Michael Vick energized the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia when he took over as the starting quarterback during the 2010 season. In fact, he played so well that many analysts and experts were thinking Super Bowl for the rejuvenated Eagles last season. Instead, Vick put together a disappointing season that was marred by injuries and the team failed to qualify for the postseason.
After an 8-8 campaign in 2011, one might think the Eagles have their sights set on simply making the playoffs this year. For Vick, that would hardly be enough.
“Man, I ain’t got no ring on my finger,” Vick said according to CSNPhilly.com. “I ain’t got one. That’s it. I don’t know what else. I’ve been there. Playoffs is playoffs, you know? But that’s the road you’ve got to take to where you want to go. Like every quarterback, I want a championship. That’s it.”
At 32 years old and with a style of play that subjects him to a serious beating, Vick doesn’t exactly have time on his side. The NFC East is set up to be the toughest division in football this season, and the Eagles will need a lot better than 18 touchdowns and 17 turnovers from Vick if they want to contend.
Vick needs to do a better job of protecting the ball and protecting himself. Rather than diving head first to move the chains and standing in the pocket and taking a brutal hit just to get rid of the ball, he needs to learn to slide and take a sack if he wants to prove what he said about a week ago is true. Eagles fans will not be content with simply improving upon their 8-8 record, and Andy Reid may lose his job if that’s all that happens. Every team has to take their schedule one game at a time to have success, but there’s nothing wrong with Vick knowing what’s expected of him at this stage in his career.
Helmet knock to Pro Football Talk
Photo credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
