Michael Vick: Can He Alone Boost Eagles Past Giants in NFC East?
Kevin Kolb did a decent job filling in as the starter for Vick the past three weeks.
But returning to the dynamic, scrambling quarterback should provide a boost for the Eagles that they are going to need in the second half. After the division looked to be a four-man race, it's more likely going to come down to Philly and the Giants.
Inside we analyze the Eagles chances with number 7 back at the helm: five reasons why his return will spark them to the title, five reasons it won't.
Yes He Can Reason No. 5: His Gambles Will Pay Off
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Michael Vick has a little bit more gambler in him than Kevin Kolb. In actuality, he has a little bit more gambler in him than most NFL quarterbacks.
Because his arm is so strong, Vick will take chances deep down the field, probably a few more than Andy Reid would like to see him take. But with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, it's almost crazy not to threw a bomb or two each game.
That may lead to a 60-yard touchdown. But even if it doesn't, the opposition is going to be a touch more leery. Defensive coordinators may think twice about calling a blitz which leaves the corners in man-to-man. And those corners might be a bit more cautious, which should let Jackson and Maclin run a bit more freely underneath.
No. 5: No, Giants Win Division
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Vick can't play defense for the Eagles too. Philadelphia's once vaunted defense has been pretty pedestrian at times this season.
The Eagles had a win against the Titans two weeks ago, heading into the fourth quarter. Then they allowed two touchdowns, two field goals, and 197 yards of offense in the final period to get blown out.
That would be a problem for either Kolb or Vick. But because Vick IS more likely to take chances downfield, there is a better chance that the Eagles see an few extra three-and-outs on gameday. That will give the defense less chances to rest and could lead to more problems.
No. 4: Yes, Division Title
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Vick does have more experience than Kolb. That really cannot be overlooked at this point.
So many of the Eagles key skill players--DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy--are very young and only have a few years experience. Even most of the offensive line is relatively young.
Vick may not have Super Bowl title or even that many playoff games under his belt, but he can provide a specific type of leadership that Kevin Kolb cannot.
In December, on the road, that is extremely valuable.
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No. 4: No, Giants Win Division
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Vick's return provides much in the way of physical skills. He also gives the Eagles additional leadership that Kevin Kolb just cannot.
Still, the quarterback carousel game that Andy Reid has been playing with his field general will be costly come the stretch run.
Kolb was the starter all preseason. Then his concussion caused Vick to take over. Then Vick's rib injury thrust Kolb back in. Now Vick is scheduled to return. That's too much back-and-forth for a team to endure during an entire season, let alone a half-season.
That might be too much inconsistency for the Eagles to overcome.
No. 3: Yes, Division Title
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Although the Eagles will suffer some because of all the back and forth under center, in some ways, it does work to their advantage.
In reality, Vick has played less than three full games as a quarterback since the 2006 NFL season. And since Vick is in a different system that he was in as a Falcon, there really isn't that much film on him as a starting Eagles quarterback.
The Lions and Jaguars defenses didn't have many answers for him in Weeks Two and Three (neither did the Packers in Week One) and his quarterback rating was through the roof.
At least in the first month or so of his return, his return should keep opposing defensive coordinators in the dark.
No. 3: No, Giants Win Division
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The best defense in the NFC might be the Giants. Although that's up for debate, it's hard to argue against the claim that the Giants are best equipped team in the NFC to defend Vick.
Even without Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants front four is quick, physical and versatile enough to defend both the run and the pass. New York's ends are not pure speed rushers who will lose contain and let Michael Vick sneak underneath them for big gains.....well, not as often as most teams.
That wouldn't be such a major factor in the NFC East race had the Giants and Eagles already played one another. But there are still two games on the schedule between these two. And it's a safe bet that the division's champion will hinge on the outcome of Week 11 and Week 15.
No. 2: Yes, Division Title
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Vick's speed gives the Eagles a few more options that they didn't have with Kolb. Now most of those will increase the team's rushing yards.
But don't overlook the impact Vick's elusiveness can have on the passing game. He'll be able to escape the pocket and make plays on the run.
Blitzing Vick can be extra costly for a defense that way. If the opponent sends linebackers or safeties that probably leaves DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and/or Brett Celek, and/or LeSean McCoy out of the backfield in single coverage.
Vick is quick enough to stepup or sidestep the rush for an extra second and get his receivers the ball. And even if his release is just slightly quicker than Kolb's (which it is) that makes a huge difference.
No. 2: No, Giants Win Division
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Injuries have been a major problem for the Eagles all season. And even if Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Jason Peters are all back on the field together next week against the Colts that doesn't guarantee them anything.
The lingering effects of those injuries have to be a major concern for the team's offense, which is now the more reliable side of the ball for Philly.
Because of his own rib injury, McCoy hasn't been quite the same dynamic runner he was early in the season. The concussion suffered by DeSean Jackson could have long-lasting effects. And Jason Peters knee is the type of injury that could bother him all season: not what you want to see regarding your starting left tackle, especially on a unit that has struggled all season.
And upon returning from his rib injury, Vick has said that he needs to "run smarter." Will that change his style and lead to him taking off less? That could reduce his effectiveness in the short term (although it would better long-term).
These injuries might be too great for the Eagles to overcome in the second half.
No. 1: Yes, Division Title
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As stated earlier, Vick's running ability can be a huge boost to the passing game. But (obviously) it's a bigger help to the Eagle running attack. And not just because Vick himself averages 7.2 yards every time he runs the ball.
His presence opens up huge holes for the Eagles other runners, mainly LeSean McCoy. In Vick's first full appearance as the Eagles starter (Week Two against Detroit) McCoy had his best game ever as a pro, posting his first 100-yard rushing day, and adding a career-best three touchdowns.
Since Vick left the lineup, he's only topped 64 yards once (a 92-yard effort against San Francisco) and has just one touchdown on the ground. And in the past two weeks, he's had 37 attempts, yet is averaging 3.0 yards per carry.
The opposition's concern about Vick on the edges creates alleys up the middle through which McCoy can run through. He isn't going to be as prolific as Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson. But his yards-per-carry average should shoot up with Vick's return. And that will give the Eagles a much more balanced offense, something they'll need to contend in for the NFC East.
No. 1: No, Giants Win Division
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By no means is the Giants second-half schedule "easy." They have Seattle, Minnesota, and Green Bay on the road, as well as two games left against the Eagles.
But it is easier than Philly's second half schedule. They still have to play two inter-conference games against potential playoff teams, Houston and Indianapolis (the Giants already split with those two), and they have to play at Washington, at Dallas and at Chicago.
Because the Giants already have a one-game advantage in the NFC East, the Eagles have an extremely difficult uphill climb in the second half the season.
Analysis
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Expect the Giants and Eagles to split their two games against each other.
If the Eagles don't sweep the series their chances of winning the NFC East go down dramatically. Now they'll put up a good fight, but it's just going to be too hard to make up that one game deficit in the span of seven games.
Even if the Eagles finish the second half 7-2 (which will be very difficult), that might mean the Giants would have to go 5-4, depending on tie-breakers, for Philly to win the East. With their schedule, that shouldn't happen.
Still, the Eagles are playoff bound. Assuming they don't win the East, they should take the fifth seed, which doesn't entirely ruin their Super Bowl chances. With a healthy Vick, they can win on the road.
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