No excuses for Vick in 2012
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No excuses for Vick in 2012
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles and Evan Mathis agreed Saturday to a five-year deal, meaning the offensive line will have all five of its starters back next season.
From 2010 to 2011, only one Eagles lineman, Jason Peters, returned to play the same position. Todd Herremans was also a carryover, but he of course moved from left guard to right tackle.
Peters was an All-Pro. Mathis put together a solid, consistent season after starting only 22 games in his first six years in the league. And Herremans was a nice fit at right tackle.
The jury is still out on the two rookies. Jason Kelce improved as the season went on, but there's still plenty of work to do. And Danny Watkins had more issues in pass protection than any other lineman. He faces an important offseason working with Howard Mudd.
But this unit has a chance to be a real strength next season. Mudd had to implement his system during a shortened offseason. Herremans spent most of training camp practicing at left guard. And Watkins got a late start, spending the first four weeks on the sideline. It's reasonable to expect this group to be much improved in 2012.
Barring injuries, Michael Vick will be protected. He'll also have a running back in LeSean McCoy, who piled up 1,309 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry and led the league with 14 runs of 20+ yards. At wide receiver, Vick will have a happy DeSean Jackson and a healthy Jeremy Maclin. That was not the case last year when Jackson was being paid $600,000, and Maclin was dealing with a virus that took months to diagnose.
He'll also have a tight end in Brent Celek, who averaged nearly 70 yards per game in the final 10.
There's no lockout to worry about. Only some new limitations on how closely coaches are allowed to work with players prior to May 1. Vick will get his first full offseason as a starting quarterback since 2006.
All those factors mean there are no excuses for him not to deliver the best season of his NFL career. The pieces are in place around him. Vick got a new contract in 2011, and he turns 32 in June. His completion percentage went from 62.6 in 2010 to 59.8 in 2011, and his yards per attempt fell from 8.1 to 7.8. Not huge dips in production, but dips nonetheless.
The interception issues have been well-documented. In 2010, he was picked off once every 62 attempts. In 2011, it was once every 30.2 attempts.
Football Outsiders did a great job of digging deeper into those numbers, using a metric called adjusted interception rate. They took into account interceptions that were dropped by defensive players, interceptions that were the result of drops or tips by wide receivers and interceptions on Hail Marys or desperation throws late in the fourth quarter.
They found that defensive players dropped six potential interceptions against Vick. He had one Hail Mary pick and another ball that was the receiver's fault. That brought Vick's adjusted interception total up to 18 and his adjusted interception rate (interceptions divided by pass attempts) up to 4.3 percent.
Here's how Vick's rate compared to some of the league's top quarterbacks:
| QB | INT RATE |
| Aaron Rodgers | 0.8% |
| Tom Brady | 2.5% |
| Drew Brees | 2.6% |
| Eli Manning | 2.9% |
| Michael Vick | 4.3% |
Of the 34 quarterback who attempted at least 200 passes, Vick finished 26th in adjusted interception rate.
Is it all on Vick? Of course not. Jackson, Celek and McCoy combined for 19 drops last season, according to STATS.com. Four of Jackson's drops came on balls that traveled 20 yards or more from the line of scrimmage, per Pro Football Focus. Catches would have significantly impacted Vick's yards per attempt number.
We all know the defense has question marks. And on special teams, the Eagles got nothing from their return game.
The offense, meanwhile, ranked eighth, according to Football Outsiders' numbers. And the Birds averaged 24.8 points per game, which also ranked eighth.
But with the moves the Eagles have made in re-signing Mathis and extending Jackson, the pressure is on Vick to take the next step in his development and help carry this offense into one of the league's elite.
If it doesn't happen for him in 2012, chances are it's never going to happen.
