Could Vick miss the opener?
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Could Vick miss the opener?
Jeff McLane
A source said Michael Vick sounded optimistic that his injury wasn't serious. (Yong Kim / Staff Photographer)
Michael Vick isn't out of the woods just yet.
While an x-ray of his ribs following Monday night's preseason game against the Patriots came back negative, the Eagles quarterback will undergo an MRI and a CT scan this morning to see if there is damage other than a fracture.
"He got a good shot there," coach Andy Reid said of the hit that New England linebacker Jermaine Cunningham delivered to Vick's mid-section. "The precautionary measure is to see if it’s involving cartilage there.”
Vick has been down this road before. On Oct. 3, 2010, he left a game against the Redskins when he took a blow to his rib area. He had an x-ray but the team did not release the results after the game. Reid said then that he had a "sore chest." A day later, an MRI revealed that Vick had injured the cartilage that connected his second and third ribs to his sternum, according to the Eagles.
Reid said that Vick had fractured his cartilage. Vick admitted this past spring that he fractured his ribs. Whatever the injury, he did not play again until Nov. 7. He originally said that he would miss probably only two weeks. But he sat out the next three games. A bye week followed so Vick may have returned earlier, but he did not play until the Colts game -- 35 days after the injury against the Redskins.
The Eagles open the regular season in 19 days on Sept. 9 at Cleveland. They have two preseason games remaining -- at the Browns on Friday and at home against the New York Jets on Aug. 30. Reid did not rule out Vick for Friday's game, but it is unlikely he will play in either contest even if his injury isn't serious.
Quarterback Mike Kafka won't play with a fractured hand, so rookie Nick Foles and Trent Edwards will likely split the Browns game. Foles performed well in relief of Vick against the Patriots. He could have the backup quarterback spot locked up.
Vick and the Eagles returned to Philadelphia from Foxboro, Mass. early this morning. A source close to the quarterback said he spoke to the quarterback when he arrived and that he sounded optimistic that his injury wasn't serious, for whatever that is worth.
Still, Vick can't seem to avoid injury. In the preseason opener he bruised him thumb when his hand hit the back of center Jason Kelce's helmet. Last year, he suffered a concussion at Atlanta, bruised his hand the following week against the New York Giants and broke two ribs in November against the Cardinals. He sat out the next three games.
The Eagles have tried to stress to Vick that he needs to do a better job of protecting himself. While the 2010 injury occurred when he was scrambling, Vick's last five injuries have occurred in or around the pocket.
Guard Evan Mathis took the blame for Monday night's injury. He was beat inside and Vick had to spin away from a defender and into the arms of Cunningham.
“Completely my fault,” Mathis said. “It’s something that can’t happen. Something we’ve got to work out. Fortunately, Michael is not too seriously injured, but it’s very concerning. It’s our job to keep him safe. To keep him off the turf. When the quarterback takes a hit and is laying on the ground, you feel it.”
Could Vick have done a better job of avoiding the hit? Should he have thrown the ball away when he saw that Mathis was beat? Reid said that Vick didn't hold onto the ball too long or make the wrong decision.
Whether it's Vick's fault, the line's fault, Reid or offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's fault for trying to turn Vick into a pocket passer or all of the above, it is unclear. One thing is clear: Vick has been getting hurt way too often.
Comments (78)
He'll be out 4-6 weeks then out of Philly permanently at the end of this season.— JBP- Can't wait to get him and Reid out of Philly !!!!!!!!!!!— zogger
- Mathis blew his block totally, but that wasn't the guy who hit Vick. Instead of dumping the ball off, he ran into pressure, which he does often and tried to throw the ball instead of immediately throwing the ball away or just project yourself and the ball and take the sack.— Sidewinder7
- He just has to know better than to try to heave a bomb to an empty part of the field is not the right play. He has to consider the time it takes to release the ball and that he can still get hit. Amazed that he cant even figure that out in a lousy preseason game. He also did a head first slide on a scramble earlier. He wont change and his frame just doesnt hold up to the hits. He will most likely get hurt again. As well, they even mentioned dynasty in the MNF intro, too funny I laughed. Every time I hear natl media talk eagles it always comes up, ha, another thing Vick should figured out by now.— peteike
Vick has proven he's not very smart and very athletic, that's what I deduce from all this.- Expecting Vick to change his style of play is just not realistic. He is an amazing athlete but not a great QB. His style of play and his body type inevitably leads to injuries. He cannot last an entire season and thus in many ways hurts the chances of this team. Unfortunately, there is nothing to do but play the hand for the remainder of this year. But any thoughts of him changing or a Super Bowl are basically zero.— mindstorms
- When we got Vick I didnt think much about it ...thinking we'd just use him as trade bait. In no way would I think we'd hand over the keys to an injury prone, unintelligent QB that is past his prime and has always been more interested in getting on sportscenters top 10 plays then winning Super Bowls. This experiment has gone awful. Kolb in our system if given time would be better then Vick. Foles hopefully is our future. We need a QB not someone that thinks his legs can do everything...someone that can read a defense / read a blitz...a QB that has a mental clock in his head that says get rid of the BALL in 3 seconds. You cannot win championships with a QB that cannot stay healthy ....plain and simple. It is a FACT.— RealizticFan
Comment removed.- Instead of insults, how about showing what's wrong with the statements they just made. I'll bet you can't, and that's why you resort to insults.
