Sooner or later, Michael Vick has to get the point, right?
Numbers aside, Vick’s turnover woes are greatly impacting the Philadelphia Eagles and in some cases, losing them games. After Sunday’s 16-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vick now sits at 11 turnovers on the year. That number is among the highest in the league and tied with rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, who at times looks like a high school quarterback wearing an NFL jersey.
That is unacceptable for a veteran passer like Vick, especially when there are rookie quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson who are winning games by simply being efficient and smart with the football.
But I don’t want to abandon ship just yet, because as many are aware, the Eagles are still atop the division, despite the fact they have narrowly won all their games.
However, Vick still needs to be questioned because his performance so far has been agonizing to watch. Protecting the football and sliding seems like a simple concept, and is something that Vick keeps stressing he is working on. Clearly, he is lying to us all.
When it comes down to it, Vick keeps on resorting to his patented head-first slide, which resulted in two fumbles on Sunday (one of which was ruled down after his foot was clipped by a Steeler defender). The one fumble that did stand was the biggest dagger of them all as it occurred in the endzone. In what appeared like an easy draw, Vick somehow coughed the ball up as he dove (head-first) for the endzone. Those points left on the board were the difference.
People can say, “Well, the Steelers didn’t score any points off of Vick’s turnovers,” or, “Vick led the Eagles down the field in the fourth quarter to take the lead,” but that’s all fluff. When it comes down to it, Vick’s fumble in the endzone cost them the game. Period.
Even more frustrating is the fact that he, once again, put together an impressive final drive, throwing for 57 yards on 7-10 passing and the two-yard touchdown strike to Brent Celek. If, and there are way too many “ifs” regarding Vick, he could play like he does in the fourth quarter throughout the game, the Eagles would be a much bigger threat. But his turnover woes are hard to overcome, and are the reason why the Eagles are always forced to make a comeback late in games.
Unfortunately, though, Vick will never get it because that’s who he is. His style of play – running around in the backfield and diving for extra yards is something he can’t change and something that is a part of who he is. Without his legs, Vick isn’t Vick; which in turn, means Vick will always be turnover-prone, no matter what the critics utter.
I wont defend Vick because i felt he should have been benched after his 3rd fumble of the game…BUT….. there were so many things wrong with your post here…..
1) Why on earth would you compare vick with those 2 guys?
Tannehill 17/26 223 8.6 0
M. Vick 20/30 175 5.8 2
R. Wilson 19/25 221 8.8 1 2
Wilson had 2 picks yesterday and Tannehill never got in the endzone, Of the 3 yesterday… ill take Vick all day long.
2) “When it comes down to it, Vick keeps on resorting to his patented head-first slide, which resulted in two fumbles on Sunday (one of which was ruled down after his foot was clipped by a Steeler defender”).
The one that was not a fumble….. was a first down. He would not have had that if he didnt dive like that//// BUT still…. i agree that he cant play this way.
3) “Unfortunately, though, Vick will never get it because that’s who he is. His style of play – running around in the backfield”
Have you seen our Oline?… hes not running to make a play most of the time… hes running for his life. and….. those runs are keeping us in games.
Here’s what i would have said.. without over stating my case……
1) Good job to vick yesterday for NOT throwing pics. Thats 2 weeks in a row. HOWEVER….. he has to hold on to the ball. If he cant… he needs to sit.
2) Great job to andy R for having McCoy on those little swing routes….. that was HUGE in keeping the Steelers honest. Please please please do that more and more… the flats are ALWAYS open.
I have a question that i would love for someone actually AT the game to answer… that means i dont need pman to speak here……. are the WR’s open at all down field? Where is our big plays? I know the Oline isnt holding long enough to even think down field but….. is Djax or Mak open at all?
I felt that IF we could stay close at the end of the game that we could win this one. It didnt work that way BUT….. im not going to say the sky is falling. There were many many positives i had seen in that game. we were 1 or 2 plays away from winning a tough tough game.