Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has listened to quite a few lectures this offseason. Andy Reid has stressed to him the big picture, and how important it is for him stay healthy.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has lectured him about his decision-making regarding when to scramble, when to eat the football, and when to throw it away.
Quarterback coach Doug Pederson has lectured him about how not trying to do too much will help him stay away from turnovers.
He’ll have to process all of this information on each play, as well as all of the terminology needed to get in and out of the huddle. Stay healthy, stay away from turnovers, and play better in the red zone are the three items which Vick needs to accomplish in 2012.
He’s got plenty of reasons to take his game to the next level. It’s all on the line for this quarterback, head coach, and football team.
I think another light went off for Vick last year. He knows he must work tirelessly on fundamentals during the offseason, so that he doesn’t have to focus on them during the season. From game to game, he has so much to focus on regarding the opponents’ defensive schemes that it’s nearly impossible to think about fundamentals. They have to be solidified during the offseason.
The Eagles’ signal-caller talked about improving his footwork and mechanics, which will make him more accurate with his throws. Vick must stabilize his feet before throwing the football in order to improve his accuracy. His feet need to be quiet when he throws the football. Accurate quarterbacks have “quiet feet”.
“If I do it, it’ll take my game to another level,” Vick said. “I feel like I’m getting there.”
“You’re out here trying to detail your work, get better as an individual and as a team,” Vick said. “Everything happens for a reason. I think this year is a chance for us to jell together, get to know one another, work on being the best players we can be.”
“It’s very critical,” Vick said. “Hard work and preparation is one thing I pride myself on now.”
Vick will need to take advantage of every rep he can get during the offseason, but he must also go home and go through these plays thousands of time in his mind. He must see himself throwing the ball away, taking off on a scramble or eating the ball at the proper time depending on the situation.
It has to get into his subconscious. It has to get to the point where he can feel it. You don’t have time to think these decisions through cognitively, it must be done instinctively. He can only do them but so many times on the field, but he can play these plays countless times in his mind.
“We just have to keep grinding and understand that nothing is going to come easy.”
Vick stressed how important it is that he has the chance to work with his top receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin this year. A year ago, Maclin was battling an illness and was unable to participate in the offseason drills. Jackson was distracted by his contract problems.
“It all starts with your attitude. Guys can go out and play with a clear-level head then I think you can get the most out of them and they can get the most out of themselves,” Vick said. “Everybody’s taken care of. There’s nothing else to do but to go out and play good football.”
proove it. stop talking about it
Talk is cheap. Stop throwing INT’s, learn how to pick up a blitz & read a DF, don’t force plays that aren’t there, & learn how to slide & go out of bounds, instead of f^#@ing taking unnecessary hits, & all will be good.
Guys hes answering the questions posed to him. Now your telling him not to speak? You guys are ridiculous. Its not all about Vick, though I will admit as a QB he plays a huge role in the success of this team and has to play much better but I see this defense as the biggest issue going into this season. They have made an abundance of additions on that side of the ball, now we need to see cohesion, consistency and smart play. You cant give up late leads like that anymore. The defense needs to get quick three and outs, and the offense after having a lead, needs to run the ball more and kill the clock. They could help in not tiring out the defense. So its a team effort not just all about Vick though clearly he needs to be better than he was last year. And I believe that this could very well be a MVP season for him and will catapult him into elite status as a NFL QB.
Jon, he is answering the question politicaly correct, which is obviously what you do. I say it becasue im not a fan of his, thats really all. There are factors that could lead to his sucess, such as simplyfing the playcalling and running the ball. I get annoyed that he talks about doing all the right things, yet, he does none of them. Get down, throw it away etc… I hope you are correct about the latter part of your statement.
Okay Frank so we now got to the bottom of your overly critical stance on Vick. You dont like him. What are you a dog lover? Im one myself but what he did in the past has no bearing on what hes trying to accomplish on the field. None. So when he answers a question, hes answering it how he interpreted it. You cant tell a man how to answer a question or what not to say or how to say it just because you don’t like him. Now whatever you say about him holds no weight because its marred for the fact that you said you dont like him. Has nothing to do with his on the field productivity, its obviously off the field related.
