Vick shouldn’t go blameless in Philadelphia
A phenomenon is occurring in the National Football League because the prevailing consensus seems to be Michael Vick is mostly blameless for the Philadelphia Eagles problems.
Huh? Head coach Andy Reid, after 14 years with the Eagles, is walking the green mile.
The offensive line has had injury and performance problems, and the defense is a sieve. Juan Castillo, the former defensive coordinator, was made the scapegoat for a dysfunctional team.
Vick is a turnover machine, and doesn’t appear to be very QB savvy. He likes to call team meetings to show he’s got things under control, and the prevailing perception is backup QB Nick Foles doesn’t deserve a chance.
Foles is listed at 6-foot-6 and 243 pounds, and likes to stay in the pocket. He’s just about the size of big, bad Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
I keep hearing Vick gives them their best chance to win, but I also believe it’s their best chance to lose. The Eagles have a fractured coaching staff, a bad mix of players and a QB playing street-style football.
While a rookie named Andrew Luck stands large in the pocket surveying the field and making good decisions, the turnover machine in Philadelphia goes back to pass, gives it a second or two, and then starts hopping left to right like a jack rabbit.
Vick is a backup quarterback making starter’s money. That’s right — he’s a future backup, and each week reinforces that role with his play.
Michael Vick can think he’s blameless, but he has to know his career is nearing the end. His days in Philly, along with Andy Reid’s days, will be too if they don’t make the playoffs.
Bottom line: they don’t have a quarterback.
Panic for Laker fans?The L.A. Lakers are off to a bad start and the fans are ready to hit the panic button. Kobe Bryant sarcastically commented, #147;I am shaking in my Nikes,#148; but maybe he should be a little worried.Dwight Howard can#146;t shoot free throws, and never will learn. We are even hearing the name Phil Jackson. Lakers head coach Mike Brown was given a vote of confidence after five games by management, but stay tuned. This soap opera is just starting!CondolencesJim Durham was a great basketball announcer, and he called most of the Bulls early games with Michael Jordan. After the 1991 championship season, Durham went on to broadcast NBA radio with ESPN. He also won the prestigious Curt Gowdy media award in 2011. He will surely be missed.NFL picks:Last week my record was 1-1, bringing my season mark to 11-10-1. This week I#146;ll take Minnesota (+2) over Detroit, and Cincinnati (+4) over the New York Giants.Program notes:I am joining Mancow Muller on Ch. 50 (WPWR) at 6 a.m. Monday. Tune in for the madness.Catch me on Fox Sports radio on Mondays (6-9 p.m. Saturdays (6-9 p.m.) and Sunday (9 p.m. to midnight). Listen in on XM 169, iHeart radio or Foxsports radio.com.Ÿ Mike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.