The Eagles are sure to see quite a few blitzes when they battle the Green Bay Packers next Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. Michael Vick, the Eagles wide receivers and the team’s offensive line must do a much better job of noticing and reacting to the blitzing.
In both the Giants and Vikings game, Vick didn’t recognize the blitz. He held onto the ball and ended up with some turnovers and ill-advised throws. The receivers were also inconsistent in reading the blitz.
ProfootballTalk.com echoed the following ESPN report, “Sal Paolantonio of ESPN told Jon Kincade of ESPN Radio on Sunday that coach Andy Reid could bench Vick for Kolb, if Vick struggles in the wild-card game.
Paolantonio said that the ESPN NFL Matchup crew noticed that Vick isn’t recognizing blitzes, and that Reid twice let Vick know about it during Tuesday night’s loss to the Vikings.
Paolantonio explained that Vick didn’t practice in the days preceding the regular-season finale against the Cowboys because he was putting in extra time studying the 3-4 defense orchestrated by Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers.”
Vick wasn’t looking at video tape when the team was practicing, he was getting treatment on his thigh. He comes to the facility early and stays late to look at the tapes. They also gave him tapes of the Packers defense to take home and watch.
He didn’t practice last week because they wanted to give his injured leg some rest, but there’s no question he was looking at extra tape last week and he must improve his recognition of the blitz.
So, it’s true Vick had trouble recognizing the blitz in the last two games, but what makes anybody think that Reid would even consider putting in Kevin Kolb. Did you see him in action against the Dallas Cowboys yesterday?
I can understand the speculation because Vick wasn’t recognizing those blitzes in the Vikings and Giants games, but Reid is going to sink or swim with number 7. Don’t expect to see Kolb.
Confusion and uncertainty about who is going to play is the last thing the Eagles need. Reid isn’t going to have a quick hook on Vick. How could you have a quick hook on a quarterback who has led you back in four or five games this season?
This football team believes in Michael Vick. Enough said.
I think that we saw plenty of Kolb to know that this story is bogus. Kolb looked like he was playing in slow motion.
This is as funny as trading your #1 QB to a Division Rival.. please stop with this nonsense.
The Eagles are going as far as M Vick can take them….
ESPN is a joke. Doesnt matter…7 or 4….if we dont run the ball and keep the D off balance we are dead.
Anything to start a controversy and cause confusion leading into a big game. The Eagles will sink or swim with VIck. Green Bay is a tough out, but this is the playoffs, everyone should be a tough out. Note TO ANDY… Please run the ball some just to keep them honest. Also of note, the Eagles Offense has played well against the 3-4 defense this year. Also of note, please do not put Chad Hall anywhere near the return game. He lacks that explosiveness for returns. I’m having Reno mahe flashbacks.
I do believe that if Coach AR gives Vick a Quick Hook in favor of Kolb,
that he will be found Monday morning in a dumpster in Marcus Hook..
It still looks like Klob follows only one receiver down field, and my God, that candy arm. Can his arm get stronger? All of the long throws had to be waited for by the receiver (Hall), when he did get it off. I was hoping he looked good yesterday, just in case he’s ever needed, sooooo slow. I bet other teams where watching him also, that performance could not have helped any trade possibility’s, if they do want to do that. The best bet is somehow that weak O-line keeps Vick alive, if not the Eagles will be done real fast. Maybe they will run the ball more in the playoffs, lets hope.
Not to be a debbie downer,
Browns just fired HC E Mangini (no surprise)
Word on the street is that Holmgrem will either come back down to the field and coach or will hire Coach Marty Mohneriwig.. Hopefully this will not be a distraction for Coach Marty this week for he will draw interest from 2-3 teams at least who are looking to fill spots and much of that activity will be starting today and thru the next coupld of weeks…
After the miracle comeback against the Giants, a quick hook? Unfathomable.
A quick hook for a QB who’s last rating was 37? Unthinkable.
