Plea to The Eagles: Keep Vick On The Leash This Week

It’s a proverb we all know: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

In the Eagles case, it should go something like this: If it’s broke, wait until it’s fixed to remodel it.

The “it” of course is the Eagles offense, and the remodel is one Mr. Michael Vick.

And as un-patriotic as this might sound to Eagles fans, it’s my estimation that there is absolutely no reason for Michael Vick to see any action outside of the Wildcat this Sunday.

Really, I don’t think now is the time to unleash him at all.

On one hand, yes, the Chiefs' defense is suspect and now might be the best time to start incorporating Vick into the offense.

Except, of course, there’s one issue: Donovan McNabb isn’t playing again.

McNabb is “doubtful” this week, which is code for “yeah, we’re not just going to come out and say he’s getting three weeks off.”

And with Brian Westbrook doubtful with his sprained ankle, Kevin Curtis battling a sore knee and DeSean Jackson okay but coming off a quad injury…now is NOT the time to throw new wrinkles into the offense.

Kevin Kolb actually looked adequate last week, and against a team like the Chiefs (who, admittedly, the Eagles should beat) the focus should be on continuing his development and going with what works.

I can excuse Vick being active solely to run the Wildcat for two reasons – one, they’re going to run it anyway and it prevents possible further injury to Jackson, and two, it will give him a little chance to get up to game speed.

But if he’s active and Kolb struggles, you almost know Philly fans are going to call for Vick.

And that’s bad…especially in light of what he said in a recent interview about expecting to go somewhere and start right away.

Whether it’s bravado, delusionality or a little of both, that’s a ludicrous statement no matter how you slice it. Anyone who has missed two seasons in a row period shouldn’t expect to start at any position on any team, especially if you have off-the-field issues.

But Vick…well, Vick isn’t even a great quarterback. Yes, he has a good arm, and he can run well, and he was successful enough in Atlanta.

That was two years ago, and those traits make him a good athlete, not necessarily a good quarterback.

Baby steps. The Eagles offense is still learning to walk without Donovan McNabb; it’s not time to try to run just yet. With the bye coming up in Week 4 and McNabb returning to health, it might be best to table the Vick-speriment for one more week.