AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > September > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMuch ground to cover
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
See Michael run. See Michael run and run and run. See Warrick run. See Jerious run.
I went to a Falcons game the other day and a track meet broke out. The Falcons offense gained 382 yards, only 76 by air, which would naturally bring to mind all the jawing that came up as last season wound down to a sorry end. Should Michael Vick continue to be a freelance quarterback, or should he become like those old high top-shoes quarterbacks who dropped back, surveyed the field and delivered the pitch? Which would be like restricting Andruw Jones to bunting.
In a sense, Michael Vick is public property, belonging to anyone who owns a slice of Atlanta. And a richly rewarded piece of property he is. (What was it, $130 million that Arthur Blank budgeted him for? I have trouble following these sporting investments of people like Arthur Blank and George Steinbrenner.) Anyway, every citizen with a ticket to the Dome, and thousands without, feels it’s his/her right and privilege to an opinion about whether Vick should confine himself to the passing game and run only when desperate. Or otherwise.
In the final stages of the season past, his running dwindled down to a precious few yards. In fact, in the last game against Carolina, he had only one carry, and whatever it was, it was for zero yards. Now, is this a switch-a-roo? When Mike wants to, Mike runs. “It all depends on Mike,” the headline said.
It’s stuff lifted from college playbooks. Nothing fancy. Nothing new. Vick and Dunn line up in shotgun formation, Vick takes the snap, he gives it to Dunn, then takes it back and takes off, or leaves it in Dunn’s hands. The old fake-a-roo. Vick accumulated most of his yardage against Tampa Bay off that fake, and only one time did the defense nail him. Ronde Barber waited in place for him and threw him for a loss, but the next time Vick ran it again, they bit and he turned in another gain.
Fourteen times Vick kept it and hoofed it for 127 yards, beginning with the first play from scrimmage. Somehow, it seemed he was running for a lot more than that, but, of course, he’s not always moving forward. He’s in and out of traffic like a sports car darting between 18-wheelers. He completed 10 passes for just 97 yards. It seemed more than that, but then you factor in those 83 penalty yards and that cuts into the total.
Then you consider the score. All those yards, 306 on the ground — that breaks a Falcons record that has stood since 1972, before the Buccaneers had even been created. All those yards, you’d think, should have produced more points. Mainly, what it did was give Monte Kiffin, the Bucs’ Einstein of defense, a furrowed brow and a hurting.
“We look at it one play at a time,” Vick said, not necessarily contributing to the vernacular of sport. “It just shows you we can do it all [when you confuse a Monte Kiffin that bad].”
Having delivered his edict, Vick stepped away from the podium and was embraced by Blank, who is an affectionate boss. So, too, did Dunn get a hug after his appearance. You will see an awful lot of the owner in Falcons pictures, gathering up television time. This is along the order of Jerry Jones, which is contra to the man who preceded him as owner of the Cowboys. Clint Murchison, who could have bought and sold Jones, was a background guy. Rarely ever in camera range. Tex Schramm and Tom Landry were the faces of the Cowboys of those times.
The Falcons’ new uniforms? Well, I’ve seen worse, that undocumented shade of Oregon green, for instance. Most addling because the Tampa Bay players in white looked like the home team and I kept confusing numbers. And why all the talk about a new stadium, by the way? It boggles me. I consider the Georgia Dome the “new” stadium. There are surely no better sight lines in the NFL, and especially the view from the press box. Try that thing in St. Louis or Detroit. Since I don’t expect to be around for the next new one, that’s for another generation.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL
Comments
By Bill Heller
September 19, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this
I’ve followed the Falcons since 1976, and this is the most impressive two-game stretch I’ve seen. But, enjoy the Vick Show while it lasts. If he continues to get 10-12 carries a game he will be injured.
By wes
September 19, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this
Great artical and amke sure to tell Terence Moore he is wrong everytime you see him around the AJC office.
By phillip
September 19, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this
Enough about the talk with a new stadium. The one we have is fine, the one we had before was fine. All you need is some seats, a field, and a team. Spend the money where it will be better served, in schools, on highways, on pensions. Unless it is a new stadium “powered by” the home depot. Enough!
By dogfrost
September 19, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
Let em run and enjoy it as long as you can. It may be all season or the next game. Right now this team looks dangerous!
By John
September 19, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
Simms was hit more standing in the pocket, than Vick running for 127 yards. Sometimes some of you fans a very selective with your wishful thinking of Vick…
By alphonso
September 20, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
great observations about the stadium jibberish…my sense is its all about the lack of support by the state for Blank’s renovation plans …
By ICEMAN
September 20, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
I think we should let the owner of the Falcons decide on whether or not the Falcons will play in a new stadium. 10-15 years from now, you same people who say don’t build will be asking why didn’t we build? Don’t look at the stadium as it is today, look forward to the future. If you don’t want to pay for it, then don’t watch the games.
The Falcons are going to do whatever it takes to win each game. They used the option on T.Bay because T.Bay utilizes a scheme that contains Vick. The option is not going to be used every game folks. Look forward to the future and don’t miss the bigger picture. The ICEMAN has spoken.
By Dawg Gone
September 20, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Oh Ice, you could very well be right… But I think your wrong. We didn’t PA out of that format much at all. I am pretty sure we will this next game since all the film study will be about stopping the runs from this. That said… New Orleans will be the first team to hold us under 200. (pause for effect) Really, it will be more about the Falcon’s choosing to stop running more so than N.O. being able to stop us.
Why? Because We pass for 250.
By Edgar
September 20, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
For all the jawing about Greg Knapp, I’m just as guilty as the others, he has really done his homework. I suppose the offense needs renamed because “West Coast” just doesn’t fit. Bill Walsh did a great job of putting plays out on the field his offense was best suited for. If we all remember Knapp was in San Francisco before he came here and undoubtedly was a great understudy of Walsh as opposed to Steve Mariucci. So far I’m impressed. Make that cautiously impressed. Lets see what happens Monday night against an offense that has more than Joey Galloway and Keyshawn Johnson as the main threats. The Saints have that many offensive threats times three. Although their defensive side of the ball is somewhat suspect. There’s just no rest for the Falcons this year. The schedule this year is brutal.
By D-Man
September 20, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
As Brutal as this schedule is, I am sure we will step up to the challenge, I am sure this offense and defense will do a good job healty, we would just have to pay close attention to injuries and play calling. Sometimes on 3rd and 15 we will call a draw when we really need a first down and that’s something to really worry about because it puts no trust in our recievers. I am sure we will give alot of teams a battle this year, hell I hope we win the superbowl but only time will tell.
By Joe for the Saints
September 20, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
The Falcon running game is one of the best in the League Vic is the master of it The Saints defence aganist the run has been great so far this year this without a doubt the toughest challenge for them. I say if the running game work for the Falcons who should argue with sucess. Good Luck Falcons but I am a true Saints Fan. GO Saints let win one for the city.