Vick vs. Kolb: Myth and reality (part two)
In part two of the Michael Vick/Kevin Kolb comparison, I take a look at success on different types of throws and intangibles.
Vick vs. Kolb: Myth and reality (part two)
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Yesterday, I looked at how Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick compared in a number of different categories - pass distribution, third down, red zone, etc.
In part two, the focus is on how successful each quarterback has been by distance and against the blitz, plus some intangibles.
Let's start with throws by distance for Vick. As always, I used the same ranges that Football Outsiders uses so we'd have a point of reference. Short is 5 yards or less. Mid is 6 to 15 yards. Deep is 16 to 25 yards. And Bomb is more than 25 yards. These are measured from the line of scrimmage to the point where the ball is touched, hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
| Completions | Attempts | Yards | |
| Short | 32 | 47 | 247 |
| Mid | 18 | 26 | 241 |
| Deep | 3 | 10 | 54 |
| Bomb | 6 | 10 | 257 |
And now Kolb:
| Completions | Attempts | Yards | |
| Short | 62 | 78 | 406 |
| Mid | 22 | 33 | 250 |
| Deep | 9 | 17 | 184 |
| Bomb | 4 | 13 | 195 |
I was surprised by the numbers here. I fully expected to find that Kolb had attempted a much higher percentage of Short attempts than Vick, but that's not the case. 49 percent of Vick's throws have been 5 yards or less from the line of scrimmage; Kolb's number is only slightly higher at 51 percent.
26.3 percent of Vick's throws are in the Mid range; 21.6 for Kolb. 10.1 percent are in the Deep range for Vick; 11.1 for Kolb. And 10.1 percent in the Bomb range for Vick; 8.5 percent for Kolb.
The difference is in success rate, particularly on the Bombs, which are throws that go more than 25 yards from the line of scrimmage. Vick is completing a ridiculous 60 percent of those throws, while Kolb is only completing about 31 percent. Kolb underthrew multiple Bombs against the Titans.
THE POCKET, THE 'GUN & PLAY-ACTION
Here's how each QB has fared on throws in the pocket:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 47 | 79 | 59.5 | 617 | 7.81 |
| Kolb | 81 | 125 | 64.8 | 876 | 7.01 |
And out of the pocket:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 12 | 17 | 70.6 | 182 | 10.7 |
| Kolb | 15 | 23 | 65.2 | 122 | 5.3 |
Both guys complete a high percentage of passes outside of the pocket. But the key here (once again) is big plays. Vick is averaging twice as many yards per attempt as Kolb on throws outside the pocket. In other words, he's done an outstanding job of keeping his eyes downfield when he escapes pressure.
The percentage of Vick throws that have come in the pocket is 82.3. Not much different than Kolb, who has attempted 84.4 percent of his throws from in the pocket.
Here's how each guy performs out of the shotgun:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 40 | 63 | 63.5 | 506 | 8.03 |
| Kolb | 61 | 95 | 64.2 | 516 | 5.43 |
And from under center:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 19 | 33 | 57.6 | 293 | 8.88 |
| Kolb | 35 | 53 | 66.0 | 482 | 9.09 |
Nothing really noteworthy here. The one thing that sticks out is that Kolb's YPA number skyrockets when he's under center. A lot of that has to do with success he's had running play-action. Here are those numbers:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 13 | 20 | 65.0 | 106 | 5.3 |
| Kolb | 23 | 35 | 65.7 | 383 | 10.9 |
When Kolb's had success hitting big plays downfield, it's come on play-action throws, where he's averaging 10.9 yards per attempt.
THE BLITZ & PRESSURE
How has each guy fared against the blitz? Here are the numbers:
| Comp. | Att. | Comp. % | Yds. | YPA | |
| Vick | 27 | 45 | 60.0 | 406 | 9.02 |
| Kolb | 15 | 28 | 53.6 | 120 | 4.29 |
Vick has the clear edge here. It's also interesting to note that teams have been much more likely to blitz Vick than Kolb. But he made them pay, averaging 9.02 yards per attempt on those throws.
As for sacks, this number will surprise you. Vick has been sacked once every 8.73 attempts, and Kolb has been sacked once every 15.3 attempts. Part of that might be improved offensive line play. Also, Vick is probably more likely to try and make a play with his feet rather than just get rid of the ball. But interesting number, nonetheless.
