• March 29, 2024

A Healthy Michael Vick Finishes The Season Strong, But What Next

Few teams that fail to make the playoffs one season become one of the favored teams to win the following Super Bowl before the off season even begins. The Eagles are the exception.

The Birds’ 34-10 victory over the Redskins in the 2011 season finale capped a four game wining streak for the under achieving “Dream Team.” Once again, a shining star for Philadelphia was its six-foot quarterback Michael Vick.

In the win, the former Virginia Tech star put together one of his better games of the season. However, it was game that bared no meaning, against a Redskins team that had mailed it in many weeks prior.

Nonetheless, the ex-Hookie threw for three touchdowns for the first time this season. The former Falcon had his third 300-yard game of the year, and set a new career high with 3,303 passing yards in a season. Vick finished with a passer rating that exceeded 100 for the third consecutive week and fifth time overall in the 2011 campaign.

The Warwick High grad had a rocky start to a season that seemed doomed from the very beginning. He followed it up by showing character and moxie late in the year, even if the outcome was not what the fans had hoped for at seasons start.

The page must now be turned to the 2012 season. With the expectation that the Eagles will add personnel to stabilize the defense, the team should be in a great position to make a championship run.

Yet, even if the front office comes through and fills the holes on the Eagles defense, one glaring concern still remains – the health of Michael Vick.

The four-time Pro Bowler has played in 16 games just one time in his career. Although he had some time away from football, Vick has not played in more than 13 games since the 2006 season with the Falcons.

Aside from the obvious, why is this important when chasing a championship?

Not since Brad Johnson quarterbacked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory, has a team won the championship with a signal caller who played in less then 15 games.

If Vick were aware of this information, perhaps he would slightly alter his style of play. The hits and bruises will add up sooner or later.

Michael Vick is only helping his team when he is healthy. It is time for the quarterback to sacrifice a couple of yards to play in a couple of more games.

Keith Zubrow

Keith Zubrow is currently a freshman at Syracuse University where he is studying Broadcasting and Digital Journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Marketing Management at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. In 2011, Keith graduated from Upper Dublin High School. During his time at UDHS, Keith served as a three year President of the Broadcasting Club and was the lead play-by-play voice for UDTV, Upper Dublin's Cable Access Channel. During that span, Keith made two appearances on network television and, in 2010, won an award for his story that aired on KYW Newsradio. Follow Keith on twitter: @kzubrow

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paulman
paulman
January 2, 2012 8:32 am

Though VIck did not play outstanding Football over the last 4 Games, he did improve his play, took less shots and overall, protecting the ball better..
They did go 4-0 versus decent Defenses of the Cowboys,Dolphins,Jets and Redskins and came out 4-0 which is something to build on..
Vick played well in spurts and really didn’t have a complete game but at the end of the day, winning all 4 games is a positive in my book.. Maclin and D-Jax were heathly and making plays down the field and Celek really came on during the 2nd half.. Add a healthy MCCoy for next Season and maybe add another Big WR for the Red-Zone and there is no reason the Eagles can’t compete for the Playoffs and make a deep run for 2012.. They do to figure out waht to do with D-JAx and Resign LG E Mathis in which they will probably have to overpay to retain him.. Upgrade the FB position and solidify the Depth along OL,RB & TE positions.. Besides Vick, I don’t believe they have any Starters over 30 Years of Age (maybe Herremans & Peters are getting close to 30)
Also the fact the Vick and Back-up will have a full Offseason should help tremendously and this Eagle Offense has a bright future

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
January 2, 2012 11:36 am

“a shining star for Philadelphia was its six-foot quarterback Michael Vick.”

Did I mess something? Guy spent 3 quarters doing everything in his power to keep the Skins in the game.

Stevo
Stevo
January 2, 2012 12:09 pm

yes Vinnie- as always you missed something.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2012 12:34 pm

Vick is about 5′ 10 1/2″ by the way and not 6’0

BirdoBeamen
BirdoBeamen
January 2, 2012 2:28 pm

I’m surprised this idiot Vinnie is still around complaining about Vick……give it up you clown!

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2012 3:35 pm

****Craxy Trade Alert & Rumors about a 3 Way Trade…****.

Eagles Trade QB M Vick to the NY Jets for LB Bart Scott and their 2nd Round Pick per the NFL Comisisoner’s Urging..The Eagles then turn around and send their 1st Round pick, 1 2nd Round PIcks and CB A Samuel to the Indy Colts for QB P Manning… Stand-by for updates or revisions.

All 3 Teams are happy and the NFL is happy, carry on….

DCar
DCar
January 2, 2012 7:45 pm

Paul, I believe, Manning is a FA, & not under contract. You don’t have to trade for him. Didn’t they franchise him in the off-season? I could be wrong.

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2012 7:54 pm

I think Manning signed a 3-4 Year Deal just before this Seasons started when there were hopes that he may return but the Colts had an out clause that if he fails a physical before the March 1st Active Date, then they can release him and then he becomes a Free-Agent, but if he passes a Physical and is on the Active Roster then he recievsd a huge $25 Roster Bonus come March 1st and his new 3 or 4 year deal kicks in.. I cannot see keeping him, but who knows, I know the Owner Irsay loves his like a Son but now with teh Polians out , I am not sure who is going to run the GM Dutires, Handle the finiances and contracts and oversee the Draft… Unless this was planned for a while, they better have some godo people in place or that Indy Franchise could be suckign for a long time.. Owner Irsay is a super nice,friendly guy, but he is not a Football or a Money Man like his Father was..

DCar
DCar
January 2, 2012 8:03 pm

Thanks Paul, I got Manning & Brees mixed up. 🙂

paulman
paulman
January 2, 2012 8:18 pm

You know Brees is a Free-Agent after this Season and I am sure will get the Franchise Tag from the Saints if they can’t come to an agreement which is hard to believe for what he’s done for tha Franchise,city and entire region.. plus he’s an awesome QB and a real genuine leader… I predict the Saints to win the Super Bowl over the Patriots 41-38 with Brees as the Super Bowl MVP