Andy Reid Wants Vick To Be Treated Like A QB—Not A Running Back

There are accusations that Michael Vick isn't being protected by the league against late hits.

Sal Paolantonio reports that Andy Reid feels the NFL needs to pay closer attention to the hits that Vick takes after the play is over.

Says Reid, "It bothers me to be honest with you. That bothers me. I see the same thing you're seeing and it bothers me...he does run, but he's still the quarterback and you can't treat him like he's a running back there. That's not what the rules state."

Well, there's just one question to be asked, how on earth is a defensive player supposed to know when Vick plans to run and when he plans to remain in the pocket?

Let's be honest here, Vick is a run threat and most defenses are looking to decapitate him if he even looks like he might be thinking of running—can you expect any less?

Defenses want to send a message to all mobile quarterbacks, be it Vick or someone else, that they plan to make life hell if they choose to leave the pocket. The way to do that is to hit them as hard as possible—as often as possible. That's precisely why, over the course of time, you see less and less quarterback's making a run for it—they can't afford potential injury.

They slide or they run out of bounds, but they don't cruise down the field for 15 or 20 yards—several times a game. Pocket quarterbacks are far more likely to get the calls because they spend the better part of their game being immobile.  Aside from taking the snap, making their drop (3, 5 or 7), and throwing the football, they don't go far. The refs can see all of those movements from one location—the pocket.

Vick has made 268 pass attempts this season (24th*). That's a lot less than most of his counterparts—the ones who are most likely to get the calls that Reid is alluding to in his statement. By contrast, he has made 74 rushing attempts (1st among QB's).

Say what you want, but defenses have to respect Vick's prowess as a rusher or they will get beat.

Is Vick a quarterback, yes, but that doesn't mean he should be allowed to run-at-will or be given the same degree of latitude as Drew Brees or Tom Brady—he's viewed differently by defenses and he knows that.

Is that fair, no? But, how does he expect that to be corrected given his ability?

Here's what Vick had to say, "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...the defense is going to continue to do it because it's not getting called."

We'll see if Reid's pleas end up meaning much for Vick on the football field but, from this chair, it just seems like there isn't much to be said or corrected. Vick's still a runner, defenses know that, and he's going to continue to be a target until he stops being so productive on the ground—period.

What say you?

*Based on quarterbacks who pass the ball at least 14 times per game (NFL.com)

Related articles

• Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid bothered by late hits on Michael Vick (sports.espn.go.com)

Mike Ditka and Joe Paterno: "Lose The Masks, Lose The Hits, Lose The Injuries"...Any Questions

The solution offered by both, the former Chicago Bear, head coach Mike Ditka and current Penn State head coach, Joe Paterno seems insane on the surface because that's precisely what it is—insane!

The logic is sound enough: if you take away the armor that shields the defender from possible harm, then he will think twice about how he approaches his tackle. After all, in this day of big egos trying to make it in other avenues besides football (television, movies, and music), who wants a jacked up face or a misaligned set of teeth?

Well, most players in today's game aren't always thinking about the consequences of a hit, but rather the hit itself. They won't mind taking the risk, of slight pain or injury, if they feel it's going to be worth it in the end.

Even more, there are plenty of grudges in the NFL. There would be a section of guys who would just love to get a big lick on the quarterback that's always annoyed them or beat their team.

Think about it, how many guys would love to get a big hit on pretty boy, Tom Brady or endless pitchman, Peyton Manning? You think Ray Lewis would dismiss the opportunity to show Carson Palmer how he really feels?...Just putting that out there.

Removing the helmets might change the approach for some but, for others, it would present a challenge and make them more creative as far as how they could still get the hit without causing too much bodily harm to themselves. Either way, removing the face guard would do, relatively, little to curb the violent hitting behavior we see on the football field.
 
What say you?

Related articles

• Paterno: Lose Face Masks for Safety (blogs.wsj.com)
• Joe Paterno Mike Ditka Football Head Injury Solution-No Face Mask (nowpublic.com)

Randy Moss Became Expendable In New England—Plain and Simple

Randy Moss is talented. No, scratch, check, and rethink that a moment, Randy Moss is supremely talented. There can be no denying that fact.

At only 32-years of age, Moss currently ranks 10th in receptions (935), 5th in receiving yards (14,604), 2nd in touchdown receptions (151)—trailing the great Jerry Rice by only 46—, and 4th in receiving yards per game (77.3).

In short...he's a beast.

So, why on earth would the New England Patriots trade a guy who can do nothing but be an asset to their team? It seems bizarre and idiotic on the part of coach Bill Belichik to do something so mind-numbingly stupid.

Well, you can accuse Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots of many things, but stupidity isn't one of them. Trust in this much, Randy Moss would not have been traded if he was really thought to be a worthwhile asset to the team. The Patriots are 3-1 on this young season, and the presence of Randy Moss has little to do with that fact.

Moss has only caught for 139 yards so far this year, and the Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, has looked quite comfortable throwing passes to his other receiving options. Both Wes Welker and, rookie tight end, Aaron Hernandez, have outpaced Moss in yards this season—having already surpassed the 200 yard mark.

Whether it was by design, or by circumstance, Moss was no longer trotted out as the focal point of the Patriots offense. By stark contrast, he was just another player on the field who, if he got open, Brady gave a look.

How did Moss become so unimportant to the Patriots organization? For one, the running game looks more promising this season than in year's past. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the third year running back out of Mississippi, has averaged better than 4.5 yards per carry, and established a solid rushing attack for the Pats.

That's an important factor to consider when you recall the lack of luck Belichick has experienced with the position during his tenure in New England. In the previous 10 seasons, he saw two 1,000 yard seasons from the tailback spot—2002 with Antowain Smith and 2004 with Corey Dillon. Laurence Maroney was supposed to solve those issues, but he ended up spending more time on the injured list than on the playing field.

So, seeing a legitimate hope for success with the hard-running of Green-Ellis has to have Belichick smiling—on the inside of course.

Secondly, the 2008, season-ending, injury to Tom Brady had to put a scare into the powers that be in Boston. Brady is clearly the franchise player and the most important thing to have for Brady to succeed, at this point in his career, is a balanced offense.

Brady doesn't need to chuck the ball 45-55 times a game. That will only expose him to more sacks and increase the odds of his getting injured again and that would be a much tougher road for the Patriots to hoe—seriously doubt there's another Matt Cassell lurking on the bench.

Lastly, who wants the kind of distraction that Moss was bringing into the locker room? It was becoming clear to everyone that he wasn't feeling the love in New England anymore, and his attitude off the field reflected that mood:



The Patriots have never been ones to bend for those who suddenly feel they are bigger than the team. Just ask Deion Branch how his self-importance played out? Last check, he hasn't had a legitimate season in the NFL since his MVP winning one, with the Patriots, in 2005—point for Belichick.

Will the loss of Moss be hurtful to the Patriots? Yes, in the short-term, they will miss what he brings to the field as far as his ability to open up the offense and pose match-up problems in the secondary. However, his presence was becoming a distraction to the team and, no matter how good he is, he's not worth that much.

But, this much has to be said about Randy...it was a good run while it lasted: