• April 27, 2024

The Unexpected Absence Of Jackson Exposed Reid And Vick

There’s no question that DeSean Jackson was missed by the Eagles yesterday. His attitude has been in the pits for awhile now.  He missed a Special Teams meeting on Saturday and that led Andy Reid to deactivate him for the game versus the Cardinals.  His spokesman, Bobby McRae says his missing of the meeting was an honest mistake.  He simply overslept.

“He wants to be an Eagle, he’s happy being an Eagle, he loves what he’s doing in the community, but he realizes there are consequences for his actions and he’s not above the team,” said McRae. “When he gets back he’s going to be motivated and he’s going to work hard to contribute to what he needs to do.”

The unexpected absence of Jackson exposed the weaknesses of Andy Reid and Michael Vick.  Reid’s strength is as a game planner and I’m sure his game plan for the Cardinals with Jackson in the lineup was a lot better than the garbage which we saw yesterday.

You and I know that Reid isn’t nearly as effective when he has to think on his feet.

In the past when Jackson has missed games, the Eagles were able to game plan all week for his absence.  Yesterday, Andy Reid had to improvise on the spot and you know that’s not his strength.   It also meant Vick was going to have to face different coverages than he had seen all week.

They had worked all week on a game plan with passing routes which had Jackson on the field, but they had to adjust to making the game plan work with him out there.

“Honestly, it was tough,” Vick admitted. “Playing with a guy you go to war with each and every week, a guy you have confidence in . . . him not being there, it was a blow for everybody. Not just me.”

I didn’t like the fact that Vick had no problem blaming everything on Jackson’s absence.

“Any time a team sees that you don’t have one of your best players on the field, they can change their strategy in an instant,” Vick said. “They were able to make adjustments and make it tough for us.

Result was a disaster as the Eagles let the Cardinals come into Lincoln Financial Field and beat them in front of their fans.

GCOBB

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runtheball09
runtheball09
November 14, 2011 9:44 am

I think Andy Reid deserves alot of credit. Alot of credit for being a fucking retard. This guy is so stupid. There are other ways of penalizing players and not the entire fan base/team. This guy is a disaster. FIRE REID

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 10:00 am

And Reid still won’t get fired. They will use this bullshit lockout excuse. Yes the lockout that every other team dealt with. The lockout that the Niners came back from with a rookie head coach and washed up QB and now sit at 8-1. Same lockout. Not that the D coordinator is out of his depth and has blown six fourth quarter leads. It was the lockout. Not that the QB has totally regressed because Andy and Marty fail to provide proper run support. It was the lockout. And the O line has played well by the way. Jason Peters may be AP this year. Mudd has done his job. Vick gets hit because he holds the ball. But its the lockout. This team bet their defensive future on a seventh round draft pick that played three solid games. But its the lockout. We committed tons of cash to an average QB that had seven good games when we had all year to assess. But its the lockout. Get ready for the lockout excuse because Reid will be back next year. And then when we jump out to a 5-2 start somehow. Oh they extended him for three more years. What was that definition of insanity again Mr. Banner?? I think you may be going insane!

Everz11
Everz11
November 14, 2011 10:01 am

Reid needs to go. Trade Vick while you still can. Lets get Andrew Luck to go with a phenominal Shady Mckoy. Lets blow it up and start over with a new attitude, and commitment to both the run game and defense.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:05 am

There is no QB in the NFL that would have been successful throwing to Steve Smith and Riley Cooper as their number one and two options…you guys realize WR’s have to do their part also…QB can’t throw to covered WR’s….
dumb asses, trade Vick? you can’t be serious! For who?

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 10:13 am

Real…you can’t possibly think Vick has played well this year. He was awful yesterday. You be real and stop with the blind Vick love. He has been a major disappointment. He’s a turnover machine. Some of it has been Reid’s fault and some has been bad luck but Vick has not been what we needed him to be this year. He looks like a “typical run first athletic QB from a southern school that can’t play in the NFL” QB. You decide what five letter word goes inside the quotes.

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 10:17 am

to try to defend Michael Vick today is ludicrous. He is about five minutes away from flipping off the fans like he did in Atlanta. He got his money and now the hard work for redemption has ended. How long before he starts missing meetings and showing up late for practice. Is he still a total punk that thinks he’s above the law? No. Is he regressing back into the sulking arrogant jerk that he has been in the past? Maybe. Is he regressing as a QB? Absolutely.

runtheball09
runtheball09
November 14, 2011 10:31 am

hi think this whole team is playing the way they are and they’re trying to send out a message to the fans and the powers that be… “we don’t want to play for these coaches, they’re doing everything wrong”

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:34 am

Actually I do believe Vick has played well enough to get victories, especially early on against ATL, SF, NY even Buffalo, But his play the last two games, has been erratic and inconsistent no doubt….but, this is a team sport, our defense let us down in every loss this year, dont forget…and despite how bad Vick played yesterday, the defense could have ended the game, with a stand!

