Dog Face Gremlins211 0 Posted April 21, 2006 FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Decked out in a headband, T-shirt and shorts, Michael Vick trotted around the practice field on a warm spring afternoon, flicking passes to his young receivers and moving around effortlessly on the right knee that gave him so much trouble last season. And when he was done with Thursday's offseason workout, Vick delivered a message to the rest of the NFL: Get ready to face the real No. 7 this year. ADVERTISEMENT Visiting Flowery Branch GA? Find cheap hotel rates and travel deals for Flowery Branch GA from 100+ top travel sites... www.kayak.com Powerful MLS Search - Lake Lanier Homes Donna Baray with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta. Find hot properties with our premium search... www.lakelanierspecialists.com Free Satellite Dish Install- 1st Mo Free Fast Service. Great digital quality. Free DVR & receivers for up to 4 rooms. First month... www.satellite-dish-installer.com Flowery Branch, Georgia New Homes iNest guide to new homes and builders - 1% buyer rebate program. www.inest.com "I want to be mobile," he said. "I want to be Michael Vick. I want to play my game." Vick wore a brace on his knee for much of the season, which forced him to cut back on his one-of-a-kind running ability. His passing numbers weren't all that great, either, and the Falcons collapsed in the second half of the season to miss the playoffs. Eager to atone for the disappointing season, Vick has been an avid participant in the Falcons' offseason program for the past month. It's time well spent, giving him a chance to work with new quarterback coach Bill Musgrave and develop a rapport with receivers Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, who've been in the league a total of three seasons. "We're all trying to get on the same page," Vick said. "I want to throw the ball right at them so they can catch it. I didn't do that all the time last year." Indeed. Vick ranked 25th in the league in passing efficiency, completing just over 55 percent of his throws for 2,412 yards, with barely more touchdowns (15) than interceptions (13). He put up similar numbers the previous season, but they weren't so harshly judged because he also carried the ball 120 times for 902 yards while leading the Falcons to the NFC championship game. In 2005, Vick fell off to 597 yards on the ground, which put more of a spotlight on Atlanta's mediocre passing game. "My knee was bothering me all year," he said. "I never cried about it. I never complained about it. I just tried to do the best I can for the team. Now, I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm where I used to be." In an effort to maximize Vick's speed and create more running room, the Falcons may take some snaps out of the shotgun this season. "It doesn't matter whether I'm under center or in the shotgun, as long as I can be on the move," Vick said. "I want to get on the edge so I can show my elusiveness." While Vick's legs draw most of the attention, he also has one of the strongest arms in the league. Unfortunately for the Falcons, he has yet to take full advantage of it, struggling to adapt to the West Coast offense and lacking confidence in one of the league's most nondescript group of receivers. Tight end Alge Crumpler led the team with 65 receptions, while Brian Finneran was the only receiver to reach 50 catches. Jenkins _ a late first-round pick in 2004 -- managed 36 catches in his second season. White, a first-rounder last year, hurt his ankle in training camp and finished his rookie campaign with only 29 receptions. Musgrave has been focusing on Vick's footwork and trying to get him to put more touch on his throws. Already, White is feeling more comfortable on the other end of Vick's passes. "There's been a lot of progress between me and Mike," White said. "When I came in last year, he didn't know how fast I was and I didn't know how far he could throw it." Also, White has bulked up noticeably during the offseason, putting on weight and adding muscle that he hopes will help him get away from cornerbacks who try to crowd him at the line of scrimmage. The Falcons are eager to turn things around after losing six of their last eight games to finish at .500. Since entering the league in 1966, Atlanta has never had back-to-back winning seasons. Coach Jim Mora said everyone has been participating in the offseason workouts. He's especially pleased to see Vick getting in some quality time with White and Jenkins. "This is a low-pressure environment where we can build some camaraderie," he said. "We have two young receivers who need to work with the quarterbacks so they can get a feel for each other." Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/foot...k.ap/index.