Eagles Wake-Up Call: Vick Proclaims, ‘Balance Is Good’
Michael Vick walked off the field gingerly following the Eagles’ 19-17 win over the Giants Sunday night.
“Something happened with my knee on the last drive,” said Vick. “I’m all right though. I’ll be ready for next week. Hopefully.”
While that is enough to bring out some concern, it is heartening to Eagles fans that Vick was not subjected to the inordinate amount of hits that he had endured over the first three games. The Giants managed just three quarterback hits on the night and finished with two sacks. In contrast, the Cardinals hit Vick 13 times in the pocket and the Browns 11 times. It is no coincidence that Marty Mornhinweg dialed up over 100 pass plays between those two games.
Against New York, however, the Eagles ran it 36 times and threw it 30.
“I think it’s easier on everybody when the run game is clicking,” said Vick. “It doesn’t allow the defense to tee off and pin their ears back. That’s something that they want to do and you just can’t allow them to do that. If you give them the liberty to free rush the passer then they’re going to knock you out. They’re going to hit you a little bit. Balance is good.”
What makes the final run-pass ratio stand out all the more is that the Eagles running backs were held to one yard on eight carries in the first half, and yet the ground game was not abandoned. LeSean McCoy, who had 123 yards on 23 carries, broke off a pair of big runs early in the third quarter to get things going.
“We came out in the first drive of the second half and we really put together a nice drive,” said Andy Reid. “Within that, we had a couple big runs that worked.”
WHAT YOU MISSED
Here are the instant observations from the Eagles’ 19-17 win over the Giants.
Nnamdi Asomugha left the game with an eye injury, but eventually returned despite reports that he was taken the the hospital.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Dan Graziano gives his rapid reaction to the Eagles win.
When the Eagles commit to the run and do not turn the ball over, they can be as good as any team in the league. After a stop-and-start offensive first half, the Eagles came out running with LeSean McCoy in the second half and had tremendous success with it. Their issue on offense was an inability to finish drives and turn their hard work into touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. That’s what left the Giants with the late-game opportunity to march down the field and take the lead in the fourth quarter. After turning the ball over 12 times in their first three games (and yet somehow winning two of them), the Eagles did not turn the ball over once Sunday night, and they beat the Super Bowl champs.
Here is the lead from the New York Daily News:
Eli Manning has bailed the Giants out of so many fourth-quarter jams over the years they almost expect that it will happen.
But on Sunday night, the Giants’ magic ran out.
Geoff Mosher at CSN Philly details the Brian Dawkins tribute.
The iconic Eagles safety raised his fist to the hundreds of fans and managed to keep his composure while his No. 20 was retired Sunday during a ceremony before the Eagles kicked off against the Giants at the Linc.
“First of all, hallelujah!” Dawkins screamed into the podium microphone. “Listen, it is an absolute honor, blessing.”
COMING UP
Reid will address the media at noon. Birds 24/7 on will be broadcasting from Parx Casino in Bensalem from 6-7. Tune into 97.5 or stop on by.