Eagles' Vick tries to solve NFL blitzes

It's a new season, but if Week 1 is any indication, some of the same questions will follow the Eagles and Michael Vick this year.

Can he and his offensive line handle blitzes? Can Vick punish teams for sending extra rushers? And can he remain in one piece when defenses gets their hits on him?

Vick acknowledged Monday that it could be a key to the Eagles season.

"Over the last month was the first time I really tried to learn defenses more and more as far as where they can come after you, where they can get you, who's the free guy coming, what protections pick up what blitzes," Vick said on WIP-FM (94.1). "The way Marty Mornhinweg put it, it's the next level and it's the last phase for me in my quest for greatness."

He added, "If I'm able to accomplish that over the next couple of months . . . the sky's the limit for what we can do."

There was evidence of both Vick's skill against the blitz and his need for improvement Sunday.

Take this sequence midway through the second quarter. On first down from the St. Louis 34, the Rams sent seven at Vick, but he escaped, bolting for 19 yards.

Two plays later, though, Vick faked a handoff and as he set his feet was blasted from behind by safety Quintin Mikell, who forced a fumble that the Rams recovered. The play-action left Vick with his back to the defense. Adding to the confusion, Mikell started well off the line of scrimmage, and attacked only at the snap, helping to fool Vick and his protection.

It was one of several examples when the Rams seemed to fake out Vick and his line. They should have plenty more chances to work on it.

Defenses know they can't sit back against the Eagles. Vick set fire to that game plan against Washington last year.

But blitzing has its own dangers. Vick and his offensive teammates can torch a defense that doesn't have enough help back. So defenses will try to fool Vick.

It's up to him to recognize the rushes, especially when blitzers outnumber blockers. The Eagles believe they hurt teams that come hard after Vick, even if they will get some shots on the quarterback.

"You're not going to hit on every one, but when you do hit, you want to make them productive," said coach Andy Reid. "If you make the defense pay, then they're not going to blitz as much, so he did that. He made some big plays."

Coaches have given Vick the final call on pass protection.When the rush does come, the team wants him to find the tricky balance between making plays with his speed and staying within the offense.

Vick beat the pass rush several times Sunday with moves no other quarterback could conjure, and the offensive line got better as the game went on.

Still, Vick was sacked three times and hit 11. He absorbed added punishment on his 10 runs. Reid said the quarterback still won't slide, but has learned to minimize the big hits and lean away from hits after he releases the ball.

"Do I like it? I hold my breath every time he does it," Reid said.

It might only take one big shot to derail the season.

Vick at first said he would try to ease up on the running.

"I'll try to play a more controlled game from here on out, scramble and make the plays when I need to but just smoothing it out a little bit, don't take too many hits," Vick initially said on the radio. Then his confident, competitive side came out.

"As long as my legs feel great, I'm going to continue to use them as weapons," he said. "I was given that ability to use it, and I'm going to use it until my last down."

Vick was fine after Sunday's game. The question, though, is not whether Vick can survive one week, but 16. The Eagles need him to not only be upright, but strong well into 2012.

He'll face another tough pass rush Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons had five sacks Sunday, tied for most in the NFL.

It will be an emotional game for Vick, returning as a starter to the city where his career began and first fell.

"I thought about it this morning when I woke up," Vick said in an interview Monday. "I'm excited to play in the dome, just to be in that environment playing against a team that I once played for."

Vick has been back to Atlanta as a member of the Eagles, throwing for one touchdown and running for another in a win over the Falcons Dec. 6, 2009. He was a backup then. Now he returns as a starter.

Vick received a mixed reception in his first game back in Atlanta. He said he "always loved" Falcons fans, despite some ugly moments.

"Some things happened but it was nothing as far taking a shot at them or being derogatory towards them," Vick said. "I've always loved the fans, I feel like they always loved me and I think it will always be that way, even if I'm in Philly."