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?
More coverage
Buy 2012 Eagles tickets Comments (174)
From the looks of it, Andy is doing everything in his power to appease both the "start Foles" crowd and the "fire Andy" crowd. He's a people pleaser, that man is.— dlivesay- (Conversation on the sideline in the third quarter)
MV: Coach, D's spread wide, 4 deep. Let's get Shady going up the middle.
AR: Nah, we're gonna throw. All gos.
(No one gets open in the .5 seconds after Bell avoids contact with his man and watches the sack.)
MV: Coach, middle was wide open again. Let's run the ball
AR: Nah, I saw somethin there, downfield. Let's go play-action
MV: But we haven't run the ball since the first series.
AR: That's why it'll work. I think we'll get somethin' deep, there.
(Vick has all day but no one gets open. He throws the ball away rather than squeeze it into triple coverage.)
MV: Draw play, coach! They'll never see it coming.
AR: Desean had an inch of space. You can get it in there. All gos.
MV: What about sending Shady into the flat? It's wide open for the screen!
AR: Nah, Bell doesn't like to get his jersey mussed. Need him in there helping out. All gos.
(Big blitz. Vick gets Schaub'ed with no hot to go to because they all went deep and Shady stayed into block.)
MV (glassy-eyed from the hits): Coach, the run is there.
AR: Deep outs when we get the ball back. All gos. I saw somethin' there. Deep. Jeremy'll get open.
MV: Coach, Jeremy's not playing this week. That's Damaris Johnson.
AR (Stares blankly onto the field.): Nah, I saw somethin' out there. Deep. Throw it to Jeremy next time, there.
— thealphawolf - So glad I come from New York...Where Football actually means Super Bowls...unlike Philly who will never win a Super Bowl and their Crying fans will Whine forever! Philly your Sports....SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!! Word to the wise...Move to New York! You'll be more happy!— MRD
- Vick has been done for years since he became DOG KILLER!!! People just don't get it!!— MRD
- Andy Reid is a stubborn idiot who refuses to allow common sense to enter the game plan or in game adjustments. His mind is a steel trap, what goes in never comes back out. Fire that fool, I don't care if he's 12-5 this season or I'm converting to a Philadelphia Union fan, the only team that has a chance at bringing a parade home in 2013.— TrollExterminator
- When Vick has time and is "on" he can make good plays. No one is talking about what the Fox commentators were talking about throughout the game (and even showed replays) that the Cardinals secondary had most of the pass plays locked down...how can Vick pass it if his receivers were not even open, or better yet, even turned around to see the pass? Vick haters are annoying because you clearly just don not like him. The O-line was not protecting him yesterday at all. You all are keep spinning your wheels about the guy when it comes to him "getting rid of the ball quicker". Let it go, because Reid is the one calling the plays. If Reid doesnt call a quick slant or a screen pass, and Vick doesnt have time to throw it, how can you argue that he doesnt get rid of the ball quick enough? Just like eagle fans....irrational and frowners. 13 more games to go. Chillax and see how the season plays out.— cancerouscynic
- I kinda hope Vick feels the results from this pounding every waking minute for the rest of his miserable life. Maybe Andy is a closet dog lover and he's only exacting some justice.— lunch
- BETTER JOB I GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB, BETTER JOB I GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB, BETTER JOB I GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB. This phrase is getting old for 14 years.— z03mbm
- Its the penalties, the turnovers, and just the overall sloppy play that really aggravates....— Mike Boryla
- I am not by any stretch of the imagination a Vick fan. At least not as a WCO QB. Doesn't have the tools to be a WCO QB in anyones mind except Coach Reids, but until someone on this team realizes that they need to RUN the football first instead of passing the ball 99.8% of the time with a very poor offensive line, you can't put a lot of this on Vick. Coach Reid is simply putting Vick in a position to fail. Vick can't play the WCO QB position. He doesn't have the tools for it. No he is not dumb, he just isn't that type of QB. He is a runner and a gunner. Unless Coach Reid desides to wake the freak up and starts running the ball the Birds are going no where fast and Vick will be out with an injury pretty quick. No one can take the pounding this guy has for much longer. This is ALL on the Coach's shoulders. There was no excuse for what happened yesterday or for the first 3 games really. This has been terrible.— golson@florida
- Koolaiders want to see Vick as he was in 2010. Running, throwing, scrambling...ditto ditto ditto. They want that QB back again. Reid on the other hand wants a healthy QB come playoff time. You see, this is just not gonna work.— Taser
- How long can readers survive the weekly "how long can vick survive" article?— Scope33
- The offensive line blows assignments. They block the wrong guy ALOT. Danny Watkins regularly messes up in pass protection. And I hope Dallas Reynolds is better than what he showed yesterday, because that was freakin' terrible. Andy compounds the awful line play by calling more passing plays while not keeping in a blocker or two to help out. The thing that kills me is that for all of those guys in routes, one of them can't get open sooner, on a shorter route?— beegal99
