Michael Vick, Andy Reid and the 5 Biggest Player-Coach Marriages in the NFL

Michael Vick and Andy Reid aren't in love, but they have one of the tightest player-coach marriages in today's NFL.

The temperature of Andy Reid's hot seat is ultimately determined by the play of the super-skilled-but-oft-injured quarterback he took a chance on in 2009 after Vick's controversial jail sentence. 

There are many tight player-coach bonds in the NFL, but because of the immense and equal scrutiny they receive in defeat and praise they get in victory, all the guys that made this list are quarterbacks and head coaches. 

Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh

Flacco was Harbaugh's first draft selection as the Baltimore Ravens head coach in 2008. That set the scene for this "marriage." 

Since then, the Ravens have been a staple in the AFC playoffs and were a play away from reaching the Super Bowl last season. 

While Flacco's dealt with varying criticism early in his career despite vast team success, he's stayed confident, and his coach has stood behind his quarterback.

When Flacco announced his famed "I don't think I'm top five, I think I'm the best" comment that seemed a bit over the top to most fans and media members, Harbaugh responded with the following (h/t SportsRadioInterviews.com):

"

The one thing that you have to love about Joe Flacco is—he is honest—he is direct, Joe Flacco is working to be the best quarterback in football and, in his mind, he's capable of being that. That's what he is saying.

"

Neither Flacco nor Harbaugh are on the hot seat this season, but they've become one of the younger, more prominent quarterback-head coach duos in the game. 

Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin

Manning and Coughlin have become one of the distinguished and celebrated "couples" in all of New York City. 

Multiple Super Bowl titles will do that in a sports-crazed city like the Big Apple. 

Coughlin has battled the unrelenting media calling for him to be fired on several occasions during stretches of poor play, but nearly every time, he and his quarterback exhibited a great amount of perseverance and resolve to silence the critics by winning when it mattered most. 

Their magical runs through the playoffs have been astounding.

On the field, Manning exemplifies the quiet yet occasionally fiery demeanor of Coughlin in a magnificent way. 

Mike Vick and Andy Reid

Michael Vick won't let Andy Reid get fired on his watch. 

That's what the Eagles' starting quarterback said during an interview with SportsCenter this week (h/t NBC Sports). Reid's another coach with the unenviable job of dealing with media in the NFL's most hyped conference in a city known for its merciless sports radio scene and rabid fans. 

Vick has all the talent a coach could ever ask for, but he's dealt with a slew of nagging injuries and has fought through spans of erratic play, which has led to many calling for the Eagles to move on without Reid. 

Reid was the only guy to take the risk on Vick, and due to that, he and his quarterback have a strong bond.

Drew Brees and Sean Payton

Sean Payton won't be on the sidelines this season, but in terms of offensive creativity and mastery, there's not player who's more of an extension of his coach than Drew Brees. 

Payton came up through the ranks as an offensive genius, and after assistant coaching jobs in the NFL, he was named the Saints' head guy in 2006, the same year the team took a huge risk on Brees, who was coming off major shoulder surgery. 

The rest is history. 

Payton and Brees started an aerial assault on the NFL and haven't be able to be stopped with any consistency. 

Brees has thrown over 25 touchdowns and has pieced together two seasons with over 5,000 passing yards, including the record-shattering 2011 campaign. 

Amid the infamous Bounty scandal, Brees stood up for his beloved head coach, and sent out this tweet to his 1,000,000-plus followers: 

"I am speechless. Sean Payton is a great man, coach, and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment."

A true sign of his respect for and relationship with Payton.

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick

Usually when you hear Tom Brady, the name Bill Belichick is soon to follow. 

Although Brady's head coach is a renowned defensive mind, Brady has exemplified everything Belichick wants from the leader of his football for the last decade in New England. 

Both are politically correct with the media but are fierce competitors who go for the throat in crunch time. 

Together, they've set the gold standard for quarterback-coach relationships in the NFL and may be the most connected player-coach duo in all of sports.