azdad1978
Championship!!!!
QB Vick inspires secret plan on 'D'
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 26, 2004 12:00 AM
ATLANTA - The Cardinals have instituted Michael Vick Rules for today's game against the Falcons. Those players violating the principles risk being humiliated on Sunday night highlight shows.
Most Cardinals defenders shrugged off that possibility this week, saying they won't be the first or the last players to be embarrassed by Vick, the Falcons quarterback.
Don't believe it, said Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry.
"Of course it's on your mind," Berry said. "Nobody wants to be that guy where they actually slow down (the tape), pause and say: 'Look at the guy, where are his ankles right now?' "
It's appropriate that Vick rhymes with sick. His amazing quickness and speed, combined with a strong arm, can leave opponents queasy.
So the Cardinals have implemented a set of rules that apply only to Vick. What they are is a secret. It's as if the whole team is walking around with briefcases chained to their wrists.
"I don't want to reveal strategy," Cardinals coach Dennis Green said, "but I think they know we'll have a special way of trying to deal with Michael Vick."
Michael Vick Rules, Green said, are similar to Barry Sanders Rules. You use them for one game, then forget them, because there's no one quite like Vick, just as there was no one quite like Sanders, the former Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running back.
"Clearly if you don't have those, you won't stop them," Green said. "Next week we'll dump them, because even though (New Orleans quarterback) Aaron Brooks can do a lot of things, you don't have Aaron Brooks Rules."
Vick was sensational last week in a 34-17 victory over St. Louis, which lifted the Falcons record to 2-0. Vick rushed for 109 yards on 12 carries, most of which came when he scrambled on pass plays. He also completed 14 of 19 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
"The guy is an amazing athlete," linebacker James Darling said. "You see a lot of (games) where he runs away from not just one guy but two or three guys."
Against some mobile quarterbacks, a team could assign a linebacker or safety to spy on him, to make sure he doesn't get loose. That doesn't work with Vick, Green said, because no spy could stay with Vick, in his fourth year.
And Vick will become more dangerous as he matures, said Atlanta coach Jim Mora.
"If something breaks down, he can go create a great play on his own, much like a Tiger Woods can with a golf shot or a Michael Jordan used to be able to do driving down the lane when it just looked like there was nothing there," Mora said.
"At the same time, you don't want him to always be looking to do something on his own, because you want him to count on his teammates. And I think Mike has really learned to walk that line."
Few players in the NFL command as much respect from his peers as Vick. He's probably the fastest quarterback ever, and he has the moves of an elite running back. But if defenders converge before he crosses the line of scrimmage, he can launch a 50-yard pass on the run.
"He's probably the closest thing to Barry Sanders that anyone has seen," said safety Adrian Wilson, "the way he changes direction without losing any type of speed. The scariest thing about him is that guys around the league defensively know he can keep getting better and better every week.
"He's probably the No. 1 threat in the NFL right now."
Scouting Report
Cardinals on Offense
Advantage:
Falcons
Run: The Cardinals need to run the ball, but not because of any of the usual reasons - keeping the Falcons off balance, setting up the pass and controlling the clock. They need to run the ball efficiently because they haven't proved they can throw it. The Falcons haven't give up much on the ground this year, but that might be because they were playing San Francisco in the opener and then got ahead of St. Louis early. The Falcons love to blitz, so they'll throw the Cardinals for some losses. But there will be some chances for big plays, too. Falcons tackle Rod Coleman does a nice job against the run, and outside linebacker Keith Brooking covers a lot of ground.
Pass: The Cardinals plan to play more receivers today, because coach Dennis Green doesn't think starters Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson are 100 percent. But he could use all five at the same time and it won't matter unless quarterback Josh McCown gets more time. The Cardinals had a difficult time handling the many looks used last week by the Patriots. The Falcons, too, will use a variety of blitzes to try to confuse and hit McCown. End Patrick Kerney has two sacks this season, and Coleman had 16.5 sacks the past two years. But the Falcons corners aren't great and Fitzgerald could make some plays, if McCown remains upright.
