More "Analysts" Attempt to Discredit Vick's Success

After their performances over the weekend, I believe that New England Patriots' quarterback, Tom Brady, is now the clear-cut leader for the MVP Award. The guy has thrown 19 touchdowns compared to 0 interceptions the past few weeks. Unless he struggles immensely in the team's final three games, I see him receiving the award at season's end and deservedly so.

I still see Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, Michael Vick, as the runner-up, with the gap ever increasing between he and Brady for the honor, yet with the gap ever increasing between he and whoever may be #3.

Last night, Vick led the Eagles to a 30-27 road win against division rival, Dallas, who had come into the game winning 3 of their previous 4 games. Vick didn't have his best game yesterday, yet still completed 16-26 pass attempts (61.5%) for 270 yards (16.9 ypc and 10.4 ypa), 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, with a quarterback rating of 90.2. He also ran the ball 8 times for 16 yards (2.0 ypc) and another touchdown. So, numbers wise, Vick had a pretty good game, accounting for all three of the team's touchdowns and rebounding in the second half to post a very respectable quarterback rating. Yet, I read a couple of recaps today, saying that Dallas shut Vick down and outside of wideout DeSean Jackson, Vick was only 12 for 18 (66.7%) for 60 yards (5.0 ypc and 3.3 ypa) passing. I'm sorry, but how stupid is that stat? Wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, caught 4 balls for 210 yards (52.5 ypr) yesterday. So what? Can we subtract Jerry Rice's production with the 49ers to garner a clearer picture of how well quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young played in certain games or seasons? What about Marvin Harrison when he was with the Colts? Are Peyton Manning's numbers less impressive when subtracting his main threat's production totals? Last I checked, DeSean Jackson was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. So, the guy had a huge day. Someone had to get the ball to him and last I checked, that quarterback was Michael Vick. While it's true that the Cowboys limited Vick's other targets, they couldn't contain DeSean Jackson or LeSean McCoy. Vick finished with 270 yards passing and overall, averaged almost 17 yards per completion and a little over 10 per attempt. Granted, one of the passes went for 91 yards, but big plays are what the Eagles are known for this year. Vick may not have had his best game, but that's what makes this team so dangerous on offense. The guy still through for almost 300 yards, 2 touchdowns (3 total scores) and led the Eagles to 30 points, more than 18 teams scored over the weekend and equal to another, with four yet to play. In games that he's started and finished, Vick has led the Eagles to a 7-1 record (.875). They've posted the following scores in those 8 games: 35 (vs. 3-10 Detroit), 28 (vs. 8-5 Jacksonville), 26 (vs. 7-6 Indianapolis), 59 (vs. 5-8 Washington), 27 (vs. 8-4 NY Giants), 26 (vs. 9-4 Chicago), 34 (vs. 5-7 Houston) and 30 (vs. 4-9 Dallas), which equals 265 points in that span, an average of 33.1 per game. The Eagles have scored 30 or more in 4 of those 8 games, with the lowest output being 26 against both the Colts (won 26-24) and Bears (lost 26-31). Brady may have the MVP all but wrapped up, but it's time to give Vick his due.