Paul Domowitch: Vick could take a run at third-down improvement for Eagles

A LITTLE MORE than a week before the Eagles open the regular season at the Linc against the Packers, head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg still are being purposely vague about their plan for Mike Vick in the offense.

Yes, he will back up Kevin Kolb. But they could have gone out and gotten any one of a half-dozen other quarterbacks who would've been better fits for that job than this wild stallion from Newport News, Va.

He's still here because Reid and Mornhinweg think Vick's unique skills as a runner-thrower can be of value to the Eagles' offense this season, even if Kolb manages to stay upright for 16 games.

"I don't know exactly what [my role] is going to be," Vick said after playing a little more than a quarter in last night's final preseason game, a 21-17 loss to the Jets. "I'm just as curious as you. So we'll find out what happens."

As an out-of-shape Wildcat and read-option weapon last season, Vick's contribution to the offense was minimal. He had 24 carries for 95 yards and completed just six of 13 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.

But he's in infinitely better shape now than he was 12 months ago.

"It's phenomenal to have a full camp under my belt," Vick said. "I felt like I was 25 years old again, even though that's not a realistic number. But, hey, I feel good.

"[The coaches] can see the difference, too. Last year, my legs were heavy. Everybody knows the situation and the circumstances. It was basically like somebody getting up off the couch and going out on the football field."

We weren't able to glean much about Reid's plans for Vick last night. With Kolb getting the night off, Vick was supposed to play the first half, but was lifted after the first quarter. He completed three of five passes for 56 yards and rushed for 11 yards on two carries.

"I thought he had enough work," Reid said when asked why he pulled Vick quicker than expected. "The guy's 30 years old. He's been in this league a long time. I think he's ready to go."

Last week's game against the Chiefs may have offered the best clue into how Reid and Mornhinweg intend to use Vick. With Kolb playing almost three quarters of that game, Vick twice replaced him on third-and-short situations.

He entered the game on a third-and-1 at the Philadelphia 41 on the Eagles' third possession and ran for 5 yards and a first down. Later, he replaced Kolb on a third-and-2 at the Eagle 47 and gained 8 yards. The Eagles' first offensive unit converted just three of 12 third-down opportunities against the Chiefs, and Vick was responsible for two of them.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mike Vick, your short-yardage quarterback.

Asked after last night's game whether he cared to share his plan for Vick, Reid declined. "I don't [want to say]," he said. "Not before the first game here [against the Packers]."

I'm sure a fair share of you think it's a bad idea to yank your starting quarterback in key situations such as third-and-1 and third-and-2. I'm guessing it's not an idea that really thrills Kolb to death either.

But here's the deal: If the Eagles want to have any hope of making a deep playoff run this season, they absolutely, positively must get better on third down. No offensive deficiency hurt them more in '09. And no player may be able to help change that this season than Vick.

They finished 23rd in the league in third-down efficiency, converting just 36.2 percent of their third-down situations. In their six losses, their third-down success rate was a pitiful 28.7, including 5-for-23 (21.7) in their two season-ending losses to the Cowboys.

While they weren't very good at converting third-and-longs (12-for-56 on third-and-10 or more, 21.4 percent), it was their failure to consistently convert third-and-shorts that really hurt them.

They converted just 32 of 55 third downs of 3 yards or less last season (58.2 percent). In their final nine regular-season games, they were 14-for-27 (51.6) on third downs of 2 yards or less, converting just 10 of 18 third-and-1s (55.6) and four of nine third-and-2s (44.4).

Their third-down impotence on offense had a ripple effect on their injury-ravaged defense, which spent an unhealthy amount of time on the field. The Eagles finished 29th in the league in time of possession (28 minutes, 15 seconds). The three teams that finished below them in time of possession - Buffalo (27:50), Kansas City (27:37) and Seattle (27:31) - had a combined record of 15-33.

Maybe the Eagles' run game will be better in short-yardage situations than it was a year ago when it finished 22nd in the league in rushing and didn't have a running back with more than 637 yards. And maybe not.

Considering the many uncertainties up front on the offensive line, including a center who is coming off an ACL injury, the chances of LeSean McCoy, Leonard Weaver and Mike Bell consistently turning third-and-1s and third-and-2s and third-and-3s into first downs this season aren't all that great.

Which brings us back to Vick. If we've learned anything about the guy in this preseason, it's that he's got his legs back. He, once again, is the catch-me-if-you-can scrambler we knew before he lit a match to his life and his career.

Spread out the opposing defense with a three-wide receiver set on third-and-2 and the opposing defense is faced with a dilemma. Do they bring up the safety in the box to defend against a Vick run and leave DeSean Jackson and/or Jeremy Maclin with a one-on-one opportunity on the outside, or do they keep the safety back and try to defend Vick with a nickel front of four linemen and two linebackers?

"He did a nice job last week [against the Chiefs]; he had some good reps against them," said Reid. "And today he had some good reps."

While Vick isn't totally sure how Reid and Mornhinweg plan to use him, he said he is ready to go if anything happens to Kolb this season.

"That's why I'm here," he said. "If something happens [to Kolb], I feel like I can step in. I've played this game for a long time and have started a lot of games in this league. I know how to prepare, know how to study and get ready to play a good football game. It's easy. It's only as hard as you make it."

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