Who could have predicted this? I’d like to take some of the Week 3 praise of Michael Vick and apply it to this game. Now, he is playing “out of his mind.” This is what Atlanta thought they were getting when they moved up from No. 5 overall to the top pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-So much to discuss regarding this whole Michael Vick thing, I’m not sure where to start. I’ll try to be succinct, but I don’t know that I can. Regarding his past off-field issues (go ahead and roll your eyes), I’ll say this: The discussion about whether or not Vick should have been allowed back in the NFL has absolutely nothing to do with how he’s playing on the field. So, all the people on Facebook talking about how people were stupid for not wanting him in the league because look at how great he is now, are missing the point. By saying that, you are essentially forgiving everything he’s done because “look how great he is at football!” That’s woefully misguided thinking, regardless of where you stand on his federal sentence. What he’s accomplished on the football field should absolutely not impact your view of him as a person in society. Again, that’s regardless of whether you always supported him or were disgusted by his behavior. They are two separate issues.
That said, this guy is unconscious right now. All past issues aside, he is playing the QB position at a level that no one else has done before. His passing has been superb and when you add his legs to the equation, he’s doing things that Tom Brady and Peyton Manning never could. Steve Young was absolutely speechless after his performance Monday night. In most cases, I can’t stand the media overstating the greatness of a player and/or his performance on a particular day. But I couldn’t argue this time. It was all deserved.
I’ve been waiting for his poor decision making to rear its ugly head (I was skewered repeatedly earlier in the year for wanting to see more from him). It hasn’t and it doesn’t look like it’s going to. Vick has dedicated himself to playing the QB position in ways that he – admittedly – never did in Atlanta. Anyone that claims that they saw this level of play coming from him is lying. No one could have predicted this. I give him all the credit in the world for finally realizing his full potential. I can’t wait to see more of it.
-I can’t say that I saw the 88-yard bomb to DeSean Jackson coming, but I thought they’d take an early shot. Andy loves to do it. He just did it 10 minutes ago and he’s ready to do it again (anyone get that reference? No?). He used to do it with Todd Pinkston back in 2003. I don’t know what could me more lethal to start a game. I just don’t know who can cover this guy. He only caught one pass the rest of the game and who cares? What a smack in the face to start the game.
-I’m not a fan of this offensive line, but I am a fan of what Andy is doing to make it all work with Vick’s strengths. Max protect to the left side so Vick can roll out to his favored side. Deep drops so Vick can keep everything in front of him. Misdirections, reverses, screen passes. I love it. You can’t wave a magic wand and create the Hogs, so you have to be creative. Andy is doing it.
-I just can’t say that the Eagles whiffed by not taking Hakeem Nicks last year. Nicks is a stud, we know that. But, Maclin is too. Would Nicks’ size and physicality maybe be a more perfect fit opposite the speedy DeSean Jackson. Maybe. But so what, Maclin’s speed and playmaking ability ain’t a bad pairing either.
-LeSean McCoy isn’t becoming one the best backs in the league. He already is.
-Did you see how deep the safeties – and even London Fletcher at times – were playing off the line of scrimmage? That is the mark of a defense that has no clue what is coming next or how to stop it.
-Dimitri Patterson looks phenomenal and I would love to know why Ellis Hobbs has been starting over him. Sure, he got burned by Anthony Armstrong on the deep ball, but he wasn’t that far out of position. Two picks, one for a TD. And he tackles too! Nice find, Howie (or whoever found him).
-Speaking of nice finds, I’ll take Kurt Coleman in the seventh round any day. Nice little player.
-Not a bad game by Keiland Williams, huh? It will surely be overshadowed, but did any of you have to start him in your fantasy league? Probably not.
-How about Jerome Harrison? Not the best RB in the world, but what a nice game from him. Happy for him.
…and not so much…
-I was not succinct in discussing Michael Vick.
-Speaking of Vick….slide to the ground! These performances will not happen on IR, I promise you.
