This week my play-by-play mate Howard David and I have the opportunity to call the Eagles/Giants game in Philly, which means cheesesteaks for me, and a great NFC East rivalry for all of us. The big question going into this week is will Michael Vick play and the answer will go a long way in determining who wins Sunday in Philly. Signs on Thursday point to yes after Vick participated in practice, but you never know with concussions.
As the Giants defensive coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, prepares for the Eagles offense, I believe they have to assume Michael Vick will play, because adjusting to the alternative shouldn’t be a problem. Vick, more than any other QB in the NFL today, forces D-coordinators to adjust how they would traditionally game plan. The run/pass threat on every play and the escape ability in the pocket affects every aspect of how you defend the Eagles, but especially in your pass rush and blitz design. It is critical that your rush defenders maintain their lanes on the pass and when you blitz a Michael Vick offense, you have to make sure you push Vick into the rush, not out of the pocket or into open lanes. You need to have a controlled aggression on the blitz. You have to play with speed, but under control and with gap integrity. Two of the worst things that can happen to a defense is one, when they lose contain, allowing Vick to get outside into the open field; or two, when Vick is able to get past the 1st level of defenders as he escapes the pocket, watch out, you are in big trouble! The one thing all us of will be watching if Vick plays is how he handles the first big hit. Because of his style of play, he is prone to more hits in an average game than the typical QB. After this concussion, will he be gun shy at all? Will he change his style? Knowing Vick, probably not and that is why we love watching him.
So that’s Scenario A. Time for the one Eagles fans don’t want to consider. With Mike Kafka at the helm you just don’t have the worries stated above. If Vick is unable to go and Kafka is the man, then I believe the Giants can be more freewheeling and aggressive on defense, especially in the blitz game. There definitely won’t be as many hold-your-breath moments if you’re Tom Coughlin and Perry Fewell with Kafka in the game. Not only does Kafka not have the athleticism Vick does – and not many do – he doesn’t have the experience. Last week’s 4th quarter appearance in Atlanta was the first regular season action of his career. He has never been exposed to this type of game, and it will be the first time he will see some of the looks the Giants will give him. How the Northwestern alum reacts to the relentless Giant pass rush will be telling in the outcome of the game. On top of all of that, how much of the playbook will Andy Reid be comfortable running with Mike Kafka? Will he open it up? Reid said in the postgame last week he regrets how much he reined things in once Kafka came into the game. I expect with a week of preparation with Kafka getting equal, if not more, reps than Vick, the coaching staff will be more comfortable running the offense with Kafka. Still, Kafka just doesn’t bring the game breaking ability to the Eagles that forces defenses to account for the QB as both a runner and passer. I am sure the Giants will breathe a little bit easier if they see Mike Kafka behind center Sunday afternoon.
Howard David and Tony Boselli will have all the action from Philadelphia as the Eagles host the Giants on Sunday. Coverage begins at 12:30 PM Eastern on Westwood One.
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