Since all the PG men have been silent on this issue, SingleInPhillyGrrl takes on Vick and what it means for the Eagles.
Like many Philadelphia residents, I am a stark-mad, crazy lunatic when it comes to our sports teams (specifically the Eagles and Phillies). I take a sports hiatus from February to April (between football and baseball seasons) to let my voice return, my blood pressure to come down, and to wear colors other than green and red.
It’s a disease. And I don’t want the cure.
The shock has subsided over Michael Vick’s arrival to the Eagles roster, but the excitement for football season is rising faster than people’s intolerace for the monsoon that has claimed most of our summer. Since none of the guys have decided to man up and take on Vick, I will.
The question: What does the Eagles + Vick equal?
The answer: This sports-crazed city is hoping that this matchup will yield the elusive Lombardi trophy. And it is even more possible with the addition of Vick. But there are other hurdles standing in the Eagles way on their march to the Super Bowl. Let’s dissect:
Offense: Our Birds have arguably the most dangerous offense in the league, thanks to the team’s draft picks and the addition of Vick. Vick’s athleticism will allow the team to run the Wildcat offense, making the Eagles a formidable offensive force. While many teams have attempted to master this play, their offensive team lacks the speed and agility to run it successfully. Though Vick hasn’t been on the football field for three years, I have faith that this athlete will regain his speed. Flanked by veterans McNabb and Westbrook, an established DeSean Jackson, and rookies LeSean McCoy, Eldra Buckley, and Jeremy Maclin, look for big things from the Birds when they have the ball.
Defense: The loss of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson (RIP JJ) and Brian Dawkins to the Broncos has put a dent in our defense, which was all too apparent during the preseason game against the Patriots. However, the team has come a long way in the past 4 years, where they suffered from McNabb’s quick scoring and spent far more time on the field than their offense counterparts. Our defense has beefed up its stamina. They have a great balance between big linebackers, strong cornerbacks, and agile safeties. The Eagles defense, while overshadowed by the big names of the Eagles offense, has become one of the strongest in the league (48 sacks over 23 from their opponents), and if these athletes can continue to get in the right place at the right time and boost their interceptions caught, we’ll be seeing green in Miami (knock on wood).
Special teams: We’re solid here, as long as Akers stays healthy. He’s one of the best in the league and we need him. Moving on.
Coaching: If Vick is truly as remoresful as he appeared during the Eagles press conference and the 60 minutes special, then I don’t anticipate another Reid-T.O. personality war. Vick must know that he’s got a lot to prove, and if he keeps his head down and does what the coaching staff says, I think he’ll settle in just fine. With a mentor like Tony Dungy, I do believe Vick will stay focused on football and rebuilding his name.
The fans: The fans are an extension of the Eagles, and they will be Vick’s biggest hurdle to overcome. I’ve never see the Eagles fan base so divided on a player, and if Vick doesn’t want to suffer the same fate as Santa Claus or Sarah Palin, he had better deliver (on the field and off) to win over the crazies called Eagles fans.
Welcome to Philadelphia, Vick. Let’s see what you can do.
Ah, SIPG, where to begin? Okay, first off, some background: I was at Franklin Field in 1960 when Chuck Bednarik bulldogged and subsequently restrained Jim Taylor on the turf, thereby ensuring the Birds their first, and, of course, only NFL Championship. During my time, I’ve lived with – and through – the likes of Norm VanBrocklin, Tommy McDonald, Clarence Peaks, Maxie Baughan, Tom Brookshier, Tim Brown, Jaws, Mike Quick, Brian Mitchell, Randall, etc., etc.; these guys, along with more current classy favorites like B. Dawk, Brian Westbrook, Hugh Douglas, Trot, Jon Runyan and DeSean Jackson represent the pleasant memories, and/or optimistic dreams.
On the flip side of the coin there’s been Joe “Must Go” Kuharik, Freddie Mitchell, Greg Lewis, and *shudder* Mike Mamula. All this, just to emphasize I have some perspective.
