Is Media to Blame For Vick’s “Turmoil?”

Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

After a struggling start to the season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is pointing fingers on who’s to blame, and some of it is in the direction of the media.

Yes, everyone’s favorite dog lover recently pointed to the press for the team’s three-game skid entering Monday’s game against the New Orleans Saints (2-5).

“You guys create a lot of turmoil for us, sometimes,” Vick said after practice Saturday.  “It’s cool, man.  We just got to battle through it.  The quieter you all can be, the easier it is for us to concentrate, focus as individuals as a unit, as a team, as an organization.”

Vick’s poor play as of late has come under much scrutiny from the media after throwing eight interceptions with five fumbles in the first six games of the season.  Moreover, he’s only completed 59 percent of his passes, which, at 32 years of age, you can say with confidence that there isn’t much upside.  Still, head coach Andy Reid is still standing behind his quarterback and keeping him under center for Monday night’s game against the Saints.

Though, there really isn’t much competition to knock Vick off from his position.  The next likely suitor to replace the 32-year-old play caller is rookie third-round pick Nick Foles, who hasn’t shown he can handle the reigns of a starting quarterback in the NFL.  He’s only played in three games, all preseason, and doesn’t appear ready to be an immediate improvement over Vick.

If Vick continues to struggle though, it might be the end of the line for him.  Rumors have swirled around the six-time All-Pro not getting along with his assistant coaches and tensions were starting to flare.  Though, the team still denied such reports.

“We are trying to block out everything,” Vick continued.  “We understand that is the nature of this business.  We are trying to keep everything as low key and mellow as possible, with all due respect.”

The Eagles (3-4) will have their hands full against the Saints, who are trying to right their own ship.  They’ve already lost running back Darren Sproles for the game and rank last in the NFL in rushing yards.  That puts all the more pressure on Drew Brees, who has already proven to fuel the league’s best passing offense.  He just won’t have his one of his leading, third-down receivers (coming out of the backfield) as a primary target.

The game still seems to favor the Eagles, who have the talent around Vick, including an elite defense, to beat the Saints.

Prediction: Eagles win, 28-24