But after knocking five passers -- Carolina's Matt Moore, Chicago's Jay Cutler and Todd Collins, Detroit's Shaun Hill and Dallas' Tony Romo out of games this year, New York's defenders say they're up for the challenge of trying to corral Vick, who's averaging a league-high 7.8 yards a carry and has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"His speed -- there's nothing like it," said Giants linebacker Michael Boley, who broke Romo's left collarbone on a blitz and who was Vick's teammate in Atlanta from 2005-06.
"Michael Vick definitely presents something that no other quarterback can give you in this league," said safety Antrel Rolle. "He's able to kill you with his arms and his legs, but to an extreme level. I don't know if you can actually game plan for someone of that caliber".
Watching Vick run and pass through the Redskins for 413 yards and six touchdowns on Monday, New York linebacker Keith Bulluck said he "was, like, 'Whoa,' The Eagles' offense seemed like it couldn't stop itself from scoring."
But as safety Deon Grant, who faced Vick twice a year with Carolina from 2001-03, noted that the Redskins had sidelined Vick with torn rib cartilage in Week 4 so "ain't nobody Superman." However, defensive tackle Barry Cofield said catching Vick and knocking him from the game depends as much on the coverage as the pass rush.
"When is he vulnerable?" said Cofield, part of a Giants defense that sacked Vick seven times and forced him to fumble four times in 2006 in a 27-14 New York triumph. "When he doesn't have anywhere to throw the ball. This year more so than ever he's making throws. If the guys are covered down the field then he opts to take off. Those are the times where he can be sacked. (But) no matter how disciplined you are, he's still a dynamic athlete. It's still a task to get him to the ground even if you're in the right spot."
No comments:
Post a Comment