• April 25, 2024

Coaching Issues, Offensive Line Struggles Impacting Vick

It appears that Michael Vick’s week-long routine of carrying a football around wherever he went didn’t do much to help his ball security.

Another game passed with Vick turning the ball over multiple times, increasing his season total to 13 in six games.

When asked whether or not the team is making the same mistakes as in weeks prior, Vick brushed the question off and acted like these mistakes aren’t a regular for him and his teammates.

“It’s hard to decipher what mistakes are being made and what’s going on,” said Vick following the Eagles’ 26-23 overtime loss to Detroit. “This is the ultimate team game and I can’t pinpoint what’s going on in the moment. I have to go back and watch it and assess it myself, but I think the bottom line is we had our chance to win this game.”

That chance he speaks of was a 10-point lead with five minutes left. But that disaster wasn’t Vick’s full responsibility, rather the horrendous playcalling and inept offensive line.

His three-and-out in overtime came courtesy of an overpowered offensive line that has provided Vick with little to no protection. That incapability can be pinned on the coaching staff.

“I’ll take responsibility for it,” said head coach Andy Reid. “I just know that [the offensive line] wasn’t good enough all the way around. There were times and places where everyone needs to look themselves in the mirror and get better – me included.”

Focusing fully on Vick, though, he did deliver a 300-plus passing game and recorded two passing touchdowns; however, he amassed a sub-par 77.4 passer rating. Now whether or not you place the blame on Vick, the offensive line, or the playcalling, there has to be concern for Philadelphia’s starting quarterback.

Sitting near the top of the charts in turnovers is not where you want your starting quarterback to be, but that is exactly the case for Vick. It’s been said many times before, but Vick plays a risky game. He’ll throw the ball in tight coverage, take hits to gain extra yardage and dance around the backfield looking for an open receiver.

This is where the coaching staff comes in.

Doesn’t it make sense for them to build an offensive line that is best-suited for Vick’s play style? Or develop a short passing game that utilizes their speed on the outside and their dual-threat halfback in LeSean McCoy?

If Reid really does believe Vick is the team’s quarterback for the next couple of seasons, he should have taken this off-season to sign, draft or trade for offensive linemen that were reliable in pass coverage and could provide protection for Vick. Now I understand injuries have devastated this line in 2012, but even before the injuries (aside from Jason Peters, who’s loss was crushing), Vick was still feeling the heat.

Aside from that, though, the playcalling is not helping Vick. He keeps taking hits because he waits around for the play to develop or has to create a play on his own. But this could be avoided, or at the very least limited, if the coordinators utilized more swing passes, short post routes or screen passes, which have become the bread-and-butter for the New England Patriots. I’m pretty positive DeSean Jackson could be just as successful as Wes Welker if he was used on bubble screens and short five-yard routes in open space.

Unfortunately, though, this problem has been around for some time now and it seems it will never be fixed.

So the only thing we can hope for is a more reliable Michael Vick, and judging from his inconsistencies (or consistency in turning the ball over), it doesn’t seem like that will come true either.

Kyle Phillippi

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SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 15, 2012 3:30 pm

I’m going to save you guys time.

Go to the articles against the Lions last season, copy and paste.

paulman
paulman
October 15, 2012 3:52 pm

Eagles are now 0-2 versus NFC Conferece Teams that they will be fighting it out with for a Playoff Spot which is the Cardinals and Lions (Which most thought was 70-30% of relatively easy Victories
Now with NFC Conference Games veres the Falcons,Saints,Panthers & Bucs
I see the Eagles maybe splitting 2-2 meaning 4 NFC COnference Games plus whather they do in their 5 Remaining NFC East Games.. Another words unless thy run the Table and win outright the NFC East, they are not making the PLayoffs just like last Season and right now, I don’t see them doing so..
This Season is over for all intents and purposes as far as I am concerned and will concentrate on the off-season for a new Coaching Staff and Off-season moves and plus the Draft..
Why do I not hear anyone callign out OL Coach Howard MUdd or DL Coach Washburn who deserve as much fault and blame as OC MM and DC Castillo and Coach AR in my Opinion.. Eagles are soft and not getting it done at the line of scrimage and therefore all the Talent and Speed at the Skills Poistions means bunk if they can’t Pass-Protect or Get consisitent Pressure on opposing QB’s..
Trent Cole is another one.. He’s more worried about his Hunting and Fishing Trips then making plays, get rid of them all

