Following the Eagles' loss to the Giants this past Sunday, Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick had a few words for the officials, claiming that he doesn't receive the same treatment as other quarterback around the league with regard to late hits due to his scrambling and running ability. It seems as if his head coach, Andy Reid, agreed with the star quarterback, stating that just because Vick is able to run with the football, he should still be treated as a quarterback and not a running back. A Giants' defender seemed to understand Vick's gripe, but said once Vick gets outside the pocket and makes it appear as if he's going to pull the ball down and run with it, he should no longer be treated like a quarterback.
Once Vick crosses the line of scrimmage, I completely agree with the defender's statements. Once Vick or another quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage, they are, in essence, a running back attempting to gain yards on the ground much like a running back or fullback would. However, if Vick or another quarterback is behind the line of scrimmage, with ball in hand, they should be treated like quarterbacks. Just because Vick scrambles around the pocket before throwing the football, doesn't mean the defense should be permitted to hit him late. If he still has the football, sure, hit away, but once that ball is released, if the hit isn't close to being simultaneous, the defense should called for roughing the passer. If Brady, Manning, Brees and company receive calls on plays like that, so should the likes of Vick, Cam Newton, Donovan McNabb, etc.
What Vick and Reid did was pretty clever, though. They brought attention to the borderline late hits on Vick, before apologizing to the refs and stating they won't make those kinds of complaints again. So, they complained and then attempted to make peace with the refs. That initial complain and attention it garnered was all that was needed. Officials will now be on the lookout for these very hits and may now be more prone to throwing flags they haven't thrown in recent weeks.
Once Vick crosses the line of scrimmage, I completely agree with the defender's statements. Once Vick or another quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage, they are, in essence, a running back attempting to gain yards on the ground much like a running back or fullback would. However, if Vick or another quarterback is behind the line of scrimmage, with ball in hand, they should be treated like quarterbacks. Just because Vick scrambles around the pocket before throwing the football, doesn't mean the defense should be permitted to hit him late. If he still has the football, sure, hit away, but once that ball is released, if the hit isn't close to being simultaneous, the defense should called for roughing the passer. If Brady, Manning, Brees and company receive calls on plays like that, so should the likes of Vick, Cam Newton, Donovan McNabb, etc.
What Vick and Reid did was pretty clever, though. They brought attention to the borderline late hits on Vick, before apologizing to the refs and stating they won't make those kinds of complaints again. So, they complained and then attempted to make peace with the refs. That initial complain and attention it garnered was all that was needed. Officials will now be on the lookout for these very hits and may now be more prone to throwing flags they haven't thrown in recent weeks.
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