In the end, the question of whether Michael Vick would be allowed to resume his football career despite the pressure from outraged dog lovers came down to a matter of supply and demand.

The National Football League is a business of supply and demand. There are 32 franchises in the league but fewer than 20 starting quarterbacks who could be considered top of the line. The backup quarterback situation is much thinner. Since college football is now such a matter of “coachball,” far fewer quarterbacks come into the pros NFL ready.

A case in point is the University of Oklahoma, whose quarterback, Sam Bradford, won the Heisman Trophy last year. In the Sooners’ system, before the ball is snapped not only the quarterback but the rest of the 11 players turn to the sidelines looking for directions. It resembles a Broadway musical more than a football game.

The Philadelphia Eagles, considered a probable contender in the NFC East, recently lost two of their key young starters for the season and then their backup quarterback, Kevin Kolb, suffered an injury. The Kolb injury sent chills up the competitive spine of Eagles management. Philly has a good quarterback in Donovan McNabb, but he’s 32 and has missed time because of injuries in recent seasons.

The Eagles reviewed the supply of available backups and found Vick at the top of the supply list.

He missed two seasons of football doing jail time, is just two years younger than McNabb and despite his superb athletic skills was an erratic passer during his days with the Atlanta Falcons. His ugly role in running the heinous dogfighting ring that landed him in prison and bankrupted him, still hung over him. The Eagles, however, were in no position to quibble. Owner Jeffrey Lurie gave the OK to sign him despite understanding the protests that might follow.

I never met Lurie and it’s clear that he made a business decision, but I suspect that he has a firm respect for the U. S. Constitution, which says that once a felon has served the time for his crime, he’s free to seek employment, even in his highly paid field of experience. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cleared Vick to play in the league once again if anyone wanted to sign him.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) immediately talked of buying billboard space on the byways leading to the Eagles’ stadium to protest Vick’s return. Lurie, in effect, replied “sticks and stones may break my bones but billboards will never hurt me.”

It took guts. For years the U. S. has had two renowned and highly respected organizations, the Humane Society of the United States and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which have served as watchdogs over the ethical treatment of animals. Why a lunatic fringe organization is needed to convert grass fires into five-alarm blazes is a mystery to me. Then again the lunatic fringe has always been popular with people who don’t put much effort into thinking clearly.

Vick now has his chance to work in his field of expertise. If McNabb stays healthy all season long, Vick may fade into semi-obscurity but at least he received his chance.

Former News Sports Editor Larry Felser appears in Sunday’s editions.