Michael Vick: What the Philadelphia Eagles Can Expect in 2011
Michael Vick didn't open last season as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, but there's no doubt he's their starter heading into 2011.
After resurrecting both his career and his reputation as one of the most electric players in the NFL, Vick has Eagles fans begging for an encore.
Last season, Vick set career highs in passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and passer rating. He also led the Eagles to an unlikely division title.
He'll be hard pressed to repeat those numbers, but Eagles fans expect no less.
Assuming a full 16-game season, here are nine predictions as to what exactly Vick will produce as an encore performance.
1. Vick Will Set a Career High in Passing Yards
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This one seems easy to predict. Vick set a career high in passing yards last year, with 3,018, and that came during a season in which he played only 12 games.
Vick has always had a rocket arm, but his decision-making as a pocket passer left plenty to be desired. He was often too quick to bolt out of the pocket, rather than going through his progressions.
That aspect of Vick's game improved significantly last year. Playing with stud wide receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin certainly didn't hurt, either.
Vick played in only 12 games last year, however, and started only 11 of them. With a few more snaps and more familiarity with the offense this season, he should have no problem setting a new career high in passing yards.
2. Vick Will Set a Career High in Total Touchdowns
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Vick set another career high last season with 30 total touchdowns, 21 of which came through the air and nine of which were rushing touchdowns—both of which were career highs.
At times, Vick was unstoppable. In the high-scoring Monday Night Football game against the Redskins, he began the game with a long touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson.
Later, he scored a rushing touchdown, juking past one Washington defender who later called it "the toughest tackle" he'd ever had to make.
Perhaps most impressively, Vick didn't slow down as the season wore on. He tallied at least two total touchdowns in each of his last four games.
Again, its safe to say that with a greater degree of comfort in the Eagles offense and a few more starts under his belt, Vick will likely surpass 30 touchdowns and establish a new career high.
3. Vick Will Set a Career High in Interceptions
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Unfortunately, it may not all be good news for Eagles fans.
Vick's relatively low number of passing attempts has historically kept his interception totals down. His career high currently stands at 13.
However, the Eagles will likely look to their quarterback to stay in the pocket more often this season.
Vick began last year on the best stretch of his career and played his first seven games without throwing a single pick.
After that, however, the wheels began to come off a little bit.
He threw six interceptions over his final five games. The Eagles' playoff run also ended on a Vick interception in the end zone against Green Bay.
With the good comes the bad—more pass attempts will mean more yards and touchdowns for Vick, but it will also probably mean more interceptions.
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4. Vick Will Set a Career Low for Rushing Yards
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In five seasons with at least ten starts, Michael Vick has never rushed for fewer than 597 yards.
That could change this year.
Vick did rush for an average of more than 56 yards a game last season. However, he topped that total only twice in his last six games of 2010.
Eagles coach Andy Reid turned Donovan McNabb from a running quarterback into much more of a pocket passer. He could well try to do the same with Vick.
Vick's threat on the ground was a big part of the Eagles offense last year, but also left him vulnerable to injury. Keeping him in the pocket more often may well keep the Eagles star healthier.
Vick attempted fewer rushes last year than in any other season that saw him start at least 11 games. That number could drop even more next season.
5. Vick Will Miss at Least One Game Due to Injury
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This might be the safest bet among these predictions.
Vick has started 16 games only once in his career—in 2006.
He has started 15 games twice, but the fact he is injury-prone is well-documented.
The same style of play that makes Vick such a unique weapon also leaves him vulnerable to bruising hits from much larger defenders.
In fact, Vick missed several games last season due to the bruised ribs he suffered in a loss against Washington.
Even if the Eagles try to cut down on the number of Vick's scrambles, the Eagles will have to protect Vick better if they want to keep him healthy.
The Eagles gave up 50 sacks last year, the most ever during Reid's tenure. Without some major changes, Vick could easily miss time again in 2011.
6. Vick Will Be a 2011 Pro-Bowler
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Based on what we've projected already so far for Vick, this might not come as much of a surprise.
Career highs in passing yards and total touchdowns for a player that already earned his fourth Pro Bowl trip in 2010 would bring Vick's game to new heights.
But earning a Pro Bowl berth in a jammed NFC quarterback field is no small feat. Vick would have to beat out at least a few of his fellow luminaries in Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, Eli Manning and possibly even the hard-charging Josh Freeman and Sam Bradford.
To earn a berth over those players, Vick will have to stay healthy and productive and the Eagles will likely need to contend.
If all three of those things fall into place, Vick will be on his way to his fifth Pro Bowl berth in nine seasons.
7. Vick Will Lead the Eagles to Another Division Title
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This one isn't totally up to Vick, obviously. But the Eagles' chances depend on him nonetheless.
Any general manager worth his job will say that quarterback is the most important position on a team. A great field general will lift a team to new heights, while a poor quarterback can doom a team.
The Eagles will also have to upgrade the offensive line and defensive secondary. Both of those were problem areas in 2010.
However, Vick is the key to the offense. As he goes, so goes Jackson, Maclin, McCoy and the Eagles' other offensive cogs.
Particularly if Kevin Kolb is dealt, as some predict he will be, the Eagles will need to depend on Vick staying healthy and effective.
If Vick plays at the same level that he did last year, and the Eagles can make even minor upgrades in other areas. they could be looking at another NFC East title.
8. Vick Will Not Lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl
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This one isn't entirely an indictment of Vick, but ultimately it does come down to his limitations.
Vick was not the reason the Eagles fell short last year. A sieve-like offensive line meant Vick was under constant pressure. A revolving door at linebacker failed to produce an impact player and the defensive secondary yielded a club-record 31 passing touchdowns.
Those are just a couple of holes for the Eagles to address this year. But ultimately, the Eagles will only go as far as Vick takes them.
Last year, Vick cooled as the season wore on. Through the end of November, Vick posted 18 touchdowns against only one interception. In December, he posted a solid 12 touchdowns, but also threw five picks.
The Eagles were also frustrated offensively in games against the Vikings, the Packers and spent three quarters floundering against the New York Giants.
Could the Eagles win a Super Bowl with Vick at the helm? Last season showed they could. Unfortunately he likely has too many warts to carry a flawed Eagles team to a title without more help.
9. Vick Will Sign a Contract Extension with the Eagles
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This has to be the Eagles' move.
When the team made Vick the clear choice over the younger Kevin Kolb this offseason, they also chose their direction for the foreseeable future.
Kolb is younger and has plenty of upside; ask the teams that have been jockeying to deal for him. Even following Vick's comeback season, Kolb would have been a defensible choice for the team's future.
The Eagles boast a young, talented core on offense—Maclin, Jackson, McCoy, Avant and Celek are all under the age of 26. Yet, while the team is built to win now, there's not the same urgency that a veteran team would have.
Given all that, why choose Vick? Yes, his performance was electric, but it goes beyond that.
This team has to see Vick as its quarterback for the next several years. Sacrificing a quarterback with Kolb's upside for a one-year rental is not Andy Reid's M.O.
Vick reported that he has not had talks about a long-term extension with the team. That will change before the year is out. Before the 2012 season begins, Vick will have signed a multi-year extension with the Eagles.
Bank on it.
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