BigE
BigE
October 15, 2012 4:25 pm

The coaching on both sides of the ball is lacking reality as is the special teams coaching. The Eagles are not as talented as people say they are. Shady is gaining yardage without blocking on many plays. Andy and Marty ran him 15 times to Vick’s 45 throws and in the overtime they used deep drops and lost 21 yards. That game was one of the most putrid games ever. The offensive line is a joke and the defensive line elevated an ex Eagle running back to pro bowl status. I’m so sick and tired of this and to top it off they showed the 1960 Eagles on the field celebrating a world championship 52 years ago.

E-money
E-money
October 15, 2012 6:56 pm

The offensive line stunk last year too. Peters covered up some of the stink because at least he could run block well, which helped McCoy have a great year, but the rest of the line was horrible. The center and guards have been mediocre during Reid’s whole tenure. The Eagles should kick Jim Washburn to the curb and force Castillo back to being the o-line coach for the rest of the season.

Talongrip
Talongrip
October 15, 2012 7:39 pm

We have seen enough of this crap!!!! Blow this coaching staff up!!! Get someone in here that knows WTF is going on and a DC who understands how to stop an opponent late in the fouth quarter. Why would you ever stop Double coverage on the best receiver in the NFL????? #81 did nothing for three quarters and then our excellent coaching staff decides to change the coverage on him with the game on the line???? Our OL is simply garbage Tom Brady couldn’t survive behind this garbage. Blow this entire coaching staff up!!!!! Mercy!!!! Jefrrey Lurie Please if you care about the Eagles fan base give us Mercy!!!!

MaybeTheyCan
MaybeTheyCan
October 15, 2012 8:47 pm

Come on, this offensive line is leaves a lot of room for omprovement, to say the least but even the guys that have played well in the past are now playing poorly. IMO, the reason for that, as well as a majority of Vicks poor play, is the play calling. The reason for the poor run game? The play calling. The reason for the defensive let downs? The play calling. This team is not currently anywhere near good enough to go deep in to the playoffs and with this play calling and raspy game time coaching, they have very little chance to even make the playoffs. Reid and company keep putting these players in to a position to fail simply because they keep asking them to do things this team doesn’t have the skills to do.

Amazing how our D can’t get a sack in the past several games because the opposing offensive coordinators have figured out to use short routes, quick releases, and extra bodies to chip but our offensive coordinators can’t figure that one out for the Eagles O and Vick. Pathetic game time adjustments, pathetic!

jott1972
jott1972
October 15, 2012 11:09 pm

Reid won when his o line was built in toughness and road graders like Tra, Runyan and Andrews…..no he has Mudd and his sissy system which is built around finesse an pansies. This line lacks toughness….Watkins is a bust and Reynolds should not be in the NFL…..Bell blows!

larrwd
larrwd
October 15, 2012 11:33 pm

Unless the offensive line gets better eagles dont stand a chance. vick cant even throw touch passes .. it all stats with the offensive line.. vick is over-commited to the pocket .. he should start running.. and why the hell was colt anderson in at the most critical part in the game ..

RegalEagle
RegalEagle
October 16, 2012 12:46 am

Ried = Stale
MM = Garbage (always has been)
JC = Hard Worker (Not smart worker)
BA = (This is the shit I get to work with?)

7 = AVERAGE (Can’t shine RGIII’s shoes)
10 = Diva Small Fry (I could woup him if I could catch him)
18 = Whaaa my **** hurts
87 = Beast that is getting wasted
25 = Super Talent being Wasted
O-Line = (We don’t know what to do)

D-line = We are too small to play with big boys
LB = The bright spot in this Bizzaro Universe
CB = DRC is alright. Namdi when we could have Signed Joseph and for less money ouch!
Safety (——-)

Blow this team UP!!! I wanted it last year now do it!!!! SELL SELL SELL!!

daggolden
daggolden
October 16, 2012 6:05 am
Reply to  RegalEagle

That about sums it up. Fix the oline MV7 becomes consistently good. Get a pass rush the CB become consistently good. It all about the lines. But yes its time to blow up this whole coaching staff including the GM who thought drafting a guard in round 1 who is 28 and never really played football was a good idea. A coaching staff who has two #1 picks a # 2 and 3 high priced FA on the dline and cant generate a sack in 3 games. unbelievable.

daggolden
daggolden
October 16, 2012 6:00 am

Hahaha. It could be worse we could have Phillip “Ive also never won anything” Rivers. Amazing how there is a double standard with some QBs. This guy has been getting a free pass for YEARS yet I never hear any criticizm about him. WTF has he ever won? Its always Norv Turners fault. 4 ints and 2 fumbles last night.lol I guarentee it will be Norvs fault. Imagine if Vick gave up a 24 point lead there would be nowhere for him to hide.

jott1972
jott1972
October 16, 2012 7:14 am

If reid goes howie must go with him…..

bsmvideos
October 16, 2012 7:45 am

After 14 years on the sidelines, how much more do you need to see???

Andy Reid Stinks. You win the coin toss in overtime. The coin toss winner

was 5-0 before Andy bought his brand of play calling to overtime. That stretch

was scouted and stopped all game long. Why keep running it? The Lions did

not have an INT all year long, and they get 2 against the Eagles. The Lions

could not stop the run or stop kick and punt returns, and our brilliant coaching

staff could not exploit these weaknesses. That means they can’t coach.

You blow a 10 point 4th quarter lead at home. Just pathetic. Can’t wait to see

RGIII light it up against the Eagles. Maybe Vick will learn something from the

Youngster. Like how to protect the football. Quick all this pocket passer

nonsense. Turn Vick loose and when he gets injured put the rookie in. At 3

turnovers a game he can’t do any worst.

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 16, 2012 8:09 am

Dag who the F cares about Phillip Rivers! He is in san diego where nobody cares! if he were in philly he would get criticized for his terrible play- Vick has been a turnover machine his entire career and still is– Vick is here and that is why he gets killed for his play and stupid decision making.
AR promised examination and change during the bye week? So who will his scapegoat be? MM? JC? how bout those overhyped line coaches? I think jim washburn may be out of a job real soon!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 16, 2012 8:27 am

On Rivers: “This guy has been getting a free pass for YEARS yet I never hear any criticizm about him”

Where do you get this crap? You’ve got to leave your bubble daggolden. Wasn’t it yesterday that you were saying there was no criticism last year when the NYG lost 4 str8….yet the cover of the NY Post was “Fire Coughlin!!!”

I mean – Rivers no criticism? Ridiculous. Norv no Criticism? He’s a laughingstock and Rivers is perceived as a spoiled brat, malcontent who can’t win big games.

Get out of your bubble. Listen to other radio if you must – its all available online. Pick up a SD sports show this am and find out how much SD fan likes Rivers.

What a joke that you think MV is the only QB who gets criticized and everyone else “gets a pass”

BTW – you know when I knew SD was going to lose? When they showed the players walking in and Rivs was wearing a t-shirt and headphones. Commentators said, “well, he’s California” Meanwhile Manning in a suit.

Can’t win with a punk at QB. Can’t win with the t-shirt wearing, sideways or backwards hat wearing QB. Can’t.

BTW – also love your “fix the oline” comment. Oh. Is that it? Gotta be some pro-bowl tackles and guards just lying around. No problem. “Fix the oline” is a 2-3 year process.

But don’t worry however…you’ll see dramatic improvement the moment the 3 second superstar is no longer at QB.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
October 16, 2012 10:33 am

Can’t win with a punk at QB. Can’t win with the t-shirt wearing, sideways or backwards hat wearing QB. Can’t.

So any QB who wears a cap is a punk? any QB that listens to music is a punk? you sound like you are from the 1940’s…and that is a comment full of stereotype and prejudice! you continue to prove how ignorant you are!

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
October 16, 2012 8:41 am

It would have also helped this game if Celek would catch the GD ball when it hits him in the hands.

