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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03:  Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Michael Vick Injury: 10 Reasons This Spells Disaster for the Eagles

Todd KaufmannOct 3, 2010

Michael Vick was the guy Eagle fans wanted. He was the guy they wanted on the field and the guy they wanted to lead this team to the next level.

To their dismay, and horror, Vick went to the sidelines with what the team is calling a "rib injury," with no indication whether he will return to this game.

Enter Kevin Kolb, the guy Andy Reid said would never lose the starting job a few weeks ago.

Here are 10 reasons why the Eagles are in serious trouble without Vick on the field.

No. 10: Vick a Better Athlete Than Kolb

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26:  Quarterbacks Kevin Kolb #4 and Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles talk on the sidelines during a time-out against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagl
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterbacks Kevin Kolb #4 and Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles talk on the sidelines during a time-out against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagl

I think this is a "duh" thing to say, but let's at least put it on the table.

Michael Vick is the better athlete of the two. He can move around in the pocket, he can give you different looks, and you never know what he's going to do.

Not to mention his speed.

No. 9: More Faith In Vick

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26:  Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by offensive lineman Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by offensive lineman Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin #18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank

If you're the Eagles, whether it be the offensive line or the wide receivers, who would you want more under center?

You have to believe there's more belief in Vick to be able to take over games by himself when he needs to or make the big plays.

Kolb brings you a pocket passer who can't make the kind of things happens as Vick does.

No. 8: Less Options With Vick On The Sidelines

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19:  Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles for a first down during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Eagles defeated the Lions 35-32.  (Photo by Leon Halip/G
DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles for a first down during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Eagles defeated the Lions 35-32. (Photo by Leon Halip/G

When Michael Vick takes the snap, you never know what's about to happen.

You don't know if he's looking for a receiver, about to run a quarterback sneak, or even run a rarely seen option.

He keeps the defenses guessing.

With Kolb on the field, you know he's going to do one of two things. Pass or hand off. Not much suspense there.

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No. 7: Blitzes Become More Effective Against Kolb

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 27: Andy Studebaker #96 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 27, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 27: Andy Studebaker #96 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 27, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

If you're a defensive coordinator and you see Kevin Kolb under center, you're more apt to run a blitz through the offensive line because you know there isn't the elusiveness with him as opposed to Vick.

The Eagles have a guy in Vick that can get away from even the fastest defensive ends or linebackers. They'll be in trouble if he will be out for any length of time.

No. 6: Wide Receivers Can't Stretch The Field

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26:  Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass while under pressure against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass while under pressure against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars

Michael Vick at quarterback allows the Eagles to have their wide receivers stretch the field. You don't need to throw the short passes, you have a guy that can throw the perfect deep ball and keep the defensive backs honest.

No. 5: Vick Keeps His Defense off The Field

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12:  Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks that can keep their defense off the field are quarterbacks that every team would love to have under center and in their uniform.

That's why Michael Vick is a guy the Eagles love having out there. He can pick up the big first downs on his own or he can throw a strike to a receiver 10 yards deep at the first down marker.

The more breaks you give your defense, the better they are.

No. 4: A Win Isn't a Lock With Kolb

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20:  Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Eagles know what they're getting with Michael Vick; they know what he brings to the table and they know he can win a game in the blink of an eye.

With Kevin Kolb, their offense has to work a little harder and their defense stays in a little longer.

There's no lock without the right guy on the field.

No. 3: Experience, Or Lack Thereof, Will Be Key

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12:  Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to throw a pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to throw a pass during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Michael Vick has the experience that a lot of NFL quarterbacks depend on. It's what makes them better in certain situations.

Kevin Kolb doesn't have that kind of experience. When it comes down to it, when it's inside of two minutes and the Eagles trail, is Kolb the guy you want under center with 80 yards to go?

No. 2: More Pressure On LeSean McCoy

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26:  Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks for room to run after avoiding a tackle by linebacker Daryl Smith #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Flo
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks for room to run after avoiding a tackle by linebacker Daryl Smith #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Flo

Not having Michael Vick under center puts even more pressure on running back LeSean McCoy to be the guy to carry their running game.

Having Vick out of the game means the defensive units can key in on McCoy. Stopping him means forcing Kevin Kolb to do things himself which, for the most part, is unlikely.

No. 1: The Eagles Are Nowhere Near As Good

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26:  Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown past safety Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown past safety Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated

Let's be honest. The Philadelphia Eagles are not nearly as good without a guy like Michael Vick.

He allows your team to put different looks on the field, he can do more than just beat you with his arm, and he can outrun some of the fastest defensive backs and linebackers.

Not only that, but you can run Vick out wide and have a guy that's athletic enough to make a big play down the field.

Not having those kind of looks makes you an almost one or two dimensional team. It's going to be tough to win games that you would normally win without a guy like Vick on the field.

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