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Carcuss 0 Posted April 21, 2006 If, and it is a big if, Vick can stay healthy next season, he could be a fantasy monster. People forget how young this kid is. It normally takes a QB at least 3-4 years to develop their passing game. I still don't like their WRs but maybe R. White can step up his game. With the way Vick's stock has fallen, he could be a mid round steal this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GhostofMeanMachine99 1 Posted April 21, 2006 And he still couldn't hit water if her were afloat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yostevo 0 Posted April 21, 2006 Unfortunately for Mr. Vick, it's his god given talent that will be his undoing. His running style seems to perpetuate injuries. That and the fact that they are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by having him in a WCO. He's not accurate enough to march a team down the field with a short passing game in which the receivers are expected to get the YAC. What a mess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Carcuss 0 Posted April 21, 2006 Unfortunately for Mr. Vick, it's his god given talent that will be his undoing. His running style seems to perpetuate injuries. That and the fact that they are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by having him in a WCO. He's not accurate enough to march a team down the field with a short passing game in which the receivers are expected to get the YAC. What a mess. I read some where the Mora has said they are going to change the offense a bit this season......You are right about the running increasing the injury risk though. I would like to see him add a 10 pounds or so...... And he still couldn't hit water if her were afloat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This kid is still a baby by NFL QB standards. I agree that his accuracy leaves something to be desired at this point but that stuff can be corrected in time. Being able to run a 4.4. or flick a 55 yard pass off your back foot, CAN'T be taught so I wouldn't give up on him just yet. If he doesn't show some signs of improvement this season as far as the accuracy goes, then you could argue that it may never happen but I'm still with holding judgement and will be happy to grab him in round 8-9 when he falls due to all of negitive preceptions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LOD01 198 Posted April 21, 2006 He is really horrible. His style will put him on the shelf again in 2006. Of course he has no choice because he is a RB posing as a QB with zero touch what so ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eriadoc 4 Posted April 21, 2006 He really has showed subpar QB skills. That doesn't mean he won't get there. He's young and he has physical talent. As for the WR being poor, well .... Schaub hasn't had any problems with them in the few games he's played. I'm not saying they're Pro-Bowlers waiting to happen, but I suspect they catch a bit more flack than they should, as some people tend to want to deify Vick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
football_scooter 0 Posted April 21, 2006 If, and it is a big if, Vick can stay healthy next season, he could be a fantasy monster. People forget how young this kid is. It normally takes a QB at least 3-4 years to develop their passing game. I still don't like their WRs but maybe R. White can step up his game. With the way Vick's stock has fallen, he could be a mid round steal this year. Deja Vu Deja Vu Deja Vu Every year it's the same broken record. Every year he's not worth his draft position. This year he may be, but only because people will let him slide to the 5th round or so. And the more he runs, the more valuable he is - but at the price that he's more likely to get injured on every open field tackle. So the "if healthy = monster" premise seems to be deeply flawed, as to be one, he puts the other at risk. Teams spend big money on the O-Line to protect the QB. Yet the Falcons are perfectly pleased with allowing their highly (over)paid franchise centerpiece expose himself to huge hits all the time. It already got him a broken leg and several minor injuries...what's it going to take to turn this guy into a field general instead of a RB option every play? I still think if the Falcons had Tomlinson they'd have been a far more serious contender from then through to this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captian America 0 Posted April 21, 2006 Every year we here the same thing. However I now realize that the reason he sucks at QB is because he isn't a football player at all just another politician always promising something he can't deliver. Hey Vick tell us how you will bring the gas prices down. He is going to run more HA HA like he ever stopped trying to run what a phoney. Vick your smoke and mirrors days are numbered, soon the 3% that believe in you will wake up and see you for what you are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellisonb11 0 Posted April 21, 2006 YES!!!! GO Michael!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Future25 0 Posted April 21, 2006 im not even gonna get started in this thread....just happy for the link, thanks man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
