I spent a good part of my work life with the world’s largest computer technology company. The joke was “how can you tell when the world’s largest computer company’s salesman is lying?” Answer: when his lips are moving.
You can always trust what a football coach says about his players.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid was crushed by fans last week when he said that Kevin Kolb remained the team’s starting quarterback after suffering a concussion in the game against the Green Bay Packers.
Michael Vick looked good in relief of Kolb and already fans were clamoring for him instead of Kolb, who the fans said lacked leadership and could not make all the throws. The same fans applauded when Philadelphia extended Kolb’s contract and guaranteed his $12 million salary last April then dumped Donovan McNabb to the Redskins on Easter Sunday.
Vick started for Kolb on the road against the Detroit Lions last Sunday and played…fabulously, completing an uncustomary 61.7 percent of his passes to nine different receivers for two touchdowns and gaining 37 yards on seven attempts. The Eagles rolled up 409 total yards for the close win against the Lions. (NOTE: For his career prior to Philadelphia, Vick completed 54 percent of his catches for a pathetic 75.7 QB Rating.)
On Monday, Reid reiterated that Kolb was the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. But yesterday (Tuesday) Reid named Vick the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
Shades of Joe Gibbs and Patrick Ramsey!
Why the change of heart? After studying game tape, Reid recognized that he had Michael Vick on his roster.
”This isn’t about Kevin Kolb’s play. You’re talking about Michael Vick as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now.”
That would be more believable if Vick wasn’t on Philly’s roster through two training camps and the Eagles didn’t have a $12 million stake in a guy now relegated to the bench.
Either Reid got talked to by somebody higher up, or he had the epiphany that Vick is something more than trading fodder. The Eagles are an order of magnitude better with Vick at quarterback than with Kevin Kolb. They may be as dangerous as when Donovan McNabb was under center.
Michael Vick paid his debt to society and deserves a shot to rebuild his career while realizing, I hope, that he can do better than be a gangsta’ wannabe.
Reid said that Kolb will be a “championship-caliber quarterback.” He did not say “in Philadelphia.”
Kolb must be wondering where he stands after all this. Reid did not back him as resolutely as he did for McNabb over 11 seasons. Which begs the question, how can you tell when your coach is lying?
Point After: For all of Vick’s heroics, the Lions played the Eagles tough, and did it without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. Detroit rolled up 444 yards and 32 points. The Eagles dodged a bullet for this win.
Both the Eagles and the Lions are on the Redskins calendar. It’s best not to be presumptive about the Lions or any of the weaker teams on the schedule, like oh say, the St Louis Rams.
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