-I know it was a blowout and everything, but 28 points will win most games. I wasn’t thrilled about some of the points given up. Backups didn’t go in until late.
-Speaking of backups, why did Andy wait so long to get the backups in? I don’t need Vick and DeSean out there in a blowout. “But, they wanted to stay in!” So what?! Be the coach. Get them out of there.
-Why is Albert Haynesworth a backup? Sure, he was caught full-on dogging it on the TD to Avant. But don’t tell me that you have better players than Haynesworth at DT. He is what he is. And that’s a difference-making dog (if that makes any sense).
-Mike Shanahan has to go. Overrated. Riding the coat tails of success with John Elway and Terrell Davis. I’m not saying this because of last night. I just am not a fan.
-Also not a fan of LaRon Landry or DeAngelo Hall. Both are overrated and classless. It was jokes that they made about DeSean’s concussions that started the pre-game dust up. DeSean gave his opinion of those jokes on the first play of the game. My wife remarked that DeSean was being a little bit of an arrogant jerk by spinning around and skating backwards into the end zone. Hearing about the pre-game comments made his showboating make a lot of sense. I wish he had done more.
-The Redskins need to get Donovan help, pronto. Looking at his supporting cast last night, I thought he was probably yearning for the days of Charles Johnson and Torrance Small.
Ok, I’m done with the bad stuff. The bottom line is that the Eagles stomped the Redskins on Monday night. 100%, thorough good old fashioned. Vick has proven that he’s one of the – dare I say it? If not the – best QB’s in all of football. At this point, the biggest threat to the Eagles’ season is his health.
Produce a win against the Giants next week and the Super Bowl talk will start. If it hasn’t already.
NO MORE PROFANITY IN THE COMMENTS - IF YOU CONTINUE IT YOU WILL BE BANNED
Great points Micah. I was wondering why the starters stayed in so long too. But the greedy side of me was fine with it and I was hoping they would eclipse the 60 point mark.
Why do I even look at Micah’s writings anymore? It’s a lecture every freaking time.
Micah, you whole paragraph of nonsense about Vick on and off the field is a joke. Dude let it go. No, seriously let it go. It’s over. No need to bring it up and still try to justify the thoughts and feelings of those who didn’t want Vick back in the league. This is why the “media” in this town sucks.
Vick was just interviewed on 610 by Eskin and Reece. When asked about whether he wanted to remain in Philadelphia after this season, he wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to stay here. I have a funny feeling he’s going to want to get paid.
i predicted it
@btc
The Eagles haven’t really been chomping at the bit to make the effort of signing him at this time…what is he supposed to say or do…Right now, he’s concerned with winning football games…Not worried about a contract at this moment, he knows from what he has done, the money will be there…Here’s a quote straight out of Vicks mouth about signing with the Eagles
“When nobody else wanted me, they did,” … “I definitely have to take that into consideration when it’s time to make a decision on something.”
So far up to this point, Vick has earned every penny that he will get…If he continues his play he deserves even more…of course I dont expect Vick to take a 5 year 78 million deal, I think he deserves more than that, in my opinion..Vick will get paid regardless, by the Eagles or some other team…If the Eagles dont sign him, they will be criticized for years to come…After the time the coaching staff has put in with Vick, and how he is producing, there is no way that the Eagles don’t lock him up..
I’ve been thinking about this some more and Micah quite frankly I can’t let it go. A lot of folks right now are looking at the redemption factor in Michael in the person and the player. The fact that one can possibly change for the better is something that apparently you can’t comprehend. Whether it’s by his interviews (Jim Mora, James Brown, etc.) his actions (working with this community) or even his honesty it truly appears that his life is changing. Heck, even his answer after the birthday party incident was forthright and accepted the knowledge of his error in having it, even though he did nothing wrong (by everyone’s account).