Throughout all of those days, and people and games, I’ve never quite felt the way I do about the current gaggle of Birds – even apart from their latest hatch-ling, Michael Vick. Andy Reid is, to me, little more than a hybrid bully and control freak who can’t really see beyond his scripted plays. He’s clearly not going to win any “Father of the Year” awards, and yet he apparently sees himself as someone who can guide Vick out of his near psychopathic wilderness. With friends like that….blah, blah, blah. Now, unlike you, I didn’t see or feel the “genuine” remorse in Vick’s face or his words. He strikes me as someone who is essentially sorry that he was caught. Likewise, I don’t get the same feel as you regarding Tony Dungy. I believe he is well intentioned and sincere, but I also pick up a hint of pontifical naiveté that so often goes hand-in-hand with fundamentalist affirmations of Vick’s somewhat Augustinian like conversion. I can’t help wondering if both the kindly Dungy and the snorting Reid (yes, he is imminently more unlikable), are both trying to compensate for either real or perceived short comings in the failed relationships they’ve both experienced with their own sons.
Anyway, that’s all much too deep for this topic. I hope Michael Vick is truly remorseful and I hope he does save many more animals than he has murdered. I hope he turns out to be one of the good guys. And I hope he regains his status as one of the premier football players in the NFL.
But, really, SIPG, how many times in one game – or in one season – do you think the Birds are going to get away with Wildcat Offense related plays? As one commentator said, “If Vick and McNabb are lined up in the offense at the same time, you might as well dress Vick up in a Harry Potter Wizard’s costume. Oh, and by the way, if that offensive line doesn’t get straightened out, it’s going to be a long season for whoever winds up taking the snaps from center.
As nice as it is that you like Philadelphia and thus have decided to breakdown the Eagles here, a few important things have been missed.
First of all, Vick kept his number. Number 7. This number is Ron Jaworski’s number which is surprisingly not retired. This is somewhat of an insult to him.
Second, and more important than Jaws. Any number below 10 based on NFL rules must be a quarterback with the exception on kickers. This means that all the talk about Donovan catching passes from Vick and vice versa is not allowed.
Third, Vick right now is not the Number Two QB. This means he cannot enter the game directly after McNabb. He also cannot enter until the 4th quarter unless the other QB’s are injured. Somewhat of a disappointment. Sure, they could push him up to Number Two, but there are two other QB’s that will be pissed and rightfully so.
Fourth, the Wildcat formation is not something that can really be used very often and the success rate is unknown. Sure, Vick can get a direct snap…oooo…that’ll trick the other teams.
Fifth, if you weight the downfalls of the Vick decision against the rewards, does it really pay off? Divide a city = bad. Take media pressure off McNabb and Reid = good. Maybe make a couple good plays = eh.
Sixth, McNabb and Reid are on their last legs here. Do you really want Mike Vick to be the new face of the Eagles? Seems a shame to change the whole image of a team just to maybe get a few yards on a “trick” play. I guess Lurie could start calling Dante Stallworth and see if he can come back. Afterall, you should have a second chance for killing someone while you’re drunk.
Should be interesting to see what happens.
“If Vick is truly as remorseful as he appeared during the Eagles press conference and the 60 minutes special…”
Debatable if he pulled that one off.
the worst part about Vick isn’t so much that he’s abackbencher, he’s expected to make the super-hero plays. So Philadelphians will be facing a Hobbes choice: boo (or withhold cheers) and accept low team morale, or cheer for the dog killer and feel personally ashamed for doing so. and that’s on top of the Eagles’ disgraceful decision to try to stiff the city on an $8 million debt.
Not this guy: I’m going to watch as little Eagles football as possible and root for the Patriots or just about any other team.
Note to self–never write about sports again :) I couldn’t even read the comments once I saw how long djwild’s one was. He can write on the Eagles/Phillies/Flyers/Sixers/Union from now on! I’m going to stick with the frivolity of reality TV and dating in America’s alleged 10th best city for singles.
What? Don’t let Djwild get you down :) Keep writing about sports! I understood very little, but sports are always fun.
Yeah, I’ll stick with teaching girls the basics (because that’s all I know) and the best places to watch the games. Back to dating fluff! It’s what I’m best at :)
Ohhh…just mind your business, PG.
SIPG, this had better be another exercise in chop busting. I wouldn’t have read me either. Your words reflect a quality person and I want more. Look at it this way, things could be worse – we could be Vikings fans!
Thanks for this. In all this stupid controversy people have forgotten that Vick will actually be playing football. If he can get his speed back, he can help to build an incredibly dangerous offense. With that said, I’ve never liked him as a quarterback. As a pure quarterback, he’s been mediocre his entire career. I don’t see that changing as he ages and slows to mortal speed. I’ll still take him over Kolb when McNabb goes down with a torn ACL in week 8 though.