I understand Eagles quarterback Michael Vick complaining about not getting more 15-yard penalties when he gets hit after throwing the ball. I think he has a legitimate complaint because officials have always protected the quarterbacks who are statues in the pocket. Quarterbacks who are more athletic and can make plays with their legs are looked upon as being able to take care of themselves. That statues are looked upon as being vulnerable and needing protection.
The truth is that the different treatment isn’t the way the rules are written up when they’re in the pocket. They should all be treated the same when they’re in the pocket. When they get out of the pocket and start to run, that’s a different story, but in the pocket a quarterback is supposed to be treated like a quarterback.
Although I agree with Vick from the standpoint that he does have a point, he’s making a mistake in the way he’s going about getting more roughing the passer calls. Going public with his complaints isn’t the way to go about it.
For a number of years during my NFL career I was my team’s defensive captain, so I went out each game for the coin toss. The refs always talk to the coach or one of the captains, if they want to communicate with the team. I made it a point to come out on the field before we put on our shoulder pads and helmets, so I could get a chance to chit chat with the referees.
I would talk to the officials and get to know their names. They would talk me about any rule changes or anything we should be concerned about as players during the game. If one of our players was giving them some mouth they would say something to me and I would say something to the player about it.
I would learn their first names and begin to address them by their first names in a friendly way. I would get to know the names of their children and their hobbies, and where they were from. I made it my duty to befriend those guys.
If I thought they made a bad call, I wouldn’t say something about it after the series, I would talk to them during the 
game and tell them in a friendly way that I thought they missed the call. Over time we would start to get the calls if it was close one. They would explain to me when they got the chance why they made a call against us. If one of our players was having a problem with somebody holding him, I would tell the ref to watch out for a certain player holding one of our guys. Many times we would get a call later in the game.
I learned how to work the officials from some veteran guys when I came into the league. My linebacker coach, Maxie Baughn, and defensive line coaches Floyd Peters and Ed Khayat, whom I learned a lot of football from taught me how to work the officials.
I would talk to the refs after each series or during a timeout in a respectful way. I developed a relationship with those guys and it helped our football team. Major League Baseball catchers do the same thing. You become the refs buddy and it helps you get the calls. If it’s a close call, he’s going to give it to somebody he thinks is a nice guy rather to somebody who is publicly criticizing him.
Vick needs to learn to work the officials and become their friends. I like the fact that he’s apologizing a bit for his complaints. He should get to know those officials who are calling the roughing the passer penalties. They’re always standing right around the huddle and the line of scrimmage. I’ll bet you Peyton Manning and Tom Brady know those guys. Referees are people too and they can be influenced.
He should come out before every game and look them up and say, “How’s it going Jim? How’s Carol and the kids doing? Did James Jr. get out of high school yet? How’s everything going so far this year?”.
Sugar will always get you more than vinegar.
Crying about the calls in a news conference is not the best way to get them changed. On each side of the ball there should be Eagles players with some experience who should befriend the officials and develop a relationship with them over time.
He’s just whining, G! He meant to rip the O-linemen, but didn’t want to throw them under the bus! BTW, he doesn’t have a point, with his comments. I watch mostly all the games, & all QB’s are getting pounded. The ref’s ain’t calling crap for anyone! Vick is leading all QB’s in roughing penalties against, since last year! So he is wrong & whining!
I think most of it falls on Vick, he is simply hanging onto the ball to damn long in many cases.. Early in the Giant game, he had ample time to tuck and run for 10-20 yards and scamper right out of bounds unscathed… He needs to go through the progessions, and if no one is open, go to check down,outlet pass or thorow the ball away or scamper out of bounds or it some big openings, then run.. There was a 3rd and 6 play on the Eagles 2nd or 3rd Posession where he rolled out to his right and he had a 30 yard of open space down the right sideline, then he stops, moves back to his left and missed a wide-open Maclin on a 20 yard pass route since VIck’s feet weren’t set, he threw well behind hime… Take the easy yards when you can get them…
DCar….he did throw his linemen under the bus. How else are they going to interpret…”I’m on the ground every time”. I bet some of them are thinking, Just throw the ball….
