How long can Vick survive this?
The Michael Vick breathwatch has begun. The question is simple: when will the last gulp of air be forced from his body by another hit?
How long can Vick survive this?
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
The Michael Vick breathwatch has begun. The question is simple: when will the last gulp of air be forced from his body by another hit?
It was the overarching question for the Eagles on a disaster of an afternoon in Arizona. During a game where very little went right, in any phase, Vick was pulverized by the Cardinals’ impressive defense. If the Eagles’ quarterback wasn’t hit 20 times during the Eagles’ 27-6 defeat, the number was in that black-and-blue neighborhood. And if he survived this day, and he did, he cannot survive many more.
Easily half of the damage was self-inflicted, hits that could have been avoided if Vick were willing to throw the ball sooner. That isn’t to argue that there were tons of people open -- Jeremy Maclin did not play because of a hip injury and, yes, it did matter -- but Vick’s continued insistence on hanging on and then hanging on some more in the hope that something good might happen is borderline masochistic at this point. He really is hurting himself.
The other half of the hits could be blamed on an offensive line re-jiggered because of injuries, and on pass-first play-calling in the first half despite all of the punishment being absorbed by Vick, and by the fact that the Cardinals’ defense is very good. But the total punishment was the total punishment, and two more Vick fumbles were two more turnovers for the league leaders in that department.
The one on the last play of the first half was the game-sealer, when Vick was hit from behind on a blitz by Arizona safety Kerry Rhodes, causing a fumble that was picked up by James Sanders and returned 93 yards for a touchdown. If Vick can get the Eagles in there -- or if DeSean Jackson hadn’t been stood up on a reception just short of the goal line before the dreadful sequence began -- the Eagles would have been trailing by 17-7. Instead, it was 24-0. Oh, and one more thing: with no timeouts and only a few ticks remaining in the half, Vick has to be aware of that pressure and just unload the ball.
We’ve all been talking about this for the better part of two years. Sometimes, it is a narrative in search of some facts -- because it isn’t always like this, not every week. But it is the games such as these that no one can forget. Down the stretch there in the first half, it was fair to wonder if Vick had been clocked once too often. It was entirely appropriate to be concerned about his health, and about the long term -- because, no matter how frustrating this is, the best chance the Eagles have this season is for Vick to end it upright and on the field.
And, now, it is hard not to wonder.
How much more can he take?
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Wouldn't it be nice to have a big fast receiver like Fitzgerald that comes up big in game situations? As opposed to speedy little ones that cringe at the thought of being hit or complain to refs rather than finishing out a play?— iskabobpatel- how is marty still employed? Was there even a game plan? Arizona knew Kolb chokes under pressure and doesnt like to be flushed, so they played to quick release short pass. He's still Kevin Kolb so before Brian Billick annoints him MVP, lets see how he plays against a defense that adjusts.. Marty Juan and Andy all need to go.— stevejones
- Anyone who completely blames Vick for this isn't watching the game or doesn't know anything about football...or both. Vick clearly holds the ball too long, doesn't protect the ball well when he runs and makes bad decisions with the ball. HOWEVER, losing Kelce and Peters is killing us. There has been constant blitzing pressure from the spots vacated by those guys. I lost count of the number of times a blitzer ran straight through untouched while Reynolds looked around trying to find someone to block. When 2-3 blitzers are hitting your QB while lineman are looking around for someone to block, that's not good. Also, the Dunlap and Bell combo is in the running for best tacklers on the team. Those guys are getting beaten like red-headed stepchildren at LT.— JimG
- Sorry Eagles fans but they will NOT even get to the playoffs with Vick as the QB. He is just another albeit younger version of Donovan McNabb. Tired of "atheletes" playing QB..give me a REAL QB.— mbutley
- Somebody tell Vick and his team that this is "professional" football.— Disco Dave
- Merrill Reese on the final Eagles series: "Hit as he throws." If Vick had sustained a serious injury when he shouldn't have been in the game, Reid should have been fired on the spot.— brio
- Time to give it up Andy! The game has passed you.— slimdaddy
- He can't survive his own dynasty....— bmcw
- They will not start Foles until Vick is actually hurt. Last week's game against the Ravens took a toll; the offensive line in its banged up state is not effective giving Vick the protection required for him to hold on to the ball as long as does. Foles showed he is the master of the quick release in preseason. In our current situation, especially in a lost cause like today, Foles should have been allowed to get in the game. But, Andy doesn't want to upset Mikey's little ego so until he gets beat up bad enough that he can't play, I am afraid we are stuck with more of what we saw today!— PhillyfaninFL
- another disgusting display by the self titled coaches of this terrible under achieving team. Seriously AR if this is the best you can come up with, you should tell Laurie to start looking for another coach, because you clearly don't have what it takes to field a complete team.
- outplayed by baby arm. time for foles.— snakeplissken
- They were flat from the "get go". Coming off that extremely physical game with the Ravens, they just didn't have the intensity. That will happen. Leading the league in turnovers and yet they are 2-1.— joberzut
- Once again the locals far over-rating this team, starting with the QB.........get ready for another season of disappointment. Truth is they are lucky to be 2-1.— Northcountry
- WOW....Kolb completely outplayed Vick...even last season Arizona back-up QB Skelton also outplayed and beat Vick...LOL— phil500
- lonewold, stop pretending you were a football coach for 20 yearsa. None of your explanations make sense. Vick has been a mediocre quarterback since the last four ganes of the 2010 season and he has kept his job and conned Lurie out of a 100million dollar contract because of people like you who don't know anything about pro football, neither does Reid and idiot fans like you love Reid. I got an idea. Let's tradse coaches with San Diego, this way we'll both have the same inept teams. By the way, crying trowels for Vick are on sale at the dollar store. By one for Rich. He really needs one.— mario1239