Falcons on Offense
Advantage:
Falcons
Run: Coaches try and try, but no one can get Warrick Dunn out of the lineup. He does a little bit of everything and he does it well. Quarterback Michael Vick is scary when he runs, presenting defenders a dilemma. They have to stick with receivers because Vick has a great arm, but that also means giving Vick more running room. The Cardinals would love to keep Vick inbounds and make him pay for leaving the pocket. The Cardinals need to get as much speed as they can on the field, which should mean more playing time for rookie outside linebacker Karlos Dansby.
Pass: The Falcons have the weapons to make the West Coast offense click. Tight end Alge Crumpler has great hands and he'll punish tacklers after the catch. Receiver Peerless Price is a big-play threat, and fullback Justin Griffith has a 62-yard reception already this season. The Cardinals need to create a pass rush but have to be disciplined about it. If they take too many chances and get out of their rush lanes, Vick will lead the Sunday highlight shows. Vick has been known to make mistakes, and while the Cardinals have given up yards, they have been opportunistic, forcing six turnovers.
Special Teams
Advantage:
Cardinals
Cardinals special teams continue to be the strength of the team. Josh Scobey is a threat to score on kick returns, and the coverage teams have been excellent. Kicker Neil Rackers is as hot as anyone in the league, and Green is confident in him from longer than 50 yards. Punter Scott Player is as consistent as anyone in the league. In past years, he has been great at directional kicking, pinning the returner to a sideline. If the Cardinals are going to win this game, they are going to need at least two big plays from their special teams. Falcons return teams haven't produced much. Kicker Jay Feely has made both of his field-goal attempts.
The Bottom Line
27
13
The Cardinals play hard, if not well, and that's a departure from many Sundays last year. But the Falcons are on a roll under new coach Jim Mora. He inherited a considerable amount of talent, most notably Vick. Imagine: Some people in Atlanta were suggesting in the preseason that backup Matt Schaub could supplant Vick as the starter. Quick, pass out the specimen cups, they must have been smoking something. Vick will go through some growing pains learning the intricacies of the West Coast offense, but he'll cover up most of them with his athleticism. And the Falcons defense is underrated.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0926cards0926.html
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 26, 2004 12:00 AM
ATLANTA - The Cardinals have instituted Michael Vick Rules for today's game against the Falcons. Those players violating the principles risk being humiliated on Sunday night highlight shows.
Most Cardinals defenders shrugged off that possibility this week, saying they won't be the first or the last players to be embarrassed by Vick, the Falcons quarterback.
Don't believe it, said Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry.
"Of course it's on your mind," Berry said. "Nobody wants to be that guy where they actually slow down (the tape), pause and say: 'Look at the guy, where are his ankles right now?' "
It's appropriate that Vick rhymes with sick. His amazing quickness and speed, combined with a strong arm, can leave opponents queasy.
So the Cardinals have implemented a set of rules that apply only to Vick. What they are is a secret. It's as if the whole team is walking around with briefcases chained to their wrists.
"I don't want to reveal strategy," Cardinals coach Dennis Green said, "but I think they know we'll have a special way of trying to deal with Michael Vick."
Michael Vick Rules, Green said, are similar to Barry Sanders Rules. You use them for one game, then forget them, because there's no one quite like Vick, just as there was no one quite like Sanders, the former Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running back.
"Clearly if you don't have those, you won't stop them," Green said. "Next week we'll dump them, because even though (New Orleans quarterback) Aaron Brooks can do a lot of things, you don't have Aaron Brooks Rules."
Vick was sensational last week in a 34-17 victory over St. Louis, which lifted the Falcons record to 2-0. Vick rushed for 109 yards on 12 carries, most of which came when he scrambled on pass plays. He also completed 14 of 19 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
"The guy is an amazing athlete," linebacker James Darling said. "You see a lot of (games) where he runs away from not just one guy but two or three guys."
Against some mobile quarterbacks, a team could assign a linebacker or safety to spy on him, to make sure he doesn't get loose. That doesn't work with Vick, Green said, because no spy could stay with Vick, in his fourth year.
And Vick will become more dangerous as he matures, said Atlanta coach Jim Mora.