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I will say this, Im glad that the Eagles are taking care of their own players, this time around, however if the FatMan is still on the side lines, then the Birds will end up the same as last year— Lesj- You say all of this stuff about Vick but no one talks about the 10 point lead the team had going into the 4th quarter in Atlanta and blowing it that is 1 game, the 23 to 3 lead over the 49ers that was 2nd game, and the lead against the Giants 3rd game. So that was all Vickk's fault. I doubt it the defense was never going to hold a lead and stop anyone from scoring no matter how many points the Eagles scored. 3 games which would have made them 12-4 with home field advantage. Lets just say everyone has to do their part to win putting all the weight on one person is not appropriate or right. It is a team game and if the team does not play well we already know what happens. The Eagles marched up and down the field on every team except the Patrioits and Seattle. Vick did not play in those games but they blamed him for the loses as if he did. We forget Eli set a record for turnovers in 1 year and nobody was call ing for his head or wanting a new QB, if Vick's name was different and his skin was different we would not be hearing this mess now. Kolb had a horrible season and yet there are people that come on here and want him to take Vick's place that just blows my mind. Whatever happens the whole team better play better since it is a TEAM game.— Blessed8251
- You and Reid gave Vick the "poor defense" excuse in 2010, although Vick only scored 14 points against the Vikings and 16 against the Packers. You just have given him umpteen excuses for last year and even Reid realized after the season was over that it was the offense's fault we kept losing in the fourth quarter, not scoring but one field goal. Why would we think you won't make 25 more excuses for Vick in 2012? Maybe next time you will blame the ball boy or the cheerleaders for the league leading 36 turnover, the 18 interceptions and giving the oppossing team 6 and 7 extra drives a game as Vick did. You are a poor excuse for a reporter.— mario1239
- Hey all of you fervent Vick lovers...you know who you are. Step up or I will need to name you. Please tell the rest of us EXACTLY why QBs that run, Qbs that are said to be elusive, Qbs that prefer not to stay in the pocket...tell us why they don't win superbowls, explain this please. Is it just almost 50 years of coincidence? One possible exception Steve Young. Now step up and explain without playing the cop out race card.— Taser
- You cite Young, but Montana was known to move the chains with his legs, and Roethlisberger, in both SB wins, scrambled for many first downs and was fairly ineffective throwing the ball (especially in his first game). The fact is, that most good QBs are forced to improvise to get the job done (Staubach also comes readily to mind), but some QB's that have had recent success are pure pocket passers (Manning, Brady) who, for the most part have all day to throw and are all-time great passers. Why didn't Marino ever win a SB bowl? What about Fouts, Tarkenton? It's very difficult to win a Super-bowl, there have been very few of these hybrid scramblers that you talk about relative to the league, and it takes more than just a QB to win, it takes a great team playing well at the right time. There's really no formula except perhaps winning enough games in the regular season to play at home during the playoffs. Or, in the case of the Giants, mailing the regular season in, getting healthy and hot at the right time, and getting all the bounces in the big game. — auntesther
- Vick is the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL. Not the greatest...but the most dangerous. The last guy a defense wants to see in the game, with the game on the line, is Vick. The Eagles has lots of problems last year that had nothing to do with the play of Vick. Per game statistics only matter when the game is over. He's always one left hook from knocking the other guy out.— Ron
- The line they are bringing this year.. Is the same line Reid had to roll to the left and the right because they couldnt block anybody straight up. The pocket was either rolling to the left after a snap or rolling to the right. lol. Yeah Vick has no excuse now. He's has plenty of time to get good life insurance.— Zeru
- Yeah, no excuses for Vick next year, he needs to play well and play a full season. But I haven't heard him make any excuses -- he shows up to play and puts it all on the line. Defenses respect him, that's why they try so hard to take him out of a game. If he gets a little better protection (and he should) and the play-calling from Marty can recognize the pressure that teams bring from the outset, this offense will continue to march it up and down. Then it's really just a matter of executing a little better and getting a few bounces. This team will contend if Vick can avoid the freak injury.— auntesther
- Lol.. How desperate do you have to be to gather hatred for a player that you dig up "woulda coulda shoulda" stats from somebody else's plate and present them as facts to a bunch of ravenous fans. Then leave out the woulda coulda shoulda stats like uninspired routes ran by a reciever being lowballed by the team. An offensive line that started one undersized rookie and another who was studying his fireman book instead of the eagles playbook. The art of bending perception was perfected by Philadelphia media and its so obvious now you can set back and laugh at whats in a person's intentions.— Zeru
- The new excuse is going to be that he now has "no excuses"...that kind of pressure from the Philly fans will be the reason Vick maintains his mediocre stats.— 2ndNlong
- @SteveS11.. Every Eagles fan saw that most of Vicks interceptions last year came in early games from him getting crushed trying to throw a pass because the line was in disarray or recieving nutting up at the end of the game. Maclin did it for like 2 or 3 weeks in a row at one point and Avant starting doing it too. You know what it is.
