It’s not how you start, its how you finish. Those were the words written on Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick’s shirt he wore advertising his new clothing line, V7. Vick introduced his clothing line to fans at a Modell’s Sporting Goods in northeast Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon. Serving as more than a marketing moniker, this motto also represents the effort that Vick has put into revamping his image since his incarceration for dog fighting. Along with re-branding himself, Vick is also hoping to give the city of Philadelphia a Super Bowl title along the way.
“It would mean so much for me to give this city what they deserve,” Vick said emphatically. “And that is why I work as hard as I have been working, why my focus is different now, why I am a different person and a different quarterback right now.”
Embarking on his fourth season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick is well aware that he and his team are on the hot seat this year. After failing to make the playoffs last season, everyone is expecting big things from the Eagles this year.
“There is definitely a sense of urgency, but it should be that way,” Vick said. “We got the chips lined up the way we want them. If we keep our guys healthy — especially coming off a great spring of minicamps and OTAs — we really have an optimistic feeling about this season. We feel like we have everything in our favor.”
Vick and his teammates are so optimistic about this upcoming season that they’re excited about partaking in the grueling demands of training camp.
“Usually I don’t want to go to camp,” he said. “That part I will admit. But this year, I feel like we’re going to have fun with it. We’re going to really enjoy it and make the most out of it. I’m excited. Like I said, I have never been this excited for a season.”
With a full off-season to finally mesh all of their relatively new parts, I am very confident in the Eagles this year. As long as Vick is healthy, making the playoffs should be guaranteed. In addition to him reinventing himself off the field, what I love most about Vick is his willingness to not only acknowledge the high expectations of the City of Brotherly Love, but to embrace them. “I don’t think I could have landed in a better city.”
“It’s not how you start, its how you finish.” I think the webster’s def’n of Irony has a pic of V7 wearing that shirt.
Solid words from a guy with 22 4t Q tds in his career.
Or whose QB rating goes like this:
Sept 88.8
October 83.1
November 82.1
December 74.5
Or whose comp % goes
Sept 57
October 60.4
November 55.9
December 52.7
Or whose ints go
Sept 22
October 20
November 28
December 31
Or whose rushes go
Sept 158
October 154
November 187
December 219
“Finish” indeed. As the pressure mounts….QB stats drop…”do it myself” rushing stats on the rise…
But hey…”“It would mean so much for me to give this city what they deserve”
Well then please grant us that great victory oh annointed one.
Vick is 6-2 in his last eight games with a QB rating over 100 in his last three. I would say he finished pretty well last year. Stop bringing up stats from his Atlanta days when he was a young punk. Lately he is 6-2. And you can say the Eagles defense played mutts the last four games of the year, but those teams all had top 15 defenses so Vick was not “Fool’s Gold.” He did what he did against quality opponents. And one of those two losses he played the game with busted ribs and no starting WRs and the coach called a terrible game.
I also wanted to comment on two areas that are feeding negative energy surrounding the Eagles this year aside from the Vick concerns which are over blown. First, Mike Kafka will be just fine. All indications are that he improved this off season (his first) and he is a very smart kid that KNOWS the offense inside and out. Plus say what you will about Andy, he has done a phenomenal job training QBs in his career so we need to give him a little credit. I have plenty of criticism for Andy but I have to give him his due there. Raise your hand if you thought AJ Feeley would go 4-1 in 2002. Yeah that’s what I thought. Kafka is going to be a good back up QB in this league. He also does have this Shady McCoy kid and some decnt receivers and a top ten O line. Not to mention I feel confident that this will be a top five defense this year. So he doesn’t have to be John Elway if he has to play a few weeks.
