Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Is Michael Vick playing poorly?

Next week the Skins host the Eagles. While the Skins rested this week, the Eagles lost to the Buffalo Bills in large part due to 4 Michael Vick interceptions. But Vick also accounted for 400 yards of offense. So what are we to make of this ... is Vick playing poorly, which obviously benefits the Skins? Or is he playing well other than a few fluke plays?

I went to the videotape to watch his 4 interceptions closely, and two things were clear:

First, the interceptions were not Vick's fault. None of them. One was a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage that popped into the air before being intercepted. On another Vick was hit hard just before the ball was released, and the ball came out wildly as a result. On a third Vick's throwing arm was hit just before the ball was released, leading to an errant pass. And on the fourth the ball hit the receiver in the hands but the defender knocked it out and plucked it out of the air.

Second, although Vick's decision-making and accuracy are not responsible for the interceptions, his offensive line is. The Eagles' pass-blocking has been poor, leading to lots of pressure and lots of disrupted throws. Despite this, Vick threw for 315 yards and ran for 90 more.

In sum, Vick is playing well, but his good play is being disguised by a porous offensive line and the chaos that ensues from poor pass-blocking. This means that the Skins have an opportunity to wreak havoc on the pass rush, particulary with Kerrigan and Orakpo playing so well, but it also means that Vick could be poised for a big day if the Skins don't contain him.

(Originally published 10/9/11)

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