A quick hook for Bobby Hoying? Unforgivable.
I would doubt if Reid would pull Vick for anything other than an injury, but regarding the comment by Sal, what time did he make the statement? I would guess that it was prior to the Eagles / Cowboys game, and would have had more credibility (although I still doubt Redi would pull Vick). Palantonio is pretty diligent in getting his facts straight, so I would guess he was basing his opinion on conversations prior to Kolb’s latest performance.
To be sure, Reid is a coach who was extreemly loyal to McNabb over the years, but with the flip-flopping he did through the first quarter of the season, I think the guy will play whomever he believes will win the game. With the rest of the team that he has assembled, I believe that Vick is the one who gives us the best chance of advancing, because he is capable of covering up a number of holes that the team currently has. Leave the hooks in the tackle box and go with what got you here.
The Packers and there one dimensional offense are in for a rude awakening Sunday. I can fully understand where some are coming from in looking at this as a bad match up for the Birds. Our secondary has not been playing up too snuff but i think a few things will change this weekend.And part of it is because they are leanign on ROdgers too much.
As G stated…there tackles are not anything special. Our left guard is a better tackle then both there starters. Send some early pressure at him and make him throw off balance. The blitzes were there and shoulda gotten home in the Vikes game. Webb is extremely allusive.Rodgers wont get away form it.
Crowd noise…it will beloud on 1st,2nd ,and 3rd down….tough for a passing o too continuely have succes. Early penalties could be a boost for a 2-20 or 3rd and long.
Rodgers is concussed.Yes he’s recovered and showed some seriouse mettle against some tough NFC defenses but how long can he stay upright. Hopefully the Birds d rattles him ealry ad effects his focus.
My view on this game is if we let a team ,who can’t even rush for more then 50 yards with three tailbacks ,come in here and beat us then we’re a fraud. I think we’re legit. Get Rodgers on his back and force him into some early miscues.
There defense is top shelf.I’m looking at those match ups .
Sorry E-Rock,
The Eagles are a fraud.. 1st Team in NFL history to lose back to back games at home to 3rd String QB’s (Webb & McGhee)
VIck, Offense and Play Calling Peaked a month ago.. it’s a 1 & Done Deal this year..
forgot to add that these 3rd String QB’s were making their first NFL Starts too…
Paulman…we lost by 1 with our back-ups against there #1 D. You and your b.s. stat means what? Is there any reason Ware had so much pressure besides he was going against a back-up? Webb is a future first stringer and legit #2 i believe.
Nice opinion of the p-off scenario.I look it at as suspect and poorly thought out.Oh well….your entitled too that.
And who are you saying sorry too?
As if im cowaring in dissapointment cause Paulman makes a negative statement.
I dont look at the last game as anything but a bye and a chance too rest the horses. Your viewing it as a legit game that we would have lost had Asante and the rest of the startes been on the defensive side? If so then your off base and should re-evaluate that.
Erock, no, let Paulman predict doom and gloom. He’s almost always wrong. So we need him to go against the Bird like he does most of the time.
Oh yeah and Sal Pal is never right about anything Eagle related.
I stated reasons why the Birds should be able too move too the next round. They may be flawed but thats why were on here too disect the game and the analysis.
Paulman…losing two straight too back-ups.?Come with more too the table.
They wont run for 35 yards on us…book it.
Eag;es peaked a month ago,
How can the play-calling,Coaches AR/MM, schemes along with the play of QB M VIck be what it was for those magical weeks in Nov thru early Dec..They have all come down to earth, other teams have made the adjustments on how to defense them and the Eagles have not or are not capable of making te hadjustments,so they will continue to do what they have been doing, Drop VIck 7-8-10 steps back in the pocket and throw the long ball , if it’s covered or heavy pressure is coming, then VIck will tuck the ball (loosely) and then run.. Sounds like a great Game plan.. .