"If something breaks down, he can go create a great play on his own, much like a Tiger Woods can with a golf shot or a Michael Jordan used to be able to do driving down the lane when it just looked like there was nothing there," Mora said.
"At the same time, you don't want him to always be looking to do something on his own, because you want him to count on his teammates. And I think Mike has really learned to walk that line."
Few players in the NFL command as much respect from his peers as Vick. He's probably the fastest quarterback ever, and he has the moves of an elite running back. But if defenders converge before he crosses the line of scrimmage, he can launch a 50-yard pass on the run.
"He's probably the closest thing to Barry Sanders that anyone has seen," said safety Adrian Wilson, "the way he changes direction without losing any type of speed. The scariest thing about him is that guys around the league defensively know he can keep getting better and better every week.
"He's probably the No. 1 threat in the NFL right now."
Scouting Report
Cardinals on Offense
Advantage:
Falcons
Run: The Cardinals need to run the ball, but not because of any of the usual reasons - keeping the Falcons off balance, setting up the pass and controlling the clock. They need to run the ball efficiently because they haven't proved they can throw it. The Falcons haven't give up much on the ground this year, but that might be because they were playing San Francisco in the opener and then got ahead of St. Louis early. The Falcons love to blitz, so they'll throw the Cardinals for some losses. But there will be some chances for big plays, too. Falcons tackle Rod Coleman does a nice job against the run, and outside linebacker Keith Brooking covers a lot of ground.
Pass: The Cardinals plan to play more receivers today, because coach Dennis Green doesn't think starters Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson are 100 percent. But he could use all five at the same time and it won't matter unless quarterback Josh McCown gets more time. The Cardinals had a difficult time handling the many looks used last week by the Patriots. The Falcons, too, will use a variety of blitzes to try to confuse and hit McCown. End Patrick Kerney has two sacks this season, and Coleman had 16.5 sacks the past two years. But the Falcons corners aren't great and Fitzgerald could make some plays, if McCown remains upright.
Falcons on Offense
Advantage:
Falcons
Run: Coaches try and try, but no one can get Warrick Dunn out of the lineup. He does a little bit of everything and he does it well. Quarterback Michael Vick is scary when he runs, presenting defenders a dilemma. They have to stick with receivers because Vick has a great arm, but that also means giving Vick more running room. The Cardinals would love to keep Vick inbounds and make him pay for leaving the pocket. The Cardinals need to get as much speed as they can on the field, which should mean more playing time for rookie outside linebacker Karlos Dansby.
Pass: The Falcons have the weapons to make the West Coast offense click. Tight end Alge Crumpler has great hands and he'll punish tacklers after the catch. Receiver Peerless Price is a big-play threat, and fullback Justin Griffith has a 62-yard reception already this season. The Cardinals need to create a pass rush but have to be disciplined about it. If they take too many chances and get out of their rush lanes, Vick will lead the Sunday highlight shows. Vick has been known to make mistakes, and while the Cardinals have given up yards, they have been opportunistic, forcing six turnovers.
Special Teams
Advantage:
Cardinals
Cardinals special teams continue to be the strength of the team. Josh Scobey is a threat to score on kick returns, and the coverage teams have been excellent. Kicker Neil Rackers is as hot as anyone in the league, and Green is confident in him from longer than 50 yards. Punter Scott Player is as consistent as anyone in the league. In past years, he has been great at directional kicking, pinning the returner to a sideline. If the Cardinals are going to win this game, they are going to need at least two big plays from their special teams. Falcons return teams haven't produced much. Kicker Jay Feely has made both of his field-goal attempts.
The Bottom Line
27
13
The Cardinals play hard, if not well, and that's a departure from many Sundays last year. But the Falcons are on a roll under new coach Jim Mora. He inherited a considerable amount of talent, most notably Vick. Imagine: Some people in Atlanta were suggesting in the preseason that backup Matt Schaub could supplant Vick as the starter. Quick, pass out the specimen cups, they must have been smoking something. Vick will go through some growing pains learning the intricacies of the West Coast offense, but he'll cover up most of them with his athleticism. And the Falcons defense is underrated.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/0926cards0926.html