— OldBill1934 - It's unbelievable to me how this guy just doesn't get it. His mandate is pretty simple: stay healthy and don't completely tank the season, and he gets to play out that $100 million contract. The alternative is he gets cut after this season. So what does he do? 2 preseason games and 2 separate injuries, both because of poor decision making. It's astounding to me that a rookie QB can come right in and orchestrate the offense almost flawlessly, simply because he understands Read and Release better than a 10-year vet
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- You could put him in a hurt locker bomb suit and he will still get hurt. He is too soft and delicate to play in the NFL. He also is not a good QB in this league even when he is healthy, amazing athletics aside. — Sidewinder7
- yes the thumb injury was a poor decision that could've been avoided if he had a tiny bit of pocket presence and the natural timing mechanism that every pocket qb possesses. Instead he sat in the pocket too long holding the ball, didn't recognize where the pressure was coming from, and made a throw from a phone booth while completely out of rhythm. When you put yourself in that position, in a preseason game no less, you invite injuries to happen (and it's actually his second thumb injury)
- another excuse to keep Reid after this season— djgq42
- is there a reason he isnt wearing a flak jacket at all times on the field?— CSpangler
- Amazing how many people are finally coming to their senses, that this guy never was,never will be the answer. He is a joke. He can't read defenses, and it is becoming his demise. The Eagles paid this guy $100,000,000 and this is what they deserve. Not one good thing has happened to this franchise, since they sold their soul for a few more wins. Their season is over before it even started with him running the team.— sackvicknow
- I wouldn't mind seeing Foles start against the Browns.— gho_matt
- I'm more upset about his scramble on the first drive when he slid head first into opposing D, where they are now free to hit him. Slide feet first, D is not allowed to hit you, and you avoid injury. I thought he was lucky to not get injured on that scramble.— bpo_intheknow
- Vick should be in jail. He is undoubtedly being punished by God for being a dog abuser and just an all-around idiot. Vick, and all Vick fans, are worthless people.
Oh yeah, GO BIRDS !!!— Andy R - why isn't he forced to wear a flack jacket???? Preseason especially but the way he gets hit he needs to be wearing a flack jacket and coaches are idiots for not requiring that!— connorjr
- If a player is constantly getting hurt playing football, it's either because he is a smart aggressive player who sacrifices his body for the team. Or because he puts himself in bad position because of stupid plays. I think we all know which category Vick is in.— AreaMan
- its getting hard to defend Vicks play, thats a fact in the eyes of any objective fan. That being said, its just the preseason, he will have his chance to prove otherwise but its a long season in a tough game. As someone posted yesterday, once the gmen started to line up on his throwing side, other teams followed suit. Defenses can gameplan against him to a degree with success. I was never a fan of his in Atl, always thought he was beatable. I still think so. Im ready for a new era and season hasnt even started. And I defended him many times, not anymore.— peteike
- Time for Eagles to start persuing John Gruden. Would love to see him take over. I like Andy, but his approach is getting kinda stale. Also, who is the idiot who makes up the NFL preseason schedule ? Pats and Eagles play games within 4 days ? So we get to see games like last nite, no Brady, etc. And why schedule the same team, Browns, we open the season against ? Friday's game will be just as meaningless, playing 1's against 2's & 3's ...— mortt1956
the eagles didnt pay him hte entire 100 mil YET - and while they never planned to, i dont hink they planned on SAVING MILLIONS NEXT when FOLES BEATS HIM OUT AND HE JUST GETS dumped!! i like VIck fine but the ealges brass will draft a new kid, promote Foles and SAVE 5-10 MIL by leting vick go for a 6th rounder ... the biggest worry is that FatAndy now has HIS next meal ticket extension. :(— daveH- Vick is not the answer (although like AI he is ill suited to be the focal point of a teams success) unless the question which QB can run the fastest, throw the farthest and get hurt the most?
