Kurt Warner
At the start of the NFL season, high expectations for the Philadelphia Eagles were elevated even more with talks of “dynasty” and “Super Bowl or bust.”
Michael Vick is now feeling the pressure midway through the season. Turnovers, questionable decision-making and not winning enough games had head coach Andy Reid contemplating a change at the quarterback position this week.
Kurt Warner, who played in the league for 12 seasons and is now an analyst for the NFL Network, thinks Vick alone is not the problem with the Eagles.
“I don’t think Michael Vick has played that bad of football,” Warner told the 110 Sports Podcast.
“I think they have made it hard on him a little bit with some of the play calls. He could have played better. He’s made some bad decisions. But I think he has been in some difficult spots if you go back and watch their games with some of the play calling, they haven’t given him a lot of options.
“With that, Michael has tried to force some things and make some plays that maybe he shouldn’t have made that have turned into interceptions, but I still think he can be a very effective quarterback in this league if you use him the right way.”
Warner has dealt with “quarterback controversies” in his career and says he does like what he sees with the rookie from Arizona, Nick Foles, who is the backup to Vick.
“I love what Nick Foles did in preseason, he looked very comfortable. Actually looked better to me than what I saw in film from when he was at Arizona,” Warner said.
“I’m sure that’s where some of the pressure is coming from because he played so well in preseason; although, preseason is a big difference from the regular season.”
The Eagles play Monday on the road against New Orleans and, for now, Reid says he will stick with Vick.
Even if the Eagles make a change at QB, they still have other issues. On offense, the line has not protected very well, forcing Vick into making quicker decisions. Defensively, the Eagles rank about in the middle of the league but have broken down late in games, which is a key reason defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was fired a couple of weeks ago.
The possible and maybe even eventual change is something Warner does not feel is warranted but does understand it is part of the business.
“I think it’s unfortunate for Michael because I think he’s a good player that can help a team win. I just think he is in one of those situations now where he’s pressing a little bit and trying too hard because the pressure is on him and usually that leads to mistakes.
“Unfortunately, that’s happened and they haven’t won enough games and that is usually what happens, a quarterback change comes when you’re below expectations.”
Arizona native Matt Minkus is the host of the 110 Sports Podcast, a show that pays homage to one of the most repeated cliches in sports: “Giving 110 percent.” Excerpts of new shows will be available at LindysSports.com every week.