Games- Vick’s Winning Performance Overshadows Past

I say that a lot and if you follow Philadelphia pro sports you know there’s always something to talk about. Sometimes you wonder what consumes folks in other cities, because around here there’s always a debate about a team, a player, a coach and even ownership.
From the outrage and disdain for Michael Vick’s arrival in The City of Brotherly Love to last Sunday’s acrobatic and athletic display of quarterbacking, people in this region, if nothing else, can be swayed. It’s the primary reason that successful athletes, no matter how young, are worshipped and spoiled. Just win, baby, as they say.
If you can remain objective while many around you are falling victim to the emotion of the moment, you’ll probably be a happier and more content individual. The roller coaster ride that is public opinion can make one’s head spin with uncertainty.
Vick was vilified in most circles for his incredibly inhuman and criminal treatment of animals.
His arrival in Eagles’ midnight green was as shocking as any event sports news in recent memory. Birds’ boss Andy Reid stunned the region when he convinced Jeff Lurie and Joe Banner to sign the 2001 top draftee.
Vick’s fearless and scrambling antics on the field were surpassed only by his reckless and immature personal life. He was on top of the NFL world as he donned the covers of magazines and video games. He had a powerful arm, sleek body, sprinter’s speed and a magician’s elusiveness.
As his time in prison neared its conclusion, no one could have imagined the ex-con coming to Lincoln Financial Field for an introductory press conference. But it happened. And like most Eagles’ news, it miraculously stayed under wraps until the organization felt like telling everyone.
In the meantime, the Eagle organization was preparing for the eventual demise of long-time leader and face of the franchise, Donovan McNabb. A second round pick in 2007, acquired in a deal with dreaded Dallas, had yielded University of Houston product Kevin Kolb.
He was portrayed and came across as a smart, steady player with quarterback instincts honed from a lifetime of instruction from coach dad. His accuracy and quick release were West Coast offense all the way.
Despite Reid’s constant assertions to put players in positions to succeed, Kolb’s debut in the second half of a 2008 embarrassment at Baltimore did more to damage the kid’s reputation than give the Eagles a chance to win. McNabb had struggled that day, the Raven defense was ferocious and Kolb stood little chance of success.
With McNabb ailing, the 2009 campaign opened with Kolb slinging for 300 yards in each of the first two games. Management must have been convinced by those efforts as they drew up a plan to find McNabb a comfortable new home while providing free agent to be Kolb with lifetime financial security. The new man was destined to take over as the next decade’s Eagle quarterback.
Where Vick fit in among this titanic change in team leadership is the great unknown. Maybe someday Reid will write a tell-all autobiography with the truth about what he was thinking, what he saw, what he imagined and how he figured it would all turn out.
Perhaps Big Red is really that smart and figured Vick would indeed turn his life around, develop better foot work and accuracy, and know better when to spring and when to throw.
Maybe Reid, the former quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, could effectively tutor the former out-of-control athlete from Atlanta. Or maybe the signing was simply a gesture reflective of the troubles Reid’s own sons had endured in their personal lives.
Could Big Red have considered the possibility that Kolb would not be the man to guide the franchise for the next several years? Did Reid take all of those slings and arrows from Vick haters because he knew that a seasoned, veteran quarterback with considerable physical skills is a rare find?
Say what you want about Reid’s odd decision to bring Vick’s rehabilitation tour to Philadelphia, but last Sunday’s victory is directly connected to that wildly unpopular signing. With a surprisingly dysfunctional offensive line and a very young running back behind him, Vick’s mobility, athleticism, cannon arm and significant experience propelled Philadelphia to victory over the improved Lions.
Winning is everything and memories fade. Kolb’s first half debacle in this season’s first week is the body of work fans see right now. After all, what have you done for me, lately? We know little about Kolb’s practice workouts and classroom study and even less about his potential. Reid is paid to figure these things out and he’s often been correct in player evaluation.
The new Vick supporters make a valid point about durability. McNabb was big and tough and even he suffered significant injuries. Kolb is not nearly as elusive as Vick so survival skills to operate behind this offensive line are essential. If Kolb doesn’t get the ball out quickly, he’s going to be mauled often. If Reid doesn’t run the football, Kolb will be mauled early and often.
Vick is built for the street ball type of game plan the team inevitably operates under. Most designed pass plays break down into schoolyard antics when protection breaks down. It’s going to take success amidst broken plays and helter skelter open-field action for the Birds to be successful.
Kolb, as a traditional drop back quarterback, requires more blocking help than Vick. That could make a big difference in how this season plays out.
All is forgiven as long as Vick wins. All is suspect as long as the last picture we have of Kolb is that large clump of turf sticking in his facemask and that solemn look of concussion in his eyes. But the details don’t matter- … only the winning does.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net