Second, the tremendous loss of Jason Peters. Yes Peters was the best LT in football last year. The two year before that he made the PB on reputation. He was a stiff that suffered from lethargy. Why was he AP last year? Might be the same reason a journeyman guard had the best season of his career. Might be the same reason that a career LG played at a PB level at RT. Might be the same reason that two rookies playing side by side in the middle of a line in flux held their own fairly well. Yeah I am talking about Howard Mudd. And in case you have not noticed, this guy knows what the hell he is doing. Check PFF at the end of the year. Demetress Bell will be ranked as one of the top ten LTs in the league and will have his best year. Is he Jason Peters? No. And neither was Jason Peters without Mudd.
Great stuff Jbird and I agree 100% about the impact of OL Coach Howard Mudd
Look at those great INdy teams, Yes Peyton Manning is a great QB, but look at the time he had to throw and had a couple of seasons where he was sacked less than 15-20 times a Season which in todays NFL is almost unfathomable to think about with the Speed Rushers/Blitz Packages..
Back on the Colt day’s, besides LT Tarrick Glenn, most of the Colts OL were journeymen, late round Draft Picks, Undrafted Free-agents who played as 1 solid unit from players like Jeff Saturday, Ryan Lilja,Ryan Diem,Jake Scott, Charles Johnson so not any Top Drafts Picks used to build a great Offensive Line whop protected Manning year after year…
Thanks Paulman. I am optimistic about this year. I think this is without a doubt the best team since 2004 and in some ways better. That team had players like TO and Dawkins that are HOF players that this team does not have. But this team is deeper, has much better line play from both lines and should be better at both running and stopping the run than that team. I know it is a passing league, but running and stopping the run are still essential in the playoffs.
I see a return to the Final Four for this team. Doing better then that will largely depend on the play of the defense and how well Andy coaches. When they get to the NFCC in Green Bay, can they hold them under 24 points? Is Andy going to throw on every first down? Is he going to abandon the run if they fall behind by one score early in the second quarter? Is he going to keep forcing plays down the field when no one is covering Shady out of the backfield? Andy and the defense will have to be on their A game to win a SB. It is not really about Vick as much as it will be coaching and defense. With the exception of the Carolina game, the Eagles have lost every big game due to poor coaching and poor defense.
A key weapon this year may be a guy that little is expected from. A guy that I think will be an excellent KR (which we sorely need) as well as the guy that will need to shut down guys like Victor Cruz, Jordy Nelson and Wes Welker in the slot. And that guy is Brandon Boykin. I have a feeling this kid is going to be outstanding for the Eagles this year and as a non-starter he probably won’t even make the All-Rookie team despute being one of 2012’s ten best rookies. I am going to bet he makes the most immediate impact of anyone in this year’s draft class. Kendricks will be second. Cox may have the best career, but he will not be a huge impact player this year. It depends on how sentimental the Eagles are going to be about Patterson. I will tell you what. If Dixon and Landri look great in camp and preseason, I think Patterson needs to be waived. Both those guys have better upside and lower salary than Patterson and we cannot keep five DTs. The numbers just do not work. Patt is not the dominant run stuffer that Dixon has been. Nor does he get in the backfield and disrupt and play with the high motor that Landri brings.
bird – nice points there. I think we have to wait and see more on Patterson and Dixon. Dixon shined at times – no doubts – but in terms of health, dependibility, and consistency, it isn’t there yet. Regardless, the 3 brightest spots at DT are Cox, Jenkins, and Landri no doubt..
Schill….you make a good point about Dixon. He is definitely on the bubble. But do you agree we can’t keep five DTs? There are too many other areas where we have necessary over load. We need five safeties for Colt’s ST play. Although I would personally cut Jarrett if it came down to it. We have cut third rounders after two camps so why not? I cannot stand the idea of cutting a Damarius Johnson if he continues to play well because we only have room for five WRs. I also want no part of cutting Philip Hunt right now. I think this guy could be a baller very soon. We need five DEs. Tapp is going to have to go. There are going to be some tough decisions but five DTs is too much roster space.