We can also see a change in the football player to back it up. You can see he’s a different type of player once he got his chance to run the QB position with the first team. You can see this in the results, decisions, and execution. That does go hand in hand with trying to be a better person. Essentially what you are saying is that the work on the football field doesn’t matter. Hogwash. Working harder than you have ever have before at your profession is a sign of character change. This isn’t about forgiveness, none of our “forgiveness” matters anyway in the end. But it does speak to the belief that you can cheer for someone attempting rehabilitation.
This sanctimonious disclaimer in every column that mentions Vick in a forced positive light is so tiring. I’ll be waiting when he stinks up the joint again so you can tear him up again.
Remember about the personal conduct rules placed on him by Commisioner Goodell,
Whoever signs Vick must have some protection clauses in case of an off-the-field incident as far as protecting bonus/guaranteed $$$ which will be substantial… This isn’t a regular,simple signing..
I hate getting involved in comments, but because this Vick stuff is getting everyone so pissed off, I will.
@Tech Triumph: I never said he wasn’t working to make himself a better person. I never said he hasn’t worked his butt off to be a better QB (I specifically said that he was, actually. You must have missed that). I never said that my personal opinion of him has not been swayed at all.
My point is to all the people that didn’t want any parts of him. At all. Many of these same exact people are the ones that love him now specifically because he is a stud on the football field. That’s not right. Own up to what you originally thought. Don’t just jump on his bandwagon because he’s helping your football team.
Personally, I think he is a better person. I think he’s made himself into a better human being. I think he’s made himself into a serious QB. I think he knows that what he did was wrong. And I came to this conclusion as a person who is not easily convinced. He’s shown me a lot.
But, in mentioning his past, I’m holding myself accountable. I didn’t want any parts of him. I did not see him changing the way he has. It looks like I may have been wrong (even though I’ll never, ever blame myself for feeling the way I did). I’ll stand up and say that. All the complaining about the media, you’d think someone would appreciate honesty and accountability. That’s what I’m doing. For me to sit here and just say “Yeah! Go Michael Vick!” would be disingenious considering I never wanted any part of him.
As far as me not letting it go, it’s many of the fans that won’t let it go. They bring up his reinstatement every time he has a good game…..like today.
But, people love a winner, right? Anything that I say other than “Michael Vick is the best player in the history of the NFL” is going to get me criticized. Luckily, I don’t mind it.
Micah’s Top 10 Phrases of all time
#1) Everybody loves a winner
#2) It’s Mind over Matter, if you don’t Mind, it doesn’t Matter
#3) Where’s the restroom ? Please…
#4) Where’s the nearest “White Castle” Restaurant
#5) We play ’em 1 game at a time
#6) Out with the old, In with the new..
#7) Where can I find a doctor in this town?
#8) Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
#9) I’ll be Back.
#10) and for the ladies .. What’s a nice girl like you doing in a dump like this …
Frankly Micah…..I’m completely with you on your statements. I myself wanted no part of Vick. For both reasons. I am a dog owner and thought what he did was dispicable. I also think/thought he was a terrible (though exciting) QB in Atlanta. (and please, this weighed much more in my displeasure with the Vick signing)
It would be completely against my character to say, “Hey, he’s had a few wicked games….I’ll just erase everything else that has happened in his career, or abandon everything I think/thought about the guy.”
Anyone who does that would, in my opinion, lack character and conviction. Remember I live in Canada. I have no real allegiance or connection to the city of Philadelphia, other than I come down once a year for a game. But when I was young I saw an Eagles/Rams game back in the early 80s and started rooting for the Birds. 30 years later…still here rooting. If I were to jump ship from my thoughts/beliefs every time someone puts on a good performance then I would have become a SF fan in the 80s, Dallas in the 90s and rocked over to the Pats in early 2000. I don’t do that. I’m stubborn that way.
I still have my doubts about Vick. So sue me. He’s doing his best to change my mind, and I appreciate the effort…but its still gonna take some time.