If you guys realize this team is a legitimate SB contender and has been for most of the past decade, you should also realize that the Eagles would be much better off with an above average QB who knows how to play QB in the NFL.
I am not sure yet if Foles is that guy but I am certain it is not Mike Vick. I am almost at the point where I just wish Vick WOULD get hurt so that the Eagles can move on that much faster. Either way, its his last year in Philly.— LJ14 - jeff,,Nick Foles is a breath of fresh air,,mike conVick looks like he is on the down side of his ringless career,bigred should have never gambled on the con in the first place he set this team back,,big red should have stuck with Donovan (a borderlin HOFer) he still had a few good years while Kolb was being groomed,now our only hope is this kid Foles comes thru,i've said from the Get Go that conVick would never take this team to the promise land while other diehards like (panpizza,CYO,tyrone,CHarmaine etc etc)thought he could walk on water lolol,,,MV=OSBs..book it!!...wolf.— wolf 4
- We need to pull an Indy. Tank the season to get a new coach, (Gruden) and a new qb (Barkley).— snakeplissken
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- It seems that the Eagles would be far better off with #5 as the back up qb and Foles as a developmental third QB.Michael Vick will never be anything different than he is;he will make spectacular plays, get hurt 3 or 4 time per year and NEVER win anything important.— phillyfanincal
- Why would you want #5 as a back up Qb? He's no better than Vick! And what part of Fole's game needs development since he's already much better than Vick will ever be. For that matter, Trent plays better than Vick also!! — OldBill1934
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- Just face the facts. Vick isn't smart enough to stay healthy. Yea Mathis might have missed his block last night but then there's Vick scrambling around and just heaved the ball up for grabs. He was lucky it wasn't picked off. Manning, Brady, any QB with half a brain just slides there and lives for another possession. Vick has been in the league forever and still can't read a defense. Eagles are going nowhere with Vick. Glad this is the last year of his guaranteed money— pflynn20
- Gruden is not the answer, he lost his team in Tampa and was terrible his last few seasons. McNabb talk also, just please stfu already with that nonsense. They got value for him and moved on at the exact right time. Kolb was also a smart move to get rid of as we are seeing now. Vick was the plug in filler they needed to stay relevant, that is all. He can still be succesful, but its nice to finally see a pocket passer with an arm running this offense. He should see some real action this yr, and most likely be the starter next season. Im fine with that.— peteike
- "Vick was the plug in filler they needed to stay relevant, that is all."
did I nap through the part where the Vick kept the Eagles "relevant" ?
2010 was 10-6 and "one & done"
2011 was 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
except for the fevered imaginations of the Eagles faithful, the Eagles haven't been "relevant" since they lost the Super Bowl.
yeah, that's seven seasons.
failed to make the playoffs 3 times,
failed to win a playoff game twice
and the year they made their deepest run (to yet another Conference Championship game loss) they nearly missed the playoffs again.
Expect them to revert to their normal mediocrity while woofing it up constantly.— ekw555 - I dont disagree. Still relevant as in, the talking heads always thinking they have a great team, still in the playoff discussions whether it happens or not. That kind of relevant. Def not relevant to actually having a chance to win it all. — peteike
- While his propensity for poor judgement has been reduced it certainly hasn't been eliminated.— Eddieboy
- CYO, thanks. I just read all that BS from wiff and you did the dirty work for me. When and if wiff ever says anything remotely resembling the truth please let me know. Donovan/HOF comment was funniest yet and KK seems to have been all but forgotten...wonder why...?
wiff, KK's pool needs cleaning again...chop chop chump.— tpizza -
I couldnt care less if he plays another NFL game....I refuse to root for Eagles while he is on the team...He is a lousy person and a lousy quarterback..DOG KILLER— flyers1000 - Go back and take a look at the play in question. Vick rolled to his left, saw pressure and spun back to his right. At this point he had a lane big enough to drive a car through and open field for 20+ yards. The playmaker Vick would have made huge yardage with his legs. The new, improved pocket Vick tried to throw off balance and got nailed for it. Reid and Morningwad are fools and Vick and the Eagles will pay for their foolishness.— REVOLUTION
- What happens first...Foles replaces Vick or Cousins replaces RGIII...discuss.— 2ndNlong
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- Foles, Foles, Foles.