- Some of you guys are complete morons! Does Vick hold onto the ball too long? Yes. However, why in the world is Andy and Marty calling slow developing plays against a rabid pass rush? Not too mention that Demtrees Bell is a turn style. Listen a lot of you guys don't like Vick and I get it. However, use your football IQ and see the whole picture. Jason Peters is the best player on that OL and the rest of the guys are mediocre without him. Period. Also, Arizona gave Kevin Kolb a game plan that didn't allow him to fail. By the way, we all love Shady, but the guy can't pass block to save his life. Therefore, he still isn't better complete RB than Westbrook. Oh yeah, did anyone notice that DeSean punked out running that route over the middle? He caught the ball and crouched into a ball. Also, he cried about not getting a flag when Peterson was covering him when he wanted a pass interference penalty. The truth is if he keeps running he has a chance to catch that pass. And of course....DRC getting mad because he was blocked, and gets a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty? Wow....criticize Vick all you want....it's deserved. However, criticize the whole team which is also reserved.— PSU_Chuck
- Love the game plan Andy...torture and debilitate, then put him out of his misery...sound familiar MV???...— wvbillz
- woo hoo!!! Keep going like you are going Vick!!! don't get too settled into your new house— pennyrobinson
- Good morning Eagles fans this is your 2-1 wake up call, reminding you that this game looked just like the last game , which look just like the last game , which happened to look just like the last game!! Is it possible to have a ground hog day Eagles style???
— tjstrow - Putting Foles in there is stupid at this point. Without a decent O-line, he'll get injured...and then what? FIX this O-line, Reid. Then we can see if Vick is done. This game was a disaster. How could that AZ defender come clean on a blitz like that and crush Vick?!!! Ridiculous.....— philly449
- I don't think Vick lasts through the Giants game. Osi and JPP are sending Andy and Marty a preemptive thank you gift basket for all the sacks they're going to get next week.— Only in Philly...
- remember how JJ defended Vick; that's what other schemers are doing to the Eagles. It's called kill the qb defense. We pay coaches big bucks to adjust when schemes are on to what you're doing. One example. I know the situation the Eagles were in on the 1 yard line with 16 seconds and no time outs. Passing on the one yard line when the D knows you're going to pass is nigh impossible without a receiver who can run a slant or fade and QB that can deliver it. So take a gamble, run an option with McCoy going wide. How many fans out there envisioned two or three throws then a sack? An offensive play caller has to do what's not expected in that situation. Too bad Steve Sabol died. He could have done a feature on blown plays by the Reideagles at the end of the first half over the last few years. Glaring theme: no timeouts to work with.— retzlaff
- Who cares about his health. He just sucks.— sackvicknow
- It was JOHNSON NOT JACKSON!!!!!— Manny Trillo
- Hopefully his last gasp will come soon...I have disliked Vick years before he was a dog-killer back when he was in college. He was trash then and is still trash now. Karma is a b**ch and he is getting his with every hit. I don't care if his next hit means he has to retire. Get rid of Andy and Marty too.— sydneyismyalias
- Its really not complex sports fans. Their coaches beat our coaches. Their scheme was better than our scheme. Again!— SportsmanshipMatters
- If Vick could have just thrown the ball quicker?? What?? Has any thought been made that maybe these recievers should GET OPEN QUICKER, and then maybe he can throw it quicker. If he just stood back there and kept chucking it out of bounds, there would be complaining that he wasn't tough enough. Regardless of all this "dangerous weapons" they have stuff, these receivers are lacking.— hawaiiphillyfan
- I used to want vick gone because he is a dog killing coward, now I want him gone because he's an uncoachable dog killing coward— lunch
- Can't wait till the Sixers start their season.— TEDcGEGI
- I was dead wrong. Predicted the complete opposite of what occurred today. I actually thought the birds would come out and look like world beaters. They stunk. Next Sunday night is a huge season defining game. Either way, it's gonna be a long stressful season.— Mike Boryla
- Either there are open short patterns that Vick is not picking up or Andy is calling plays that take to long to develop given the poor offensive line protection. In either case Andy has to play the hand he's dealt not the one he wishes he had. This is a coaching catastrophe!— BLUEBELLION
- Vick stinks...Kolb completely outplayed Vick....LOL— phil500
- This is the wrong question. We should be asking how much longer do we have to put up with Vick? Get him out and move on. The experiment is over.— joemani28
- There is no amount of money worth the abuse and physical punishment that Vick is enduring. Hell, it isn't worth a trophy. Lurie should be alarmed, Reid should wake the hell up, and Vick ought to use whatever sense that he's still got and walk away while he can still walk. Like DMAC, Vick is playing for a coach who is putting it all on his shoulders, and he does not know how to protect his no.1 asset. This is past ugly, it is downright scary. If there is a quarterback out there who could succeed in this system, I have yet to see him.— gnarlyscuzz
- The Eagles were the ONLY team interested in Vick and it's clear why...Walk away? He running to keep those pay checks coming while he can...Vick will only see a Super Bowl from the stands and The Hall of Fame as guest.
