Vick: 'I'm a team guy'

[Guest Moose Knuckle Ball Four]

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said Wednesday he is one of the NFL's top players and one of the most recognizable figures in all of sports and could use his celebrity to his advantage on and off the field. However, he said it is his nature to lay relatively low and have his teammates view him as one of them.

 

"Everybody knows I've got great talents and gifts and can do things 90 percent of the guys in the league can't do," Vick said. "I don't feel like I've got to do things differently, show off my status, my power. I can do it, but it's no need. Only if a line is crossed or if there's a need for me to act a certain way would I approach the situation differently. It's pretty much the way I've been since Virginia Tech and since I've been here. I'm a team guy, I understand the concept of winning and what it takes to win."

 

Coach Jim Mora said Vick's team-first approach is why teammates would rather do what they can to bail him out when he struggles, like he did in Monday night's 27-14 victory over the New York Jets, than harbor resentment or become exasperated for not always playing up to his $130 million contract.

 

"It goes back to his demeanor on the practice field and meetings, and his work ethic," Mora said. "He's a guy that is one of our hardest workers. He's here and committed in the off-season. He's a leader on the field during practice. They know he's in the boat with them. He's not a Prima Donna that is playing the quarterback position and doing things that doesn't relate to the team."

 

Even so, Vick said he does have personal goals that might not be attainable this season — or in future years — because of his role and effectiveness in the team's version of the West Coast offense.

 

"The only stat that counts is to win the game but still, I don't want my stats to look bad or not be up to par," Vick said. "I set a high standard for myself. My goal this year was to try to throw for 3,500 yards, at least 3,000. A couple years ago I fell [64] yards short of 3,000 yards passing. The last two years, it's been a little different.

 

"Last year I started out in new offense so I kind of expected things not to go well. This year I was expecting a lot out of myself and it seems like I'm not pace to do what I set my goals out to do."

 

Vick has completed 66-of-126 passes for 723 yards — nine fewer yards and nine fewer attempts than tailback Warrick Dunn has in running the ball.

 

"We've got to throw the ball 30, 40 times a game to reach those types of numbers," Vick said. "Our run game is so good. I won't say it's hurting me and I won't complain because it's a lot easier and it takes a lot of pressure off me."

 

Vick's remarks came after he completed 11-of-26 passes for 116 yards and threw three interceptions for a quarterback rating of 16.3 in Monday night's 27-14 victory over the New York Jets. Vick, who ran for two touchdowns, said he was to blame for the shortcomings in the passing game.

 

Vick did not say he would prefer to play in a different system, especially since the Falcons have posted a 17-8 record and an NFC championship game berth since offensive coordinator Greg Knapp implemented the run-dominant scheme upon arrival with head coach Jim Mora before the 2004 season. The ultra-versatile Vick, the team's second-leading rusher (302 yards) is a key factor in the running game.

 

"We run the football, whether it's with T.J. Duckett, Warrick or me, that's what makes our game go," Vick said. "If that's the way it's going to be, as long as we keep winning and as long as I make my plays when I have to, things are all good."

 

Knapp said Vick is like any quarterback when it comes to wanting to throw the ball and that he's seen Vick progress in the system - even in his poor showing Monday night.

 

"If you ask a quarterback if you should pass more, he'll say, 'Yeah,' " Knapp said. "But he always comes back to, 'I don't care if we win.' "

 

As for Vick's more recent performance, Knapp said, "He's had worse-graded games this year and better stats. He made great decisions, he improved his footwork, he went to check downs more often and those are signs of growth in this offense."

 

Knapp said Vick might not ever have a high completion percentage in this system because of the insistence of throwing a ball away instead of forcing a mistake. Vick's completion percentage is 52.4 percent, down from a career-best 56.4 percent last season.

 

Vick said the passing game and his production throwing the ball could improve if the Falcons periodically ran their two-minute offense other than at the end of halves. Knapp said that could be a possibility, but he would prefer not to venture off the current path.

 

"It gets you into a rhythm as a quarterback," Vick said.

 

Vick said his sprained right knee, which sidelined him for Atlanta's 31-28 loss to New England Oct. 9, is not totally healed but the bye this weekend should allow him to be close to full strength for the Nov. 6 game at Miami. Vick said he's tried to restrain himself from running as much because of his knee, but because of his potential to bust a big gain, staying put in the pocket could always be a struggle, he said.