BW, I thought a helmet hit on a QB was illegal. It was clearly a spearing.— jjthree - It's nice to see a big, tall, strong, QB with good field vision, pocket awareness, reasonable escapability, a canon for an arm and accuracy. The kid could be the one to run this offense with repititions, he may get those first due to injury and then due to success. If he does turn out to be special and have a big impact the defense can still lose for us. But if he succeeds all of the Andy detractors will have to admit he made a good pick. I want to see how many will do that.— bentlip
- AFter watching Garcia and now Foles execute the offense. I have faith in Reid. He really has assembled a deep dline and running back group. Celek and Harbor also are showing promise. This team is stacked. We just need to start Foles. Run the ball a little more with McCoy and Bryce Brown plus the full back and just slow the game down some. Then air it out when needed. Foles can manage the game! Per gruden he executed about 60 different formations during the game with few snaps in practice. The browns game should allow our running backs and TEs more reps. I see a lot of promise. MY ONLY Concern is playing Vick in the opener and Castillo still managing the defense because these penalties are unacceptable and it should of been then D Coordinator addressing HIS defense but it was really refreshing seeing Reid address the team out in the open for once. I support Reid 100%. Its time to clean HOUSE Andy. Go with your Gut and start Foles.— Yes_General
- Your concern re Vick in the opener is valid, but I think JC will come around. I'm pretty sure we'll end up with a much better than average defense. — OldBill1934
- I wonder which team will sideline him for good? Philly is the loser for signing this FELON...— toiletofphilly
- conVicktim apologists & sycophants not be fillin' it no mo'? Die-nasty, indeed.
— autolykos - Michael Vick will be gone by November. How many games do you think the Eagles will win without a legit backup? Why not develop Foles instead of throwing him to the wolves behind the worst OLine in the NFC East?— phillyfanincal
- 1-2-345-Sixers...10-9-8-Seventy-Sixers...Everybody clap your hands!— Jamey D
- Mathis was beat like a puppy, and also Herreman on the outside was handed his head on the same play by the blitzing Linebacker who Herreman and Celek were supposed to have blocked. Some how three capable blockers missed their assignment and some of you blame Vick for the hard hit.
That's as rich as it gets. Maybe Vick should not only play Quarterback, but also suit up as a blocking linemen at the same time. The inexperience and inconsistent play of the Offensive Line is a reason that if Foles is the Quarterback of the future, he should not play behind the Eagles line until they have more experience.
It takes a few years before a line develops as they need to protect a pocket Quarterback, and right now putting Foles behind this Eagles line is a liability that can ruin this kid. Vick has not played behind a solid Offensive Line since replacing Kolb, to prove that point, Every Quarterback that's played behind the Eagles line in the last 4 years has found misfortune in the Training Room, now's it's Vick again with his ribs, and Kafka with a broken left hand. Remember Kolb was disable with a concussion behind the Eagles offensive line, and since we are working on implementing a totally new philosophy.
Since McNabb, every QB of the Eagles has missed time from being racked behind the Eagles Line. But you can still blame Vick if that makes your narrative worth listening in the long line of complaints regarding a Rebuilding project in Philly.
— Dexter - Pretty amazing that FINALLY everybody is off this clown's bandwagon. I would never say he is getting what he deserves..........Oh yes I would. HE IS GETTING WHAT HE DESERVES!!!— sackvicknow
- L— sackvicknow
- There are a few things that are certain, putting Vick on the Bench ensures a 4-12 record for the Eagles, and irrelevancy, and if New England can get to the Eagles quarterback with solid shots such as Vick and Foles experienced last night, Dallas, Redskins and the Giants are going to feast on whom ever is in the Eagles pocket.
Subjecting Foles to the Hits Vick, Kafka, Kolb and McNabb took over the last 4 years will ruin any rookie playing behind the Eagles line.
