NFL: Can Michael Vick Be Stopped? (Part 1)
Just two weeks ago, Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry started forward, but then stopped in his tracks and ran back when he saw that Philadelphia Eagles’ QB Michael Vick was carrying out a fake right play-action, and then scrambled in the other direction.
In the brief second it took for Landry to turn around to run after DeSean Jackson, the ball was flying from Vick, over Landry’s head, and into the arms of Jackson.
Touchdown, Eagles! On the first play of the game? On an 88 yard pass? Vick can make it happen.
This was the first spark that eventually ignited into a blaze of TDs for the Eagles, with Vick leading them. Vick threw for 333 yards, rushed for 80 yards, and had four passing TDs in addition to two rushing TDs in their game against division rival Redskins
in an overwhelming 59-28 victory, the first time anyone has done so in NFL history.
This performance showed just what Vick is capable of, justifying his talent in making split second decisions in scenarios which would result in sacks and interceptions for less able QBs.
Chicago Bears’ safety Chris Harris was watching the game and knows that he could easily be in the same position as Landry.
Next week’s Bears versus Eagles game will prove to be important. Well, all games are important, but this one is more important than usual. The Bears are currently enjoying a fine winning streak of three games, while the Eagles have the same situation, having
won their last three games. Both teams will be relentless in acquiring a fourth win.
But is it possible for the Bears to stop Michael Vick?
"We've been talking about it already," Harris said. "We've got to make sure we stay deep, in Cover 2 especially. We've got to get back, and not come up until you know for sure that it's a run or that he's broken the line of scrimmage.
It seems to be a tall order, but it is not Mission Impossible. It has been done before and can be done again.
To find out just how, one has to take a look back at the New York Giants. One of the many talents that Vick has is that he can pass, but can also run as fast as any runningback in the league. This is a dangerous combination. When Vick can’t find a man open,
he sprints towards the end zone or at least far enough to get a first down. But the main problem with the QB rushing is that he is more open to injury. The last thing that any coach wants is to have their star starting QB injured.
That’s probably why the Giants’ defense employed tactics that were designed to expose Vick to as much contact as possible. The Giants used a blitz defense on 20 passing plays, forcing Vick to scramble.
When the Giants blitzed Vick, he completed only 6 passes of 16 attempts for 66 yards and was sacked twice. But when New York didn’t pressure him, he completed 18 of 22 pass attempts for 192 yards.
So although the Giants did, statistically, manage to effectively use their pressure tactics, the Eagles emerged victorious in the end, causing everyone to ask the same question. Is there
any foolproof way to stop Vick?
Tim Jennings, the Bears’ cornerback said "We didn't see nothing that he can't do [on film]. So we're aware of everything he brings to that team. But like Coach harps on, we can't really worry about what they do. We just have to worry about what we do, and
try to contain him as much as we can.”
Jennings brings to light a good point, but can Vick really be contained?
The harsh reality for Eagles’ fans is: Yes he can.
How? Well, that will be discussed in the next article. Take a look!
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