By: Dave May

Dave May — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:30:00 +0000

I disagree that Foles would struggle with the O Line as much as Vick for one MAJOR reason that is somehow not often included in the conversation about why Vick is NOT an elite QB: height. Look at the elite QB’s in the league, and one thing you will find in common is that they are all tall men. Vick, at 6’0″ is very small. It works to his advantage when he runs (which is the only reason he even gets mentioned in conversations about good QB’s) but it is an extreme disadvantage for him as a pocket passer. That the Eagles vaunted QB coaches have tried to force Vick to BE a pocket passer is a subject for another dicsussion. Suffice it to say that Vick’s height makes a bad O-Line a problem because he cannot see the field well enough to check down quickly, which means he has to wait for his deep receivers to get open before he can throw the ball. And we know that with this line, all it takes is mediocre coverage in the secondary to make sure that Vick ends up on the ground more often than not. Aside from his inability to see short receivers (especially his tight ends) he also has an extremely high number of blocked or deflected passes, which have accounted for a few of his interceptions this season. Foles, by comparison, is 6’6″ and his ability to see OVER the terrible O Line will give him an immediate advantage over Vick. He has a cannon of an arm (like Vick) and is fairly accurate (like VIck) making him just as much of a deep threat QB as Vick, with the added ability to check-down quickly to receivers on short crossing routes in short yardage situations. Granted, he is not fast or quick like Vick -who uses his speed to disguise just how frequently he can’t see open receivers- but history will generally show that tall QB’s who see the field well and can read coverages (Manning, Brady, etc.) always far better than guys who can take off and run when a play blows up. Part of why McNabb was such an elite QB in his prime was that he had elements of each; his problem was that a) he was innaccurate and b) he had guys like Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell to throw to whereas Vick has Jackson and Maclin. But I digress.

Comments on: Andy Reid Says Vick is Still Starting QB in Philly

By: Dave May