- Craig321, Think about this. What happens if Mr. Mudd decides to retire after this year. That whole offensive line scheme may have to change, and it could be a real mess.— watsonmr
- EXACTLY. NOTHING like it is now...
How many YEARS from now will the Eagles win a Super Bowl? - Just in case EVERYBODY has forgotten, this just ended a winning streak of 10. 6 regular season and 4 pre-season games. HOWEVER, Mr. Mudd, please fix your offensive line, PLEASE.— Craig321
- EVERYBODY HAS FORGOTTEN...because that's a USELESS stat.
What's the trophy called for that....?
These stinking birds will never SNIFF a Super Bowl ring. -
- Did'nt seem to me Jackson put too much effort into getting open today. Seems like he was just running routes and not putting any effort to get himself free— ziller0604
- The other issue I have is people saying Vick holds the ball too long. Every freaking play that is called involves deep routes with these tiny receivers with NO UNDERNEATH or checkdown routes by the running backs. Then the receivers don't seem to be able to get open quickly enough for Vick to get rid of the ball in a timely fashion.....Again this all comes down to COACHING— idolovegolf
- Fire Reid. Hire Eskin, the only Philly analyst with anything to say. Eskin is King.— wo_fat
- Another wasted season of talent...Lurie make a move!!— phillyfan19335
- Well, guys, we, if you've been reading these blogs, all know the definition of insanity by now, don't you? Well, that sure looks like what's happening to me. There's just something really wrong here. I just don't think that Vick is the guy for the job, but at this point who is. It seems like anybody with an IQ over 30 could develop a game plan to beat Vick and the Eagles now. It's right out there, isn't it. But what kind of game plan keeps this team throwing, throwing, throwing.....not much success, and then throw some more. And then when we're way behind, in the second half, well let's run the ball now. I just don't get it. I have not seen any quarterback, any time, and any level of football get thrown around like a dang rag doll like Vick has for the last three games (and preseason, the little bit that was available). What in the heck is up with this. Aren't there some adjustments to be made. This is really sickening.— carlosfunk
- I'm hoping this is the low point of the season. All I know is that Marty seems glad to leave Vick out to dry with his abominable play-calling. The way he draws these things up runs almost exactly counter to reason. I truly believe he's among the worst coordinators in pro football. Already we're hearing the familiar chorus of the group-think choir: "He's holding onto the ball!" That is garbage. It is common knowledge how to defend this threadbare scheme. The only thing defenses cannot account for is Vick or McCoy creating something out of nothing. The O-line stinks and it's not just Reynolds and Bell.— auntesther
- At some point we need to stop expecting Mike Vick to overcome or make up for the most OBVIOUS shortcoming the Eagles currently have No one wants to address the "elephant in the room" The obvious problem is that Marty Mornhinweg is the MOST OVERRATED offensive coordinator in the league!! His play calling and his in game adjustments are stunting the growth of the offense. Talent with lousy coaching is such a waste. Stop blaming Vick for having to try and make something out of the NOTHING plays that are called by his coaches.— idolovegolf
- Bottom Line - The Eagles will never win with Michael Vick.