Speaking of Vick's ability to make a play, it's only fair to include rushing yards in any comparison. Vick's carried 26 times for 187 yards and a touchdown. Kolb has rushed 10 times for 57 yards.
INTANGIBLES/OVERALL
The one thing I would say here is that the locker room has shown it will get behind either guy. That's pretty hard to believe, but it's true. I think the players respect both Kolb and Vick. I think the players believe they can win with whichever one is in the huddle. That's a nice luxury to have, especially when you take a look at some of the other backup situations around the league.
Vick definitely brings a wow factor. Many of these players remember watching him as a kid, playing as him on Madden and even wearing his jersey. Even last year, when Vick would make a play, it would excite the players on the sideline.
Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win right now. This is still a big-play offense that is succesful when the quarterback gets DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin the ball downfield. Through the first seven weeks, Vick has proven to be more capable of doing that better.
He's also more difficult to game-plan for, and brings the added element of being able to hit on big plays when protection breaks down. All while taking care of the football and not turning it over.
Kolb has looked capable of being a good NFL starter. He needs to be more consistent on throws downfield, especially with the way the offense is currently set up, and he needs to avoid turnovers and bad decisions. Those are things that are likely to come in time. Sometimes, we forget that he has only made six career starts.
That's how I see it after seven weeks of the season. Vick will be the starter unless he's injured or suffers a severe drop-off in his level of play. If either of those things happens, Kolb will get another shot.
As for 2011 and beyond, check back with me in nine weeks.
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Between Vick and Kolb, one thing is for certain: THANK GOD we don't have to deal with Donnie Choke anymore.— brmorgen81- Show me how the defenses have performed this season agianst other QBs. I think we all expected Vick or Kolb to tear up the lions, jags and niners.— Ship_Of_Fools
- wolf is somewhere writing a letter to the editor to have Sheil fired over this. LOL— mlr710
i like our qb situation. vick is the undisputed starter, and kolb is the solid back up. go birds!- With Vick and Kolb, the locker room is behind either one. With Donnie against either of these two, we would have a divided locker room. Thank God he's DC's problem now.— mrbean
Comment removed.- Philly_Mike -- lol @ you for being a hater. the stats PROVE that he is playing well but you have so much hate for him that you cant even be objective. remember, that "soft player" named vick has taken his team to the playoffs twice and is the only QB to ever win a playoff game at Green Bay. But yet you question his ability. hahahaha. you're funny(and pathetic)
- KK's passing pct under center is off the hook,a team cannot win a SB with just a shotgun QB,a QB under center causes more problems for a defense because it has to play the run....KK has less sacks then conVick and KK has been progressing every game...also some of these stats are flawed by the competition of the teams:conVick played two doormats and was down 0-14 to the deadskins..KK beat the niners at SF,KK destroyed the first place falcons with a 133 QB rating and had a lead in the 3rd QTR against the first place Titans until 2 fumbles(mccoy and punt returner)turned the game around..the colts defense are the ideal team KK picks apart with his accurate passing..but that's BIG RED's call we will see if convick can beat the colts,i don't think he can or will......wolf.— wolf 4
- lets give it up for wolf.... By far, the stupidest person to ever figure out how to use the internet— Iggles21
- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I HAVE LATE-BREAKING NEWS. MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE. WE OFFICIALY NOW HAVE THE FIRST CONFIRMED "DONOVAN TAKES THE HIGH ROAD" ARTICLE FROM THE NATIONAL MEDIA SINCE WE WENT TO D.C. Hahahahahahahahaha I anticipate him being cut this week.— brmorgen81
- typo - "since He went to D.C" - yes, He needs to be capitalized in Donovan's case because He is indeed Divine. LOL— brmorgen81
- the myth? the eagles are the gold standard. the truth?? no need to even say it. during the last 4-5 seasons we have been the "ny mets" of the nfl. bottom line
- One last thought: I predicted McNabb would be benched for Rex Grossman back in Week 3, when Shanahan hinted he was displeased when he made the comment "you get paid in this league to convert on third downs". (Commented is documented, look it up) I also predicted Mike Vick would be the starter this year. If you want good football insight, knowledge, and predictions, stick with myself and Sheil Kapadia. If you want terrible analysis, stick with Les Bowen and that idiot ppizza.— brmorgen81
- Comment removed.
What a treasure we have in Sheil. Top notch work as always!— kgall
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