• March 28, 2024

Vick Leading Teammates With Hard Work

One of the most memorable lines from the football classic Remember the Titans was receiver Julius Campbell telling team captain Gerry Bettier that “attitude reflects leadership.” I’m not sure if he’s seen the film, but with his work ethic as proof, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has set out to change the attitude of this Philadelphia team, by not  only becoming a better quarterback, but by becoming a better leader.

“Vicariously, we all feed off one another because we’re all working hard,” Vick said after practice. “The guys see me here every day busting my butt to be the best quarterback I can be in order to fulfill my responsibilities for this team. When everybody starts to see that, I think that everyone does it and the other guys will follow them.”

Vick’s open embrace of the leadership role this season hasn’t gone unnoticed. Eagles tight end Brent Celek commented on how impressed he with his quarterback.

“He’s looked really good,” Celek said. “I’m impressed by Mike. Mike is the leader of this team, and we all know about his athletic ability and his leadership is outstanding. I’m always excited for a new season, but I’m especially excited for this one.”

In addition, to stepping into the leadership role, the Pro-Bowl QB has also been working on his passing accuracy. Although Vick’s completion percentage has improved since he’s been with the Eagles (averaged a completion percentage of 52.2% in six seasons with Atlanta Falcons; averaging a completion percentage of 56.2% in three seasons with Eagles), Vick still struggled to connect with his receivers, throwing a career-high 14 interceptions last season.

“Obviously, you want to have poise during tough situations and during the blitz and still be able to maintain accuracy and the integrity of the pocket. I’ve been just trying to do that and I’ve been working hard on it. I think that anything you work hard and set your mind up to do, you can do it.”

Although he recognizes that he has a hard time throwing the ball with accuracy, much like his style of play, Vick refuses to change his form. “I’m too late in my career to start changing my form so I’m just focusing in on ball placement and I think it’s just a mindset to get the ball where he needs to be” the former Hokie said.

With talent at nearly every position on the field, all the Eagles need is a true leader. The mediocrity and apathy evident at certain points in last year were proof enough that the there was no leadership on the field. As the franchise quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick embracing that leadership role and improving his accuracy can only produce positive results for the Eagles this season. Let’s hope his hard work pays off when it counts the most.

Michea Bryant

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Frank22
Frank22
June 8, 2012 10:06 am

goog article.

I hope Vick changes my mind about him

Erock
Erock
June 8, 2012 10:16 am

Nice write up on the dudes progress as the leader of the club. Already planning camp trip.

Saw G postsomething on FB about Ryans running nick and dime like a well oiled machine.Im feeling this squad direction and focus. Let the chips fall and get back to nasty Bird D and we should be able to compete high level come winter. Go Birds.

Rasheed1
Rasheed1
June 8, 2012 10:23 am

Like I said in the “Desean is a leader now” thread, This all sounds great, but none of it matters until we get to see how it translate to the field on Sundays. I’m encouraged, and happy to here this type of news rather than hearing that he is slacking off or whatever, but I think I’m going to have a wait and see attitude about this team and all the players. They look good from where I stand, but I cant tell if they are REALLY REAL yet. I hope Vick and Desean and all the guys really back up all this praise they are getting, but I wont get too excited just yet.

DCar
DCar
June 8, 2012 10:36 am

Rasheed, I agree 100%. Everyone looks great, are leaders & are progressing, in non-contact drills & in shorts. Let’s stop the forcing down, everyones throat, all of the articles of Vick looks this, Vick is doing that, Vick is ready for blah blah blah !!! We’re not even in freaking mini-camps yet. For Christs sake, let them get in pads first, & translate their so-called progressions onto the field, before we start over-reacting & overboard, with the meaningless praise! CHILL!

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
June 8, 2012 10:45 am

I really appreciate Vick’s work ethic and hope he can stay healthy enough to mask the Andy created deficiencies within the team.

I need to say…….

this same line can be said for anyone this time of year…

We Eagles fans are beyond the fluff, just show us when the games begin…

The preseason last year gave us a clear indication that our linebackers were ass, so I’ll look at game 2-3 of the preseason to let you guys know what to expect.

Remember the year before last Kolb stunk up the joint during preseason to the point Reid didn’t want Vick to play in the last preseason game avoiding a controversy?

I told you all then Kolb was ass and had a 2 game cap before he gets bleacher splinters while holding the clipboard.

This team is easy to read with Reid at coach.

The preseason speaks volumes when it comes to the Eagles.