Dear Jon, you just reitterated what I said myself. I dont like Vick, never have, never will as I said in my post. Ill root for him becasue I am an eagles fan. I love dogs but I dont let that alone define my opinion about him. I hope he is sucessfull because I root for the eagles. Does that get your approval John?
per him answering questions – I hate when you hear him talk, he sounds like a uneducated dope. Is that someone you want at QB? Not me Jon. He is giving the comapny line and again, that is what you do. I dont blame him, I just dont like him
he talks about sliding and getting rid of the ball. Does he? no!
he talks about working hard and making smart decisions. Does he? no!
he talks about being a hardworker. I dont know him, nor would I want to. but a lot of reports say he’s lazy.
again, not my kinda guy.
I want my QB to have character, leadership and work ethic similar to that of Demeco Ryans. A guy that gets respect for what he does on the field.
Do you hear Tom Brady talk to the media like he has something to proove to them? No, becasue he works hard and people respect that. He dosent need to tell them.
@Frank22 you want a qb with character, which team are you playing on that makes you need a qb. According to Jackson, McCoy, Celek, Avant, and all of the other players on the Eagles team Michael Vick has a lot of character, and leadership skills, not to mention his work ethics are off the chart, since being with the Eagles.
Hell no you don’t hear Tom Brady, Kevin Kolb, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers, or any of the other qbs talk to the media, why?………………………..because reporters aren’t sticking a microphone in their faces everytime they get a chance, this would include ole fakeazz GCobb. Fact is Brady couldn’t even talk when he lost the SB game, his wife had to do it for him.
What report says he’s lazy, you don’t know him you’re right, you’re just sitting there making up shit as you go.. Not your kind of guy, he’s not gay, he’s not suppose to be your kind of guy. You hate hearing him talk because he sounds like an uneducated dope, well why would you sit and listen if that’s how you feel, sounds to me that you are the dope. I guess its hard for you being a dope and broke. Do you think anyone cares whether you like him or not, do you really……….NOT, get a life fool you’re a bit to transparent, you’re not even a Eagles fan, take your roots and you know real well what to do with them…stick them right up your fakeazz.
@Frank22 and DCar stop trolling and get the F off this site. First of all Gary Cobb is a loser for writing this trash over and over, just to get some hits from troll who crawl from under their rocks everytime they see Vick’s name. Cobb is so critical. I would like to know what SB team did he play on with the Eagles? NONE, where are his credentials to criticize anyone. This is a team sport, yes Vick is the QB, but by Cobb’s account he plays defense, special teams etc. Frank22 is just a loser who has no clue what the heck he is talking about. What team does he own? Tom Brady let Mrs. Brady speak for him. He has yet to explain his sorry performance in SB, oh I forgot he has blonde hair and blue eyes he does not have to explain anything. As far as leadership goes Franke boy you would know it if it hit you over the head with a 2 by 4, you pwt come on here talking about what you want and you can;t even afford to go to a Eagles game. So follow another team and STHU. DCar it is a free country, slavery is dead everyone is free to speak when they are asked a question in case you did not get that memo. You loser need to grow up and STHU yourself, if you don’t lilke Vick talking tell your reporters to stop looking for him for interviews they stick a mike in his face everytime he is in public so write them and see if they will listen to you asking questions about him taling to him. Cobb is just pathetic and is fixated on Vick and is hoping and praying he does not succeed, But all you devils are a LIAR, get ready to be real mad this year.
@frank, learn to spell before you suggest someone else is uneducated, when you do try writing another comment to “proove” it. LOL LOL LOL
Haha… Got a rise out of you two I see.. Glad I can help you get through the day. That was quite a lengthy peace of writing. Well written kids.
@Frank- you like who you like, it is a free country, but to think that Vick is the only QB who has had issues is not accurate. Look at Rothelsburger’s issues with assults and possible rape charges….look at Farve’s texting unwanted pictures of his penis to a reporter…..you brought up Brady, well he is no boy scout either. Didin’t he have 2 women pregnent at the sametime? That is real character for you.
