Michael Vick: The New, Improved Vick Isn't Any Better Than Old Vick
The rib injury that forced Michael Vick to the sideline for a few weeks prompted a debate about his running style. Was he too reckless? The Eagles are in the Super Bowl hunt and another injury to Vick—and therefore another quarterback flip-flop—could be one too many to overcome.
To avoid the potential hits he might endure as a runner in the open field, Vick has talked about running "smarter." And a few times last week, Troy Aikman pointed out on the Fox telecast where Vick could step out of bounds rather than continue up the field. That caution might lead to more overall changes to his style.
But is this new, Philly Vick better than the one we saw several years back, even a few weeks back?
Here are 10 slides that say no.
No. 10: Breaking the Pocket Creates Big Passing Plays
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If by being "smarter" Vick means running only where their is no other option, that is fine.
But if by running "smarter" he means purposely running less, that is a mistake.
Vick's big-play running is legendary: Only Steve Young and Randall Cunningham are comparable and they still aren't in Vick's class as far as volume.
But sometimes he tucks the ball to run, which catches defenders' attention, thus opening up plays down the field. A safety who steps up after seeing Vick might lose ground on DeSean Jackson, leaving the receiver wide open down the field.
Vick's release is quick enough and his arm is strong enough to change his mind about running, put on the breaks, and unleash the ball downfield for an 80-yard touchdown.
If Vick and Andy Reid decide he must stay in the pocket to avoid getting hit, that type of game-changing completion might never happen.
No. 9: Injuries Are Just as Likely
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Just because Michael Vick decides not to run as often, or decides to "be smarter when running," that doesn't mean he is any less likely to get hurt.
"Smarter" running might mean sliding or heading for the sideline. But if it also means staying in the pocket to avoid having to scramble, he could take an even worse shot.
A blindside hit from a defensive end has to be considered more dangerous than a scrambling Vick taking on a defensive back one-on-one in the open field.
The play in which he broke his ribs against Washington was just an unfortunate fluke. The two defenders sandwiched him at the exact same time; it was a perfect storm. Vick and the coaching staff shouldn't overreact.
No. 8: LeSean McCoy Up the Middle
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Vick's elusiveness outside of the pocket creates new possibilities for the entire offense.
Reason No. 10 already addressed how the speedy receivers (DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin) can benefit. But running back LeSean McCoy is just as likely to increase his production when Vick is being "reckless."
Everytime Vick scrambles, defenders have to adjust. If he breaks free and races to the edges, they'll remember that, which could allow a draw up the middle to McCoy to go for a huge gain.
When Vick retreats into the pocket, then charges directly upfield for a 30-yard run, that means the defense might consider tightening up the positioning of the linebackers. An outside zone run to McCoy would be more effective in that case.
In short, when Vick serves as a second (or third) running back in the Eagles formation, everyone benefits.
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No. 7: Opponent Gamplans
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On the fly, in-game adjustments are one thing: If the opposition calls less blitzes because they are afraid Vick will burn them with his feet, that can have a major impact.
But the difference between a running Michael Vick and a stationary Michael Vick is enormous.
Defensive coordinators and the entire unit have to spend so much time thinking about Vick during the week that it takes away from other things to focus on. Maybe that extra time on Vick keeps them from preparing for a DeSean Jackson reverse, or a specific type of slip screen for Jeremy Maclin.
The opposition only has so much time to prepare for a team's offense. When Michael Vick is an unabashed runner, he is as much of a concern as anyone and cannot be ignored in game-planning meetings.
No. 6: Consistenty Accuracy a Problem
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In terms of being a passer, no one would confuse Michael Vick with Peyton Manning or Troy Aikman.
He has never thrown for even 3,000 yards in a season, and he has never come close to completing 60 percent of his passes for a full season.
But in his first two starts this season, he seemed very capable of doing both, completing 58.4 percent of his passes for 475 yards.
Part of that has to be due to his excellent receiving corps and a great offensive design by Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg.
Vick is not a tremendously accurate thrower: His arm strength is incredible, but he is not great at completing the deep out, the post or even square-ins. Those type of timing throws were his Achilles' heel in Atlanta.
Asking Vick to throw 40-plus passes (the only time he ever topped 40 attempts was the overtime tie against Pittsburgh in 2002, 75 minutes of football) is probably a mistake. And if you purposefully reduce the number of rushes, either by design or improvisation, he probably has to throw more.
In seven games in which Michael Vick has thrown 35 passes or more, his teams have one win.
No. 5: Kevin Kolb
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Vick has done a great job this year. But so did Kevin Kolb.
In his entire career (91 games), Vick has completed more than 20 passes just five times. In his entire career (15 games), Kolb has completed more than 20 passes six times.
Andy Reid had to choose Vick over Kolb because of the added potential that Vick's running brings.
If Reid reduces Vick's rushes (a possible side effect to his "smarter" running), then he may have been better off going with Kolb to run his pass-first, run-second offense.
No. 4: The Offensive Line
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The Eagles have plenty of designed runs in the playbook for Vick. And they occassionally use them.
But Vick often has to run just to avoid being clobbered. The Eagles offensive line is not doing a great job of pass protection this year. They've already allowed 24 sacks. Last year, they allowed 38.
If Vick dedicates himself to staying in the pocket more to avoid the tough hits in the open field, it could cost the team plenty of yardage via sacks.
Vick scrambling for a no-gain is often better than Vick hanging in the pocket too long and taking an eight-yard sack. That could be the difference between a field-goal attempt and a punt, and the difference between a win and a loss.
No. 3: Possible Interceptions
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Again, "running smarter" could mean Vick doesn't run as often as he has in the past. Let's assume that means that just one or two times in a game he chooses to stay behind the line of scrimmage.
That still can have a profound effect on the outcome of an Eagles game.
Maybe Vick and the coaching staff really like a matchup between DeSean Jackson and a corner, or Brett Celek on a safety. So prior to a snap, they tell him (or he decides on his own), "Do whatever you have to to stay in the pocket."
If he forces a throw rather than tucking the ball and running, that could lead to an extremely costly interception.
It's too difficult to always predict what the defense is going to do. Limiting yourself by committing to the pocket can be a terrible mistake.
The Vikings have an easy "out" every time Vick drops back to pass. They should use it.
No. 2: Open-Field Tackling
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The NFL has advanced in many ways over the past few years.
The passing game is sharper. The blitzes are more intricate and complex and, therefore, more effective. Punters have even started to perfect that "spin back" punt.
But if there is one element of the game that has regressed in this era, it might be tackling.
Because of higher salaries and bigger egos, teams do not tackle nearly as much in practice, if at all.
Defensive backs probably suffer most because of this. How many misses do we see on SportsCenter highlights?
Vick has moves unlike any quarterback in NFL history: If he decides to slide or decides to head for the sideline, he is passing up a chance to turn a 10-yard run into a 75-yard touchdown run.
No. 1: Less Excitment
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Wasn't it exciting when the Falcons had Michael Vick and not much else?
In Philadelphia, he has two speedy receivers and a young, blossoming running back.
In 2002, when the Falcons were a thrilling team and went to Green Bay and beat the Packers in the postseason, they were practically a one-man show. Warrick Dunn was good that year, but he didn't even rush for 1,000 yards (only 62 yards per game).
Receiver Brian Finneran was OK, and Alge Crumpler was a good option, but that was about it.
Time after time, Vick put the team on his shoulders because he had to. The overtime run against Minnesota was the best and most memorable, but he also had outstanding games against Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Carolina and Green Bay (regular season as well as postseason).
Vick and the Eagles might be a better team, but Vick was a showstopper in Atlanta.
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