Tee hee..... 
Posted on 10/20/2006 3:21:14 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
Battered Vick questions role after Falcons loss
ESPN.com news services
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is beat up and sounds a little fed up after last Sunday's 27-14 loss to the Giants.
Vick returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a sore shoulder, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The newspaper said the quarterback taped a session of Inside the NFL for HBO and told host Cris Carter that getting sacked a career-high seven times by the Giants got to him.
"It's the worst I ever felt," Vick told Carter.
During the interview, Vick blamed the game plan for the beating the Falcons took.
"You've got to throw the ball sometimes," Vick said. "You can't just line up and run the ball every time on first and second down. Teams key in on that and they have coaches, too. We're going to have to throw it more ... Coach [Jim Mora] is going have to trust in me to get it done and I'm up to the challenge to get it done."
Carter asked Vick if his old coach, Dan Reeves, was better for his game.
Vick answered: "When Reeves was here, I was 50 yards shy of 3,000 yards passing, and I was among top 15 in passing in NFL. Coach Reeves, he believed in me and gave me a chance to throw the football."
The frustrated quarterback didn't stop at questioning the coaching staff. He also wondered if he'd be better off with different teammates, specifically at wide receiver.
Carter threw out names like Chad Johnson and Randy Moss, and Vick said, "Or a Marvin Harrison. ... I always think about that, Cris. I always think, if I played in Indianapolis, what type of effect would I have on that team? Or what would I be able to do different? It's something I wish I could do for just one week."
I disagree. Donovan is one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL. No, make that top three. Only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are better. Like Brady, McNabb gets it done with no credible wide receivers. Heck, McNabb made Donte Stallworth look like a superstar.
Yes, including Rex Grossman who has been overhyped because of the Bears' record, but nobody's calling him Jim McMahon.
McNabb has really progressed into a top notch QB. He's playing his best football right now.
Tee hee.....
Apparently he also said that he wonders what type of numbers he'd put if he were in Indianapolis. I have news for you Michael...not nearly as many as Peyton Manning.
Nope, chop blocks are not illegal unless the defender is engaged with another player. It is a common misconception though.
The Falcons and Broncos offensive line systems are built on this type of blocking system and opposing defenses hate it because it exposes them to injury.
Just google "Falcons chop block" and see the pages of results that come up.
Here is an example of one...
To some, it is a brilliant tactic. To others, it is downright dirty.Like it or not, the Falcons' oft-used cut-blocking techniques will be on display against the Bucs Sunday.
"We see it on film all the time," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said of the dangerous but legal tactic in which offensive linemen block below a defensive player's waist - often at the knees. A cut block is deemed a penalty if the defender is engaged with another offensive player at the time.
Some in NFL circles have called for the practice to be outlawed, but it remains a staple of the Falcons and Broncos offenses. Offensive line coach Alex Gibbs was Denver's offensive line coach from 1995-2003 and brought the technique to the Falcons. Last season, Carolina linemen Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker each suffered sprained ankles against Atlanta from cut blocks.
here is another
WLB Brandon Short and RDE Osi Umenyiora each had two sacks (the Giants had seven in total) and Short said it wasn't easy. "Their blocking is different," he said of the Falcons' O-line technique. "They use a lot of cut-blocking, leg-whipping, chop-blocking. Is it legal? It doesn't get flagged, so it must be legal."
McNabb is good for the same reasons that Vick is good - they both can avoid sacks and make the defenses worry about them gaining first downs with their legs on 3rd and 7 type situations.
McNabb is a much better passer at this point but he still isn't all that accurate. What makes him a top five QB (I will agree with you there) is that he is able to keep drives alive by avoiding sacks and running for crucial first downs.
I agree that Vick is not exactly Mr. Touch on his pocket passing game. But to be perfectly fair to him, it couldn't hurt to get him a decent receiver to help out just a little.
There seems to be a really high number of players this year complaining about their team's game plan. I think these guys are spending too much time in the off season playing Madden and thinking that means they know about strategy.
It was my impression that he did the same to Dan Reeves, who he now praises.
Shockey, Johnson, Moss, TO, Oakland's Porter (Pittsburgh's Porter has actually been very well behaved this year), James, now Vick. Whole lotta "our game plan sucks". Of course with two offensive co-ordinators fired already this year maybe these guys have a point... nah they're just whining.
Vick is the most over rated QB in the history of the NFL. He will not take the Falcons to the Super Bowl.
Apparently Vick has gone to the Shockey School of Candor.
It's really simple Vick. You are a glass cannon. Great at the beginning of the year, but your happy feet gets you hurt and then you are not worth a darn.
If you have the secondary that can cover, then the pass rush should (as you say) penetrate, stay in the lanes, & wait for the QB to "pull it down". Sacks result.
Ideally you'd like to get a good push from your tackles while your ends maintain contain. I'd also assign my best open field tackler (LB or Safety) to 'spy' a QB like Vick (but I'd mix that up since I think he's capable of beating a spy with his arm).
The Eagles rushing QB's (Cunningham & McNabb) were always among the most sacked QB's in the league despite decent O-lines & their own reputations as mobile quarterbacks. There's a difference between a running QB & a QB that is mobile in the pocket.
The NFL is quickly going the route of the NBA.
McNabb has transitioned from a running QB to a mobile, passing QB. Plus McNabb is physically bigger & harder to bring down in the pocket.
Most running QB's can't successfully make the transition. The odds are against Vick doing so.
All Chad knows is that he only has 1 TD this year and he has about 25 more celebrations planned. He wants the ball so he can make Sportscenter. Never mind that what he wants isn't possible with a banged-up 0-line and the double coverage he always gets.
Others have said he puts fannies in the stands and that is the name of the game.
My reply to that is that when the "L" column is continually longer than the "W" column, the seat may be sold but it ain't gonna be warm and very shortly thereafter it won't even be sold....again.
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