| Players Behaving Badly.com Michael Vick Biography |
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Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia) is an American football quarterback for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons
franchise. He is the older brother of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marcus Vick, and the second cousin of former New Orleans Saints & Oakland Raiders
quarterback Aaron Brooks.
At 6'-0" and 215 pounds, the left-handed passing Vick is one of the smaller quarterbacks in the league but is regarded by many pundits and fans as being one
of the NFL's most exciting players due to his speed, agility, and arm strength. However, Vick's detractors have pointed to his mediocre passing statistics and
ratings, as well as his inability to lead his team to consistent playoff appearances.
Style of Play
Vick is noted for his unique, explosive playing style. Some commentators consider him the most exciting player in the game of football, and he has given
himself the nickname "Superman". Gifted with agility, speed, and a strong arm, he can engineer big plays with both his arm and his legs. Notable is the fact
that while he throws left-handed, he is otherwise right-handed. In the 2004 football season (including post season), he rushed for over 1000 yards. Vick's
mobility has often caused major problems for opposing defenses, which have to defend against him differently than they would against a conventional-style
quarterback. Whereas most quarterbacks are not a major threat to run the ball for a lot of yards, Vick is capable of breaking huge runs from anywhere on the
field or evading defenders to give his receivers time to get open.
The Falcons are one of the few teams in the NFL to have a large number of specifically-designed running plays for their quarterback. His speed and arm
strength also pose a threat to "Cover 2" defenses, which can be neutralized by short and medium range passes, which requires a quarterback with a strong
arm.
While Vick is not the first scrambling, lefty-throwing quarterback (Bobby Douglass was a dual threat with the Chicago Bears in the 1970s, and Steve Young of
the 49ers in the 1990s), few present-day quarterbacks possess Vick's mobility.
Vick is an elite runner but only has average accuracy when it comes to his passing game. His career completion percentage is 53.8%.
Despite his past injuries, which include knee and hamstring ailments, former Falcons head coach Jim Mora Jr. implemented an offensive scheme obviously
derived from the option offense early in the 2006 season to take advantage of Vick's athleticism. The option offense is generally not used in the National
Football League due to the punishment quarterbacks often receive.
Adding to Vick's exciting image, he stated after the 2004 season that he wouldn't cut his hair until he won a Super Bowl.
Bar Debates and Vick Criticism
The most frequent criticisms of Vick are that he has poor fundamental skills and that he puts himself at unnecessary risk of injury. Critics cite the leg fracture
he suffered in the 2003 pre-season against the Ravens, and a knee injury he suffered early in the 2005 season (which reoccurred a few weeks later), that
hampered his mobility throughout the year as prime evidence that Vick needs to learn to "pick his spots" as a runner, citing the example of Steve Young,
another mobile left-handed signalcaller who had a mediocre professional career before being placed in an offensive system with the San Francisco 49ers that
optimized his talents. Young eventually won a Super Bowl and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, becoming the first left-handed
quarterback to be so honored.
The aforementioned playoff win against the Packers remains perhaps Vick's biggest career win as a starter. But while Vick does deserve some credit in
engineering the victory, he finished the game with a 52 percent completion rate, throwing for just 117 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Falcons'
defense forced three fumbles from three different players and forced future Hall of Famer Brett Favre into throwing two interceptions while limiting running
back Ahman Green, at the time one of the league's top rushers, to just 34 yards. Atlanta's special teams unit also blocked a punt and returned it for one of the
Falcons' three touchdowns.
Critics have stated that while Vick has a powerful arm, his passes are not nearly as accurate as other top quarterbacks in the league, such as New England's
Tom Brady or Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, both of whom have better quarterback ratings. Vick supporters argue that the quarterback rating doesn't take into
account Vick's rushing yards, and is not an accurate benchmark of Vick's contribution to the team. However, another counterpoint from critics is that sacks and
yards lost are not integrated into an NFL quarterback's rushing stats, making it technically impossible for Vick, or any other quarterback, to carry a negative
rushing average. This in turn masks the cost of Vick's unsuccessful attempts to rush.
In a November 2005 press conference, Vick scoffed at the notion that he was a weak "pocket" passer.[5] Vick's knee problem had limited his mobility, and his
quarterback rating actually improved modestly. However, the Falcon's winning percentage did not likewise increase.