When an offense and/or QB reach a point just before their demise, they are unable to get their fair share of touchdowns. The tell tale sign that the end is fast approaching is field goals instead of touchdowns. Can't tell you how many times I've noticed this.— Kioto- Ed Spendell is a windbag. Still.— wo_fat
- I'm tired of hearing how the Eagles only chance is with Michael Vick remaining healthy. He isn't that good and at his best he will never win a championship. It's time for Andy and Marty to go and let's start over with a new offensive philosophy and the beginning of the Nick Foles era.— jgalt52
- Who cares? Nothing more irrelevant than pro football.— wo_fat
- So.........
Would it be fair to say both Reid and Vick have outstayed their welcome here ?
I don't know which one is a klutz phony than the other.
Reid will probably say again, for the umpteen time, we will look at the film, see what we did wrong, and correct it.
Problem always is, they fix one thing, and another problem develpos.
Either way, it usaually ends up in a loss.
Amazing that the team is 2 -1 and not 0 -3 which they have richly earned.
I think Ed Rendell could manage this team better than Reid.
The All Pro defensive players really showed their worth today. Sickening.— candidly - One of the funniest days in New York....A Philly blowout!— MRD
- I don't like to be negative, but I am afraid this team is cooked. I have little hope against the Giants. Reid has to go. He's a stuck record about not being prepared, having to do a better job, etc. He has no flexibility - stubborn - can't adjust and is entirely too pass happy. I am afraid Vick is done - Reid won't take him out but some defenseman will and that will be that. Plus it doesn't help to have a poor offensive line thanks to injury and whatever. As for the turnovers, not Reid's fault, but this team could well set a record.— ADever
- You gotta love when the cry babies are whining!!!!! Philly you suck!— MRD
- If Eagles had run the ball and Marty kept a fullback in to block for Vick on the passing plays, they could have moved the ball and kept the defense off the field! Got the feeling we're looking at the last season for the Andy/Marty offense which may be a good thing!— juggy gales
- 52 years and counting Lurie! 2013 = 53 years. This coach will never win the SB because after 13 years it's still his responsibility and has gone downhill every year.— Pap
- It's not a question of how much punishment Vick can take. It's a question of how much I can take. I can only hope Lurie was taking notes today.— dasher
- There were many times where I counted, "1000, 2000, 3000. 4000, 5000, 6000" and Vick still had the ball in his hands. The O line was inconsistent, and they didn't pick up many blitzes, but he had 4-6 seconds on many plays. Just get rid of the damn ball. The game made me sick out here in Vancouver, and all my "old" buddies in Philly were freakin' out at the poor play. Not since Boryla and Reeves have I seen such poor QB play and even worse play calling. Run the darn ball, it was effective in the second half, it always is effective. RUN THE BALL IDIOT REID!— petergou
- wish i was dictator of the eagles so i could flush this whole staff and bunch of loser players down the toilet.— jakeAZ
- We've seen this movie before....it doesn't end well.— TripleOption
- I don't know who is worse, vick or reid. this much is clear, the team traded the wrong QB a few years back— Ryan
- Ghost of vick murdered pitbull punched the ball out on the one yard line. karma sucks.— joeyrofrano
- And oh the joy up there in the great beyond - thousands of deliriously happy puppies wagging their tails and howling at the redemptive sight beneath them.— He Visto Todo
- How many times in the history of Philadelphia sports has someone who they've kicked to the curb come back and knocked them on their butts? Heh heh ... shades of Ferguson Jenkins. The Eagles deserved every minute of it today.
