Sunday, January 23, 2005

A word about Mike Vick


So. Fitz and I had this discussion on him. I'll spare you the conversation, as I'm sure it's boring to other people. He basically said that Atlanta could have any other average QB like Jake Delhomme or Byron Leftwich and still be as good. I disagree with that notion. If anyone remembers - a pretty average QB played for Atlanta last year, subbing in for Vick. And we all now how that went. Say what you say about McNabb, but the Eagles last year had 2 average (and even some would say below-average) QB's subbing in for him, and they won 4 straight. But anyway - Mike Vick is one of the most naturally gifted QB's in the league. The problem is consistancy. But no one can doubt his arm. It is amazing. And certainly, no one can doubt his legs. Defensive Coordinators don't gameplan against his throwing, running, and throwing while running for the fun of it. He can make plays no one else can. On third-and-17, I would rather have Vick than possibly any other QB in the league. Obviously, not every play is third-and-17, and so Vick will make mistakes. But he's young, and, with all his natural talent, he will become an elite passer someday. As of now, he can make big plays or bad ones, and that's why you couldn't ever count the Falcons out - because of his big plays. Atlanta lost because Vick had more mistakes than big plays. And ultimately - Vick could have carried the average Falcons if he had all big plays. Unfortunately, he had more mistakes - and look where the Falcons are at now.

6 Comments:

Blogger Fitz said...

first of all, i respect Vick a lot more than I used to. I would say he's top 10 now, which I never would ahve said before. But until he develops into an accurate and effective passer, he won't be great.

Also, c'mon dude. When I said an average QB, I MEANT someone like a Jake Delhomme who is going to be effective. You can't logically compare Doug Johnson to Byron Leftwich.

Besides, last year Atlanta's D was pretty weak. In 2003, the defense allowed 55 TDs. This year, they only allowed 41. Thats huge to take into account for the difference between 03 and 04

3:47 PM  
Blogger Zodiac Digital said...

But can you logically compare AJ Feely to Byron Leftwich?

4:33 PM  
Blogger Fitz said...

i'm confused. wasn't doug johnson ATL's 2003 starter?

4:42 PM  
Blogger Zodiac Digital said...

yeah...my point is: AJ feely started instead of McNabb. If McNabb is so great, and Vick not that great, why didnt the Eagles' offense collapse with a third stringer?

5:31 PM  
Blogger Fitz said...

You're making the mistake of thinking that the Falcons were great this year. They were a team that did well in the regular season, at least in part because of fortunate circumstance, and won 1 playoff game against a weak team to make it to the NFC Conference Championship game in the weakest year a single conference has ever seen. (for example, TWO 8-8 teams made it. essentially, to make it to the NFC championship game, the Falcons had to beat a .500 team at home)

Their offense was really only slightly better, which is pretty pathetic considering circumstance. Last year they scored 299 points (20th in the league), this year they scored 340 (16th in the league). So with a healthy Vick, a healthy Warrick Dunn, a much improved O-line, a much improved Alge Crumpler, they only managed to rank slightly higher. And this was in a weak 'strength of schedule' since they lost so bad in 2003.

Where the Falcons' real strength was this year was defense. In 2003, they allowed 422 points, and were ranked 30th in the NFL. This year, they only allowed 337 points, and ranked 14th. So you see a huge improvement on defense that you cant attribute to Vick at all.

And as for their record of 11-5, lets remember that the Falcons played in a horrid division in a horrid conference. I mean, the Saints went 8-8 in the same division, and they didn't even have Deuce McAllister for half the season.

Just remember, the Falcons lost 56-10 to the Chiefs. They were only able to put one TD on the lowly Chiefs Defense that gave up 435 points this season.

6:02 PM  
Blogger Zodiac Digital said...

i dont think the falcons are that great but lets not take away where they got.

anyway, this is the last time I argue about this, cause this kid barrages me with stats i dont care about. whatever.

6:59 PM  

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