Other pundits also believe that the Falcons, while replete with competent "possession" receivers, lack a fast, "deep threat" wideout who can make yards after
the catch. To help remedy this, the Falcons acquired former Buffalo Bills wideout Peerless Price prior to the 2003 season. But Price proved to be a massive
disappointment, catching just six touchdowns passes over the course of two seasons. He was released by the organization prior to the 2005 season and
re-signed with Buffalo. Arguably, Vick's favorite target is tight end Alge Crumpler, a very good receiver, but certainly no speedster. Receiver Brian Finneran,
another favorite target of Vick's (but, like Crumpler, no speedster), suffered a devastating left knee injury in the Falcons' training camp and misssed the 2006
season.
Vick's critics have countered that it's unfair to cast the blame on the receivers alone, though, since Vick remains the common denominator in the Falcons
offense. There have also been reports that Vick and the Falcons coaching staff do not always see eye to eye, and that Vick struggled to understand the
intricate West Coast playbook, which led to the implementation of the option-esque offense. Other pundits have stated that they believe that traditional "rules"
about what a quarterback should be and how the position should be played do not apply to Vick due to his effective, non-traditional style.
A few critics have been even harsher than simply singling out Vick's accuracy woes, derisively labeling him an "athlete" who happens to play the quarterback
position rather than a true quarterback. He has shown the potential to be at least an adequate passer, however. He amassed a quarterback rating of 81.6 in
2002, which is his best performance in that statistical category.
franchise. He is the older brother of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marcus Vick, and the second cousin of former New Orleans Saints & Oakland Raiders
quarterback Aaron Brooks.
At 6'-0" and 215 pounds, the left-handed passing Vick is one of the smaller quarterbacks in the league but is regarded by many pundits and fans as being one
of the NFL's most exciting players due to his speed, agility, and arm strength. However, Vick's detractors have pointed to his mediocre passing statistics and
ratings, as well as his inability to lead his team to consistent playoff appearances.
Style of Play
Vick is noted for his unique, explosive playing style. Some commentators consider him the most exciting player in the game of football, and he has given
himself the nickname "Superman". Gifted with agility, speed, and a strong arm, he can engineer big plays with both his arm and his legs. Notable is the fact
that while he throws left-handed, he is otherwise right-handed. In the 2004 football season (including post season), he rushed for over 1000 yards. Vick's
mobility has often caused major problems for opposing defenses, which have to defend against him differently than they would against a conventional-style
quarterback. Whereas most quarterbacks are not a major threat to run the ball for a lot of yards, Vick is capable of breaking huge runs from anywhere on the
field or evading defenders to give his receivers time to get open.
The Falcons are one of the few teams in the NFL to have a large number of specifically-designed running plays for their quarterback. His speed and arm
strength also pose a threat to "Cover 2" defenses, which can be neutralized by short and medium range passes, which requires a quarterback with a strong
arm.
While Vick is not the first scrambling, lefty-throwing quarterback (Bobby Douglass was a dual threat with the Chicago Bears in the 1970s, and Steve Young of
the 49ers in the 1990s), few present-day quarterbacks possess Vick's mobility.
Vick is an elite runner but only has average accuracy when it comes to his passing game. His career completion percentage is 53.8%.
Despite his past injuries, which include knee and hamstring ailments, former Falcons head coach Jim Mora Jr. implemented an offensive scheme obviously
derived from the option offense early in the 2006 season to take advantage of Vick's athleticism. The option offense is generally not used in the National
Football League due to the punishment quarterbacks often receive.
Adding to Vick's exciting image, he stated after the 2004 season that he wouldn't cut his hair until he won a Super Bowl.
Bar Debates and Vick Criticism
The most frequent criticisms of Vick are that he has poor fundamental skills and that he puts himself at unnecessary risk of injury. Critics cite the leg fracture
he suffered in the 2003 pre-season against the Ravens, and a knee injury he suffered early in the 2005 season (which reoccurred a few weeks later), that
hampered his mobility throughout the year as prime evidence that Vick needs to learn to "pick his spots" as a runner, citing the example of Steve Young,
another mobile left-handed signalcaller who had a mediocre professional career before being placed in an offensive system with the San Francisco 49ers that
optimized his talents. Young eventually won a Super Bowl and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, becoming the first left-handed
quarterback to be so honored.
