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The National Football Post
Just because Michael Vick possesses more freakish athletic ability than any other quarterback in the league when it comes to escaping pressure in the pocket doesn’t mean he should have to absorb hits that cross the line.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid said on Friday, a day after his team defeated the Houston Texans 34-24 at Lincoln Financial Field, that he believes some of the shots on Vick have been overboard, hits that would surely be penalized against other less mobile passers.
“It bothers me," Reid said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He does run, but he's still the quarterback … you can't treat him like he's a running back there. That's not what the rules state."
Guess who agrees with Reid? Vick himself, who was sore after the game.
“If you go back and watch the film, I'm getting hit after I throw the ball, repeatedly. It's time after time after time. I'm getting my face mask pulled, I'm getting hit in the head, the calls are not being made," Vick said in an appearance on WIP-AM 610, per the Inquirer report.
"Every time I get hit, I look up at the ref and I see no flag. And I see other quarterbacks standing in the pocket - the minute they get touched there's a flag on the field," Vick added. "This has been happening for the last four or five weeks, and I haven't complained, I haven't said anything, but it's getting to a point where I'm getting tired of getting up off the canvas," Vick said. "The defense is going to continue to do it because it's not getting called."
The book on Vick has always been that if a defense can get some good licks on him early, he goes into a shell, and he becomes gun shy in the pocket and not as willing to make plays out of the pocket. Teams have been trying to get their shots on him. About the only thing at the Eagles’ disposal is the game tape. They could ask the league to look at some specific hits and seek a clarification as to why calls have not gone their way. Bringing attention to the subject in a subtle way isn’t a bad idea. If the Eagles make this a common complaint, it’s not going to do a lot of good, especially with the game officials.
Vick missed time earlier in the season with a fractured rib on a clean hit in the team’s first meeting with the Washington Redskins. Philadelphia’s offense is so much better with him on the field. Reid just wants to ensure his star player stays in the game.
Just because Michael Vick possesses more freakish athletic ability than any other quarterback in the league when it comes to escaping pressure in the pocket doesn’t mean he should have to absorb hits that cross the line.
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid said on Friday, a day after his team defeated the Houston Texans 34-24 at Lincoln Financial Field, that he believes some of the shots on Vick have been overboard, hits that would surely be penalized against other less mobile passers.
“It bothers me," Reid said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He does run, but he's still the quarterback … you can't treat him like he's a running back there. That's not what the rules state."
Guess who agrees with Reid? Vick himself, who was sore after the game.
“If you go back and watch the film, I'm getting hit after I throw the ball, repeatedly. It's time after time after time. I'm getting my face mask pulled, I'm getting hit in the head, the calls are not being made," Vick said in an appearance on WIP-AM 610, per the Inquirer report.
"Every time I get hit, I look up at the ref and I see no flag. And I see other quarterbacks standing in the pocket - the minute they get touched there's a flag on the field," Vick added. "This has been happening for the last four or five weeks, and I haven't complained, I haven't said anything, but it's getting to a point where I'm getting tired of getting up off the canvas," Vick said. "The defense is going to continue to do it because it's not getting called."
The book on Vick has always been that if a defense can get some good licks on him early, he goes into a shell, and he becomes gun shy in the pocket and not as willing to make plays out of the pocket. Teams have been trying to get their shots on him. About the only thing at the Eagles’ disposal is the game tape. They could ask the league to look at some specific hits and seek a clarification as to why calls have not gone their way. Bringing attention to the subject in a subtle way isn’t a bad idea. If the Eagles make this a common complaint, it’s not going to do a lot of good, especially with the game officials.
Vick missed time earlier in the season with a fractured rib on a clean hit in the team’s first meeting with the Washington Redskins. Philadelphia’s offense is so much better with him on the field. Reid just wants to ensure his star player stays in the game.