Deepthreat
Deepthreat
October 16, 2012 9:46 am

Not confirmed but just heard on WIP 94 FM Radio that the Eagles have released defensive coordinator Ron Castillo.

paulman
paulman
October 16, 2012 9:50 am

Rivers has as many Turnovers O’s as Vick has since the start of 2011 and hence, No Playoffs for the Chargers either who will also be cleaning house this OFf-Season with HC Norv Turner nad GM Smith in their final year of their Contracts..
I would not be all surprised to see Coach AR be in San Diego next Season…
I would expect him to bring Coach MM, QB D Pederson, WR Cullie and
DC J Castillo with him…. Mudd & Washburn will most likley retire and Coach Todd Bowles could interview for the HC spot or stay around with the Eagles as the DC..

Erock
Erock
October 16, 2012 9:51 am

Its legit…hes fired…and its Juan Catillo.

paulman
paulman
October 16, 2012 9:51 am

To Deepthreat
You mean DC Juan Castillo, Did they name Todd Bowles as the DC..

Erock
Erock
October 16, 2012 9:54 am

Paul..yes,Bowles is DC.

mhenski
mhenski
October 16, 2012 9:54 am

adios juan!

wish it were reid but its a start

Eagles fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.
Heads begin to roll in Philly. Castillo, a converted offensive line coach, has come under heavy fire for mismanaging his plentiful talent during a 3-3 start. The Eagles rank 13th in points allowed per game and 12th in yards allowed, but are 30th in sacks with just seven. The final straw was when Castillo inexplicably changed strategy on Calvin Johnson late in Sunday’s overtime loss the Lions, leading to a blown 10-point lead with five minutes to go. “We’re six games into the season and average isn’t good enough,” coach Andy Reid said. Castillo has been replaced by ex-Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles.

paulman
paulman
October 16, 2012 10:10 am

Good News indeed,
Now I want to hear the Following
#1) Nick FOles is replacing Vick for the remainder of the Season
#2) Eagles Release RB Dion Lewis, WR Danarius Johnson and LT Demetress Bell
#3) Eagles Activate RB C Polk, Play Cooper/Gilayrd more as 4th/5th WR and Play Drafat Pick Kelly or Dunalp at LT who cannot be worse than the $9 Million waste of player that LT Bell has Been

ON Defense,
#1) Trade DE Darryl Tapp for a 4th Rd 2013 Draft Pick to a Team in need of DE (Panthers,Redskins,Falcons,Dolphins to whoever) then Activate Vinny Curry and play him with Graham & Hunt in the Rotation
#2) Release LB Casey Matthews and Activate Ryan Rau
#3) Switch CB Curtis Marsh to SS and start playing him over Kurt Coleman

This is my plan moving forward to have the best 53 Man Line-up,
There is no sense in keeping RB Lewis, WR D Johnson ,DE D Tapp, LB Matthews on this Roster any longer (and there really wasn’t a reason to have any of these players to make it back at the end of Camp in my opinion as I stated numerouse Times..) time to move forward…

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
October 16, 2012 10:11 am

Forget about the Rivers talk…….He had a bad game it happens..SD was doing the same thing with Rivers, making him take deep drops and he was getting pressured the entire 2nd half…no adjustment was made by SD offense whatsoever..

All i know is that the Denver defense up 4 points, with 4 mins to go, stepped up and made a play and not only got off the field no harm done, got a takeaway for a score.

paulman
paulman
October 16, 2012 10:19 am

Coach AR will beafter the Season
Pay Atttention to how new DC T Bowles handles himself the rest of this Season for he may be Candidate #1 for GM Roseman/Lurie to replace AR after the Season of he handles himself well and has success running this Defense..

Asmo continues to be a problem though and probably needs to shut his mouth and worry about his own play.. Word is that he’s causing some issues in the locker room and amongst the Coaches and cannot be trusted for he has back-stabbed some teammated and coaches now during his breif and unimpressive stay so far.. I look for him to be Moved/Traded/Released also after the Season which I am hoping for, the guys never won anything and I don’t like complainers thru the media.. He’s made plaenty of mistakes in his 22 games with the Eagles and is the first to look to blame someone, (Safety Help, DC, Secondary Coach, etc,etc.. ) I hate players like him who are always pointing fingers and take little to no repsonsibility to their own poor play and mistakes (just like Mike Vick and how D-Jax was last year)
Let’s be honest, This Team simply has too many pussies on it that are concerned about their own image instead of what’s good for the Team..

