There is a most interesting undercurrent suddenly developing around the Eagles.
Would Andy Reid possibly pull Michael Vick in a playoff game? Columnist Jack McCaffery is wondering the same thing.
I know, it sounds too weird to be true. But then again last summer who thought what transpired at the quarterback position this year was even within the realm of possibilities.
Apparently it has not escaped notice among the Eagles coaching staff that Vick – who spent two months as the hottest quarterback in the NFL - has cooled a bit in the waning days of the NFL season.
He struggled mightily for three quarters against the New York Giants before flipping the switch, with the help of his legs, and stunning the Gotham guys with a 21-point outburst in the game’s final eight minutes.
That did not erase those ugly first three quarters. That continued the next week against the Vikings in the now-famous snow delayed Tuesday night encounter. Vick was not helped much by a quad contusion he suffered on the game’s first play. That injury kept him on the sidelines – and completely out of sight – while Kevin Kolb was fed to the Lions, and the Cowboys’ first-line defense on Sunday as the Birds dropped the meaningless season finale, 14-13.
What apparently is puzzling the coaching staff – and Eagles fans – is the possibility that the NFL has already caught up to Vick. In those last few weeks he suddenly seemed vulnerable to the blitz. His passing became inaccurate, something that hounded him in Atlanta in his early years. He was making bad decisions, turning the ball over, both via fumbles and interceptions.
In short, he looked a whole lot more like the guy who wore that red No. 7 jersey in Atlanta than the guy who donned Eagles midnight green and suddenly turned into an all-pro.
I don’t think Reid actually would pull one more switcheroo at the QB position.
Then again, not much else could surprise me after the way this season has played out.
Of course, Vick could make all this moot by coming out on fire Sunday against the Pack.
But if he struggles, turns the ball over, and continues his erratic throws, things could get very interesting.
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