I was not a fan of them being Vick on the team. I did not believe that he could change his style from how he played in Atlanta, and had believed at the time that we had our future QB in Kolb. I was wrong on both opinions. Mike Vick is our QB and gives this team the best chance to win when he plays. He gives the same PC answers that every other starting QB in the league gives, so stop analyizing every word. The guy has shown leadership on this team, and has taken responsibility for mistakes both on and off the field. He is the QB of our team, regardless of what Frank22 or Vinnie on GCobb. Get used to it.
Green- I agree with your assessment. Fact is, no athletes are role models that you would want your kids to immolate. Fact is, more than 1/2 of us on here have baggage. Mike Vick is the qb of this team and I’m pulling for him to be successful. I have stated this many times. I don’t like the guy. Yes dog fighting is cruel and disgusting, that is only a part of the reason I don’t like him. He rubs me the wrong way. I don’t usually voice my opinion on peoPle because who am I to criticize? I am getting fed up with his responses to interviews. Everytime you turn on Comcast it’s mike saying what he needs to do. Just do it
@Frank22, don’t flatter yourself, you got no rise I just enjoyed letting you know the type of pathetic fool you are. But judging from your comments Michael Vick certainly got a rise out of you. You are one dumbazz Vick rubs you the wrong way, when have you been that close for him to even see you let alone rub you. I think what really rubs you the wrong way is the fact that he’s very talented, black and oh yes rich. Tell you what will help you frank, stop watching Comcast, and tell people like GCobb to stop asking for interviews.
@greenfan, Frank is just a mad angry bitter little man, nothing more, if you notice he doesn’t have the slightest idea as to what he’s talking about, he’s just a fool.
@greenfan, I forgot to mention great comment, you couldn’t have said it better.
jmt8251, follow your own advice in your rant. ” DCar it is a free country, slavery is dead everyone is free to speak when they are asked a question in case you did not get that memo.” I’ll state my feelings, whenever I F^#@ing want. If you don’t like it, too F^#@ing bad. I don’t hate Vick, I’m just stating fact, my brother! He talks $#!t all of the time, & does nothing to better himself. Remember last year, he said i have to slide more & get out of bounds, then 2 weeks later, said I can’t slide & that’s not me. Do you remember, or do you just bow at the Vick alter, like all of the other Vick Idol worshipers on here. I want nothing more than for us to win a SB, I don’t give a $#!t if a cyborg was our QB. Also where in any of my quotes about him, at any time, wished bad will on him, or for him not to succeed. So before you let your blind loyalty & your Idol worship, make you look stupid, re-read things before you spew, dumb ill-informed comments. BTW, I’m far from a troll. Everything I stated above is the truth. Just STFU, & do your job. I’m sick & tired of all athletes spewing to the media, things that they want to hear.
The problem on here, is nobody can speak the truth, & if our comments have an inkling of criticism, or a slight on that person, we are labeled a hater, racist, or whatever. We can be 100% factual, but still, wrongly labeled. Stop waving your pom-poms, like little high school girls, use your eyes & brains, before sticking you feet in your mouths. Because most of you are clueless, of what you speak & see anyways. False idol worship, is nauseating, & makes you look like a foolish, imbecile. Vick is what he is. He is an exciting, talented, athlete, that was never asked to be a real QB, but was asked to just go out & make plays. He is a marketing product of ESPN highlights, & madden games. He has never been a good QB. He doesn’t pick up blitzes, he doesn’t read defenses well, makes bad decisions with the ball, & takes WAY TOO MANY, UNNECESSARY HITS, & talks $#!T. ALL facts. NOT hate. NOT wanting him to fail. NOT trolling. I just can’t stand when all athletes
during interviews, spew their hypocrisy, lies, media spin & BS to the fans. He said the same $#!T last year, & worsened last year. Remember, I know the truth hurts, but that doesn’t make us wrong, or haters. So get over yourselves, & get a clue.
Well peace… Than I’d have to say it didn’t work. See, we type our OPINIONS on the world wide web. Trust me buddy what you have to say dosent bother me in the slightest. Have a great day at class kiddo
Dcar you hit the nail on the head.
Insnt trolling something you do while fishing?
@Frank22, sure it bothers you, which is why you are up at 7:30 in the morning, talking sht, you know exactly what trolls do, you’re a prime example of a troll.
@Frank22, sure it bothers you which is why you are up at 7:30 writing on a blog. Have a great day Mr Social Worker LOL LOL
Haha. its actualy called a job. You should try it..