— iggles_rock - Remember when Reid had this supposed mistique that he knew when to get rid of players. Well I thinks thats gotten old. We have Kolb and Akers. Dawkins played a few extra years. I'm sure theres a lot more if I thought about it. — watsonmr
- How about Gio Gonzales for the modern day comparison, not to mention Ryne Sandberg? — petergou
- oline is killing us. vick isnt helping, but i dont think it would matter. we would just be punting more. instead of receiving kickoffs.— djack10
- Reid's last year.— linuxdood
- Good teams don't go down like the Eagles did this week. Really sloppy, awful performance. The worst part is that they just keep doing the same things wrong: Vick holding onto the ball too long, botched communication in the secondary, getting beat in coverage in the slot. Over and over. This is an 8-8 team.— p-diddy
- Vick cannot win. In three years, with better weapons than DM ever had, he has exactly one playoff loss to his credit. Pleeeeeaaasssse! what in this man's past makes anyone think that he can last an entire season and not blow up or break down? He is not a winning QB -- forget the dog-fighting, he has always been in trouble for lack of discipline -- that is exactly how he plays -- without discipline! Mike Vick should not be a starting QB in the NFL.— dmaan
- The vast majority said that Reid robbed the Cards in the Kolb trade, that it was so lopsided, it wasn't funny. My response was let it play out a few years, and see the results. So, if Kolb leads the Cards into the playoffs, and maybe a Super Bowl with that defense they have, whats the answer then. Especially if DRC leaves after this year. Curry is not dressing yet. And you have Boykin. Like I said, lets wait a few years before we judge that trade. I still don't know how good Kolb is. I posted this week that the guy has had an unusual career. Today was another example.— watsonmr
- It's Andy "I want to get my QB killed" Reid. Vick could suffer a concussion and lose an arm and a leg and the coach would call a pass play. Reid must have pics of Lurie with goats.
How does this city have a moron for a head coach for 14 yrs and a strategically challanged baseball manager as well.
— Fan74"
I like that a lot Fan74! We got two cartoon characters respectively:
Chumlie the walrus from "Tennessee Tuxedo" Andy and Elmer Fudd
for Charlie.
Just think what a real coach and manager could do we these respective
teams? I still can't believe Charlie refused to throw one game to
the Brave last year at season's end, who they beat like a red-headed
stepchild the whole year, to put in the Cardinals, the hottest team in baseball at that time??? Did the idiot ever hear of match ups and
playing the odds, on who gives you the least path of resistance in
the play-offs??
Getting back to Reid, at least he has to go along with Vick at
season's end? or can Lurie really be that STUPID???
— mikey48 - It's time for Foles at least he don't hold the ball 10 seconds.
— smoothjaime 
They call themselves professional football players? I don't think so.- shameful display. no blocking. poor decision making. bad play calling. just like last year except the d looked a little better. why in the world does andy try and run another play with onyl 6 ticks left and no protection the entire first half? unreal.— psualum
- Vick never was the answer as much as McNeverwas, was! Neither QB can move our so called "west coast offense" with any efficiency. Backups for the last 12 years now have actually moved the offense somewhat like it's supposed to do. The author is this article is wrong when he says that the Eagles only chance is for Vick to remain upright, BS, Foles is as ready as any other rookie QB this year. He has the two most important qualities, accuracy and arm, with his height being my favorite third.— James Matson
- Nick Foles to Gen Custer(aka AR)`please Mr Custer,i dont wanna go.`— bill the pill
- Does Vick take too many hits? He cant get hit enough as far as I am concerned....Must be a lot of dog lovers playing defense for the other teams ...let him get hit for every dof he hit..turtored or murdered— flyers1000
- 2012 will be just like 2011 which was just like... etc, etc.
Lots of bluster from the Eagles and the pundits about how they are a Super Bowl contender [based on what?]. Then, as is their pattern, they continue to find new ways to blow games, and rally late in the season which gives Lurie a glimmer of hope that the string of "multiple super bowl championships" are just around the corner.
McNabb's gone. Banner's gone. Who's still here? Bingo! This team will never win it all with Reid.
And another year is wasted......— jman - I think this is on Vick. He had time to throw. You can't hold blocks forever.— ACBaughman
- Ray Horton, JJ reborn...— Grazman
- How much can Vick take? Not relevant as it is his own fault for holding on to the ball too long thru indecision and NOW lack of talent to guide a pro football team. It is a young man's sport and Vick's life experiences have him way past his chronological age. Last half season for Vick and last year for Reid -- both have outlived their usefulness....... and take that Morningover with him.— AirForceZoomer
- McNabb would have done a better job today. Vick is just awful.— GJK3161
- Vick brought this on himself, he is terrible and I capable of learning from his mistakes. Time for the Foles era to star!
- WOW All the griping from the keyboard coaching staff.Good football begins at a lot lower level then the Pros and that includes both high school and college which the Philadelphia area with about 6.000,000 people is absolutly horrific at when it comes to top 20 teams {TEMPLE} and the tiny few around here that ever make it to the NFL and are good.{John Cappaletti/Upper Darby being an exception.Must be the Schuykill drinking water or Philly Cheese steaks slowing things down I guess. Maybe if things started from the bottom up around the Delaware Valley and stopped relying on mercennaries{paid outsiders} all the time things might improve some. Do I hear Temple playing for the BCS title someday. It all starts at weekend High School football— tastycake
- I canceled my cable a few months ago. Glad I did.