Yesterday, Vick was awful and the fact that Maclin and DJAX weren’t on the field played a big part to that…dont you think? Riley Cooper and Steve Smith, what were you expectations for them? expect them to fill Maclin and DJAX’s shoes? obviously some of you guys do…when you remember your top two WR’s you better expect the offense to struggle…McCoy should of gotten the ball a lot yesterday!

If the Eagles believe S Smith is the answer to replacing DJAX, well they got their answer yesterday…Smack in the face to DJAX, we are paying Smith what 4mil for this season, if I were DJAX I’d be pissed too!

I am sooo tired of this site…full of winy ass bitches on this site…come here looking for real conversation, instead all I’m reading is hate , its ridicolous! and half of you were on Vick’s balls just two weeks ago!

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:36 am

so you tell me….what did you expect from the WR core that was on the field yesterday?

darby80
darby80
November 14, 2011 10:39 am

Jackson would not make a difference in the game yesterday as well as the current wide receiver core including Jackson do have talent but don’t know how to win games.

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 10:42 am

Real…you make some good points. Reid is the primary problem. I do believe Vick can be successful but he has some more growing to do. He has to stop thinking he has arrived. I’m afraid the money and the accolades have gone to his head. AGAIN! He needs to get back to being humble and trying to lead by example. And I have never been on Vick’s nuts. Guys get hot in this league. Remember Bobby Hoying? Vick got hot for seven games and we all thought he was reborn. He has meanwhile shown that defenses have figured him and the Eagles offense out. And now he is getting all the way back to the QB he was in Atlanta. Some of that is Reid’s fault but most of it is Vick’s fault. He turns the ball over trying to force things.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:42 am

Defending Vick, about trade talks…you call that ludicrous? LMAO…I call trade talks about Vick asinine!

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:44 am

YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD NO IDEA WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT! DJAX MAKING NO DIFFERENCE…OUR OFFENSE MOVED THE BALL AGAINST ALL TEAMS WE PLAYED THIS YEAR WITH DJAX…NOT TO MOVE THE BALL AGAINST THE CARD’S WHO HAVE ONE OF THE WORST PASSING DEFENSES IN THE LEAGUE,

SHOWS EXACTLY HOW MUCH DJAX WAS MISSED…!!! GET THE f OUT OF HERE WITH THAT DUMB ASS TALK!

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 10:45 am

Real….giving DeSean 8 Million $$ would be another huge mistake. He can take his act to the Raiders next year. They will pay him. He has the wrong attitude and has already peaked in this league. He is a one trick pony. He runs bad routes, has average hands, poor concentration, questionable work habits and no ballz.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 14, 2011 10:48 am

I’d expect the same thing as Matt Schaub who has gone 1/2 the year without Andre Johnson. Or Little Eli without Nicks for several games. Or Brees without Colston for several games, Even Romo has been playing without Austin.

From any opther Qb I would expect compentency.

What do I get from Vick? A brooding malcontent who was displaying some of the worst body language I’ve ever seen from a “leader” QB.

I get a 47% performance. I get 4 interceptions. I get a guy who can’t hit wide open WRs and TEs.

Of course I expect to see this from Vick, as you well know.

You really going to drop yesterday’s stinker on the fact that Vick was missing his #2 WR Realtalk?

runtheball09
runtheball09
November 14, 2011 10:48 am

desean opens up the entire field. it’s like having usain bolt on the field. he’s to explosive not to sign. if he gets over the top on a safety or gets single coverage with a corner it’s over. unfortuntely we have inept tightwads running our organization.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:49 am

would you rather have given the money to DJAX or Smith who is nothing but a shell of the man he once was?…I think making your top WR happy trumps trying to revitalize a career of a man that will never be the same…
One trick pony? please explain….does that mean he can only do one thing? if you are saying that..our conversation is over, I thought we were being serious.

ChuckRob
ChuckRob
November 14, 2011 10:50 am

Vick’s an easy target… I agree he did not play well… But yesterday’s game reminded me of when McNabb had to throw to Torrance Small, Charles Johnson and whatever other bum was on the roster. How do you complete passes to guys that are not open. D-Jax does make a difference on this roster, either pay him or get you a real #1. Dont take for granted him stretching the field. Man I’ve been around long enough to see some BAD eagles teams, this is a bad squad. They are far from a TEAM. Gut this team.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 10:57 am

@vinnie

the majority of the game, Maclin was out…so not just his #2 receiver, his number 1 and number 2 receivers out of the game…Enter Smith and Cooper…What expectations would you put on those two players? There are no excuses, Vick played poorly, for those of you blaming Vick and Vick alone…I am simply pointing out his top two WR’s were not in the game…and were replaced by WR’s that really should be on teams practice squad…they are not adequate WR’s on any team especially as 1 and 2 options…man coverage simply took Smith and Cooper out of the game

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 11:00 am

Real….I agree Smith was a waste. Thought so when they signed him. And he clearly does not fit on this team, is not accepted in the locker room and wishes he was still a Giant. But Jackson is not worth 8-10. He is on pace for around fifty catches and he is not leading the league in average. He has TWO TDS!!! TWO!!! Come on Real!!

ChuckRob
ChuckRob
November 14, 2011 11:04 am

What made the Eagles think that Smith was going to be OK, when the Giants who had him his entire career didn’t want him. Wasted Money… bad Personnel decision. Nnamdi, if you are not going to play him man to man on the best receiver, then it’s a bad personnel decision. Riley Cooper…cut him.

BTW, man this Vinnie never gives up does he… what is compentency?? Play calling makes a difference for any QB. It’s proven that Andy/Marty are not in game playcallers. They suck. I would’ve run McCoy 30 times yesterday…

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 11:05 am

They need to spend Jackson’s money on Michael Griffin, AP safety from Tenn. Then cut Jenkins and sign Dockett. Then package our pick and Arizona top forty pick and take best LB off the board. All after they fire Reid of course and go out and get a better coach.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 11:08 am

I totally agree!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 14, 2011 11:12 am

Maclin was in the game when Vick started 3 of 8.

Smith was wide open when ball sailed high and left over Smith on left sideline.

Celek wide open for potential TD when ball went 10 yrds over his head

Celek and Smith both open when Vick threw it in between them for the INT that was later overturned on a homer call

Smith standing wide open on right side during final drive when ball sailed

McCoy was wide open in right flat when Vick pulled ball down and took the helmet to the kidneys.

Just because the WRs were not getting the ball does not necessarily mean they were “taken out of the game”

BTW didn’t Maclin have to leave after Vick led him into the early kill shot? I thought you wanted to run Kolb out of here last year ’cause he did the same (throw late and high) to DJax.

Vick gets a pass on that of course….

I can name at least a dozen QBs who, if given the same game plan and WRs would have come out of that game with a W. And frankly, I cannot think of any QB in the league right now who would put up 47% and 4 ints against the Cardinals, regardless of WRs.

That was the worst QBing performance I’ve seen in a long time. And I remember Pat Ryan.

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 11:14 am

Regardless of anything Vick has or has not done, Andy is the problem. He is the one who made Castillo his D coordinator because the same man who let Brian Dawkins walk after ten years of loyalty and hard work and dedication will not fire lay off a mediocre assistant coach when he found someone better. No he had to be loyal and keep Juan around. And he is ultimately the one who convinced the front office to put all of our eggs in the Vick basket without taking some more time to assess his development.

ChuckRob
ChuckRob
November 14, 2011 11:17 am

I don’t think Vinnie understand a TEAM sport. Football is a TEAM sport. But I think I get it now… You own a Dog Pound and you are still bitter about Vick”s dog escapades. Man please get over it… The problems with this Team are way bigger than Michael Vick missing a few passes.

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
November 14, 2011 11:22 am

Bad playcalling and an overall lack of gameplan. Dropped passes. Inaccurate throws. Was all of the really due to D-Jax. I am pretty sure that those problems existed before this week.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 11:22 am

One more thing…

All week the offense was studying and practicing executing a game plan…A game plan that surely included DJAX…considering he wasn’t benched until Saturday (reportedly) So was there a new game plan, was there a plan B? even bigger than that was there a plan C, when Maclin got hurt?

I was with Andy Reid benching DJAX, but it bit us back in the ass, that’s how I see it…

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 14, 2011 11:34 am

Man that Andy Reid is just hanging Vick out to dry with the play-calling. No other QB has to throw it as much. They’re too pass-wacky!!!!!

Just look at Vick compared to the other QBs in the game!!!

Called passes per game (atts + sacks + scrambles)

Drew Brees 46
Aaron Rodgers 40
Matt Stafford 43
Joe Flacco 45
Tom Brady 43
Ben Roth 41
Mike VIck 42

I could go on. Suffice it to say, Vick gets called to throw the ball the same amount as his peers….in fact less so.