I do not agree we can’t keep 5 Dts. I agree it’s a close call between keeping 4 and 5. But it’s not a hard #. You can compensate with less than 5 CBs or WRs. Or no FB. OL…etc…Not sure we need 5 safties. Colt had an injury right? I love his ST play, but I’m not playing roster before training camp starts myself. If Jarrett stinks it up in training camp, they certainly could cut him. But I’m not closing that book yet – not close. I like Hunt too. Hope he makes it.
I think that you guys are right about Dixon. If he could be healthy, I think that he would have great potential to be a substantial run-stopper. The versatility in that some can play DT and DE will probably have them keep less.
Schill…we could actually carry 10 DL if we cut back to 9 OL and 6 LB. I don’t see a seventh LB worthy of the team. Clayton needs to go. Vanderwelde should be cross trained at C since our back up C options are pretty shitty right now. Why waste the space? Here is my current wishlist:
OL: Herremans, Watkins, Kelce, Mathis, Bell, Dunlap, Washington, Vanderwelde, Kelly
DL: Cole, Babin, Jenkins, Cox, Graham, Curry, Hunt, Patterson, Dixon, Landri
QB: Vick, Kafka, Foles
FB: Havili
RB: McCoy, Polk, Brown
TE: Celek, Harbor
WR: Jackson, Maclin, Avant, Cooper, McNutt, Johnson (PR)
LB: Kendricks, Ryans, Rolle, Chaney, Mathews, Jordan
CB: Nnamdi, DRC, Boykin (KR), Marsh, Hughes/Lindley
S: Allen, Otogwe, Coleman, Jarrett, Anderson
ST: Henery, Henry, Dorembos
Guys I am ready to part ways with: Hanson, Tapp, Jarrett, Clayton, Lewis. Lewis is not particularly fast compared with Brown and Polk. He was awful on KR last year and did nothing before the last exhibition game on January 1st. Polk and Brown are bigger and faster. If they can block and catch, Lewis needs to go.
Brown is defintely the bubble guy. Aside from freakish athleticism, he has shown nothing but being a quitter thus far in his young adult football life. But if he learns the plays and performs, you can’t put that kind of talent on the waiver wire. That could really bite you in the ass a la Jimmy Smith. I think Polk is pro ready if he is healthy and I predict he will bust his ass and KNOW the playbook. Polk is in in my mind. Granted we have not played a down of real football yet.
By the way. No one has heard one single positive word about how that PASSING camp went for Jarrett. Not one word. That tells me he sucked it up and is STILL not progressing. Andy has never cut a second rounder before their rookie contract expired. But he may need to make an exception especially considering we are not talking about a second round talent.
jbird – when does the philly media ever say something positive about players from OTAs. Come on man. “nothing positive reported means he was terrible”. Uh, really? That’s piss poor logic. The guy might be horrible. He might be worth cutting. I’m not saying I know otherwise.
But you didn’t hear anything good therefore he was terrible – that’s god awful logic.
:”andy has never cut a second rounder before their rookie contract expeired” – wrong – Teo’neshiem.
give the guy training camp at least.
DE Teo Neisham was a 3rd Rounder (#80 Overall I believe)
DE Bryan Smith was also a 3rd Rounder (in the #80 Range also)
DT A Dixon is an excellent shpae per all reports and I expect him to thrive undedr Washburn’s COaching and Scheme.. I believe DT M PAtterson begins on the PUP List and could be the odd-man out depending how well LAndri and my sleeper DR Cedric Thornton Plays who is another player I expect to thrive under the Wide Nine.. I really think the Eagles will take it real slow with Patterson and perhaps prefer him to retire with having that head/brain situation.. He’s probably untradeable but I don’t believe the Eagles really need him and if he does stay on the 53 Man ROster, than Landri/Thornton are probably goners..
Schill….Teo was a third rounder like Bryan Smith. Look it up.
Paul….interesting that you see Landri on the bubble over Dixon? That is an interesting argument. Dixon WAS a starter and terrific run stuffer in half a season. Landri meanwhile put up great numbers on a per snap basis and seems more scheme specific than Dixon. I love roster speculation.