Im sure Andy and the boys are going too stick too the same formula. No need in even thinking they’ll adjust.
Birds should be able too take advantage early with some hits on Rodgers. Early big sack. Go Birds.
In a must win and home-game our opponents explosive offense put up 7 points. Aided by a huge punt return.Run-game?
I think it’s a legitimate statement to say the Birds peaked early, but can the regain it. Vick has to do a better job of reading those blitzes and getting the ball out of his hands. Normally the Eagles do a blitz drill on Thursdays, but they need to do it on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
It’s a legit point and some truth too it. But too hang your hat on that as the reason there one and done….it’s playoffs…i need more then that.
The Packers offense is one dimensional.Nice dimension however. This is a more fatal flaw then the so called “peaking ” theory.We can find a flow in the offense. There run game had ankle surgery.
Erock,
Packers have no run game except for in the Red-Zone/Short yardage but that should be not be a problem for them since the EAgles have given up 31 TD Passes which ranks them #30 in the NFL and are tied with Seattle as far as a Playoff Team having that bad of a Secondary…
and especially since the Packers have the best WR corps in the entire NFL..
Pick your posion, G Jennings up and down the sidelins,Driver in the middle of the Field, Sneakey fast James Jones along the sidelines and J Nelson as the all-around possesion type
Packers will line up Jennings on the left side all game long versus D Patterson and you have to like that match up if your Green Bay..
Yes the Eagles secondary is very suspect…but lets remember, it all starts up front, if we can get some pressure on Rodgers, that helps the secondary…You give any NFL QB time to throw, most likely they will find someone open…All season long, the Eagles have struggled to apply pressure and hit the opposing QB…
The other component of that G is the Eagles WR’s being on the same page and cutting their routes and
Here I am going to spread the blame around and not just put it on the play-calling or QB Vick,
Reading the blitzes and coverages is just not the QB’s responsibility, the WR’s/TE’s and the RB out of the backfield also have to anticipate and react accordingly and cut their routes off sooner and come back to help your QB out.. I’ve noticed many times that D-Jax and Malcin have a tendancy when covered, just to keep running their routes and not turning around to look back at Vick to see if maybe
he’s in trouble or if there was a blitz occurring.. It takes the entire offense to be in sync on what to do if and when it occurs and collectively the Eagles need to do a much better job with this for playing against a the Packers 3-4 Scheme with D/C Capers, you know he’s going to blitz, it’s the way he’s always coached and with some big playmakers like OLB Matthews JR, CB Woodson, Safety Atigbi, expect the Pressure on any 2nd & 3rd and long situations from them…
It’s fairly easy for the wide receivers to see the blitz because the guy covering them leaves and blitzes the quarterback. All they have to do is turn to the quarterback and catch the football. The entire offensive has been sleep walking for a couple of games.
paulman, I agree it does take the entire offense to play effectively against the blitz. Maybe it’s me but I don’t our QBs have enough freedom at the line of scrimmage. I’m not sure if that’s by design on incompetency by the QBs. But even when McNabb was here, there wasn’t that many adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Just maybe pointing out the guy they think is blitzing and that’s it. Not a lot of actually changing the play at the line when they don’t like what they see. So I’m not sure if that’s just the way Andy does things or our QBs can’t handle it.
I think part of it is that we are seldom at the line of scrimmage with a lot of time on the play clock. I mean I don’t want to see our QBs calling the entire game at the line like Peyton manning but I would like to see them more active and making adjustments. But like I said, I’m not sure if it’s like this because Andy and Marty like to have control and want the plays called the way they call them. Anyone have an idea?
Scorpiodsu you make a good point. Personally I think all veteran quarterbacks should be able to change the play at the line of scrimmage on every play. A quarterback is able to see things at the line of scrimmage that the coach will never see. I don’t think Peyton Manning would have been nearly as successful in his career if he didn’t have total freedom to change plays.
