In his career Michael Vick has started all 16 games in a season only one time, 2006. That was the last season time Vick suited up in a Falcons uniform before dawning black and white stripes for 23 months. After returning in a limited roll in 2009 Vick didn’t start a game til 2010 once Kevin Kolb went down.
Now it’s 2011 and Vick is into his second $100 million dollar contract. Throughout his career Vick has been a quality passing quarterback but more known as an elusive running threat. With that being said his chances of getting hit, knocked down and injured are all increased.
After sustaining a concussion in week two against Atlanta and now a broken right hand against the Giants Vick took to the podium to express his opinion about the treatment, and protection, of Michael Vick.
“I felt like I got hit late. No flag. Broke my hand. That’s it. Trying to protect myself. Didn’t get a flag. And that’s pretty much been the story for the last three weeks. Obviously, at some point, something catastrophic is going to happen, and I broke my hand.”
Vick pertained to being hit late on a pass intended for Jeremy Maclin but didn’t get the call. Vick would go onto say “Everybody saw the game. I’m on the ground constantly. All the time. Every time I throw the ball, in all my highlights and just watching film in general, every time I throw the ball, I’m on the ground, getting hit in the head, and I don’t know why I don’t get the 15-yard flags like everybody else does.”
While Vick doesn’t get the call as often as everyone else does it should be examined why he isn’t getting exactly the same treatment as everyone else. Granted he does run more than the average quarterback but he also takes the most borderline late hits than any as well.
Sometimes defensive ends just can’t slow down in time or they’re late by a split second. Those hits are legal and not what Vick is referring to. The hits Vick is referring to are the cheap shots taken after at least a second or two after he’s released the ball.
The question is should the NFL take extra precaution for Vick, not just because of “it’s Michael Vick” but the fact that he’s still a quarterback and should be protected as such. I’ve always been the one to say the NFL shouldn’t become the PPL (Powder Puff League) but having a quarterback like Vick play week-to-week helps the NFL’s brand and keeps the fans into the league.
Currently the NFL’s rule for protecting quarterbacks is outlined under the Protection of Passer rule:
No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he still had the ball. No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction.
By that definition Michael Vick has a right to put the word out there that he should be protected more. Not just by the referees, but a message to his offensive line. If the Eagles have any playoff aspirations they will need to rectify the holes on the offensive line before Vick goes down for good.
At the same time Roger Goodell and the injury safety committee will need to try to rectify the Protection of Passer rule to prevent unnecessary hits on quarterbacks like Vick.
You can follow Lars on Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
Buy Philadelphia Eagles Tickets | Buy Philadelphia Eagles Apparel
I concur completely with your analysis..Vick does not get the golden flag thrown and I feel like he was right in bringing it to light..you can go look at a number of other QB’S that did get that 15 yard penalty flag thrown in similar circumstances..that said the oline needs a lot of work..but a late hit is a late hit..if its good for one it should be good for all..period.