As for the “apology” to the refs….exactly where did anyone hear that?
“I should approach it in a different fashion….I was kind of out of character for being too candid….”
Translation…I made a mistake for speaking my mind. Its been slapped back in my face and the team and I are now in damage control (nothing new) From now on I’ll keep my thoughs to myself, even though I still believe the refs aren’t giving me a fair shake.”
My analysis….Vick’s never been “too candid” before…ever….not when he gave the finger to ATL fans, or pointed to the scoreboard this year, or when he blames the refs because he doesn’t throw the ball away when he’s supposed to. Same guy as he’s always been.
“Ultimately, I respect the referees and their decisions to make calls….and you won’t hear me complain about it no more.”
Translation – I really think the refs are garbage, but I’ll say this condescending platitude to calm things down….You won’t hear me complaining any more ’cause Reid has told me to shut up..”
Not so much of an apology methinks.
ESPN did a quick analysis of the # of roughing the passer flags this year. There have been 14. One for Vick. The average flag is thrown on 0.6% of dropbacks. Vick’s flag represents 2% of his dropbacks….so he’s ahead of the curve. Less than half the QBs in the leage have had that called made when they’ve been hit this year.
@DDCar
The point is the ref’s are blowing calls…Fact, if Brady got hit the way the Vick did Sunday there would of been a penalty…Did you watch the MNF crew and Jackson went over the rule…defender can not use the crown of the helmet to hit any part of the passers body…The replay they should Ryan getting hit by Jenkins, was facemask to facemask, didn’t see a crown there…But even that play would of been called for Brady or Manning…
DDCAR…you’re wrong for thinking because it is not called for other QB’s that it shouldn’t be called…Rules are rules for a reason, its that simple…
Vinnie you are a dumbass…how the hell do you interpret “I respect the referees and their decisons to make calls” as the “refs are garbage”
I see you’ll do anything to soil anything Vick does…class act, pal!
@Vinnie, that’s basically what I was trying to say!
@Real, the ref’s seem to be especially bad this year. But Vick is no different than any other QB. He’s whining & making excuses. The ref’s ain’t making stupid decisions, or turning the ball over, are they!? Did you watch last nights game, Romo & Grossman got abused, & nothing was called. Brady isn’t getting penalties called, because no one is getting to him. His O-linemen, are good, unlike our swiss cheese O-linemen.
Brady doesn’t get hit for he drops 8-10 yards back and gets rid of the ball..
The Patriots O/Line he’s playing behind is probably their weakest as a group during Brady’s career, he just gets reacts and Pre-reads the Defense’s coverages so quick and well that he geneally knows where he’s going with the ball 85% of the time.. This is not Vick’s strength (nor are there too many other QB’s in NFL who are as proficient as Brady, Rodgers,Brees & Rivers)
No Real…I’m just also including the second part of the quote (you seem to have avoided) “so you won’t hear me complain about it no more” in my interpretation. He still wants to complain about “it” but won’t…..means he still does not “respect” the refs….just isn’t going to talk about it.
Sunday night, Rothless was getting lambasted. No flags. No complaints. Romo and Grossman last night were getting pounded…no flags. No complaints. How about Grossman vs the Saints? No complaints….ok, well he complained about his oline and playcalls, but not the refs.
Mike “5 steamboat” Vick. Throw the ball.
