"Me, Me, Me...I, I, I": The Michael Vick story, as told by Michael Vick
On Wednesday's "Inside The NFL", the not-young-anymore Falcons QB Michael Vick, now in his sixth season, managed to throw his coaching staff and entire receiving corps under the bus, while declaring "I'm up there, too" when interviewer Cris Carter asked about his place among contemporary stars Tom Brady, petulant Peyton Manning, and Donovan McNabb.
Um, no you're not, Michael. Not at this point. Brady has three rings, McNabb has multiple NFC title game appearances plus a Super Bowl loss, and the petulant one has helped lead his Colts team deep into the playoffs for years now. The Falcons made that one NFC title game, with no postseason success since.
You are what you are.
===============================
Here's what Vick has to say...
On taking so many hits: "I gotta protect myself....(Can't continue) taking 24 hits..." - Do all QBs know how many times they've been knocked down each Sunday? That seemed a bit weird, but Vick was just getting warmed up.
On wanting to throw the ball more despite having the lowest ranked passing game and just about the best running attack in the NFL: "I feel like I can about do it all....(T)he game is easier (throwing the ball)....You gotta be given the support. - Hold on, there's a shot across Coach Mora's bow, as well as his teammates. Poor Micheal Vick gets no support, at least in his mind.
On playing for, and having his greatest successes under, Coach Reeves - "I was among the top 15 passers in the NFL." - Again, it seems that QB's who memorize their own stats are doing a disservice to the team concept. He didn't mention that he is 27th in QB Rating this season, but you can bet he's aware of the numbers.
Michael Vick on what a special player Michael Vick is: "It's not hard for me to make plays in the passing game." - Um...why don't you then?
On not being allowed to check off at the line of scrimmage by Coach Mora and his staff - Checking off "would take a lot more work...a lot more study." - So Vick thinks that IF he is given more responsibility, THEN he'll get to the Falcons film room earlier. But not BEFORE. Not a good sign.
On his receiving corps (mainly Crumpler and White at TE, Dunn at RB, and Jenkins and Lelie at WR. plenty of high picks, plenty of talent, seemingly): "Somebody has to step up at some point." - Another major shot at the Falcons, but this time it's aimed at the guys who need to work the hardest to make Vick look good, along with the line. This is another bad sign....
....Which leads to Carter asking about Vick's desire to throw to the premier wideouts in the league, like Moss (?), Harrison, etc.: "I always think about that." - Well I guess since you already admitted to not working hard prepping for the game because the coaches don't trust you, there's plenty of time to daydream about a receiving corps of Winslow at TE, with Moss and Owens at receiver. Man, are you gonna be a popular guy in the Falcons locker room after this airs.
And finally, on Vick's desire to be recognized as a great QB: "I do want people to recognize me as a complete QB." - Well, you're a bit of a complete something. Maybe not QB.
How about completely self absorbed.
Just win, baby. Al Davis certainly got that right.
==============================
Vick is clearly still a work in progress. Five years in the league have led to hours of jaw dropping plays, but what has Atlanta won? That is all that a great QB is measured by and if Michael Vick wishes to be considered among the greats, then he should be measured by the same standards.
Falcons Record since acquiring Vick - and yes, I'm aware he's often not in the lineup, but if you don't think that durability is a talent, then you haven't been paying attention.
2001 7 9 0 4th NFC West --
2002 9 6 1 2nd NFC South -- Won Wild Card Playoffs (Packers), Lost Divisional Playoffs (Eagles)
2003 5 11 0 4th NFC South --
2004 11 5 0 1st NFC South -- Won Divisional Playoffs (Rams), Lost Conference Championship (Eagles)
2005 8 8 0 3rd NFC South --
2006 3 2 0 3rd NFC South --
Um, no you're not, Michael. Not at this point. Brady has three rings, McNabb has multiple NFC title game appearances plus a Super Bowl loss, and the petulant one has helped lead his Colts team deep into the playoffs for years now. The Falcons made that one NFC title game, with no postseason success since.
You are what you are.
===============================
Here's what Vick has to say...
On taking so many hits: "I gotta protect myself....(Can't continue) taking 24 hits..." - Do all QBs know how many times they've been knocked down each Sunday? That seemed a bit weird, but Vick was just getting warmed up.
On wanting to throw the ball more despite having the lowest ranked passing game and just about the best running attack in the NFL: "I feel like I can about do it all....(T)he game is easier (throwing the ball)....You gotta be given the support. - Hold on, there's a shot across Coach Mora's bow, as well as his teammates. Poor Micheal Vick gets no support, at least in his mind.
On playing for, and having his greatest successes under, Coach Reeves - "I was among the top 15 passers in the NFL." - Again, it seems that QB's who memorize their own stats are doing a disservice to the team concept. He didn't mention that he is 27th in QB Rating this season, but you can bet he's aware of the numbers.
Michael Vick on what a special player Michael Vick is: "It's not hard for me to make plays in the passing game." - Um...why don't you then?
On not being allowed to check off at the line of scrimmage by Coach Mora and his staff - Checking off "would take a lot more work...a lot more study." - So Vick thinks that IF he is given more responsibility, THEN he'll get to the Falcons film room earlier. But not BEFORE. Not a good sign.
On his receiving corps (mainly Crumpler and White at TE, Dunn at RB, and Jenkins and Lelie at WR. plenty of high picks, plenty of talent, seemingly): "Somebody has to step up at some point." - Another major shot at the Falcons, but this time it's aimed at the guys who need to work the hardest to make Vick look good, along with the line. This is another bad sign....
....Which leads to Carter asking about Vick's desire to throw to the premier wideouts in the league, like Moss (?), Harrison, etc.: "I always think about that." - Well I guess since you already admitted to not working hard prepping for the game because the coaches don't trust you, there's plenty of time to daydream about a receiving corps of Winslow at TE, with Moss and Owens at receiver. Man, are you gonna be a popular guy in the Falcons locker room after this airs.
And finally, on Vick's desire to be recognized as a great QB: "I do want people to recognize me as a complete QB." - Well, you're a bit of a complete something. Maybe not QB.
How about completely self absorbed.
Just win, baby. Al Davis certainly got that right.
==============================
Vick is clearly still a work in progress. Five years in the league have led to hours of jaw dropping plays, but what has Atlanta won? That is all that a great QB is measured by and if Michael Vick wishes to be considered among the greats, then he should be measured by the same standards.
Falcons Record since acquiring Vick - and yes, I'm aware he's often not in the lineup, but if you don't think that durability is a talent, then you haven't been paying attention.
2001 7 9 0 4th NFC West --
2002 9 6 1 2nd NFC South -- Won Wild Card Playoffs (Packers), Lost Divisional Playoffs (Eagles)
2003 5 11 0 4th NFC South --
2004 11 5 0 1st NFC South -- Won Divisional Playoffs (Rams), Lost Conference Championship (Eagles)
2005 8 8 0 3rd NFC South --
2006 3 2 0 3rd NFC South --
posted by joe sweeney at 5:58 AM
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