[yanivsme 0]

Team: to share and work together.

 

 

Thats why he gives eveybody herpes!!

[lost.on.draft.day 0]

well, you know, i was just sayin, you know, that when i get in the pocket, you know, that when i overlook the defense, you know, and try to figure out, you know, which one of my guys to throw it to, you know, i jus get confused some times, you know, and jus say ###### it and run

 

you know?

[OMN 0]

"I am the greatest but a modest team player"

[nicewolf64 0]

he may have talents that 90% of the league doesnt have, but throwing a 7 yard pass isnt one of them. He has absolutely no touch.

[BringBackBernie 0]

Madden actually made a good point the other night concerning Vick. I guess he does know a thing or two about something besides Favre's schlong. Vick's ability to run the ball keeps the ends spread out, therefore allowing Dunn, Duckett, etc. to go straight up the gut. I think Vick would perform a lot better in something other than a west coast offense. Say what you will about Vick, but he is a winner. College and Pro.

[lost.on.draft.day 0]

Madden actually made a good point the other night concerning Vick. I guess he does know a thing or two about something besides Favre's schlong. Vick's ability to run the ball keeps the ends spread out, therefore allowing Dunn, Duckett, etc. to go straight up the gut. I think Vick would perform a lot better in something other than a west coast offense. Say what you will about Vick, but he is a winner. College and Pro.

46 - 29

[dreadlocks34 0]

"The only stat that counts is to win the game but still, I don't want my stats to look bad or not be up to par," Vick said. "I set a high standard for myself. My goal this year was to try to throw for 3,500 yards, at least 3,000. A couple years ago I fell [64] yards short of 3,000 yards passing. The last two years, it's been a little different.

3500 yards is roughly 220 yards per game. In 42 career starts, he has thrown for over 220 yards exactly 6 times. He has topped 150 once in 6 six games this season. He may fall just a tad short.

Maybe in the offseason one of these years he should work extensively on his throwing because I would hate to think he has been doing that already.

[nicewolf64 0]

obviously, Vick suffers from a poor receiving corps. Vick could make Moss and Owens look like any Lions WR.

[IN$TANT REPAY 11]

well, you know, i was just sayin,  you know, that when i get in the pocket, you know, that when i overlook the defense, you know, and try to figure out, you know, which one of my guys to throw it to, you know, i jus get confused some times, you know, and jus say ###### it and run

 

you know?

did you hear the 790thezone interview today?

 

 

he said that his brother can throw better than he can.....

 

and he said that boomer was right, he cannot see over o-linemen with their hands up.....

 

 

Vick Practicing Patience While Struggling

By GEORGE HENRY

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Following his first 300-yard passing game in 2002, Michael Vick believed many more would come.

 

The Atlanta quarterback still has just one, and a personal goal he set for 3,000 yards this season is likely unattainable. He only wishes he could claim that statistics mean nothing to him.

 

"I'm not going to lie. I do (care)," Vick said Wednesday. "The only stat that counts is if you win games. I understand that, but still, I don't want my stats to look bad or not be up to par."

 

Given that the Falcons (5-2) entered their bye week tied with Seattle for the NFC's second-best winning percentage, Vick was adamant he has no plans to lodge a complaint with coach Jim Mora or offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

 

Atlanta's run-first offense used a similar approach last year in advancing to the conference title game, but Vick hopes the team can create more balance.

 

"There hasn't been a game this year where we came out and everything we watched on film, the team came out and played what they showed," Vick said. "We always get the different looks. I don't even know why we watch film anymore. I mean for real, man."

 

Looking at numbers posted by Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck and other quarterbacks who run an offense similar to Atlanta's, Vick realizes that averaging just 21.6 passing attempts per game makes 3,000 yards impossible.

 

"I don't know if I can," Vick said. "Maybe not, man. My passing attempts are not where they need to be. I need to throw the ball 30 to 40 times a game for me to have those numbers, but our run game's so good that I won't say it's hurting me, but I won't complain, because it's a lot easier and it takes a lot of pressure off me, too."

