Schaub not Vick in Atlanta
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by user Rizzo42789
Michael Vick is the most electrifying athlete in the National Football League. While no one denies his ability as an open field runner, his development as a passer has slowed the progress of the Atlanta Falcons franchise.
Vick was the no. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, the Falcons traded Tim Dwight and the no.5 pick to the San Diego Chargers (who selected LaDainian Tomlinson). At the time, it seemed the Falcons were drafting a franchise quarterback who would lead the team to their first ever Super Bowl victory.
Vick's career started off well, with him starting 15 games in his second season with an impressive record of 9-5-1. He threw 16 touchdown passes and ran for eight more, including an incredible touchdown run in overtime to help the Falcons beat Minnesota 30-24. Building off his solid regular season Vick led the Falcons to an upset victory over Green Bay at Lambeau Field in the Wild Card game. However, the Falcons were stopped in the divisional round by the Philadelphia Eagles 20-6.
The 2003 season was a catastrophe for everyone involved with the Atlanta Falcons organization. The immortal Vick was injured in the preseason and was lost for almost the entire season, but he did start the last four games of the season and he won three of those starts. The franchise fell apart without him and finished 5-11, which was good enough for last place in the NFC South.
But things began to get better in 2004, after Dan Reeves was fired as head coach and replaced with Jim Mora Jr., as the Falcons won their first NFC South title. The club boasted a 11-5 record, with Vick starting 15 of the 16 games, his cruised to a 11-4 record. Once again the Falcons would win one playoff game (against St.Louis), but were only to be downed in the NFC title game against Philadelphia.
While all things appeared to be calm with the Falcons on the quarterback front, many thought Vick was not adjusting properly to Mora's offense, especially after his poor performance in the NFC title match. In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Falcons selected University of Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub. Many thought of him as a project, destined to be a career backup for a team with a "franchise player" like Vick.
But then the 2005 season rolled around and Vick was still not adjusting to Mora's offense. After starting the season 7-4, the Falcons fell apart down the stretch dropping 4 of their last five to finish at a disappointing 8-8.
Now while the blame should not be set all on Vick's shoulders, the Falcons need to reevaluate his value as a quarterback. Vick suffered through drops in nearly all of his statistical categories last season including:
Quarterback rating- Vick's 73.1 rating last season was his lowest in a season in which he has started at least 15 games. The number was down exactly 5 points from 2004.
Completion percentage- While Vick had always struggled in this particular category, his number dipped to 55.1 %, a drop of 1.1% from 2004, his lowest total since 2003.
Interceptions- Went up to 13 in 2005. Despite having the league's number one rushing attack to take the pressure off the passing game Vick still looked indecisive in the pocket, which should scare fans.
Rushing yards- Fell from 902 to 597, which is a horrible sign for the Falcons. It means they are trying to get Vick to stay in the pocket more, which is a poor decision because he makes more plays in the passing game while he is moving than he will ever make when he is in the pocket. The Steelers tried to do the same thing to Kordell Stewart a few years back and all it did was limit his overall effectiveness and ruin his career( which already was in jeopardy).
Vick has also looked uncomfortable in big games and after taking hits. If you can make Vick jumpy, expect a victory. However, Schaub has performed well in his limited action in the NFL. When Vick was forced out of a game against the two time defending NFL champions, the New England Patriots, Schaub performed brilliantly. He not only kept the Falcons in the game, but gave them a chance to win.
Schaub completed 18 passes for 298 yards with three touchdown passes with no interceptions. The Falcons lost the game on a field goal, but unlike when Vick is under center, they did not lose the game because of a mental error made by the quarterback. Also, later in the season against the Carolina Panthers, Schaub completed 9 of 13 passes and a touchdown pass with no interceptions to provide the Falcons with their only glimmer of pride, in a demoralizing 44-11 blowout loss.
Fans in Atlanta, I understand Vick may be the one of the most electrifying quarterbacks to every play the game, but do not lower your standards. There are quarterbacks who do not make mental errors in key parts of games which decide the fate of the season. If the Falcons want to grab their first Super Bowl title, they should start Schaub, instead of wasting all of his talent by making him stand on the sidelines with a clipboard.
Date
Mon 07/24/06, 8:25 pm EST