Rocko
Rocko
June 8, 2012 10:53 am

Good article Michea:

Glad to see Vick progressing as the leader and Celek is behind his leader. I look forward to seeing “General Vick” lead the troops to a SB this year. Good comments as well guys.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
June 8, 2012 11:07 am

Well, there is no where to go but up with this guy.

But really…only 15 references to himself this time?? WTF??? I’m really getting concerned about him keeping his percentages up.

greenfan
greenfan
June 8, 2012 11:12 am

@DCar….you complain if there are not articles on this board…then you complain if they are positive during OTA’s when they are not in pads….would you rather see an article on Vick sleeping during meetings and fighting with his coaches?

I agree that things always look greater when they are in shorts, but there are also plenty of teams that are full of injuries and turmoil….would you rather have the Jet’s QB controversy?

I see much of the information as evidence that this off-season is a big difference from last year with the lock-out. Our team has been devoid of controversy, no hold outs and basically everyone showing up at OTA’s. That is a GOOD thing, we may be programmed that things will always end up bad in the end…that ultimately there will be a breakdown that will prevent a championship….I get it…but constant negative sh*t flowing out here gets old.

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
June 8, 2012 11:13 am

A little bit of a different attitude than Santonio Holmes screaming at a coach that they were working him too hard.

jakedog
jakedog
June 8, 2012 11:21 am

nothing negative what dcar posted, who cares, its the middle of baseball season and we got plenty to be pissed, worried there, but to constantly hear how great this is, that is, when it doesn’t matter, especially in football where once the season starts things change game to game, okay we are glad vick looks good, doing saying the right things, make a big deal about it come football season

pheags88
pheags88
June 8, 2012 11:27 am

Green, I agree with your post. think this has been one of the best offseasons we have had in a long time…However, I also don’t think Dcar is off base here either. I hope Vick imporves and does what he says he is going to do mroe thn anyone. But I also think its reaosnable to interpret Vicks words as DCar does is fine as well and not negative because were talking about a guy who says he studied hard last year and on Sundays it didn’t show at the line of scrimmage…talked about how he would change his style and slide then 1 week later fater taking countless and unnecessary hits he basically said he was not going to change and thats just the way he plays..get my point…i hope is just telling the truth this time and that the truth shows on the field come Sept.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
June 8, 2012 11:31 am

PAssing accuracy and completion percentage are not tied to ‘throwing the ball with accuracy’ Vick has absolutley phenominal mechanics – whay a guy that is only 6ft can throw the ball as far and as well as he does..

the completion percentage and passing accuracy are more a reflection of the decision making process that Vick employs….. his completion percentage will go up 10% points, and his turnovers will be cut in half if he just does understands it is totally acceptable to check down to a RB or the TE if no one is open downfield – go through the reads, not open, check down.

IF you watch the rookie Foles (he of 60% completion in college) his college team was pretty bad, and he was under pressure a lot – but he refused to take sacks, and didn;t turn the ball over.. if there is nothing there, get the ball to the RB or TE or slot WR for a few yards and live to fight another day – punt or kick the field goal – don;t force it. LEt McCoy do the work and take the hits, let Celek try and bust a tackle…

decent article –

Rasheed1
Rasheed1
June 8, 2012 11:32 am

I agree with Dcar… But I also see Greenfan’s point.. the sheer amount of positive press is a good sign. The team as whole from top to bottom seems like they have taken a hard look in the mirror and made some changes that needed to be made. It is a good thing when the guys like Mike Vick and Desean and others are taking the leadership role and creating a serious “get it done” mentality that the other teammates can get on board with. This is very promising and it is a bit different from other years in some ways.

But Eagles fans have been bitten in the butt before, so we will be cautious with the enthusiasm.

another good point was made by songs… training camp and the preseason will be the time when we will be able to notice if they look READY or not. Whatever problems we have usually show themselves during the preseason.

Looking forward to the season

schiller
schiller
June 8, 2012 11:57 am

I agree with all the above except that preseason tells you about the team. It has definitely been true a few times that problems in the presaeson also show in the regular season. But that doesn’t hold up when the Eagles have good seasons. The eagles pretty much never have good preseasons and team never looks ready during the preseason. But they’ve had very good seasons under Reid – more than not. So the theory that you can see what the team will be like during the regular season from the preseason is garbage.

