McNabb’s Advice To Vick

Posted: October 25th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 43 Comments »

Donovan has a suggestion for Michael Vick:  ”play pissed off”.

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I think we have a future QB coach in the making, right?  That is straight out of the Bill Walsh playbook.  Page 6:  ”get Joe Montana to quit thinking and be angry…the Super Bowls will follow”.

Donovan could have talked about ball security or decision-making or getting the ball out quicker.  Instead, he went with playing angry.  Maybe I now understand why we didn’t win a Super Bowl.  Yikes.

Donovan said that he played “pissed off” in 2008 after his benching and that helped us on our late season run (which did almost get us back to the Super Bowl).  Donovan is an idiot.  Pure and simple.  Reid adjusted the offense.  McNabb played smarter, not angrier.  He’s doing himself a disservice by saying something like this.  Go back and re-watch the MIN and NYG playoff wins.  We had serious field position problems in those games.  Donovan drove the offense from the goal line area out toward midfield a few times by making some really clutch 3rd down throws.  He didn’t get any gold stars in the boxscore, but those were huge plays as we flipped the field and set the defense up in good field position.  The defense allowed a total of 25 points in those games, partially because of help from McNabb and the offense.

As we head into the final 10 games of the 2012 season, I’m not sure I want Vick playing angry. If we move him to LB or FS, sure.  At QB, I’d rather have him concentrating on the defense than getting fired up.

McNabb was great at ball security.  Why couldn’t he have talked about that?  He was the anti-turnover machine and that’s something to be proud of.  McNabb could have really focused on valuing the ball and being extremely careful, so as not to put the defense in harm’s way or not to take points off the board.  That would have been topical and wise.

Angry QBs?  Ugh.

My advice to Vick:

1 – Ball Security – Mike, listen to the immortal words of Coach John Heisman “Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football.”

2 – Reads – Find the open guy.  Don’t force the ball to anyone.  Someone is open.  Get them the ball.  Or run.  And think back to the previous point once you do that.

3 – Throws – When your guys are open, make good throws.  Don’t waste opportunities.

4 – McNabb – Watch his games.  Study his actions.  Do not listen to his advice.  Use the mute button.  Listen to Three Sides Live by Genesis instead.

I hope Vick plays smart on Sunday or I’ll be the one shouting “Serenity now!!!”

* * * * *

Speaking of Sunday…are  you guys starting to get excited?  I am.

I know there is a lot to be frustrated about, but this team still has outstanding potential.  You never know if the switch will go on or when it will go on.  I’d love to see it on Sunday.

We’ve done well vs the Falcons in recent years.  Even last year we were up 31-21 in the 4th quarter.  Vick got hurt and the defense fell apart.  The Falcons do have new coordinators and we’ll get into that in the preview.  This is a slightly different team, but they weren’t completely re-invented.

I really am excited to see the defense.  They’ll get a significant test from Atlanta.  Good.  We have the talent to be a top flight defense.  We’ll see right away what Bowles and the boys can do together.  I’ve got realistic expectations.  Shutout and 3 defensive TDs, plus a safety.  Sounds reasonable, right?

* * * * *

Last week I watched some show on PE.com that had a segment from the Scouting Combine.  They actually showed the interview the Eagles had with Mychal Kendricks.  I’ve never seen this kind of footage before.  Very interesting.

Mychal told a great story.  Someone asked him about DeSean, since he’s a Cal guy and Mychal is a Cal guy.  Mychal said he went to Cal on a recruiting visit and he was introduced to DeSean. Mychal wasn’t all that impressed, which shocked his host.  Why?  Mychal didn’t know who DeSean was.  You can imagine that DeSean, who was a big time college star, was surprised as well.  He handled it great, though.

DeSean grabbed a bottle of Gatorade from Mychal’s hand.  He opened it and took a swig, then gave the bottle back to Mychal and said, “You can now tell people that DeSean Jackson once drank some of your Gatorade.”

