Michael Vick has bruised ribs.
Andy Reid and Cullen Jenkins may have bruised feelings.
And Eagles fans? Just another bruise in a long line of disappointment from the Iggles.
I have to make a confession here. In what was clearly a fit unrestrained fan-atacism, I took a look at what the Eagles accomplished in the offseason and pronounced that they were going to the Super Bowl.
Of course I was wise enough to put a huge caveat on that. I insisted the prediction would only hold up so long as Vick did. If he got hurt, all bets were off.
I didn’t realize Vick was going to have trouble just getting through the exhibition season. But I suppose I should have. After all, is anyone surprised that Vick is on the shelf again? He is not expected to play again in the preseason. He has played all of 12 snaps - exactly six each in the Birds’ two games.
He has complete four passes and led the offense to exactly one first down. His completions now equal his medical tests.
A lot of people - including no doubt Vick - are breathing a sigh of relief after a further MRI and CAT scan yesterday revealed no broken bones and no cartilage damage. Vick has a contusion in the soft tissue surrounding his ribs.
But remember, Vick missed games in each of the last two seasons because of similar rib problems.
Vick’s style of play is always going to make him vulnerable. He’s not a kid. I don’t know if he can learn new tricks. Clearly he’s not especially enamored with the art of sliding. His one effort Monday night produced an awkward, head-first pileup. And he still took a shot in the process. On the play he was injured he was trying to extend a doomed pass play when he heaved a long ball downfield to DeSean Jackson, leaving himself open to that helmet in the ribs.
What you see is what you get with Vick. I don’t think that’s going to change.
And that means the backup QB on this team is going to be very important. He very likely is going to be called on to win meaningful games in the regular season.
Which is why the development of Nick Foles just may be the biggest story coming out of the Eagles this summer.
He probably will be the starter again Friday night when the Eagles get right back on the field against the Browns, who they will play two weeks later in the regular season opener.
Keep an eye on Foles. He’s in the process of making Mike Kafka very expendable.
But it won’t change the fact that this team is only going to go as far as Vick carries them. And with bum ribs that could be an issue all season, I just don’t think he’s going to get very far.
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