Vick’s return to glory is well underway
When Michael Vick came to the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the 2009 season he knew he wouldn’t be playing very much with Donovan McNabb as the starting quarterback. He also knew that if he was patient, his time would eventually come. He’s too good
a quarterback to sit on the sidelines for very long.
He played in 12 games in 2009, starting one of them. He didn’t get too many snaps, he had only 13 pass attempts, but the organization knew what they had. With Vick on the sidelines, and Kevin Kolb waiting for his chance to be a starter, the team decided
to let McNabb go after the 2009 season.
Kolb began the 2010 season as the starter, and again Vick was patient. By half time of their first game, Kolb was out with a concussion, and Vick was the number one guy. They lost that first game, but Vick was stellar, going 16 for 24 with 175 yards, and
one touchdown. He also ran for 103 yards.
They won their next two with Vick as the starter. He threw for 575 yards in those two games, and five touchdowns. But in week four Vick was injured while diving for the end zone. He missed three games before returning Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
“This game was more emotional because we knew how tough it was going to be to win this game,” said Vick after the game. “It took two weeks of hard work, guys working extra hard, watching film and doing whatever it takes. To win this game was very gratifying.”
The Eagles won 26-24, and Vick was 17-29 for 218 yards, a touchdown, and he had 74 yards on the ground. There is no longer any question, or there shouldn’t be, that Vick is the number one guy in Philadelphia.
What’s particularly impressive with Vick’s return is how seamlessly he’s gotten back into the game. In 2006, the league, the fans, and the Atlanta Falcons all wished Vick didn’t exist, now people are tuning in every week to watch him play.
No one doubted Vick’s ability, it was his moral judgement they doubted after he was brought up on federal charges relating to a dog fighting ring that he funded. He spent two years in prison, and football fans wondered what would happen upon his return.
It could have easily turned into something you would expect out of Randy Moss. Vick could have signed with the Eagles and immediately started saying he was better than McNabb, or he could have been outspoken about not starting this season. Instead he was
silent, and respected his place in the league.
If he had been critical about the team’s decision to not start him it could have been bad for Vick. Some people are still having a hard time accepting him back into the fold, but he has done everything right so far, both on and off the field. He deserves
this second chance, and he’s making the most of it.
He’s leading the league in passer rating after nine weeks with a rating of 105.3, and he’s the only guy on the list with a zero in the interceptions column. He’s thrown for seven touchdowns and 1017 yards. He’s a threat to run on any play, and were it not
for his games lost due to injury, and some lingering hard feelings, people would be talking about Vick as the league’s MVP.
He may still get to that point. Every game he wins, he sheds a few more doubters. If he helps get the Eagles into the playoffs, and has success, his fan base may become bigger than it’s ever been.
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