Isn’t he supposed to be the $100 million superstar no d co-ordinator can stop me starship or something?

Stinks. And yes, the #1 reason Reid will get fired is he (or someone in the org) convinced Lurie to drop $50 million guaranteed on a $5 million player!!

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 11:54 am

Vinnie – nice insightful posts, where you are simply blaming the QB, no other part of the offense is at fault (O line, WR’s coaches…) …do you have an evaluation about how the defense has played this year, in which has cost the Eagles games as well….? I’m a Eagles fan first, there are multiple ways to win a football game when certain things just aren’t going right…The defense sucks or is bad, is not thorough enough. Be thorough with this evaluation as you are with Vick…or do you not care about the defense only concerned about the performance of Michael Vick who you truly believe is a terrible QB…as an Eagles fan shouldn’t you want more from other parts of the team, considering you “know” or “belleve” Vick is a terrible QB…I mean the only way we can win with Vick in your eyes is if the defense plays lights out….

Defesne LOL we are still playing way too much zone…..We’ve all been saying man up with the CB’s, Eagles still have not done that consistently, nor have we blitzed enough. How do we let Fitgzeral get over the top a safety with like 2 mins to go in the game? Where was the CB on that play…yes we were probably in zone…Have we blitzed a CB this year? Safety? We’re not disguising our coverages very well. There are many games this year that if defense stands, we win the game. Yes Asante had a pick, for a TD, but defense gets on the field and gives it right back….

jakedog
jakedog
November 14, 2011 11:57 am

for as bad as Vick played the entire game, he could have redeemed himself by engineering a sustained, last drive for a touchdown, with plenty of time, to win the game, that’s what winning quarterbacks do, including the likes of that clown Eli manning, Joe flacco , on and on, even that stiff Tebow, who is not your prototype NFL quarterback, but he’s a winner, at the end of the day, Michaels Vick is a loser

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 12:03 pm

@Jake

LOL this coming from a man that said and I quote “Vick has shown that he can manage and execute a game plan”
Not too mention one that was on Vick’s band wagon last year…
Now you say, Vick is a loser, Vick sucks, trade Vick and see what Kafka can do….Jake, LMAO @ you!

At least Vinnie has stood firm of his opinion on Vick from day one…

paulman
paulman
November 14, 2011 12:07 pm

Does anyone else think that Vick is really the “Anti-Christ”.. I do and have removed all Eagles paraphenelia from the house and vehicles…

pheags88
pheags88
November 14, 2011 12:08 pm

Vick has been terrible, inconsistent, and a detriment more than a benefit to this team this year with his ridiculous amount of turnovers….the only people who can’t see that are just not Eagles fans, their dopes from ATL or VB who care all about Vick and would not even be an Eagle fan if Vick was somewhere else.

Reid has been terrible this year in making very poor moves in tantamount decisions that made this team horrible this year…You don’t hire your buddy to Coach D when he has no idea what the hell he is doing…There are some serious issues with the coaching on this team, just flat out terrible decisions by Reid in who he hired. Furthermore, for some asinine reason you let a Qb throw the ball who still has some serious deficiencies when the best player on your team McCoy is just sitting there being a nonfactor. I just dont get it. Vick shouldnt throw the ball more than 20 times a game period. The only people who cant see that are Reid lovers who are still in love with him from those NFC championships year after year, well guess what its been a long damn time since Reid has one a playoff game and needs to be held accountable for that by being let go.

Your not going o be able to get rid of Vick. The FO made their decision. He is here. BUT gameplans needs to change with him next year…Don’t let him throw more than 20-25 passes a game and feed the ball to your stud in McCoy all day long.

Reid should not be coach next year. You cant be afraid to make moves in this league. I would offer him a FO job but let him go as the Coach and let him take that retard D-Cord who puts 2 round rookies with no playing experience on Fitz when you have one of the best press corners in the league on the other side of the ball..Bring in Tony Dungy as head coach next year. Bring in Spags (who i think will be let go in St. Louis) who is a really good D-cord. and cut the trash on this team…I dont agreee with DjAX’s decisions but Man come on, Steve Smith is making more than him. That is a fucking joke.

reed_richards
reed_richards
November 14, 2011 12:12 pm

per Andy reid, Vick broke a couple of ribs on the 2nd play of the game.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 14, 2011 12:12 pm

Realtalk. You are correct there are plenty of other problems, including the D.

But look truthfully at the game Sunday. The Defense gave up 21 and scored 7, so basically they were -14 for the game.

You’ve got to expect that the team’s QB, who we’ve been told 52million times by every talking head on TV, in print, or on the radio, is a top 5 QB in the league. Can lead the offence to 15 points against the freekin’ Cardinals don’t you?