— Dexter - Start Cole now. Vick and Reid : gone!— Tyrone Biggums
- woo hoo!! Vick is on his way OUT!!! good riddence! don't let the door hit ya!— pennyrobinson
- Vick can sure be a dope at times— Chemist1524
- The OLine is way overrated and that, plus a fragile QB, is a disaster waiting to happen. Should be an interesting year!— cooperhawk
- I'm dying watching ths guy. The only way to protect him is to A) full body armor, B) Keep him on the sideline, or C) add 2 more tackles and 2 more guards to the line to cover his sides and back.— Bruddah
- Why don't they just put Andy Reid in a Batman suit as quarterback? Problem solved.— neddyflanders
- The Eagles Offensive Line needs to be a better friend and protector to Mr. Vick. Yes Mike is a true warrior, but he also needs to learn when to fold them and for God's sake, duck once in a while. Also, it appears that the Eagles will suffer through another year of the Ref's not calling shots on Vick, especially when they are late! Alos, last night the two roughing the passer penalties called on the Eagles were pure BS. The Eagle players barely touched the NE QB. Reid should instruct his players that if they are going to hit their QB and get penalized 15 yrds, by Jove, hit him with all they've got and plow them into the turf like we have seen Vick get planted time after time, and with no penalty called at all... Hmmm.— hbphillyfan
- This is no surprise to anyone who knows football. Signing him was such high risk-low reward. But now Lurie has a ready made excuse to bring back the Genius for another year after this 6-10 campaign.— Phils_World_Champs
- Why is Vick not wearing the maximum ribcage protection? WTH is wrong with their management to allow this to happen again. And again.— pres
- It still amazes me in reading most of the underlay in the comments, philly is still racially polarizing town.. lets see from Hoying to jeff garcia, then we want AJ Feely, then Kolb is the franchise ( not only can't he play he will be outta the NFL in 2 yrs ) well give me a Wh..te QB who can play— chalton harley
- has nothing to do with race all to do with toughness this kid got knocked down viciously close to the head i thought yet he still got up and worked his way down field bro he does a good job with the 1s and 2s he is tall he gets the ball out quick has good pocket presence all things i was hoping to see in vick but come on man for god's sake he slid head first man... if a play is on come one man that should be number 1. dude aint thinking bro — defroe
- blah blah offensive line blah blah foles took the hits and still moved the team down field and still scored people the kid is tougher than vick any day start foles give vick a clip board man let foles teach the vet how to do things. #folesisthefuture— defroe
- The Eagles would be Better Starting Nick Foles at QB this season and give him experience for the future. He is more of type of QB that we need in Philly, Good Arm, Smart, Good Size. He may bring a Super Ball to City down the road, Vick will never get there he is to small and takes to many hits, the only place he will go is to the Disabled List.— btsucceed
- has nothing to do with race and all to do with toughness and execution man. i mean come on man if any play deserves to be on monday night countdowns come on man it should be vick sliding... head first! come on man!!!! im sorry i was one the biggest vick defenders on here but if your not gonna learn from your mistakes if you cant see over the offensive line if you cant get the ball out fast enough and the rookie can sorry im with foles. foles took hits and still oved the ball down field still scored touchdowns still looked way better than vick these two preseason games. foles looks poised vick looks lost man dont make it about race. make it about winning and winning is not gonna happen with vick unable to move the ball and always getting injured. #folesisthefuture face it guy...— defroe
- Wow. Evan Mathis gets blown off the line, pocket collapses, he rides the defender to Vick and should get called for holding. Over on the right a rookie linebacker beats a double-team by a veteran right tackle and a tight end and the discussion is about Vick's IQ. Some of you shouldn't even be allowed to watch football because you know more about milking a donkey than you do ball.— Rawkus
- Makes sense now. Nick Foles looks good against a Patriots team playing absolutely nobody (and the Mudd's overrated o-line is getting spanked, by the way) and now Nick Foles is can't miss stud. Bring these idiots the trophy.— Rawkus
- Makes sense now. Nick Foles looks good against a Patriots team playing absolutely nobody (and the Mudd's overrated o-line is getting spanked, by the way) and now Nick Foles is can't miss stud. Bring these idiots the trophy.— Rawkus
- Makes sense now. Nick Foles looks good against a Patriots team playing absolutely nobody (and the Mudd's overrated o-line is getting spanked, by the way) and now Nick Foles is can't miss stud. Bring these idiots the trophy.— Rawkus
- Rawkus...an experienced QB should have been smart enough to recognize the collapsing pocket and thrown the ball away, avoiding the hit. Instead, Vick continued to roll left and right until he stepped into a freight train. While you might not think that dumb I don't see it as particularly intelligent.— 2ndNlong
- CYO,didn't i say conVick would be a bust,a bad move,set the team back,,even you know con is not what he and the bias media made him out to be,,panpizza will never admit i called the conVick will never win a SB from the Get Go (he had the young guns to do it),,,this kid Foles will add some years on to big red's coaching time with the eagles,Foles will be the starter by midseason book it...wolf.— wolf 4
- Vick needs to learn to slid forward like most pocket passers do. He would have beaten both rushers if he had.— Beagle Fan
- I can't believe how you guys don't get it. Its stupid to run a play action on first down when you never run on first down and your RB has gree fireld all in front of him. That's what got Vick hurt. Not running on first down! Period!— phillynupe4
- tpizza....help me out....which screen name is Lonewolf hiding behind? It's been awhile since I've been on here! Thx.— philly449
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