* * * * *

Do you think Jimmy Bama sees Dez Bryant as overrated?

_

  • Anders

    I think the none turnover side of McNabb was a very underrated part of the early success of the Eagles. If you pair a nasty D, with a QB there does not turnover the football and can create a few big plays per game you have a winning combo, sadly McNabb turned very turnover prone in the play offs.

    • ACViking

      D-Mac’s post season: 24 TDs, 17 INTs in 16 games

      • http://twitter.com/tst69 Thomas

        That’s not bad. I don’t know how that compares to other QBs. I consider going 3-out as sort of a quasi- turnover. You give the other team a short field and even if your defense is able to prevent a score, you still dig yourself a big hole in terms of field position.

        • Anders

          17 ints in 16 games is sorta bad. McNabb have a 2:1 TD:int ratio, thats why we won so many games with him.

  • Ark87

    Got to disagree with you on this one Tommy. McNabb was asked to give advice. I also don’t think Donovan’s advice won’t work for Mike. It helped Don. It helped him get serious. It was the only way he could match the competitive intensity of the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning that drives them. I don’t think Mike needs that. He’s already a pretty serious and intense guy.

    Your advice is ball security? Mike Vick calls your cell your cell pre-snap. “Hey Tommy, could use some input here, watcha got for me, 16 seconds on the play clock go!”

    Well Michael, don’t fumble, don’t throw a pick. And while you’re at it, don’t crash your car on the way home tonight, don’t catch the flu, and don’t make mistakes.

    PS if you could acquire the accuracy and decision making of Drew Brees by the end of the game I think you’ll be ok.

    Your list is a recipe for things Mike needs to be a great QB but isn’t advice. Heck if he could fly nobody could stop him, but I have no advice for him to acquire this skill, so I wont be mentioning this idea to him.

    So lets not rip bad advice with non-advice. If we are going for that sort of thing I’ve got more succinct advice, win, just win Mike.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kanin-Faan/100000790557328 Kanin Faan

      I support this post.

    • Mac

      Not much of a domo fan, but i thought his attempt at “advice” on twitter today might be helpful.

      “When Mike Vick got the ball out in 3 seconds or less v. Lions, he was
      26-for-36 for 291 yards. When held it 3-plus seconds: 2-10=32, 2INT”

      Therefore lets get a clock going in his head:

      1…2…3 no pass, time to tuck it or chuck it out of bounds and start over.

      • Ark87

        I like it Mac. If you haven’t thrown it in 3 seconds, throw it away or take off. It seems pretty obtainable.

        By the way have you noticed a decline in our check down options? Seems like it’s always shady 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage, if we aren’t throwing it away.

    • TommyLawlor

      Fair enough, Ark…but I still disagree.

      Vick needs to play smarter. That’s the #1 issue with him this year. I’d offer advice to help that. The list I did was simplified. Clearly I wouldn’t tell Vick the two words of “ball security”. I’d talk to him about specific situations and what to do with the ball.

      As for passing…I’d actually tell Mike not to be afraid of INTs. Throwing scared can be as bad as throwing carelessly. The key is to locate the open guy and get the ball out quickly. Don’t worry about huge plays. Find an open receiver and make a good throw. I’d go over mechanics with him since that has been an issue on some passes.

      I could write thousands of words of advice to Mike. I took the shortcut of focusing on what I’d point out to him as a contrast to “play angry”.

      • Ark87

        Excellent. I don’t disagree with your 3 points. They excellently point out Mike’s 3 biggest flaws as a QB. But not advice by themselves so much as a to-do list of improvements Mike needs to make to become a great QB. Your follow-up here has lots of good stuff, knew your were holding out on us T.