Now, if you’re someone like Songs, you’ll find something negative about Megan Fox stripping naked, handing you a million dollars, and the keys to a lamborghini….

jakedog
jakedog
June 8, 2012 11:57 am

navy, vick has very good mechanics when he sets with his feet, loads off the back and throws, its when he’s under pressure he makes poor decisions, relying on the escape habit too much, just throw it away sometimes, but even when he throws he’s off balance, that’s why the traditional pocket qb who sets his feet at all, most times before he throws is the succesful template for championships

the only thing I do not like about his mechanics is his arm slot at release, low 3/4, with his height it leads to a lot of tipped balls, especially at his height, breis is about same height but does not have this problem, or at least not as much, because of his more traditional high 3/4 arm slot

DCar
DCar
June 8, 2012 12:24 pm

green, I’m not complaining. I was just stating the FACT, that him looking good, in glorified practices, without hitting & pressure, doesn’t mean a freaking thing! The forcing of it down everyones throat, is redundant, meaningless, & nauseating. I’m glad he looks good. How about waiting for an opponents DF, to line up against him, before anointing him better & improved. That’s the only points I’m making.

greenfan
greenfan
June 8, 2012 12:30 pm

and you don’t think that could be clasified as complaining??? just a FACT…IMO

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
June 8, 2012 12:33 pm

Jake – I think we agree on this topic – must be Friday! I think in one of those old fashioned QB skills competitions – Vick would be probably one of the top 3 QBs.. its the decision making process – I remeber with Randla they used to bring in a 3 second buzzer – go throught he reads – check down – in 3 seconds – but you are correct 0 once he starts scrambiling, and running – then trying to throw it 30 yards – looks good when it works, but only works pone out of every 4 tries – not good for the passing accuracy or completion percentage..

I have often wondered if he does that 3/4 arm low thing to get by with throwing around D players arms? Saw an article a couple days ago that they are working on the tipped balls – don;t know how you do that though

anybody know how you drill a QB to not get the ball tipped?

schiller
schiller
June 8, 2012 12:40 pm

navy – this is just a guess, but I did see a little clip of the DL and even DL coaches standing there and getting their arms up in his throwing lanes. I think you work on having more DL with hand up than normal. I’m assuming normal DL drills have them using their hands on OL, not up in the air. But tha’t probably all you can do.

jakedog
jakedog
June 8, 2012 12:41 pm

very difficult to change one’s natural arm slot, if vick needed that rifle to hunt, throwing rocks at animals, he would resort to what’s natural, low 3/4, same thing in the heat of game when you don’t think, just react, he will do what is natural, that’s what I also like about the article, Vick is not going to change his mechanics, that will not work, but he needs to improve in the decision making process, that can be done if he’s committed to, and the sound bites are good, so we will see

greenfan
greenfan
June 8, 2012 12:47 pm

@navy….I have seen drills done with scout team d-linmen using shafts with padded paddles on the end to swat at passes….some thing is used in basketball drills when facing a particuarly tall opponent. I don’t know how successful that can be when drilling a qb….he needs to set and find his passing lanes….if it is a real problem, they can move the pocket outside to get better passing lanes

DCar
DCar
June 9, 2012 6:26 am

green, OK, you got me, maybe I was complaining, a bit. But it’s true. 😀

peace112
peace112
June 9, 2012 6:22 pm

I knew when I saw Vick’s name on the title all the gang would be here, you know people like Dcar and a few others that do nothing but complain regardless to what the article is about. Glad to hear positive reporting about the team, glad o hear Vick is taking his role as a leader to a higher level. This reporting (to me) is more positive than the reports from last offseason when big named players were signed. I am a true Bleeding Green fan, I will be with this team win or lose, I said that to say this, those of you who do nothing but rip the team, when you refer to what fans want and don’t please speak for yourselves, I’m sure true fans don’t want you speaking in ther behalf, I know for sure I don’t.

Deepthreat
Deepthreat
June 10, 2012 4:28 pm

Thank you. Peace 112,
It’s really good to read a positive post about our QB for a change. It’s as if Rush Linbaugh’s statement about Vick’s style of play was written in stone and then cast in bronze copies for all the Vick haters to reference. Inspite of the fact the each time Vick got hurt he was standing in the pocket in the process of passing . And a good number of those tipped ball interceptions were tipped by our very own receivers -the ones by Smith and MaClin are two game changers that I can remember off the top of my head. And please stop it about the offensive line being so great last year. Although I admit they did improve in the latter part of the season, during the first six weeks they would have gotten a less elusive QB killed.