@Frank22, actually I did it for 35yrs, don’t have to anymore. But you know Frank, just because you say you are a social worker doesn’t mean you have a JOB
@DCar No the problem is you PWT think they everything you speak is the truth. LOL the truth according to you trolls is not everybody’s truth. So the next time you want to tell somebody to shut their mouth, take your own damn advise POS loser!!!!!
@Frank22 you must not have anyone you can help, you sit on this site all day, I don’t think Vick asked you for any help. Why don’t you do some work since you think you are so important. Do what they pay you to do. I don’t think they are paying you to be a social worker to him. So try and do you damn job. I guess you forgot some people have work and now they can retire and live comfortably, not everybody has to get up at 7:30 and I guess from the looks of it you don’t have too much to do.
I just figured that people that have worked for 35 yrs would have a little more common sense. As you get older they say you mature. I’m guessing you missed that boat. Could you please define what a job is?
jmt – cell phones do wonders these days. Multi tasking.
jmt8251 , Frank22 & peace112…Welcome to the boards I see you guys fit right in around here..again Welcome !!
@Frank22 who are you trying to impress, LOL yourself? You just a loser hating a millionaire, because you have no life and got your 30 seconds of fame pwt who is just a hater. This article is not about you psycho. You sound like someones patient!!!!
jmt – again, I am totaly lost as to where you are going with this convo? 30 seconds of fame, from what? What is PWT? I can clearly understand this article is not about myself, you are making it about me, so I thank you.
thanks Luv
jmt – why do you LOL with everything you say?
@Frank22, you are the person who brought up jobs, you are also the person who said they were a “social worker”. Well I would think that being a “social worker” who’s employed would know the definition of job. But I have noticed one thing about people such as yourself who post on these blogs, those without a profession or gainful employment and are usually the same people that like to talk about their profession and/or employment, when in fact they have neither.
Cmon man- i really am getting sick of arguing with ya. I said that I was a social worker becasue it pretained to the socail aspects we were speaking of. You said that becasue I am a social worker dosent mean I have a job. That what does it mean? Being a social worker is not indicitive to a glamorious life style. If I was going to say I had a job that I didnt, would I say that I am a lawyer or Dr.?
than
You’re sick of arguing………….well that’s good, maybe now you will take your meds and get some rest. Read what you just wrote, doesn’t make much sense………read it.
@Frank22, being “social worker” one would believe you would know how to spell the word prove, one would also believe that you would know when to use the words, then, that or than.
Read it… I am not sure what post you are reading? How is your day going peace? Did you have a good nite sleep?
thanks for the spelling lesson peace. are you an english teacher?
all this typing and you find 2 words not spelled correct? Congrats peace! we shall see you on ESPN for the spelling bee!
Does it make you feel good TRYING to talk down to people?
@Frank, try comprehending what I wrote, I didn’t say you mispelled 2 words, try reading that comment again Frank. No Frank it doesn’t make me feel good to talk down to people, but apparently it makes you feel good, which is evident in a lot of your comments. But I am going to let this go, I know exactly what I am dealing with when conversing with you, not worth the time.
Haha. I love winning. Also, I have not said one negative word towards you as a person. I like being a prick towards folk such as yourself, who act like tuff guys on the Internet and try to make themselves feel better by degrading others opinions.
Yes buddy I know it was a spelling error of “proove” and my use of than. So sorry mt blogging skills are not up to par. That’s all you have got to say after all this time of speaking with me. That’s why I demolished you in the competitive banter category today.
@Frank22 Sure you did Frank………………Sure you did.
Thanks bro…
The title of this article is “Michael Vick is intent on taking his game to the next level” If Vick could change his life style, the people he associates with, and his attitude, than he can certainly raise his game to another level. This guy has been through alot. Most self inflicted but, he has shown that hes resilient, mentally tough, humble and willing to adapt. I expect Vick to play on a mvp level, if not on that level than at least consistent efficiency and that will be enough for us to win. And i want my QB to be intent on taking his game to another level, thats how the greats feel each year, they work at improving there games every day. Remember, Vick was practically living at the Novacare complex this off season watching film and working out making strides to improve his game. Thats commitment. I expect great play from Vick this year.