Vinnie – how many hits did you see them getting slapped in the head, or getting hit with the crown of the helmet? or defenders pulling on their head/neck..I didnt see any illegal hits on the QB last night..refresh my memory and remind me, if you do…
GCobb didnt you say Andy Reid should say something about the abuse Vick is taking and not getting calls last year…now one year later, someone actually speaks on it, and the man is wrong, for it? or didnt do it the right way…forget all of the politics, the man wants to live through a game, speak your mind say your peace…and move on. Thats exactly what happened here
I’ve stated numerous times now since thge summer,
Unless a pass rusher uses his helmet or hits the Qb in the head, the Refs are letting them play.. It’s been this way since Pre-Seaosn so you asjust as a QB..If I were Vick and the Eagles Coaching Staff, I would worry a lot more about managing and calling the game better and have better execution and eliminate the stupid mental mistakes, penalties and poor decisions.. This is what they need to focus on and not if Vick is goign to get hit for it;s a forgone conclusion that he is going to get his early, often and heavy by Defenders for he exposes himself so much more by the syle of QB he plays… It is what it is now stop your whining and start playing some damn smart Football…
Paulman, I do recall you saying that, thus far I’d agree with your assesment…However, if that is the case then the NFL needs to change the rules, if they are not going to call those tpe of plays…lot less speculation if the rule states otherwise…and yes I totally agree, Vick needs to get focused on taking care of the ball and doing a better job of minimizing the hits that he takes…no doubt…
i don’t want him taking cheap or late hits or any unnecessary hits at all for an injured Vick does the Eagles no good and overall, their bst chance to make the playoffs and a Super Bowl run are with him at the hlem.. But to publicly state that you think your being mistreated by the reds is a real sign of weakness and playing the vitim and I just thought VIck was beyone that now.. He did refrain and take a step back from his original comments and I am sure that his comments are just from a level of Frustration that he must be feeling of how these last 2 games ended, so I am not going to hold him to any fault for comments made right after a game…
Why is Celek being left in to block so much? Its because Vick looks down field the ENTIRE GAME. NEVER LOOKS TO SEE WHOSE OPEN UNDERNEATH. Its as if he doesnt have common sense. Every other qb in the league knows you have to use your TE. Vick is locking in trying to make a big play every down and the league and coaches see it on tape. Hes holding the ball to long in the process. Celeks #’s have dropped tremendously because of Vick. Look at Celeks numbers with Kolb and Mcnabb. Mcnabb even had sense enough to know you have to use your TE. You think Romo or Rodgers would win many games if they didnt use their TE. I mean DAMN.
G, you have access to Vick, why don’t you mention these things to him. You gotta take care of each other. No to the comments that say they are all treated the same… You really believe that. Peyton, Brady, Brees these guys are protected like the MOB. Vick is not a made man, so he doesn’t get that same protection. If I’m him, I do what G said and just get overly friendly with the refs. Now for the whinig… please That Dude is far from a whiner. Wasn’t raised to be one…
My Sources told me that Vick thought Celek was an Offensive Lineman which is why he is not throwing passes to him anymore… He didn’t want to get a penaltly for throwing to an “Illegal man downfield”
Did you see how many times Romo was on HIS back last night? I am no Dallas fan, but he wasn’t whining about it. We pay a lot of money to see the game; Vick gets paid a lot to play the game, not be protected from it.
yea instead of complaining about getting hit…Romo was complaining about Skins knowing the snap count and yelling at the center…
for the record Romo was hit a total of 4 times…not a huge number in my book
Whatever. Listen, I agree with Tom Jackson. Vick is not getting the calls. Now the knock on McNabb was he does not stand up for himself. Vick attempted to stand up for himself only to have some in media publish a photo of his face attached to a baby. Darn if you do and darn if you do not. McNabb was viewed as a company man. This is nothing new. Look at North Dallas Forty Don Meridith aka Mac Davis. Tom Brady is the C.E.O. of the New England Patriots. He and Manning have the same power Jordan did with the referees. If you disagree then you are in denial. Tom Brady=Jordan=referee influence
P.S.-ChuckRob is right 100%
Vick is right and I think it’s good that he made a public comment. Vick has a more personal relationship with Roger Goodel than probably any of the refs. and if Goodel views Vick as an upstanding citizen (which he seemingly does) he’ll see those comments and light a fire under the referees asses simply because Vick has rarely if ever has publicly made a comment about ref calls which means that maybe there might be some merit to the inflammatory comments.
That’s what I like to call “Next level correction” G. Often times you can be nice as pie with certain people to no avail. Sometimes it’s good to have a good working relationship with supervisors, it’s always a good thing to be friends with their boss.