(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles were all about defense when Buddy Ryan was head coach. Reggie White, Clyde Simmons and Seth Joyner were just a few of his Pro Bowl players wreaking havoc on a week-to-week basis.
Giants Vs. Eagles: Michael Vick Gets A Showcase Against Punishing New York Defense
If only Ryan had a cohesive offensive line and a stable running back to play alongside quarterback Randall Cunningham, the Eagles may have been able to get out of the first round of the NFC Playoffs. Cunningham was a street-ball type of player who would use his speed and athleticism to take over a game, but those skills would only get him so far until he finally became a pocket passer and student of the game with Minnesota in 1998. Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Brian Billick, Cunningham had a dynamic season and led the Vikings deep into the playoffs with an All-Star cast of weapons, all of which was made possible when expected starter Brad Johnson went down with an injury.
Fast forward to 2010, and current Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is going through similar circumstances. In today's world it's common to give people second chances, and Vick is reveling in his, as Philadelphia sits tied for first place in the NFC East with the New York Giants, who will try to take the wind out of Vick and Philadelphia's sails when they invade Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night.
Vick has transformed himself from public enemy No. 1 to an early MVP candidate, and stated his case in Monday's 59-28 rout of the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Virginia Tech product had a night to remember, passing for 333 yards and four touchdowns while running for an additional 80 yards and two more scores. His game jersey was sent to the Hall of Fame afterwards.
Vick has led the Eagles to two straight wins and a 6-3 record because of his patience in the pocket, and the team is 4-0 in game’s in which Vick has started and finished. He hasn’t thrown an interception or lost a fumble and is the highest-rated passer in the NFL (115.1).
Becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for 300 yards, rush for 50 yards, throw four touchdown passes and rush for two touchdowns all in the same game is quite a feat. Head coach Andy Reid was appreciative of the effort.
“I’m proud of him, first of all,” Reid said postgame of Vick. “He did a nice job out there. He led our football team on the offensive side the way you’re supposed to lead it. I think the guys rallied around him and really played well collectively; the offensive line, receivers, tight ends and running backs. I thought everyone really played well around him. He was in charge out there.”
New York was in charge over a recent five-game winning streak before suffering a lopsided 33-20 defeat at the hands of the lowly Dallas Cowboys last week from the Meadowlands. More than just the power went out at the new stadium, as the Giants headed to halftime trailing by a 19-6 score before making it respectable with 14 points in the third quarter.
It was New York's first loss against an NFC opponent this season. It's top- ranked defense was also burnt for 427 yards, while quarterback Eli Manning was picked off twice and finished with 373 yards and two scores for the Giants, who had three turnovers and 480 yards of offense.
The Giants, still one of the top teams in the conference, totaled 487 yards the previous week at Seattle and 497 in Dallas on Oct. 25. Sunday’s production just wasn’t enough.
“We didn’t play well enough to win,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. “We didn’t execute the way we’ve been executing. We gave up big plays. We didn’t make as many big plays. We do have things to straighten around, but that’s nothing different than following up any loss, to be honest with you.”
Manning was without tackle David Diehl because of hip and hamstring issues and wide receiver Steve Smith due to a pectoral tear. The team also has been without center Shaun O'Hara, who is battling a foot problem.
Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw didn't seem to mind the absence of his o- line teammates, however, as he continued pursuit of the first 1,000-yard rushing season in his career. He ran for 73 yards on 20 carries versus Dallas and has a career-best 838 yards in 2010.
But the biggest surprise was how poorly the New York defense played for the first three quarters after dominating in a 41-7 thrashing of Seattle the week before. The stop unit doesn't get a pass on this one, even if it did hold the Cowboys scoreless for the final 15 minutes. Dallas' Jon Kitna, who's filling in for the injured Tony Romo under center, became the first quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards against the Giants this season.
If Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell doesn’t get that corrected by Sunday, expect another aerial show from Vick.
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