 

Yes, Atlanta has managed to improve on a running game that led the league last year for the first time in franchise history. After rushing for 155 yards in a 13-point win Monday night over the New York Jets, Warrick Dunn has 732 this season and ranks third in the NFL.

 

Vick's dazzling ability to elude defenders has helped him rank atop the NFC with 6.2 yards per carry and No. 1 overall in converting 44.9 of his carries for first downs. T.J. Duckett leads the conference in fewest runs stuffed at the line of scrimmage (one in 45 attempts) after leading that category last year.

 

"I think that is our identity," Vick said. "We run the football whether it's Warrick, T.J. or me. That's what makes our game go. If that's the way it's going to be, as long as we keep winning and as long as I make my plays when I have to, things are all good."

 

Still, Vick longs for more chances to connect with his receivers. He completed just 11 of 26 passes for 116 yards and a 16.3 passer rating against New York.

 

After hearing Knapp rave recently about the team's work in a hurry-up offense, Vick wondered why the team doesn't start a game with a no-huddle, two-minute approach that would force opponents into traditional schemes that don't mask coverages.

 

"Our hurry-up offense and our tempo are outstanding," Vick said. "We've just got to use it a little bit more. I'm pretty sure they'll come up with some type of scheme in order to get the two-minute drill or the hurry-up offense going. Once we start doing that and we mature as an offense, man, the sky's the limit."

 

Knapp, who brought a version of the West Coast offense from San Francisco nearly two years ago, still believes Vick's ability to remain calm under pressure will help him develop as a passer.

 

"We're from two opposite backgrounds, but whatever's inside of him, from his core growing up, there's a quality I like in that he enjoys the game still as a kid," Knapp said. "I think that's important at this level, because at this level the pressures are there. They will always be there, but as long as you see that core enjoyment of the game, I think that's important."

 

Vick, 25, doesn't deny occasional frustrations, but the two-time Pro Bowl selection attributes part of his 30-15-1 career record to releasing his anger and focusing his energy in a positive way.

 

"The last two years, sometimes it's been a little difficult," Vick said. "Last year I started out in a new offense, so I kind of expected things not to go as well, but this year I was expecting a lot on myself, and it looks like I'm not on pace to do what I set my goals at. We've got nine games left, and there's still room for improvement."

[Ilikemycap 0]

I think vick should be RB instead of QB. he would do better job in RB position.

 

Please vote on one of my poll

[The Moz 69]

well, you know, i was just sayin, you know, that when i get in the pocket, you know, that when i overlook the defense, you know, and try to figure out, you know, which one of my guys to throw it to, you know, i jus get confused some times, you know, and jus say ###### it and run

 

you know?

 

"ya know what I'm sayin man -- I'm tha best eva b!tch I runs all ober these b!tches main I da sh!t yo ya know what I'm sayin ! let dem cracka mutha b!tches pass ya know what I'm saying - it's all bout me mutha focker ! I needs da bal you know what I'm sayin I aint no whitey craka who has to pass tha bal I gotz them mad skillz ya know what I'm saying - ya know what I'm sayin "

 

Mike Vick :ph34r:

[DrJ 0]

Looking at numbers posted by Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck and other quarterbacks who run an offense similar to Atlanta's, Vick realizes that averaging just 21.6 passing attempts per game makes 3,000 yards impossible.

 

"I don't know if I can," Vick said. "Maybe not, man. My passing attempts are not where they need to be. I need to throw the ball 30 to 40 times a game for me to have those numbers, but our run game's so good that I won't say it's hurting me, but I won't complain, because it's a lot easier and it takes a lot of pressure off me, too."

Vick would probably have 30-40 passing attempts if he didn't tuck the ball and run every other attempt. The guy runs the ball over 8 times a game...

 

"My stats aren't good because I can't complete a 3rd down pass to save my life. "

[BirdBradyBobbyOrr 0]

Madden actually made a good point the other night concerning Vick. I guess he does know a thing or two about something besides Favre's schlong. Vick's ability to run the ball keeps the ends spread out, therefore allowing Dunn, Duckett, etc. to go straight up the gut. I think Vick would perform a lot better in something other than a west coast offense. Say what you will about Vick, but he is a winner. College and Pro.

I have to agree. The guy carried V Tech in College and the Falcons have been respectable with him as the main man.

[delusional247 0]

speed isn't a talent