Micah:
This whole thing is so ridiculous. If you want to hold a guy’s past against him that’s fine. Personally, I want Michael Vick to succeed. Why? Because I am not a negative person and want people to succeed and make full use of their talents. The greatest fallacy in this whole thing is that people actually think Vick received prison time because of his treatment of animals. The dog fighting aspect only sensationalized the story. He went to prison because he was running a multi-state million dollar gambling ring. I used to be a prosecutor and as someone who spent a year prosecuting a dog fighting case, I probably know more about this subject than 99% of the people running their mouth about it. And trust me, as disgusting as Vick’s actions may have been, they pale in comparison to some of the things I saw in my job.
I would think that the way in which a person approaches their profession, how they interact with their co-workers and employer is an indication of a Vick’s progress. And since none of us actually know Michael Vick, it is all just speculation anyway.
You mention forgiveness in your article. The ego you must have to think that your “forgiveness” somehow matters. You have nothing to forgive since he did nothing to you or anyone else. It is okay to say that he has worked out better than you expected and that your initial judgment may be incorrect or you can fall into the Cataldi, Hughes, Macnow category and be bitter, negative, and sanctimonious, that is your prerogative. It just boggles my mind that people get more upset over abuse of animals than human beings.
To Micah,
Not to change the subject, but I know you are a baseball fan too.
The Atlanta Braves just acquired Phille Killer 2B Dan Uggla for utility player L Infante and Left-Handed Relief Pitcher Mike Dunn
Uggla is a big upgrade for the Braves and has a some power and is a right handed bat added to their line-up…
Micah, you backup of your including vicks past, that you are holding yourself accountable and showing integrity by not making a total flip flop is reasonable, and I feel a similar view in that those who wholeheartedly spewed hate all over Reid, the rest of the FO, and a bunch on howie, and were 100% sure the eagles would fail miserably this year, should stick with THEIR convictions and only be allowed to ride on the eagles bandwaggon if they are restricted to sitting bitch!, but I digress…
STILL, there has to come a point where what happened years ago is irrelevant to a stellar individual game performance. If kobe bryant goes for 60 pts and 20 rebounds tomorrow night, tell me would the word ‘rape’ appear in the story the next day? Should it?
Nlow, there’s a difference
Ops, (continued)
Now, there is a difference between reviewing a game and looking back at the course of a player’s career. Dogs and prison are certainly a part of mike vick the football resume. But pot doesn’t have to be mentioned every time herramans makes a great block, george bush’s presidency became more than alcoholism and coke abuse, and marv albert can still call a basketball game with only sports in the conversation.
You see my point? Its time to move on. There is way too much to discuss about what Vick is doing on the field for stuff that happened before the words twitter, obama, and recession were on american’s tongues to be relevant!
schiller, you are on point my man. I don’t know why these people feel like they have to mention his past at all before they mention he’s playing well. They really have personal problems if they continue to hold someone’s past against them. They are the ones with the issue.
UF Gators, wonderfully put! People really think their forgiveness matters. It doesn’t matter at all. The only people that needed to forgive Mike were those that he directly affected my his actions. What I think and my forgiveness matters not. People will hold stuff against you forever, but as long as God forgives you and provides a chance for you to redeem yourself then that’s all that matter. Point blank.
Vick committed his crimes and paid his debt to society. Why can’t you hater let it go?? Its almost as annoying as the national media still blaming ALL Eagles fans for booing Santa Claus. I know the comparison is different, but the fact that people pick and choose what the let go of is ridiculous.