        I still think Don was just passing along something that he felt helped him in the past. Maybe he figures playing pissed is better than playing scared. Mike’s in a slump with a benching hanging over his head. There are only so many emotions that you can harness going into that situation. I don’t think the advice is so outright awful enough to be outraged. Like I said, I don’t think it would necessarily help Mike, I’m with you there. But Don’s played the QB position a few more years than me and owns a few Eagle’s records. He might know a thing or two.

        • TommyLawlor

          RE: Donovan

          He’s a smarter player than he realizes, but he is his own worst enemy. Donovan genuinely believes playing angry helped him, but I say that’s BS. Do you remember the ARZ game right after his benching? Reid/Marty changed the offense. We ran more. We threw short. Kyle Eckel was signed a couple of days before the game and had 6 carries, some in short yardage, some in garbage time. The longest pass play in the game was 25 yards. We played small ball and ran more.

          http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200811270phi.htm

          McNabb was cut by WAS and MIN because he wasn’t coachable. He wouldn’t listen to people who wanted to deal with reality. They wanted to talk about mechanics and scheme and gameplans. Donovan was probably trying to get pissed off. That’s one of his big flaws. As he got older, he went from being a coachable player to a strange guy…somewhat of a headcase. QBs don’t win with emotion. Brett Favre would have 10 SBs if emotion was so key.

          You win by executing. A QB getting emotional in some key parts of the game is fine, but even that is overrated. Emotion should not affect accuracy or decision-making.

          • Ark87

            Fear is an emotion and it definitely affects decision-making.

            Without a doubt McNabb was a meat-head about his final years in the NFL. He rested on his laurels, big time. He was delusional, he didn’t see his decline in play, the deterioration of his fundamentals, or acknowledge the flaws he’s always had. He was good enough to do all these great things with the Eagles,

          • TommyLawlor

            I think using emotion to drive you in training is good. Tom Brady tells himself every summer “You’re just a 6th round pick.” That helps to keep him humble and focused. That’s a good thing.

            I’m sure there are times in games when things aren’t working and a QB might use emotion to get pissed off and try to fire up his teammates.

            I just don’t see that as anything to do with Vick right now. Not real sure I can think of a time it made a lot of sense for Donovan.

            I hate to be critical of McNabb like this because I love the guy so much. Kills me the way he destroyed his legacy in the final couple of years. He went from borderline HOF to major longshot. I still love him. Did great things for the Eagles and Eagles fans. Someday he’ll relax and get his head right and life will be good. Sooner rather than later, I hope.

  • Zachary Kaplan

    This might go back to my post a week or so ago – about not liking the “team” despite being a fan, but no I’m not really excited.

    I don’t have Brian Dawkins or Brian Westbrook or Sheldon Brown to root for. Much of this team – isn’t built with guys who I’ll be disappointed to see in another jersey. Add that to I hate the coach, and the team is inconsistent…

    I just don’t get hyped before the Eagles games anymore. I’m not screaming at the TV as often. I’m not upset at the refs for bad calls. I come to expect poor performances, bad decisions and just overall bad football.

    • Ark87

      I’m sorry for the place you find yourself in. But despite all your misgivings for the state of the team, you are here every week. For that I respect your fan-hood.

      Anyway I’m excited simply because of the opportunity. We’ve got one of the Falcon’s 8 away game in which they are vulnerable. They are undefeated and we have the chance to end that.

      It’s never exciting to be playing a bad team. If we win, well whatever. If we lose, melt down. But playing a good team is just the opposite. Imagine coming out of the bye and playing some terrible team, or mysterious team like the Saints. We would say well if we win they are a bad team we think, But it looked like they were turning the corner with some players and coaches coming back on the D. We wouldn’t be able to figure out anything about the Eagles one way or another.

      This week we play a pretty consistently good team that will provide a pretty good measure for where this team is after the bye. If we lose you can say well the team still isn’t where it needs to be, and we are one step closer to saying goodbye to Andy. If we win, well who doesn’t enjoy their team getting a good win?

