Defending Vick

Added on Nov 18, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

After the Monday night massacre in D.C., quarterback Michael Vick is once again making headlines. This time for all the right reasons. Fifteen months after returning to the game, Vick has done what many never thought he could. For the first time in his eight-year career, he has transformed himself into a complete quarterback. This is greats news for the Philadelphia Eagles, but scary news for the rest of the NFL.

Unlike his time as a Falcon, Vick has received, and more importantly listened to, strict coaching from the Eagles. Head coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach James Urban have all worked with Vick to sharpen his techniques, improve his decision making and maximize his potential. And they’ve managed to do it without harnessing Vick’s unique talents.

Before diving into the best way to defend Vick, let’s put his 2010 season numbers in perspective:

- His 62.7% completion percentage is the highest of his career. His previous best was 56.4% in 2004.

- In five starts, he has thrown 11 touchdowns. The most he’s thrown in a 16-game season was 20 in 2006.

- In six games played he has accounted for zero turnovers.

- His 115.1 rating is tops in the league. The next highest is David Garrard at 104.9. Vick’s highest rating as a Falcon was 81.6 in 2002.

- His 7.8 yards per carry is the third highest in his career.

- In games which he has started and completed, he is 4-0. In all four games he’s thrown for at least 218 yards.

Numbers only tell part of the story. He is more patient in the pocket and more willing to read through his progressions, rather than take off and run at every opportunity. However, he still knows when to use his legs to escape trouble and/or make a play.

Vick also trusts the talent around him much more than he ever did in Atlanta. And why not when said talent includes DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Jason Avant? His cannon arm is perfectly suited for Jackson and Maclin’s deep speed. The days of having to check down to the tight end ten times a game are over.

So, how do you stop Michael Vick? In a word, pressure. The weakness in the Eagles offense is their inconsistent and beat-up offensive line. Applying pressure up the middle against first-year center Mike McGlynn and right guard Nick Cole will force Vick on his heels and prevent him from stepping up, setting his feet and launching laser strikes downfield.

This week’s opponent, the New York Giants, have registered 25 sacks. Justin Tuck, Osi Umneyiora and Barry Cofield have combined for 16. They have the necessary bodies up front to collapse the pocket, get in Vick’s face and disrupt his timing. It will also help to stop the Eagles run game, which will prevent them from utilizing play-action to freeze the safeties.

Overall, the Giants defense ranks first in yards allowed, fourth against the pass and third against the rush. The Eagles have yet to face an elite defense, so how Vick reacts will go a long way in determining how far he’s really come as a quarterback. Can he find ways to exploit the Giants attacking style? Will he become frustrated if things break down early? Is he capable of continuing his current hot streak against a tough division rival?

We’ll get answers to all these questions on Sunday night in what promises to be another classic Eagles-Giants battle. Vick is proving a lot of his doubters wrong, but he still has difficult work ahead to convince the skeptics he’s more than just a special athlete who happens to play quarterback.