Vick can cause 'nightmares' for defenses
As far as challenges go, the Bears' defense Sunday will face one of the most difficult in Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
A two-year exile from the game that included prison time for dogfighting charges hasn't diminished Vick's unique skills a bit.
Last year when he first returned there was some obvious rust in his game. But Vick, at 30, is now playing the best football of his life, leading the NFL with a 108.7 passer rating.
In his brilliant performance against the Washington Redskins two games ago, which included 4 TD passes, 333 passing yards, 2 running TDs and 80 yards on the ground, Vick's performance looked like something out of a video game because he made it look so ridiculously easy.
“The crazy thing is, I watched the Washington game, and then you go to sleep with nightmares about how you're going to stop this guy,” said Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who hopes to be back after missing the Miami Dolphins game with a knee injury.
“There are so many challenges and so much talent (on that) offense.”
Formerly more of a threat to defeat opponents with his unparalleled running ability, Vick has tossed 11 TD passes this season without an interception.
He's fifth in the NFL with 8 completions of 40 or more yards, even though he has played in just seven games. He's being mentioned frequently as an MVP candidate.
“I'd vote for him,” Bears safety Chris Harris said. “Some of the things he's doing are amazing.”
In his first six years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick's highest passer rating for a season was 81.6, and that was the only time he finished over 80.
But he has averaged 7.1 yards per carry in his career, and in his last season in Atlanta he rushed for 1,039 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
As a quarterback, he always has been considered raw and incomplete, his accuracy inconsistent despite superior arm strength. That isn't the case anymore.
“He's going through his progressions, first read, second read, third read,” Harris said. “And after that he's taking off and running.
“So definitely he's doing a great job as far as staying in the pocket.”
That makes defending the 6-foot, 215-pound former No. 1 overall draft pick more difficult than ever, giving opposing defense's game-planning headaches.
Coach Lovie Smith says the Bears will continue to play the same style of defense that has them tied for the NFL lead in fewest points allowed, No. 2 in third-down conversions and rushing yards allowed and No. 3 in total yards allowed.
“We've played Michael Vick before,” Smith said. “He's a great player. But we normally do what we do with our defense; we're not going to change.
“We believe in our defense, and it's set up to play guys like him. We give him all the respect in the world, but our guys are excited about playing against not just Michael Vick, but the Philly offense. They have good skill guys all the way around.”
Big-play wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin make Vick even more dangerous because if defenders ignore their assignments to help contain the quarterback, he's much more adept now at throwing downfield.
“Before, you knew he was going to run and it was, ‘All right, let's contain him some,'” Tinoisamoa said. “Now that he's throwing the ball so well, it adds a whole other element.
“But we feel confident in the talent we have here. We feel like we match up well. We feel like we have some great speed, not only from our D-linemen but in the back seven. We're excited about this game.”
If it's a challenge the defense is looking for, they probably won't be disappointed because Vick has elevated his always-dangerous game to another level.
“We didn't see anything he can't do,” cornerback Tim Jennings said. “We're aware of everything he brings to the team. But, like our coaches harp on, we really can't worry about what they do. We have to worry about what we do and try to contain him as much as we can.”
ŸFollow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials, at DailyHerald.com.