listened to what Andy Reid, Michael Vick, and Tony Dungy had to say.  Now of course this is personal opinion, as everyone has one, but I felt for Michael Vick, and I now look forward to his work as an Eagle.  Do I totally believe in everything he had to say?  No, of course not.  He needs to prove that he understands and is truly upset with himself with what he did to go to jail.  I've made mistakes in my life, and I'll admit I've made a costly one as well, so I understand to a point where Vick is coming from.  The thing about second chanses is that you have to prove that the mistake you made in life is just that... a mistake.  You move on, never forgeting about what you did, but doing your best to be a better person.  What Vick did was an absolute horror, something most of us can't understand or fathom, can't imagine how he could have done the things he did.  He has to live with that.

Michael Vick chose to come to Philadelphia.  He was accepted and vouched for.  Had anyone but Tony Dungy vouched for him, I don't think I'd be writing this right now.  The Eagles and their fans have a great amount of pride and character, and that character was shown by giving Michael Vick something that many other people wouldn't give him.  I truly believe that if he is really honest with himself and us, if he shows that he's a better man for what happened before, if he is proactive in speaking out for animal rights, then he'll be alright in my book... BUT ONLY THEN!!!  Vick has been humbled, you could see it in the press conference.  His swagger is gone, so is his attitude that defined his as a great quarterback.  Now it's up to him.  People do deserve second chanses.... I say let's see what he does with his.