With that said, does Andy Reid get some sort of contractual bonus for using up timeouts at the wrong times? As per this article, once again the timeout issue burned the birds?— MarkusAllen - Here is a novel thought establish the run. Then the defense will not go full blast after Vick. Nobody respect the eagles running game because they all know Andy will drop the running attack whether it works or not.— killamagilla
- Both Reid and Vick are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Stupidity and stubbornness is a deadly combination for Eagles fans. Reid too stupid to call plays to help his QB out and Vick too stupid to throw the ball away. There has to be some free-agent there that is better than Demitress Bell.
— RH - The Eagles will never win anything with Vick. I'm convinced.— Eaglenation5
- It's Andy "I want to get my QB killed" Reid. Vick could suffer a concussion and lose an arm and a leg and the coach would call a pass play. Reid must have pics of Lurie with goats.
How does this city have a moron for a head coach for 14 yrs and a strategically challanged baseball manager as well.— Fan74 - I think the protection breaks down because Vick is always on the run. You can't pass protect while running sideways. I am hoping Vick gets a minor injury so we can see what the kid can do. If that kid gets in Vick may never start again.— Ron
- an open letter to lesean mccoy,dearest no. 25 as bad as it pains me you sir are a total loser on this promising team.i sit back and watch you play each and every week and wonder why you have the nerve to step onto that football field.its pretty obvious this team neither wants or desires your mediocre presense on the field.with a one rated quarterback such as the one this team has your coaches dont even trust you enough to allow you to run the football as needed.that tells us as fans that your playing skills are a total waste.please do this wonderful fan base a favor and ask the front office to trade you or release you and save some money for another reciever of great quality,as you dont deserve to even be on the field with this organization.do us all a favor please and go to a team that can use you as you should be used.and one last thing sir,i totally hold you personally responsible for this devastating loss today becacause if you would have done what you get paid to do and let mv give you the ball,this great quaterback wouldnt be taking such a pounding like he is.once again 25 thanx from the bottom of my heart for blowing this game today.— arkdad212
- Vick and Andy = Dumb and Dumber— 4x4Guy
- Reid is a fraud always has been and so is ConVick, start the
kid Foles, see if he is the QB of the future, so at least we
get something out of this season and then bring in Jon Gruden
or Bill Cowher next year, no more Lurie "on the cheap" coaches???— mikey48 - Why is nobody mentioning MM? He knew going in the state of the O'line and did not have a game plan to counter it. Continued to call downfield passes instead of short quick strikes. MM doesn't adjust because he knows it all. Well will never win a SB with Marty at the helm. I think Andy would rather go down than put the blame where it belongs.— rad205
- see my post earlier in this thread.
— delcodanno - Two good omens i saw during the broadcast of todays game.They showed Nick Foles before MV handed off to the ACs who raced 93 yds for the score.And they showed Eagles fans their new coach,AC def cor Horton.— bill the pill
- It will never ever be Vick's fault. Comments about the bad O-line, should have a receiver like Fitzgerald, play calling...its never Vick's fault. Its just impossible that he holds the ball way too long, can't see the blitz and adjust, throws into coverage, and of course his fumbles can't be his own fault either. And his 64 QB rating must be a math error.— Taser
- I hope Vick lasts the season and the Eagles finish out of the playoffs again. That seems to be the only thing management understands before they make any significant changes. Sorry, Michael.— Ron T
- 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
- WOW....Kolb completely outplayed Vick...even last season Arizona back-up QB Skelton also outplayed and beat Vick...LOL— phil500
- 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
- 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
- outplayed by baby arm. time for foles.— snakeplissken
- 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.
- 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
- He can't survive his own dynasty....— bmcw
- Time to give it up Andy! The game has passed you.— slimdaddy
- 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
- Somebody tell Vick and his team that this is "professional" football.— Disco Dave
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Vick holds the ball way too long. You have to wonder if he has trouble reading defenses. His history would say yes. Can't seem him lasting much longer if he continues to get pulverized and the Birds refuse to try to run the ball. Get Nick ready.....— Servo
- I've seen a lot of bad Eagles games in my time. I suffered through two of the dumbest coaches ever to step on the field. I'm referring to Joe Kuharick, and Rich Kotite. Reid is certainly a better coach than those two, but he is too faithful to failures playing and coaching. The loss today hurts, but it's not the loss, but how it happened.
