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The laser-throwing, fast-moving, two-way quarterback threat we all knew four years ago is certainly back — except this time, he’s sporting the green and white of the Eagles, a re-energized playing style and some fresh MVP-caliber talent.
Last Monday night, Michael Vick and Philadelphia took on division rival Washington and their newly contracted, ex-Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb. Vick absolutely destroyed the opposition, totaling a record-breaking performance of 333 yards with four touchdowns in the air and 80 yards with two touchdowns on the ground.
No player in league history had ever produced such combined statistics in a single game, which is why the Eagle’s No. 7 jersey was requested for future display in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Vick began the illustrious game by putting his team on the scoreboard first with a breathtaking 88-yard pass to Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson on the first play from scrimmage. This play showcased two facts: One, that Vick has finally replaced a longtime label of being, solely, just a great running quarterback in place for the title of a great all-around quarterback and two, there’s no question he is back and better than ever.
The Eagles continued to dominate, ending the game with a total of 59 points. Jackson compared the team’s second-half intensity to “pit bulls ready to get out of the cage.”
Not quite the best choice of words, but who’s calling him wrong?
While playing for Atlanta during his first six seasons, Vick led the league four times in average yards per carry and held a career average of 7.3 but failed to contend in passing statistics with any of the top quarterbacks, averaging a completion percentage of 52.2 percent and a passer rating of 75.7. After starting the 2010-11 season as backup to fourth-year quarterback Kevin Kolb, 16 months out from a served prison term on federal dog-fighting charges, Vick has completed 63 percent of his passes and owns a passer rating of 115 — the eighth-highest in NFL history 10 weeks into a season.
The three-time Pro Bowler has yet to throw an interception and the only three games Philadelphia has lost this season have been when Vick hasn’t started or finished.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady commented Tuesday morning on Vick’s performance, saying, “The way he can move the football, in his style of play, when he throws the ball like he did last night, he’s damn near impossible [to defend].”
Next February, when the Eagles are forced to decide on a contract extension with Vick, there’s no question where they’ll put their money. McNabb was dealt a five-year extension worth $70 million last Monday, with a potential max value of $88.5 million along with a $3.5 million signing bonus two weeks after the 33-year-old veteran was benched late in a game against the Lions.
If Vick is able to continue to lead the Eagles throughout the rest of the season and possibly into the postseason while maintaining a press-free demeanor off the field, he will be staying in the City of Brotherly Love.
Although it may take more effort to win back respect from fans throughout the country, his chances at winning the MVP award this season are becoming more and more probable, and being part of a Super Bowl-caliber team is just icing on the cake.
Vick and the Eagles take on the visiting Giants next Sunday night in a battle for the upper hand in the NFC East. The Giants are coming off an embarrassing 13-point loss to the joke-of-the-league Dallas Cowboys.
Regardless, the Giants pose one of the strongest defenses in the league. Let’s see if Vick can continue his magic.
