Michael Vick Injury: Why the Eagles Are Still Super Bowl Contenders

When Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick left Sunday’s game with an injury originally diagnosed as a broken right non-throwing hand, Philadelphia Eagles’ fans began to panic. Consternation set in as high hopes for the season and visions of a Super Bowl appearance quickly faded before their eyes as their quarterback left the field. After further review though, total dismay may have been a little premature. 

For starters, Vick’s hand injury has now been downgraded to a bruise, which obviously means less recovery time. Furthermore, the injury is to his off hand, so there was a good chance he was going to try to tough it out anyway, broken or not.

Finally, even in the event that Vick cannot play for a few games, the Eagles still have a very talented team that is capable of getting wins even in Vick’s absence.

Should Vick have to miss a few games, the first thing the Eagles’ staff needs to do in order to maximize their success without Vick is to name Vince Young the starter.

Both times when Vick was injured in Week 2 and Week 3, the Eagle’s went with second-year quarterback Mike Kafka as the starter. Kafka did a decent job in Week 2 when he filled in for Vick against the Falcons. Despite losing, Kafka threw for 72 yards on 7-of-9 passing. 

However, when Vick went out with his hand injury during the Eagles Week 3 game, Kafka once again came in to replace him, but this time he looked a little wet behind the ears. Playing only a few minutes in the fourth quarter, Kafka threw two interceptions out of just seven attempts.  

Kafka cannot be blamed for his inexperience, as he did not play in a single game for the Eagles during his rookie season last year, but this does illustrate why Vince Young may be a better option as the starter.

Young is a two-time Pro Bowler who has shown bouts of success during his six-year career.  Young led the Tennessee Titan’s to a playoff berth in 2007 and went 8-2 in 2009 after earning his starting position back following a knee injury in 2008. 

Sure, Young’s career hasn’t exactly been illustrious, but with a 30-17 record, he has proven he can win games.

Continuing down the roster, if playing without Vick means handing the ball off more, the Eagles couldn’t have a more worthy guy for the job than LeSean McCoy. Rushing for over 90 yards and at least one touchdown every game this year so far, McCoy has proven that he is one of the elite backs in the league right now. Averaging 6.1 yards per carry, McCoy is ranked seventh in the league for rushing attempts, and could easily handle an increase in carries.

At wide receiver the Eagles have Jeremy Maclin who is off to a great start this season, and DeSean Jackson whose productivity and play-making could see a big increase in the absence of Vick.

Ranked 13th in the league for total defense, the Eagles are led by a very talented group of guys, including cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel and lineman Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin. Having a decent year so far, this defense could be even better and is very capable of stepping up and absorbing some of the responsibility should Vick miss games.

With or without Vick, the Eagles are way to talented to think all could ever be completely lost.