I know one thing for sure, I never would have spent millions of dollars to sign a gambler who was jailed for running dog fights, and killing dogs the way he did. He was part of an environment that doesn't breed trust. Why he was allowed to start any games this year, as butter fingered as he seems to be, is a mystery. Trusting him to be an honest competitor would not be something I'd invest my money in.
If Andy doesn't dump this failure now, he may as well look for other work , because he's worn his welcome out here.— phineas - What about MIke McCormack? Geez, this looked like early 70s Eagles ball to me today. What a disgrace. — petergou
- This is merely a question of intelligence and we all know where that leaves us with the dog killer time to get Foles in the game. Vick could not do a three step drop if his life depended on it and It obviously does— JIM IAQUINTO
- WOW....Vick and Eagles should be... 0-3— phil500
- Vick never learns.— 4thand10
- Today's what happens when the lucky streak ends. Hopefully Reid gets fired before the halfway mark so an interm coach can get adjusted before the offseason.— spd17
- but for a few inches... Eagles are 0-3— sillybilly
- Vick under pressure?!!!!! THROW THE BALL!!!! How long does the line have to wait for him to throw the ball?— Richard Saunders
- Vick sucked today! He caused most of those hits by holding the ball too long! Play calling blew as well. Marty sucks. Vick is too cocky and will not get us where we all want to go.
And not sold on Nate Allen either as missed a number of important tackles today— connorjr - Can somebody tell why andy reid was running the ball in 4th period when they re down 27-6 ? how couldn't he do it in first period? loooool— jkazongo
- Blowup the House that Reid built.— SedatedManiac
- It's time to end the Michael Vick experiment. His turnovers have cost the team points each week, and he absolutely will not change: still holds onto the ball too long when he should throw it, still throws it when he shouldn't, causes himself to get hit more than any other quarterback. Let's stop saying he is the best chance for the Eagles to win; he is not.— anthonya
- I blame McNabb.— cuse
- Team is going nowhere with Vick and Andy. When will everyone see that. You can put Fitzgerald and Megatron out there and he still wouldn't get them the ball. O Line or not, if he does have time he throws INTs, if he doesn't, he gets sacked and/or fumbles.
- TIMES URS ANDY UR FIRED WITH UNCLE CHUCKLES AND RUBE THE BOOB. NO PARADE FOR THE 10 YRS— 658012
- Season over already ! Vick and Reid, adios !— rpvjack
- Karma baby, karma.....— itzjake
- Fire Andy Reid. I say it today, said it last week, the week before, etc. Did you?— Phillyrussian7
- FAT Andy's last season as an Eagle...FINALLY, or my last as an Eagles fan.— fff
- Wow, 5 to 1 run pass ratio in the 1st half.
Reid & Morningwheg must think that an Oline with 2 new starters can dictate to a good defense on their home field.
What a bunch of fantasy football coaches.
Get real Reid, you need to adapt the game plan to the situation.
It was stupid to set Vick up to take hits and even stupider to not use McCoy. Get a grip, this is going to be your last season Reid unless you can show offensive discipline. I am looking forward to seeing you leave.— Soaring Eagle - Worst fans in America. Keep your head up #7— elijah29
- Same ole same ole. Terrible QB play. Terrible OL play and HORRIBLE goal line play calling. This team is so overatted it's beyond funny. Lucky as heck they aren't 0-3. Please lord let this be be Reid's last season. Hire the Cards D cord for coach in 2013— pflynn20
- Same ole same ole. Terrible QB play. Terrible OL play and HORRIBLE goal line play calling. This team is so overatted it's beyond funny. Lucky as heck they aren't 0-3. Please lord let this be be Reid's last season. Hire the Cards D cord for coach in 2013— pflynn20
- Head Coach Andy Reid, 2013 San Diego Chargers. I like the sound of that— Luriesucks
- 12 turnovers in 3 games...on pace to break the NFL record!!— Big Jeff
- more like dynasty of turnovers.
vick is a turnover machine.
and on the last play of the half?
u gotta be freakin kiddin me.— bloodymess - Any team that can't run the ball in from the tweety yard line will not go far in the playoffs. The achilllies heel of all of Andy Reid's west coast offense is that inability.You should not have to pass and be in a position for a fumble like that to occur.— Travlnmike
- Oh and how do you burn a timeout coming off the end of the quarter? Only Andy Reid could do that. Could have used that timeout on the drive before the half which prevented the Eagles from running the ball in for a score. You'd think after 14 years, Andy's clock management would be better. Not. "I just need to put our players in a better position to win."— mpflorida
- Arizona's defense is legit. They kept Brady and the Pats in check. The Eagles are not as bad as today's score indicates.