@Lonewolf11.. Kolb missed games because of a sore toe as a Qb. Has about 40 million dollars and has never showed he could play in the league. And the only reason he has gotten love from the philly media is because he ISNT black. And Sheil for one has been riding him like a rodeo show for about 3 years now. All that aside I hope this is the year everything comes together. Peace Brah.— Zeru - Vick had more than one interception that was the fault of his receivers dropping or tipping a ball. I think I counted at least 5 or 6.— SteveS11
- Was it just me or did Vick spend a lot of time last season avoiding a rush coming right up the middle at him? I mean, they improved through the year and did some nice things especially when run blocking, but on pass blocking last season this was a very average line. I do expect them to be better, but let's not pretend they were so great at pass blocking last season.— ICDogg
- Sheil, there seem to be an awful lot of columns written about people in the Eagles organization who "no longer have an excuse in 2012." As a lifelong fan, I think I owe it to my beloved Eags to join DeSean, Jeff, Andy, Joe, Howie and now Michael Vick as having absolutely no excuses for 2012. I hereby do so because, I believe, we should all share in the blame, as well as the glory, if there is some in the upcoming season. I admit I have had lots of excuses up my sleeve in the past, especially during 2011, but I've decided to come clean for this year and will no longer have any excuses - for 2012 - even if I am sorely tempted to reuse my excuses from last year.— NM Eagle fan
- Vick needs to learn two things this year in training camp: 1. How to slide and 2. How to pump fake
— NC Eagle Fan - Hey Kolb, Bernie Madoff is envious...way to steal porkmeister! D.B. Cooper landed in Arizona after all.— tpizza
- ooo stats.another slow news day.— Tyrone Biggums
- the following phrases should never be used in the title for articles regarding the Eagles:
All In
Gold Standard
Pedal to the Metal
No Excuses
Last season was supposed to be the season of No Excuses and then we got bombarded with them - lockout, no training camp, injuries, etc. The one thing the current Eagles regime is really good at - maybe the best in the league - are using excuses for failing to win the only thing that matters. When there is no accountability then excuses rule the day.— coloradoeagle - Vick will go down in history as the most overrated and overpaid QB.— ej610
- "He turns 32 in June" and "take the next step in his development" shouldn't be written about the same guy. 32 year olds are supposed to be polished veteran leaders putting the finishing touches on their careers, NOT still trying to figure out how to play.— jtj06
- So I guess the reporters there in Philly are getting the fans geared up to believe that if the season doesn't go well it will be Vick's fault. This fool entitles this article "No Excuses For Vick in 2012" as if Vick plays on this team alone.
Oh yeah Kolb sucks like hell, some of you suppose to be fans deserve a qb like Kolb.— charmaine - Be happy for Kevin Kolb, Kolb is making out like a Bandit. But Kolb does not have the talent to be anything other than a good practice player in the NFL.
The Philly Sports Writers built up Kolb. Outside the fella that writes this piece the Philly Crew can not carry a bucket of Water, I sincerely feel sorry for Philly Fans that has to rely on what you are forced to read concerning player evaluation.
The Philly Writers has the Fans hyped for a Linebacker... That's going down the wrong road with pick 15 in the Draft. There's not a Linebacker in the draft worth a top 20 pick that's going to be a play maker in today's NFL. Working on Stopping the run in the NFL today is a suckers game, when you play to stop the run the OC goes over top. Today speed is the weapon of choice, and a Running back that can not run routes is pretty much sitting on the bench so the linebackers that can no cover and cover well are useless. Shady is good but he's going to have to catch more balls, the Eagles are one of the better screen teams in the league. If you are racking up rushing yards you are not scoring. Pick your poison.— Dexter - Zeru misspelled his name. The "u" should be an "o."— casehop
- The Kid was knocked out of a few games before the line found it's rhythm. Who could have survived the beating he took behind the Eagles line? Early on Celek dropped every ball that came his way. DJax completely gave up on the Eagles.
The Question remains, what Quarterback could have played behind the Eagles offensive line last year especially earn on before Mathis was put into the starting lineup?
I'm all for the Eagles getting a quality Quarterback to at least begin to train the successor. Still, the Offensive line jelling now, has to maintain itself. There is no way in hell Peyton Manning would ever have considered playing behind the Eagles current line, Mudd or no Mudd. The Line is coming around, but no Pocket QB would find success behind the Eagles line right now. That's a pipe dream to believe other wise.
