Mike Vick Wasn't That Bad in Jacksonville, and Other Offensive Observations

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On the surface, Michael Vick’s first game as the newly reinstated starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles seemed like a mess. He didn’t demonstrate flawless precision like the two games prior. He seemed to be holding on to the ball too long in general. He made some horrendous decisions with the football.

Some of that is on Mike, some it not. If you want to understand why the Eagles only managed to score 16 points during the eight possessions Vick was under center, you need not look at any one individual. The mistakes were everywhere, not just with the signal caller. Take a look at these brief drive summaries:

  • Series 1: Lane Johnson gets too deep in his backpedal and winds up beat to the inside. Vick tries to escape, but can’t this time, putting the Birds in 2nd and 16. Punt
  • Series 2: Vick finds Brent Celek to convert on 3rd and 8, but a holding penalty on Evan Mathis brings it back. Punt
  • Series 3: Vick overthrew Celek on a would-be touchdown, then on the next play a missed assignment drops Philly in a 3rd and 15. Field goal
  • Series 4: Touchdown
  • Series 5: Todd Herremans gets beat, and Vick winds up with almost immediate pressure in his face. He should just eat the sack, but instead tries to throw the ball away off of his back foot resulting in an easy interception. Turnover
  • Series 6: Jason Kelce’s snap wasn’t the best, and Vick couldn’t handle it. They lose the down and five yards, another 3rd and 15. Field goal
  • Series 7: Vick winds up throwing the ball away on all three downs, the third time under almost instant pressure again. Without an all-22 look, we don’t know what was going on downfield. Field goal
  • Series 8: Bryce Brown fumbles at the two-yard line, and the ball goes out of the end zone for a touchback going the other way. Turnover

Even on Vick’s two biggest mistakes – the interception and fumbled snap – the fault rests at least partially on his offensive linemen. Protection was an issue starting from the opening gun for that matter, which did appear to rattle No. 7 a bit at times, perhaps causing a pass or two to sail. Who can blame him?

Vick was largely fine. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 184 yards (a solid 8.0 average per attempt), with one touchdown and one pick – not much wrong with that line. He ran an additional seven times for 53 yards, avoiding a bunch of sacks in the process, or just taking whatever the defense was giving him. He even hit the deck or ran out of bounds on most of his runs.

Actually, the worst play off all wasn’t an interception or a fumbled snap, it wasn’t a sack or an inaccurate pass. It was this pass attempt as Vick was being hauled to the turf, as captured by Jimmy Kempski.

Vick is literally parallel to the ground as he releases, causing the ball to sail straight up in the air, landing near the sideline but still in bounds where luckily when no one was around. The only thing that kept this from being intentional grounding much less picked off is Vick had already been whistled down.

To be honest, this is the most baffling decision I’ve seen a quarterback make all summer, and unfortunately it’s not the first time we’ve seen Vick attempt this ridiculous crap. But it doesn’t mean he had a bad game overall. As Chip Kelly worded it, the 11-year veteran still needs to learn when to live to fight another day.

Question remains whether Vick can or not.

RISING/FALLING

Jason Peters

He was the only member of the offensive line who didn’t get beat or miss an assignment at all really, and he hasn’t played football in close to two years. Very reassuring performance from perhaps the true most valuable player of the Eagles.

Brent Celek

Didn’t drop anything for a change. Finished with four reception for 74 yards. Also had a big third-down conversion called back on an offensive holding. Beat his man for a would-be touchdown, but Vick led him too far. Celek should still be a big part of the offense this season, folks.

Todd Herremans

Improved last week after a tough first game, but had problems here. Was getting plain beat/overpowered one-on-one quite a bit. Was also part of some of the confusion along the offensive line, particularly that interior. Looks like the line’s weak link so far.

DeSean Jackson

Three receptions, 48 yards. Nothing spectacular in this one, but continues to be effective in the intermediate passing game which is a great sign. Seems like he can get open at will. Screened the corner on one of Vick’s long runs. He could be in for a big rebound campaign.

Nick Foles

The 99-yard drive he led in the fourth quarter was all the more impressive by the fact that of the 14 plays there was only one third down. Biggest strength is he gets rid of the ball quickly. Lot of dinks and dunks, but he lets the offense come to him, a mark of efficiency.

MIXED REVIEWS

Jason Kelce

Has generally looked good this summer. Stands his ground at the point of attack. Generally knows his assignment, although there was some confusion on one or two plays in Jacksonville. Biggest issue has been snapping the ball, as both quarterbacks have had issues whether in games or practice. Can’t run a shotgun-based offense with a guy who’s good for a couple of shoddy snaps per game, so let’s hope Kelce gets it fixed.

Damaris Johnson

Flipped field position twice with big returns, one kick, one punt. Those are game changers, and we’ve seen it before. Did get tackled well short of the 20 on one kickoff, but his own man ran into him. Fumbled during a punt return though which is inexcusable. Finished game three with two catches for 24, leaving him at seven for 53 yards in the preseason – nothing to write home about. Should be a fine returner as long as he protects the football.

Bryce Brown

Speaking of protecting the football, looks like we’re still at square one with the second-year back. Racked up 92 yards on 11 carries like it was a joke, yet managed to put the ball on the carpet on his longest gallop of the night, a 23-yarder that was a step or two away from being six points. Brown does not keep the ball high and tight to his body, period. It’s an issue that will keep him off the field if Chris Polk continues to be reliable.

QUICK CUTS

Eagles have to get down to 75 men by Tuesday, so these people are gone.

TE Derek Carrier - Had a chance to make the roster as long as the Eagles are carrying four tight ends, but Clay Harbor played well and demonstrated enough versatility to fend Carrier off.

WR Nick Miller - Was actually cut earlier then brought back after Jeremy Maclin went down. Had five catches for 50 yards in garbage time, but his future was clear.

OT Nic Purcell - The big Aussie didn’t see too much game action, didn’t impress with the limited reps he got. Lot of competition on that line, Purcell was probably too raw to compete.

TE Will Shaw - Seemed like the coaching staff preferred Carrier over Shaw, so no surprise here.

LS James Winchester - Signed after Jon Dorenbos sustained a concussion in the first game. For emergencies only.

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