    • AustinMax

      I could not agree more……my wife looks at me funny on game days…she says I like this changed “you” …you dont scream or holler or rant anymore when the Eagles play..I just give a wry smile….exactly the way I feel Zach!!

  • http://twitter.com/tst69 Thomas

    Playing angry could mean playing with more confidence and more importantly playing like you don’t give a fudge . Trusting his receivers and making quick decisions. The 2nd half of 2008 was probably my favorite year of McNabb. He was more concerned about moving the chains than the homerun. He hit Curtis on a slant in the NFCCG that ended up going for 50 yards and he made a good throw to Curtis on that 4th down.

    For some reason they changed their philosophy in 2009 and went back to looking for the big play.

    Do you think that the Falcons are a little overrated? I don’t see them getting past Green Bay, NYG, San Fransisco, or even Chicago in the playoffs.

  • nopain23

    Iggles have had trouble with big time receivers, see Larry Fitz and Megatron. White and Jones might carve up this defense on Sunday if we don’t get to the QB. If our new Def. co coordinator can’t fix the pass rush I see a blow out at the Linc. I’m excited at the possibility of seeing a more dynamic defense but scared to death that the new look defense might just look more like the old one.
    I was hoping that AR would take offensive play calling away from MM but it looks like we got more 7 step drops more QB hits coming our way these next 10 games..Geezzzz

    • TommyLawlor

      We did well vs Dallas last October when they had Dez, Miles, Witten, and Murray. We held them to just 7 points and that came late on a busted coverage. Sometimes an offense with many weapons is easier to deal with because you challenge your players and it can bring out the best in them. We’ve seen this over the years.

    • Mac

      For the first part of the game, Megaman and Nnamdi had the same number of catches with 1 each…

  • ACViking

    T-Law:

    I’m more curious than excited. Call it “Reid Fatigue” if you’d like.

    Everything we read and hear about this year’s team, whether regarding on- or off-the-field decisions, is — either explicitly or implicitly — in the context of: “Tick-tock, tick-tock, Reid’s on the clock . . . needs a big playoff run.”

    Drama, drama, drama.

    I’m just tired of it, I guess. And the bye week didn’t change the “horse-race narrative” we seem to get day after day.

    I miss the days when the only genuine Eagles narrative you could expect pretty much every week was: “D-Mac shouldn’t give interviews.”

    • TommyLawlor

      Don’t blame you one bit. I’m tired of the drama as well.

      I am excited to see the guys play. If they play well, there is hope. If average…that just keeps us confused. If they struggle, the countdown really gets going.

      • ACViking

        That’s a Bingo.

        Thanks, T-Law.

    • http://www.facebook.com/michael.w.cho Michael Winter Cho

      Do you guys wonder if Lurie is taking into consideration Reid’s personal life as far as his performance this year?

      • eagles2zc

        I don’t think Reid would want that. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to hide behind excuses

        • TommyLawlor

          Agreed.

    • Ark87

      I’m with you ACV. It’s kinda of like being a kid and getting a gift from your Grandma. Maybe it is going to be an awesome gift? Maybe it’s going to be socks? Who knows, all we know is it’s been wrapped and boxed and we’ve been staring at that box for the the past week and a half. We all approach that situation differently. If you’re hopeful, you’re excited. If you’re skeptical you are curious. If you are down on Grandma this year, you’re filled with apprehension. Probably a mix of all of these things.

      It does seem to be the same story-line every year though doesn’t it? Oh well, at least it gives us something to talk about. It could always be worse…

  • http://twitter.com/tst69 Thomas

    You’re forgetting that he works for NFLN. Either all of their broadcasters are stupid or they are told to talk to us like we are 5 year olds.

  • P_P_K

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Donovan’s comment arose from some lingering frustration he might feel. He’s a guy with all kind of accomplishments who, at least in his mind, never got his rightful props.

