A fine performance by Michael Vick in yesterday’s win against Detroit has presented coach Andy Reid with a quarterback controversy, whether he wants it or not. Reid has already come out and said that Kevin Kolb will be the starting quarterback next week.
I’m guessing there’s an unwritten NFL rule that an injured player should never lose their job due to injury, which usually goes unnoticed if the injured player plays in a non-glamorous position like offensive or defensive lines. But since quarterback is the team’s most important and most scrutinized position, that rule shouldn’t apply. New England coach Bill Belichick went against that unwritten rule and it earned him 3 Super Bowls, an AFC championship, countless playoff appearances and genius status. Imagine what would have happened if he had given Drew Bledsoe his job back when he was injured in 2001 instead of letting Tom Brady play. Belichek could be coaching in high school, Brady could be winning Super Bowls for the New York Jets (not what Jet fans want), and Bledsoe could still be the Patriots’ starting quarterback. Forbidden heaven.
I understand that we all have egos, especially NFL coaches. Reid has had great success during his tenure with the Eagles (whether Eagles fans agree or not). He drafted Kevin Kolb, groomed him to be the quarterback of the future, and traded him to franchise quarterback, a division rival, no less, to make room for Kolb to play. I’ll admit that Kolb played a very limited game last year. But from what I saw in the preseason games and the first half of Green Bay’s game. His game has been below average. He doesn’t have “it”. Having “it” is more than running X and O in practice. It’s making plays during games.
On the other hand, Vick has never looked better. His arm strength is second to none, he doesn’t get full speed back from him (which only helps him, since he can’t depend on his legs), but he can still outrun most of them and has the ability athletic. improvise broken plays that no defensive scheme can account for. Under Reid’s mentorship, he seems more like a polished quarterback. He looks like he’s going through the normal quarterback progressions, instead of just taking off. His running ability also helps with the running game, as players have to stay home with the pirates. He is a nightmare for defensive coordinators to defend. To make matters worse, Vic is saying all the right things, “I’m just here to back it up,” which gets him public sentiment. Vick’s body language says, “I can play.”
Kolb was under pressure before, he got hurt, now he’s even lower. Eagle fans have a well-earned reputation for booing for no reason. Remember McNabb was booed when he was drafted. As soon as their Kolb throws an incompletion pass or, worse, throws an interception, they’ll be howling for Vic. (No pun intended) As Boobie Clark from Friday Night Lights once said, the movie. “If you want to win, let Boobie spin.” That’s what Andy Reid should do. Let Michael Vic spin.