Fair enough. I still say its too early to cut Jarrett as he’s about to have a training camp to prove himself.
I believe Dixon’s a Starter with C Jenkins with Fletcher Cox the 1st player in..
I also belive that Fletch Cox will play DE in many run situations against strong run teams like Steelers,Ravens,GIants and take snaps from Babin who will be more the Pass Rushing DE on passing situations..
Landri to me was signed as a back-up plan due to Mike Patterson’s health situation.. Landri in the end will make the squad but Patterson I feel will be PUP to begin Camp and then possibly eased back in or possibly even IR for the Season..
I see the battles and roster spots for the DL as this
DE – Cole,Babin,Graham, Hunt & Curry (Tapp traded for a 4th or 5th Rd Draft Pick halfway thru Camp)
DT – Jenkins,Dixon,Cox & Landri (Thornton on Practice Squad, Patterson on PUP to begin Season)
I believe that Paulman’s a fool because he’s stating things that even for Jim Washburn the man himself won’t be determined until early September. It’s like telling people what your kids names will be before hitting puberty.
I will call them as I see them even if Schiller persists with his infatuations with
pre-pubescent boys..
oh we know you will Paul. Even if one reference means an infatuation to you – only further proving that crappy judgement you have.
You brought it up Schiller, not me…
oh paul you’re so juvenille. I did bring it up – in proper context. Once. Then you incorrectly called it an infatuation.
Proper Context ??? How or Why anyone thinks to use the word “Puberty” on a Eagles Blog Site I find kind of odd and even troubling even when it’s coming from a person like you… but to each his own I guess…
Paul, does the word analogy mean anything? That’s the context. Ask an adult to explain it to you
And now you have to use a word “analogy” that has the word “anal” in it.. C’Mon Schiller, let it go, your digging a deeper hole if you know what I mean…
Paul that was funny. And Schill you deserved it. Stop jumping down people’s throats. We are speculating. Thats fun! Stop being so fussy.
Just read an article about Drew Brees’ new contract. Says this year he’ll get paid more than $40 million…more than the entire rest of the offensive players combined.
So…according to many posters on here, the rest of the team should feel “disrespected”, whine a lot, and play like Desean did last year. That’s how it works right?
On another note…I’m going to disappear for a while Incommunicado for about 2 weeks floating in a lake, waterskiing, fishing, and generally doing nothing but drinking beer and listening to the loons. That and my kids with the non-stop call of, “daddy can we go tubing, can we go tubing, can we go tubing, can we……..”
I know you’ll all miss my ascerbic anti-Vick railings for the next little while…but don’t worry, I should be back for every training camp interception.
Vick blows most overrated overpayed guy in the nfl. Dude sucks and always has. Never been a winner in his life always highlite plays, turnovers, losing and drama. I long for the day the eagles deliver us a qb again, hopefully it’s soon too because this team is stacked less Vick.
mhenski you wanker you…got your bloody bollocks in a twist with your ridiculous comments about the general of the Eagles. “Fuck off flea bag”
Rocko dont be mad because my DNA is in your mums knickers.
rocko, stfu , there is more than enough of what we have seen from vick to have an opinion like mhenski, even though most of us not as strong about vick as he is, but the qb of the eagles will always garner strong opinions, deal with it, move on, its not about what you think it is my friend
Guys check out this video with Andy Reid. Its Andy Reid wired.
——–http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TYl7hWkcwA————
It actually made me like Reid a little bit more. Your reaction to seeing a side of Reid we’re not use too?
You’re a jerk Jerkdog (just wanted you to know that). “BULLOCKS” mhenski; you pansy muffin top muncher orrible cunt you. You come again to me like that you little grasser and I’ll cut your jacobs off and stuff em in your mums mouth whilst feeding her to the pigs you silly prat!