In 2011, Top 5 QBs don’t hit 47%. Even bottom 5 Qbs are better than that.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
November 14, 2011 12:13 pm

Reid announced Vick was playing with broken ribs yesterday, for majority of the game….

Any reports on this G COBB?

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
November 14, 2011 12:15 pm

Regardless of if they practiced all week, that gameplan was flawed too unless it consisted of giving the ball to McCoy 25-30 times against the 21st ranked rush defense in the league. Vick wasn’t as bad as he stats dictate because of all of the drops, but he wasn’t good against the 24th ranked pass defense.

jott1972
jott1972
November 14, 2011 12:26 pm

I dont care if Vick played without his left arm, Reid is the issue… he is the one who drafts and signs players, he is the one who let Jeff Dunham’s jalepeno pepper run the defense… he is the one who calls all the shots while Roseman plays fantasy football and Banner does the payroll.

paulman
paulman
November 14, 2011 12:33 pm

If Vick did indeed break some ribs on the 2nd play of the game, then get him out of there and put in VY to run your offense..

Stillmatic
Stillmatic
November 14, 2011 1:00 pm

I have been saying this for 3 years now. The Eagles do not have a home field advantage!!!! Fans are weak as hell and it is the quitest stadium I have ever been in the last 3 years. If you are no tinto the game and do not want to cheer then stay home!! Fans are dam weak teams come into the Linc and beat us and take our lunch money. Eagles are a soft football team. Vick shows no emotion or sense of urgency! Defense is a joke. Reid abandons the run every game. Fans are now being labled weeak and sof because they are so dam quiet. Team is in shambles and needs to clean house just like Penn St.

jakedog
jakedog
November 14, 2011 1:02 pm

Vick can manage, execute a game plan, but he is too inconsistent with his play, he’s disinterested, maybe too rich, loser

jakedog
jakedog
November 14, 2011 1:06 pm

and I don’t want to hear any crap about how bad it is to be beat by the type of Skelton, what do you know of his ability other than an observation watching him play in front of that terrible o line, but the hype machine about Vick has you all bought in, there comes a time when you have to say he just ain’t as billed, loser

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 1:45 pm

I agree the Eagles have no home field advantage. I don’t know if it is pressure or the fans lack of enthusiasm but they are brutal at home. I think the typical fan drinks too much and does not have their head in the game enough to cheer and get excited and create energy, I would like the fans to make these last few home games absolutely miserable for Reid but the fans just aren’t passionate enough to even do that. It will just stay quiet. I miss the Boo Birds from the Marion Campbell years. I wish they would rain on Reid for these last three games but those days are long gone. Its a shame because that is what this team really deserves is to be torturously aware of our extreme disappointment. But the current fan base could care less. They are either homers, drunk or disinterested.

jott1972
jott1972
November 14, 2011 1:49 pm

@stillmatic…. its the way the stadium was built… its not like the Vet where fans were right off the field…. they built this new stadium more like a college atmosphere less the number of seats…..the fans havent changed, just the venue..

@jakedog – sad when a player gets his contract and loses his passion…. Vick isnt stressed with debt anymore so there is no urgency

jott1972
jott1972
November 14, 2011 1:50 pm

– its the corporate structure of the new stadium…. more corporate employees and less REAL eagles fans…. its all about the money in today’s sports world..I bet at least 15% of the attendees are not Eagles fans and just there to enjoy a football game..

jott1972
jott1972
November 14, 2011 1:51 pm

as per above, meant corporate people there to watch a game due to free tickets from vendors or their companies…not Eagles fans, just football fans…

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 1:51 pm

If Vick is hurt, he needs to sit. Maybe it would help to watch for a while. The season is over. No need to risk further injury. No need to play someone who is not 100% Let VY earn his bloated paycheck for a couple weeks. Reid either is in no danger or cannot save himself at this point. So it just doesn’t matter if Vick doesn’t play. I want whatever player gives us the best chance to lose. Draft position is all that matters now. Right now we have a top ten pick. We need to try to get into the top five.

jbird
jbird
November 14, 2011 1:56 pm

jott….I hear ya. But clearly something is missing. Why are the fans afraid to boo? Thats what the team deserves. Do you guys think it is inappropriate or are fans afraid of the homers who may fight them for booing? And why so quiet?

BirdoBeamen
BirdoBeamen
November 14, 2011 2:01 pm

NO WONDER Vick was off. He clearly wasn’t himself yesterday and it cost us. Broken ribs on the second play of the game? I understand Vick’s warrior attitude but he hurt the team by trying to play through it.