“Anyone that claims that they saw this level of play coming from him is lying. No one could have predicted this.”
micah your corny
these r things that of course u would say
in like july u asked me y there should even be a qb competition then countered with vick is not a good qb blah blah blah
so of course every1 who had ur trend of thought would think that no other people in their right mind think vick could be great
scratch that he was freaking great already
im so tired of people trying to talk about him like he was a scrub now all of sudden good
the problem is micah he wasnt as bad as people like urself thought in the 1st fing place
even when u give praise u still slight
and schill
shut up we wanted vick from the door
u know exactly y we thought we would stink cause kolb was qb period
i said a number of times before the season we r a playoff team with vick and 6-10 with kolb
so shut up u r the 1 wrong about everything
u said kolb had a season to work with blah blah blah
me and songs were saying 1 or 2 games he gotta fing half
u said ellis hobbs was a good replacement
we said last off season vick would be our future u laughed
so dont come on here talking
the reason we were mad at the eagles is because we knew vick was better than kolb period
that was our arguments everyday how could we downgrade at qb to kolb at least hold an open competiton so vick can start
u can act naive and act like we didnt argue for this everyday but we were freaking right if he hold open comp we win gm 1 vs green bay so he cost a game starting that bum
so y tf wouldnt we be fans especially after we got our wish
I always thought that what happened with Vick was a blessing in disguise..not just for him, off the field as a man, but on the field…Two years off, I knew that Vick’s legs would be freshed, no wear and tear..There are 40 year olympic sprinters that are still fast as shit…Despite any of the beliefs, Vick was a solid QB back in ATL…I did not believe he would fall of that much..You have to remember, Vick’s been playing football all his life, its like riding a bike…Vick’s instincts on the football field are god giving, that is not something you lose…Vick wasn’t the most accurate passer in ATL, but to his credit didnt have the receivers..To sum it up, I always felt Vick was better than Kolb, period! McNabb out I wanted Vick…
PW, you’re right. Though no one would have seen a performance like Monday from Vick, but many people openly said they would rather see Vick start over Kolb because they believe he is better. But no one really acknowledged that talk because they thought Kolb was the guy and for all intents and purpose, he was the guy. I can remember on WIP, the only 2 guys on the entire station, Rob Charry and Ike Reese said they would like to see Vick play and they think he could do very well with the coaching he had. And this was all in the summer time. So yes Micah, no one could have predict ANY qb would play this well, but there are a lot of people who wanted Vick because they believed he would be good.
Realtalk, agreed. We all know Vick wasn’t the greatest QB but even with his weakness as a passer Vick was always able to carry the team on his back. Confidence just drips from this guys cleats when he’s on the field and his teammates feel it too. He was not a very good QB in terms of being an actual QB but he always went 100% and put the team on his back when no one else could. He was a pro bowl player and had his team in the playoffs when he WASN’T a very good QB. This is what happens when you take a guy with all those intangibles and teach him how to play the game. And fortunately/unfortunately for Vick it took going to prison and losing everything to have a chance to gain it all back and be even better than he ever was. All things happen for a reason and going to prison was probably the best thing to happen to Vick because he will get his money back, become a better player and possibly super bowl QB one day. God is a redeemer and Vick has done well with his second chance. Haters don’t like it? Piss off.
pw- as sorp said, you are right that some of you definitely called for Vick to be the starter and said the team would be better if he was given the job.
But that’s only on aspect. Many of you, and some others, also said that the fact that they didn’t draft a corner, or olineman would make us suck this year. Same thing goes for the howie roseman criticism. And still many more claimed that the cowboys were the undeniable class of the division.
And please notice, I NEVER said that the Eagles would be better with Kolb than with Vick. You may think I did because you got that sense by me not agreeing with you, – but I ONLY said that Kolb needs more time, starting at the QB position, before his ability can truly be evaluated, and his potential can be accurately estimated. That still is true.
But don’t tell me that you didn’t hate on roseman, hate on the d, hate on McCoy, and declare that the cowboys were going to win the division. Because you did.
I fully agree with Micah on Andy and marty being very creative and putting the team in great positions to make plays. But stop talking about what Vick did. He made a mistake and paid the legal time and also lost millions so let it go. I would love to see Micah or someone like him make a mistake by using bad judgment and see them get hit with tough penalties……then i guarentee they will say that they learned from there mistake and put what they did behind them. So be real and do the same for Vick.
Godson tatted on my chest is permanent.