Michael Vick is disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles’ poor 4-12 season cost head coach Andy Reid his job, and he’s particularly upset with numerous teammates who he felt did not give a strong enough effort this season.
Though Vick did not call out specific individuals, he indicated there was an attitude problem throughout the team’s locker room.
“It’s all about focus, dedication and commitment,” Vick said Monday, per CSN Philly. “Until you get guys who are willing to better themselves week in and week out and want to win, you’re not going to win. And I haven’t played with guys like that. It’s unfortunate for coach thing turned out the way they are. It could have been a lot better. This locker room could have dictated that.”
Vick agreed with a reporter who asked if the lack of effort from his teammates “pisses him off.” Vick also agreed with LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin, who both said they felt like some of the new faces failed to “buy in” to the team.
“Guys have to start to understand: You can’t do it your way,” Vick continued. “You have to follow the leader. If you don’t then we end up in the situation we are in now, losing the head coach, a man that we love and have a great deal of respect for. A man that I played hard for. I gave him 100 percent. At least I can feel good about that. And there are guys in here that gave it their all. But you need consistent effort from every guy in this locker room.”
Vick said he tried to lead by example, but he admits he probably should have tried to be more vocal about the issue.
The Eagles disappointed for the second season in a row. If many players weren’t buying in to the system, then it probably was time to fire Andy Reid. Vick certainly didn’t help out his coach’s plight with his below-average performance throughout the season.
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE
