Sports Columnists

By Larry

August 26, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

I thought the first TD pass to Jenkins was well thrown and an encouraging sign from Vick. However, I think we need to admit the fact that Vick is more a thower, than a passer, and simply isn’t accurate enough—consistently—to ever develop a top notch passing game. He simply isn’t accurate on the post patterns and deep curls. Even a novice can see that Vick’s passing mechanics are raw, to be polite.

He needs to be constantly in a motion offense and will need big, tall receivers like Jenkins and Finneren to throw bullets at. Michael Vick has NEVER, at any level, mastered the passing game.

I think the Falcon’s coaches, more than the fans, now know this.

Vick, and our team, will be better if we set him up for success and design an offense to maximize his unique skills, rather than limit them.

He is what he is, so let’s make the most of it.

By Big Jimmy

August 26, 2005 10:12 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t get to excited about one game from Michael Jenkins. It was one game, and we did need somebody to step at WR, but lets see how consistent he can be. Other than that, I liked what I saw from the team as a whole.

By Marc Lucier

August 26, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

That’s more like it. Jenkins finally showed that potential may well be in his rear view. Vick looked sharp in his decision making, and I can hear coordinators around the league grumbling how there is nothing you can do on third and whatever. And Keion, dont feel bad…the boy made Hall of Fame catch on you. I saw the replay, You tracked it from the time it left Byron’s hand, you got an Andruw Jone-like jump on it, and then this giant squid in pads flies in out of nowhere to steal your glory. It happens. Overall I was impressed with our effort, especially the linebacking. Ike Reese looked like he belonged in Mosul, and Demorrio was running around like he was shot out of a particle accelerator. Great game guys, I cant wait……

By J.T.

August 26, 2005 10:29 AM | Link to this

I think Jenkins “big” game is an encouraging first step and not conclusive. With regards to Vick, he only had a 50% completion percentage, but some throws were to get rid of the ball and avoid a sack (I can think of 2 inparticular) which is a step in the right direction. Addtionally, he seems to be spreading the ball around more hitting his backs out of the backfield which is vintage west coast style offense. He’s still got a long way to go, but I do think he’s getting better. I don’t remember him making a bad decision last night. Also liked the way he got down at the end of runs (I can’t believe a guy with that much athletic ability can’t learn to slide like a base ball player). We still have protection issues up front on pass plays.

By Matthew

August 26, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this

If Finn and Jenk aren’t starting in a couple of weeks, then something is wrong in the Falcons decision making process.

I know Roddy hasn’t playued much, but he was the best thing about the Titans game.

Finn and Jenk need to start, with Roddy in the slot in three receiver sets.

DWhite makes for a good 4th receiver, and Worthless, well, he just needs to enjoy his spot on the bench.

Jeff, as much as I’d like to see this guy get cut, it just isn’t cap feasable right now. We’re going to have to wait until next June. But, maybe we can put him on the scout team, or just have him riding the pine.

By Andy

August 26, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this

I think our WRs will be Jenkins and D. White. Peerless and Finn will be the slot guys. We need to keep the current crop for injury reasons. Next year, it will be Jenkins and Roddy White and Finn, a tall set of WRs for Mike. Last night, the offense looked good, defense looked OK, ST OK, but I like where we are going into the Philly game. Vick will be fine. He won’t look good at times, but remember he is a raw QB and will get better with time. One of the things I love about Vick is even though he is so raw a QB, he still makes plays and WINS. That is what is most important thing people. Got the bubbly on ice to pop after that 9th win this season!

By Jack Potts

August 26, 2005 01:22 PM | Link to this

Peerless must go. Jenkins and Roddy will emerge as legitimate NFL wideouts by mid-season if they’re given the playing time. Vick proved last year he can win games without much help from the wr position. I say plug Jenkins & Roddy into the system now so they’re battle tested when playoff time rolls around. Vick will win games on his own in the meantime.

By Great Falconi

August 26, 2005 03:02 PM | Link to this

Quick question: Are Falcons receivers only open 20% of the time when Vick stands in the pocket?

The line has to allow Vick to see the field better. Jacksonville’s first-team D was in the backfield a lot last night, which seems to be a recurring theme. Wouldn’t it be nice if the hits that Vick takes took place more as a result of him running than him standing in the pocket?

The one place where the Falcons need the most improvement is in pass-blocking. There is no way that it is “all Vick’s fault” or “all the receivers’ fault”. These guys have to block better this year, and that starts in the preseason. Hopefully that line can get things going in the game against the Dolphins. We have Philly on MNF and I can assure you they will eat our pass protection alive if we’re not ready.

By Jeff

August 26, 2005 03:06 PM | Link to this

Although I initially thought Peerless would make the team, it looks more and more like he may be cut. However, if it doesn’t happen this week, I don’t think it’ll happen until next year. Sure cutting him will hurt our cap situation, but because Mora and McKay are class guys, they will want to give Peerless an opportunity to catch on elsewhere (can anyone say Philly?).

If that does happen, and Peerless has a good year somewhere else, will you people then be willing to say Peerless wasn’t so bad after all … maybe it was Vick?

By falcon guy

August 26, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this

Never fails that Larry (or Matt) will chime in with ridiculous statements like the one above that Vick isn’t accurate enough. He completed 56% of his passes a year ago. 60% is the watermark that all west coast gurus point to as a successful pass completion percentage. So 2 or 3 more completions and he’s there. The problem in the past has been A) a #1 receiver who was in over his head against #1 corners and B) Vick has too much confidence in his arm that he’ll try to force things to happen. With patience and comfort in the offense he’ll learn that it’s okay to throw the ball away if no one is open or to dump it off to the RB’s to gain a yard or two. Both of those things did not appear to be problems last night against JAX. Jenkins was able to separate (and catch the ball) and Vick made good decisions by throwing it away a couple of times and dumping it off. Of course when there is a running lane, he can take off instead of throwing it away, and he did that. To make a blanket statement that Vick will never be a passer is ridiculous. He’s never played more than 2 seasons in one offensive system, and has not had a great #1 receiver in the NFL. And for the NEVER, at any level, mastered the passing game a couple of tidbits from his VaTech days.

Captured the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football Player of the Year as a (redshirt) freshman when he led the nation in passing efficiency at 180.37, the second-highest total ever, and guided the Hokies to a perfect 11-0 regular season record. Set an NCAA record for a freshman and established single-season school records for highest yards passing per completion (20.4), per attempt (12.1), highest completion percentage (59.2) and most yards per play (9.3).

Do some research Larry, you might actually learn something.

By falcon guy

August 26, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this

5 QB’s threw for over 4000 yards last season. 5 QB’s threw over 29 TD’s. 16 QB’s had completion percentages over 60.9%. Know what all these guys have in common? None of them won the Super Bowl. Tom Brady had 3692 yds passing, 28 TD’s and a 60.8% completion rate. Not necessarily MVP type numbers. But what he does is win games with the intangibles. Vick isn’t quite Brady, but he wins games regardless of the end statistics. And they don’t hand out the Super Bowl trophy to the guy with the best passing stats. So improving the passing game isn’t necessary to win. But having it as another weapon will give them a better shot to get past the top tier teams like Philly.

By Tim

August 26, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this

Here’s some research for you: That 56.4% completion percentage was 27th in the league last year. His yards per attempt of 7.21 places him 16th. And he’s in the Pro Bowl as a QB? Laughable.

By Andy

August 26, 2005 05:02 PM | Link to this

Tim…again…those guys above him, only one has a Super Bowl trophy recently (Brady)…so no biggie, a little improvement and he will be higher than 27th and hopefully have some hardware for us to gawk over! Also, at the end of the day, you have to add in the rush yards he had, they are not invisible yards you know and factor in the Ws…lots of them when he plays, more Ls when he doesn’t. Stats are for fantasy geeks, Ws are for lombardi trophies! Bottom line, with Vick in the game, I feel we can beat ANY team in the NFL and that draws to watch even more than before.

By Peerless's Mama

August 26, 2005 05:18 PM | Link to this

Tim, You are a fool for what you just posted. Did you not see how vick led his team to a first round bye last year. Yes, he deserved to make the pro bowl based on his play at the QB position. QB and pocket passer are not necessarily the same thing. But you have your biases, so it’s pointless to argue with you. I will just resort to name calling.

By Tim

August 26, 2005 06:58 PM | Link to this

Bravo. Very mature. And classy.

By Larry

August 26, 2005 08:59 PM | Link to this

falcon guy,

Let me help you understand.

Comparing Vick completion percentage to better pure passers is kind of like comparing Wilt Chamberlain’s field goal percentage to Michael Jordan’s. You have a higher percentage when most of your shots are from 0-5 feet!

Now, compare the yards per game, average yards per completion, and percentage of completions greater than 20 yards. Most of Vick’s completions are to Crumpler or other guys easy to see and easy to find. Does this help you understand the piont?

As I stated, Vick, is simply not currently a consistently reliable deep passer and I have serious doubts that he ever will be.

I hope I’m wrong!

By William Kitchens

August 26, 2005 10:45 PM | Link to this

Can we trade Peerless, Dez White and Cobb for Matt Jones? LOL!

By Matthew

August 27, 2005 01:43 AM | Link to this

Hey Falcon Guy, you want to talk about me, how about you the know what the f—- you’re talking about.

I’ve been MV7’s BIGGEST supporter in these blogs. I’ve said time and time and time again that the biggest problems in the passing game have been the crappy wide reciever play and the crappy offensive line.

So, before you open your big mouth, know what the f—- you’re talking about.

By Larry

August 27, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this

Matthew,

Don’t know why falcon guy grouped you with my Vick comments. Your position on Vick has been consistently positive.

We definitely agree on the offensive line, and somewhat agree on the wide receivers. I don’t happen to agree that they are entirely to blame for our mediocre passing game. As I’ve stated before, we have spent 2 first round picks in a row on receivers and signed two notable free agents in Price & White. You’d think at least one would catch at least 70-75 balls.

Serious question: Do you really think Michael Vick is an accurate QB? Personally, and I played the position, I think he is one of the most inaccurate QB’s I’ve ever seen! Let me clarify.

I’ve watched Vick struggle with simple screen passes, touch lobs over the linebackers and in front of the safeties, and most of all, deep timing patterns. I think he overthrows and underthrows more open wide receivers running the deep posts and curls than perhaps any professional QB I’ve ever seen.

Now, on a positive note, I strongly believe this guy can take us to and win a Super Bowl! His unique skills and abilities are, if used properly, are almost impossible to develop a game plan against. But, to do this we need this to happen:

1. We need to focus EVERY resource we have developing a top tier offensive line.

2. We need to end the quest to make Vick a prototypical, in the pocket, pick apart the secondary, type of QB. He is not, or ever will be, a Dan Marino!

3. On pass plays, e need to put Vick in a motion oriented offense at least 66 % of the time. Imagine, as a defense, not knowing whether he’s going left, going right, or simply dropping back.

4. If it isn’t Roddy White—I’m still not real sure how fast he is—then we need to add a burner (I’m talking world class speed even if he has average hands) as a wide out. This will keep the safeties from hanging around the linebackers as we saw in the playoff game against the Eagles last year.

Vick’s accuracy greatly improves with his natural abilities. If we do the above we can win it all. I think our defense and special teams are now good enough.

By T Robb

August 27, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

Falcons Guy, Matthew/Larry actually made a valid point (not that Vick will never be a good passer - he will), he just has trouble winning friends and influencing people because of some personal limitations.

Consider this - NFL offenses have been built for 35 years for the QB to get rid of the ball - the quicker the better. The prototype QB is typically 6’5”, 230, has a big arm, runs a 5.2 40 and is a quick thinker. Our guy is built like a thick running back and runs like a deer, in addition to having a big arm and, IMO, being a quick thinker (certainly on a football field).

Our situation is unique in that this player would be best used (leaving aside the question of injury) leaving the ball in his hands til the last possible moment, putting pressure on the defense, allowing him to ad-lib and make decisions at the last possible split-second. This is the exact opposite of the West Coast offense, incidentally.

This depends on him not getting killed, of course, and is perhaps best used by spicing the West Coast with 15 mad-libs a game - again, so he can play more than 5-7 years.

Mike Vick is more effective with the ball in his hands, delaying his decisions to the last second. The West Coast offense says get it out of the QB’s hands quickly. I’d like to see a change of offensive philosophy, or at least a significant tweak to the “system”.

By Larry

August 27, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this

T Robb,

I agree with you completely, and a superior offensive line coupled with a burner at wideout will accomplish your objective.

By Matthew

August 27, 2005 10:54 AM | Link to this

Tommy,

I’m me, never been anyone else. Don’t bring that Braves Blog s—t in here.

I’ve stayed away, like I said I would, and even gone as far to ask all of y’all to come this way.

But don’t come in here and attribute what I say to others, or what others say to me.

By FalcoW810

August 27, 2005 01:31 PM | Link to this

I remember a time when teams made a point of protecting their star QB by drafting talented OL players before the exciting picks of WRs, RBs, ect. A great OL can make average players at those positions look great and I’d say the same for the other side of the ball. Colemans’ play on the DL helped to improve everyones’ play, as always games are won and lost in the trenches. Larry I like that you said I hope I’ wrong, because I agree with you especially on the screen passing plays, which also shows why so many of Vicks’ passes are blocked, the guy is too short to be a pure pocket passer. I have to disagree on his accuracy, the guy throws lasers and when able to see his receiver he’s put some pretty good touch on the ball for long yardage. All I’m saying and I think Falcon Guy and Andy also is that Vick is still developing, in a couple more years, when this guy blends all this talent and masters it he will be even more scary. Look how far Daunte Culpepper has come, the guy use to make all kinds of mental mistakes, untill he mastered His skills in relation to His team and Their playbook. that is why all QBs are so unique. A bust on one team becomes a star on another, it happens.

By Mike

August 28, 2005 05:16 AM | Link to this

Good going by Jenkins. Glad to see Cole replace the injured Dez White. As for Michael Vick, when your peers vote you among the best of the best you must be good. Vick isn’t Marino is right…he’s bot a passer and a runner. As for short averageper pass, as Mora said, you take what the defense will gove you.

Remember Kenny Anderson of the Bengels?—short passes to Bob Trumpy and Boobie Clark which set up some bombs to Isaac Curtis—the Bengels took what people gave them. Anderson like Peyton Manning, Bob Griese, Johnny Unitas and others won the Bell Award as the top pro player. Vick is better than Anderson.

I don’t understand the critics talking about Vick…makes you wonder “why” they are upset at Vick’s success! Build ‘em up—don’t tear em down.

By Ryan

August 28, 2005 08:05 AM | Link to this

All these people have a hideous case of mistaking quarterback with ‘pocket passer’ A quarterback has multiple responsibilities: Number ONE is leading the team’s offense. Number one A is moving the ball. ONE way to do that is through passing, but 10 yards is ten yards is ten yards, however it is achiever, through the air or on the ground.

YOu played the position where? At high school? Does that make you an expert? What was YOUR completion percentage against high schoolers?

Yards per attempt is meaningless. All that matters is if, in thrtee downs, there are ten combined wayrds.

And rinse, lather, repeat.

By david

August 29, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

Now that we have spent top draft picks on skill positions and defense that past few years it is time to draft blue chip o-line guys…spend the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round on o-line this next year and you will see the offense and Vick finally blossom…that is if Vick doesn’t get beat up in the interim and can still walk in the coming years from the lack of a nfl caliber o-line…ITS THE OFFENSIVE LINE STUPID!!!!!!!!!!

By Larry

August 29, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this

Ryan,

“Yards per attempt is meaningless?”

Congratulations! You have just been nominated for the annual “Goober of the Year Award! You have a superb shot at winning!

Good luck!

By Ryan

August 29, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

If you take fifteen attempts to go 80 yards to the endzone or 5, you still get in.

Thus, meaningless. Seven points is seven points however you get there.

By chris

September 1, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

Come on guys, its nice to be critical and have high expectations of your team. But jacksonville has arguably the best defensive front in football,so dont be so tough on the falcons o-line yet. I saw lots of slides and pick-ups and not too many blown assignments,which is encouraging.Vick will get better as the season goes on and things will meld as long as injuries dont creep up on us….GO FALCONS!!!!!

By Eagleslink.com

September 1, 2005 03:43 PM | Link to this

Falcons fans…wake up. Peerless Price is the least of your worries. He was lousy anyway. The real unanswered questions of the Falcons:

Can Mike Vick or Ron Mexico complete 60% of his passes and throw for over 150yds per game?

Who is the primary running back on this team? The predictable nature of dunn(pass) and Duckett(run) is a joke.

Can the falcon defense continue to carry the team? When will the offense become balanced and efficient?

When the Philadelphia Freight train comes rolling through the Georgia dome, you will understand how far the Falcons are behind!

5 + 36 + 81 = XL

Eagles 34-10

By Jigsaw8

September 1, 2005 05:23 PM | Link to this

If history holds true and I can not see why it will not Vick will win a ring before any of the other qb’s in the league putting up big numbers. Look at Montana and Marino. Marino could not carry Motana’s jock strap. At the end of the day we want the Lombardi Trouphy here in Atlanta. Vick is a winner. Manning’s numbers are better than Brady’s, but who is the winner. We are not talking fantasy footbal here guys. This is the real deal. Give me a proven winner any day. Check Vick’s w-l record in his starts.