Good points about Coach AR keeping a tight leash on the the QB’s about changing things up for he has frowned on that big time in the past per reports..
back to G’s point, it’s not that easy as watching your defensers.. most of the Defenders lined up on
either D-Jax/Maclin are not the ones blitzing,, they are playing 4-5-8 yeards off to give them a cushion. It’s usually the slot DB’s/Safeties that are lined up closer to the line of scrimmage that are blizting, Another way to help delay the blitzing or at least help Vick pick-it up is stay away from these bunch formations that have WR lined up close the line of scrimmage.. Spread these guys out and let the Defense have to cover the entire field and help clear some space so that the smaller Vick can have better vision and pick them up quicker..
so its on to soldier field after next week huh fellas
yes i agree with the sleep walking
looks like djax is running half of the routes and when he runs the whole route its half speed
very happy with pman picking against us
i know its a lock now
wheres vinnie today lol
I just don’t think the Eagles can turn it back on again PW and find that groove where eveything was clicking, I wish they could, I really do, but once Vick lost and the turning point for me was whe he
he threw that horrible Interception versus the Bears before halftime down in the endzone and basically cost the EAgles that game, He and this Eagle Offense haven’t been the same..Sure he has made some great plays since and basically led perhaps the greatest comeback in Eagle and NFL histor..
But he has taken a lot of hits and punishment over this last month too… The Play-calling has gotten stale and predictable (which is not a first for Coach AR/MM) ..
I think QB Vick, WR’s D-Jax and Coach MM in particualr have all shot their wad for the season already and it’s over…Trying to get that Mojo back is easier for Defenses to do but hard for the Offensive team..
They just appear out of sorts, and too many players playing scared which won’t win you games in the
NFL..It was fun ride while it lasted but All Things Must Pass.. and this 2010 Season will soon too..
hahahaahaha
but once Vick lost and the turning point for me was whe he
he threw that horrible Interception versus the Bears
same shit different qb
Fasten your seatbelts, the Vick Experience is going to be in full effect this weekend. It’s win or go home! I expect Vick to play at a high level! After this game I’m sure those that are jumping off the bandwagon, will rejoin at approx 7 pm Sunday evening! The adjustments to the blitz will be made! II loved AR response to the question about Vick holding onto the ball against the blitz…the grin along with the response, made me feel a little confiedent for some reason…Expect a big game from McCoy. McCoy may bust a big run, up the middle as the DB’s are blitzing from the outside. Watch out for nice production from Celek this game. he’ll be utilized to expose the blitz..
My only concern is on the defensive side of the ball…If the Eagles can get pressure on Rodgers sending 4- 5, making Rodgers get rid of the ball a little sooner, this will help the corners. Often when they do get close to a sack, they lose containment. They need to get the QB when they get the chance! Its playoff time, the Packers dont scare me at all. They can be beat! So from the looks of what I’m seeing and hearing (here and sports networks) once the Eagles win on Sunday, it’ll be considered an upset? noone is saying that but, it appears to be that way….Our team is led by an Underdog, the eagles were underdogs, at the start of the season…I guess its only fitting to start the playoffs the same way!
Watershed game for reid and 7, reid put all chips in w 7, mortgaged the future, if one and done how much progress over last year and with delayed development of supposed qb of future, now maybe not so and decreased trade value. Andy’s balls a little sweatier than usual
jakedog – Can’t agree, Reid is going to pass, pass, pass on putting all his chips in and once again volunteer a one dimensional offense.
If it is 1 and done,
Then Coach AR, GM Roseman and Pres J Banner will all have to sit down and decide moving forward is M Vick worth the $80-$100 Million to lock in long-term but still not get far in theplayoffs and not be able to add other pieces to the team and maybe have to let some younger players walk due to committing so much $$ to Vick. who may only play 12-13 games a season for you due to getting injured..Exciting yes, Dynamic player, years, worth a couple of wins each Season by himeself, yes.
can he win you a Super Bowl.. probably not….