— Dexter - There will always be excuses for Vick by the racists who insist he can do no wrong. He cost the team the playoffs last year and will do it again. He has more turnovers per game then anyone else who ever played the position, and has just 2 playoff victories in over a decade of football. He hurts this team more then Reid does.— Sidewinder7
- What is your excuse? Seems like you have the problem with the race. Trying watching a game for a chose instead of trolling the internet for Vick articles. Every game Vick played in he game his team a lead and they lost it. It is a team problem not just one man. Yes he needs to cut down on turnovers, but we also don't have to let the other team score every time they get the ball, do we? That was a bad year all around for the team all Vick has to do is stay healthy, he has the rest so move on to another article troll and write something negative. We know who the real racist are and you are one. — Blessed8251
- ssheil,he had no excuses last season,,it's the same ole same oel with mcvick and mcNabb,but when Kevin Kolb suffers a concussion he's losses his job,mark my words the BIRDS will never ever win a SB with mcVick..BOOK it!!..MV=00SBs....wolf.— wolf 4
- Fraud 4, you complain about Kolb losing two starting positions, but you fail to mention that he never "earned" either. It's time for your boyfriend Klob to get on with his life's work.
- The reality is the M. Vick has the same excuse that all of us have- he's just not good enough. He is no better than the 3rd best qb in the eastern conference, and if Griffen is everything everybody says he is, Vick may be the worst qb in the east. He is not a top ten qb in the NFL, and if future potential is factored in may be 15 or lower. His shortcomings are made even more obvious by playing for a coach that does not play to his strengths, and refuses to use the run as a basis for his offense.
By the way, McNabb, for the first six years of his career, was a top five qb. But unfortunately, his talent was wasted because he played fr a coach that refused to run the ball and give him talent at wide receiver. Another wasted career.
The Eagles are not a Superbowl caliber team. When things go bad this year, don't blame the players. Blame the coach.— angrybear - I agree this season will come down to Vick. If Vick can cut down on turnovers and running the ball and getting hurt the Eagles should win the NFC East.— soulman386
- How much cap room do Iggles have...be great if you/another Philly writer would fill us in.— rnorth21
- http://eaglescap.com/
After that, try http://www.giyf.com/— gdibig - There will be plenty of excuses for Vick, just like there was for McNabb. Many of us knew years ago that McNabb was not a superstar...same with Vick. A few exciting plays misleads the uninformed for years.— 4in5out7gone
- This is Sheil's memorial to Kevin Kolb his man crush. Symbolically sending the message. I may forgive ( Being traded to Cardinal's for a King's ransom) but I'll never forget. (While "Open Arms" by Journey plays in the background).— Zeru
- Yeah, Sheil swore Kolb was the man. It was Kolb this and Kolb that. Now, you can't even get him to mention Kolb's name.
Not only can't Kolb play, but he's both scared and injury prone.
Despite being "handed" two starting jobs and millions of dollars, Kolb's played only 10 games in 5 years. - @midstaterUXB what are u talking about him playing like he's back at v tech he got hurt I'n the pocket 3 times this year so the he gotta stop running so much arguement is a hoax stop listening to the main stream for your opinion and watch the game and analyze it yourself. I mean tell me what Vick is supposed to do to stay healthy if all his injuries came from while he was I'n the pocket (atl game, giants game, and cardinals game all I'n the pocket)— shaad
- Ummm...the Atl game injury was him trying to run in a TD through two colliding defenders. All he had to do was slide at the 2 and let Shady do the rest, as every good QB would do in that situation. The Giants injury was him holding onto the ball too long and then Canty nailed him very late (and we got no flag). As for the Cardinals injury, I remember there were some questions as to when it actually occurred. The team called a press conference to say it was early in the game, but the players said it was much later (before they knew what the company line was). But IF it happened when the team said it did, then, yes, that one was due to poor protection. So of the 3 injuries, 2 of them were Vick's fault, one the O-line. I don't know what you're analyzing...
- You have a very poor memory, Bobby. Reid absolutely refused to give Shady the ball in the red zone until 10 games into the season.
- I will agree on your point Sheil, about Mudd having to get a line integrated into a different system on short notice, but overall it does not fully wash. The line I think will be better this year, but it only goes so far if: 1) Vick does not discipline himself to remain the pocket longer, 2) does not force the ball constantly, 3) Reid does not permit more running plays.
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Vick remains a question mark to me, because of his play last year. He reminded me of someone who still thinks he's playing at Virginia Tech. Sure, he's a great athlete and a playmaker, but he can't make plays when he's injured.
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I'm sure there will be plenty of excuses to go around if the Eagles stumble out of the gate. Reid will say his usual, Vick will say his usual, and that'll be that.— MidStaterUXB - Based on the fact that Eli Manning threw a whopping 25 picks last season, I'm hopeful that Vick steps up, but it's definitely now or never.
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