  • T_S_O_P

    Genesis? Phil Collins? Really! I think you and Donnie share a thing or two in giving advice. Phil Collins :shake head: ;)

    • Mac

      Wait, I’m confused I thought Donovan’s advice was nonsense. But if you are saying its comparable to listening to Genesis, then it must be brilliance because there is no debating the dulcet tones of Phil.

      So I guess you are “pro playing angry” then yes?

    • TommyLawlor

      You don’t dig old school Genesis, especially live? In The Cage? It? Fountain of Salmacis?

      • dropscience

        I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a
        great, great song, a personal favorite.

    • Ark87

      You have to watch his final year to “Purple Haze”.

  • eagles2zc

    I can’t explain it but I have really high expectations for the defense too. The talents are there for Bowles to sprung some nasty surprises on Matt Ryan if he so chooses. As to offensive adjustments, I’ll believe it when I see it.

  • phillychuck

    When you give advice, you never tell people what to do, or especially what not to do (don’t turn the ball over), you tell them HOW to do it.

    My advice to Vick is exactly what was mentioned above–pay attention to the clock in your head, and don’t throw the ball after about 3 seconds unless the receiver is wide, wide open. Maybe Andy should have a guy on the side with a horn he blows after 3 seconds, and Vick should be required to run or throw it away at that point. Play-calling changes would help, too.

    Since “playing angry” probably isn’t going to help with any of that, I guess I’m 100% with you on Donovan’s advice being less than useful.

    • A_T_G

      I would like that guy with the horn to stand about 6″ behind Marty the entire game.

  • Sifter

    I’m not sure Donovan’s advice is great, but then again I don’t think ‘look after the ball’ is great advice either – so Ark was on the right track. I know for me there’s nothing more annoying than people ‘advising’ me things that I already intend to do and that I’m already trying to improve!! Vick looking after the ball falls into this category ie. Does anything think Vick isn’t intending to look after the ball?? In that way, some left field advice like ‘play angry’ might be what’s needed for Vick to take his mind OFF the turnovers issue. It works differently for different players. For Vick, perhaps less focus and worry on turnovers might help release that tension he’s feeling about the issue and ultimately make them go away. Or maybe Vick does need that more intensive, hands-on, correctional film study type approach that you’re advocating Tommy. Without knowing Vick inside and out, I can’t tell you which advice is ‘right’.

  • shah8

    I took it as meaning that Vick has to not let the criticism get to him and focus on the football. Defensive anger-I gotta do what I gotta do.

    Like I’ve said to this point, Vick is fine, too many turnovers, but he *is* operating a high-calibre offense, however crippled it is now. Watching random games around the league don’t reveal too many guys who can play at the level Vick has played, apart from Browns and Cards game.

    Think about that Bears-Lions game. There is a reason why MM goes for so many big plays. Very hard to do against a good defense, or when nothing is working, but defenses has gotten so good that absent breakdowns (or horrible pass rushes) that all of the competent ones are going for bend-don’t-break+turnovers successfully without exceptional amounts of world-class talent. Look at the Vikings, for example–vs Lions, 49′ers, Cards. Had the offense not been a liability, they’d have won against the Redskins, too. And they’ve been doing it by shutting down big play capacity, and waiting for the odd FUBAR. Against good defenses like that, you *have* to throw downfield. You *have* to find a way to do it, and MM and Haley has been asking their QBs to buy that time, however they can manage it. Haley is more conservative, though, and that has cost the Steelers as well as MM’s aggression has the Eagles.

  • Arby1

    “Serenity now”. That’s what I call 2 6′s of PBR.

  • A_T_G

    McNabb could have advised Vick to hold the clipboard by the wood so the metal doesn’t chill his hand and to keep his helmet where he can find it.

    Or to keep an eye on the clock during overtime.

  • Andre

    Hey Tommy, do you happen to remember in which video you saw the Kendricks combine interview? Been looking for it but can’t find anywhere. Thanks! :)