The aforementioned playoff win against the Packers remains perhaps Vick's biggest career win as a starter. But while Vick does deserve some credit in
engineering the victory, he finished the game with a 52 percent completion rate, throwing for just 117 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Falcons'
defense forced three fumbles from three different players and forced future Hall of Famer Brett Favre into throwing two interceptions while limiting running
back Ahman Green, at the time one of the league's top rushers, to just 34 yards. Atlanta's special teams unit also blocked a punt and returned it for one of the
Falcons' three touchdowns.
Critics have stated that while Vick has a powerful arm, his passes are not nearly as accurate as other top quarterbacks in the league, such as New England's
Tom Brady or Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, both of whom have better quarterback ratings. Vick supporters argue that the quarterback rating doesn't take into
account Vick's rushing yards, and is not an accurate benchmark of Vick's contribution to the team. However, another counterpoint from critics is that sacks and
yards lost are not integrated into an NFL quarterback's rushing stats, making it technically impossible for Vick, or any other quarterback, to carry a negative
rushing average. This in turn masks the cost of Vick's unsuccessful attempts to rush.
In a November 2005 press conference, Vick scoffed at the notion that he was a weak "pocket" passer.[5] Vick's knee problem had limited his mobility, and his
quarterback rating actually improved modestly. However, the Falcon's winning percentage did not likewise increase.
Other pundits also believe that the Falcons, while replete with competent "possession" receivers, lack a fast, "deep threat" wideout who can make yards after
the catch. To help remedy this, the Falcons acquired former Buffalo Bills wideout Peerless Price prior to the 2003 season. But Price proved to be a massive
disappointment, catching just six touchdowns passes over the course of two seasons. He was released by the organization prior to the 2005 season and
re-signed with Buffalo. Arguably, Vick's favorite target is tight end Alge Crumpler, a very good receiver, but certainly no speedster. Receiver Brian Finneran,
another favorite target of Vick's (but, like Crumpler, no speedster), suffered a devastating left knee injury in the Falcons' training camp and misssed the 2006
season.
Vick's critics have countered that it's unfair to cast the blame on the receivers alone, though, since Vick remains the common denominator in the Falcons
offense. There have also been reports that Vick and the Falcons coaching staff do not always see eye to eye, and that Vick struggled to understand the
intricate West Coast playbook, which led to the implementation of the option-esque offense. Other pundits have stated that they believe that traditional "rules"
about what a quarterback should be and how the position should be played do not apply to Vick due to his effective, non-traditional style.
A few critics have been even harsher than simply singling out Vick's accuracy woes, derisively labeling him an "athlete" who happens to play the quarterback
position rather than a true quarterback. He has shown the potential to be at least an adequate passer, however. He amassed a quarterback rating of 81.6 in
2002, which is his best performance in that statistical category.
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Vick's visibility has earned him some backlash as well. Some fans have reacted negatively to the
constant media hype that surrounds Vick, and feel that an over-exuberant American sports media
anointed him as the best player in football without sufficient proof for the accolade. For instance,
Vick's selection to the Pro Bowl for the 2005 season was a controversial one given the fact that in
addition to his 15 touchdown passes, he threw 13 interceptions and that his 2,412 passing yards is
extremely below average. However, he did rush for over 500 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Following Vick's Pro Bowl selection, sports columnist Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News called
Vick "the most overrated player in the league." Likewise, in an NFL season preview article in the
August, 2006 issue of Maxim, the magazine's readers crowned Vick as "Most Overrated." A Sports
Illustrated poll taken in 2005 also showed that the Vick is considered to the most overrated player in
the NFL.
constant media hype that surrounds Vick, and feel that an over-exuberant American sports media
anointed him as the best player in football without sufficient proof for the accolade. For instance,
Vick's selection to the Pro Bowl for the 2005 season was a controversial one given the fact that in
addition to his 15 touchdown passes, he threw 13 interceptions and that his 2,412 passing yards is
extremely below average. However, he did rush for over 500 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Following Vick's Pro Bowl selection, sports columnist Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News called
Vick "the most overrated player in the league." Likewise, in an NFL season preview article in the
August, 2006 issue of Maxim, the magazine's readers crowned Vick as "Most Overrated." A Sports
Illustrated poll taken in 2005 also showed that the Vick is considered to the most overrated player in
the NFL.