It should have been Michael Vicks return to form after a couple uneven games. It should have been one of the crowning achievements of Vicks career. It should have been one of the biggest stories in the NFL this week.
Instead, it was just a footnote to another devastating loss.
Vick quietly put together one of the finest games of his career Sunday in the Eagles 24-23 loss to the 49ers at the Linc.
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If the Eagles hung on and won? Were talking Vick all day today.
But they didnt, and Vicks career-best performance means nothing.
Vick completed 30 of 46 passes for 416 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and ran for 75 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history with 400 passing yards and 75 rushing yards in a game.
Vick set career highs for completions and yards and tied his career high for attempts. His 416 passing yards are seventh-most in Eagles history.
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After the Eagles third straight loss and third straight fourth-quarter collapse, he was in no mood to celebrate.
Its shocking, Vick said. Its frustrating. I really dont know what to say.
Vick has already lost only one fewer game than last year. He went 8-4 in 2010 after replacing Kevin Kolb but takes a 1-3 record into the Eagles game in Buffalo on Sunday.
But Vicks numbers overall are pretty good. Hes completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,021 yards, with six TDs and three INTs, good for a 91.9 passer rating.
But 1-3 is 1-3.
I think right now we just have to figure it all out, Vick said. You know, you take the coaches out of the equation and you rely on the players, my teammates, to figure out what needs to be done. Our coaches can only give us so much. We have to take into consideration ourselves, that we go out and make it happen and thats about it. They cant come on the field and play for us. We have to go out and make it work. How weve got to get it done is how weve got to get it done.
A month ago, the Eagles were listed anywhere from No. 3 to No. 5 in every preseason league-wide ranking. The Vegas oddsmakers gave them the second-best odds in the NFC to reach the Super Bowl.
Now only four teams in the NFL have fewer wins. Theyre in last place in the NFC East, already two games behind the Redskins.
We all had high expectations and we still do, Vick said. Dont get me wrong. Its still a long season and we just have to dig deep. Theres really nothing else to be said. Its self-explanatory. Its right there for everybody to see what is taking place, how its been done, what hasnt been done and what needs to be done.
I think thats just the bottom line. I take sole responsibility. Maybe there are a lot of things that I can do better and Ive got to figure it out, but its frustrating. I wont continue to use that word but, yeah, its tough.
Although fans are furious -- understandably -- with Andy Reid and his coaching staff, Vick said their anger is misplaced.
Its not the coaches in general, he said. I think its us as players having to figure out what needs done in the moment. In the moment. And everything has to be right. Everybody has to be in the right place. Certain times in the game you have to gut check. Ive been there plenty of times, played in enough games in this league to know when its time to gut check. And everybody has to have that.
Gut-check time, Vick said. The Eagles are 1-3 and their next four opponents are a combined 10-6.
The Eagles are in big trouble, but they do have Vick. And as long as hes healthy, theyll always have a chance to win their next game.
I heard Steve Young a couple of weeks ago mention when he played it was a sense that came over him and the sense was, Over my dead body, I will not lose this game. I will not let this guy in front of me beat me, Vick said.
Its just the over my dead body attitude that you have to take. And you have to be willing to give everything you got and at the same time stay fundamentally sound, be mentally sharp and let your physical abilities show. Thats gut check. Some people have it and some people dont but were going to find out whos got it.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com
