"Brian Baldinger, the NFL Network analyst who has lived in Philadelphia since 1992, was shocked at first that the Philadelphia Eagles would risk signing fallen NFL star Michael Vick to a two-year deal.But the more Baldinger reflected on the move, the more he thought of the staggering defensive losses the Eagles have suffered and the urgency to compensate offensively.

There was the recent death of beloved defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who succumbed to his battle with melanoma cancer July 29. There was the offseason free-agent loss of defensive leader, safety Brian Dawkins. Then, there was the season-ending loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, 25, and considered a rising star and the defensive signal caller. Bradley tore the anterior cruciate ligament inside his right knee.

In that light, the signing of Vick makes sense to add the dynamic of speed and the potential to score more points to an Eagles team suddenly hurting on the defensive side. Under Johnson, Philadelphia had the NFL's third-best defense last season.

"The ship has definitely changed," Baldinger said. "No knock on Sean McDermott (Johnson's successor). And nobody has put more coordinators out there who have been successful the last few years than Andy Reid. But you always could lean on Jim Johnson. Maybe this defense isn't what Andy is used to in the past. Maybe the Eagles have to go out and score more points now."

Vick, who served 18 months in federal prison plus two months of home confinement for his role in running a dogfighting ring, could provide a different dynamic as a Wildcat quarterback who could combine with speed receiver threats DeSean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Maclin, plus running backs Brian Westbrook and rookie LeSean McCoy in several situational packages.

"When the Eagles signed T.O. that wasn't the most popular thing to do," Baldinger said. "But that was the best year Donovan McNabb has had as an Eagle and it was the year they went to the Super Bowl (2004).

"I think Andy recognizes this league is all about integrating the most talent you can.

"They're just bringing Michael Vick in to create a Wildcat package. They had (second-year wideout) DeSean Jackson running their Wildcat package last year. But he can't throw the ball the way Mike Vick can.""