- Take your pick of why we got boat-raced by a KK lead team. Was is the poor game plan by the OC of this team? MM the OC of this team should have been fired after the first game. Why are you passing like crazy in the first half with a depleted O line? Why are you running the ball beginning of the 4th qtr when you needed to score quick? It didn't help the long routes being run by the wide-outs when Vick was being blitzed almost every play. I know I'm only an average fan and don't know as much as the pros like Marty but I will tell you that this man has no touch for his QB or the game of football.
— delcodanno - When does College basketball season start? Football season is over as long as Vick is the quarterback!— wayneh77
- Well the team that in the past has made Kyle Stinkin'Ortin look like an All-Pro QB, let a mediocre Kolb win. Funny how both Philly teams spent the same day so similarly, no offense and sloppy defense. on't understand the eagles game plan as usual and don't understand how Vick stands there with 6 seconds left and lookes around until he is hit.— atp2007
- I know this has been said a 1,000 times by others as well as myself, but it must be said again; Coach Reid NEED to learn to RUN the freakin' football. The line isn't great, Vick holds onto the ball too long and takes too many hits. Vick is NOT a WCO, neither was NcNabb so running a WCO without a WCO QB is stupid anyway. Coach Reid is so freakin' stubborn about passing the football and doing things his way even when everyone else can see that things need to change on offense that he is willing to throw his coaching job away. RUN THE FREAKIN' FOOTBALL. On the one yard line RUN THE FREAKIN' FOOTBALL.— golson@florida
- Once again Marty and Andy prove their complete and utter ineptitude. Best running back in the league, let's just keep on passing. I hope Jeffrey Lurie continues to watch intently as his QB get clobbered because of the stubbornness of a coaching staff that thinks they'll be here forever. Two more losses are on the way in the coming weeks. Good thing they squeaked out those first two wins because they could easily be 0-5.— mpflorida
- You write as if it would be a bad thing at this point if Vick isn't out there. He is just horrendous, magnified by mystifying play calling(on the road,crowd noise,and all you do is pass? Marty?Andy?).At this point he has no sense of when to get rid of the ball, and while I don't want to see Vick hurt, this team has NO CHANCE at all to go deep in the playoffs. Same problems, different game. How bad could the kid be?— iskabobpatel
/cough I take full responsibility, I need to do a better job.— DaFatman- Another game in which McCoy is underused, particularly frustrating considering the constant pressure Vick was under and the ineffectiveness of the passing game. When will Reid and the OC finally clue in that passing the ball 40-50 times a game with a banged up off line and QB is counter-productive?— camtheman
- Overrated and clueless is a bad combination. Bye Andy.— Ken B
- Who care, he sucks— Jay Grace 69
- Vick sucks— Jay Grace 69
- Letting Kolb go was a BIG mistake— lonewolf 10
- Vick & the OL are god awful. Vick is the dumbest qb in the nfl— Jay Grace 69
- Vick stinks...Vick is a turn over machine...Dump Vick...Start Nick.— phil500
- We're going to the Super Bowl! NOT!!!! time for Fat Andy to be shown the door. He thinks he knows more than the rest of the league but in reality he is in the bottom third of coaches. The day he leaves is the day I will start to follow the Eagles again.— Daddio
- Reid, the "QB Killer," should have to QB behind that offensive line, with 60 passes called. I bet he'd change his play-calling then.
- Yowzaaa!! - can it get any uglier? Mike - I've taken out a life insurance policy on you with me named as beneficiary. Good luck with the rest of the season!!!— bigdaddyG
- You can blame McNabb, Vick, Castillo, McDermott, the offensive line, the wide 9, the GM, the scouting department, play-calling, and even the owner (until last season), but Reid is the one constant.
Regardless of whether you think Kolb is better, who demoted and traded him?
Castillo, who promoted him?
Wide 9, who approved it?
And the list goes on . . . - Wow....Kolb completely outplayed Vick....Kolb's QB rating 127...Vick's only 64...LOL— phil500