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
October 16, 2012 10:44 am
Reply to  paulman

“Word is that he’s causing some issues in the locker room and amongst the Coaches and cannot be trusted for he has back-stabbed some teammated and coaches now during his breif and unimpressive stay so far.”

Word is? really Paulman, where are these sources that have confirmed this information? Word is Asmo was unhappy with the adjustments made in the 4th quarter….he was a little upset that the DC decided to move away from what was working for 3 quarters….pretty much its as simple as that!

This is the thing Paulman….Asmo was upset that he wasn’t left on 81 in the 4th quarter as he was so many times in the 3rd quarter….He felt as though him following and providing safety help was good enough, so really he wasn’t given a chance to admit to any mistakes, because TRUTH is he did a hell of a job on 81 with the help from his safeties!….

tHIS IS THE PROBLEM
Castillo listened to, too many of you bitchy fans, looking for sacks, by trying to blitz. There was no need to change up especially when what you are doing is WORKING WELL!

mr1charlton
mr1charlton
October 17, 2012 6:30 pm
Reply to  paulman

Bullshit Asmo is a class act who was frustrated… PLAYIN WITH INEXPERIENCED SAFTIES AND A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR WHO HAS NEVER COACHED ON DEFENSE… EVER any respected veteran would feel the same way

paulman
paulman
October 16, 2012 10:21 am

Chargers OL sucks too RT77
Most of them do around the NFL..
OT are at a Premium so when you have a good one, you need to keep them

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
October 16, 2012 10:28 am

OK, with that said…look at the Denver Broncos….how many options does Peyton Manning have.. Denver isn’t a team sending WR’s 50 yards down the field on every play….Peyton has underneath options on mostly any play. All these top notch NFL QB’s have top notch NFL play callers, that aren’t dialing up 60 yard bombs on every play…When the Eagles stay with that type of game plan, there is no arguing it has been successful. Lets see more of it!

mhenski
mhenski
October 16, 2012 11:04 am

g

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 16, 2012 12:12 pm

it baffles me that the JC experiment didn’t work out. I distinctly remember the day he was hired and people asked him how he could transition to DC after years on the O line…. and he said, ” I used to come in early and have coffee w/jim johnson and talk defense”… i knew right then that he was going to be the next buddy ryan!

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 16, 2012 1:08 pm

unfortunatley i will agree with unreal…. ‘the brilliance’ of the AR offense was the screens, short passes etc– that is how they moved the ball with todd pinkston at wide out– that is also how they justified not running the ball– they said a screen or underneath pass was as safe as a run and allows your player (westbrook) to get out in space– i can only think that A) vick is too small to run the screen or B) the coaches are so in love with his vertical attack that they’ve totally forgotten about it. the last 2 years with vick at the helm has totally baffled me– its like andy started dating the girl that you can’t take home to momma but he just can’t dump her because she looks great and puts out!

Biglion821
Biglion821
October 16, 2012 5:00 pm

3-3 two stops from being 5-1, a game out of first place and you fire Juan who was overmatched, but this just is just a panic move. I don’t know how the heck they scored 23 points with that truly offensive line. Why does Bobby April still have a job? The NFC is just sitting there with no dominate team and our Eagles are just treading water. Geez

paulman
paulman
October 17, 2012 6:57 pm

Problem is RT777, the Eagles Receiovers as a group are not tough or big enough to run underneath routes often..
D-Jax,Maclin, D Johnson are 200 lbs and less,, Avant about 210 and COoper about 220lbs.. Eagles REciveing Corp is built for one thing and that’s the big play, the deep routes.. and I haven;t tliked this group for the last 2 Years for the very same reasosn we are talking about it today.. They lack the toughness and size and strentgh to run and play within 15 Yards of the line of Scrimmage (outside of Avant).. Stick this Eagles WR corps on NE PAts and it would be th esame issues..They are simply not tough enough..