Every now and then one play can define a career in the NFL. This was, indeed, the case for Michael Vick in the 2009 Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys. One pass in one playoff game may have secured one player's career in the NFL.
With the Eagles down a touchdown in the 2009 Wild Card showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, it was up to the Eagles offense to make something happen. It was at that moment that Michael Vick, standing in shotgun formation, took a snap and passed to Jeremy Maclin for a 76 yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.
The Eagles obviously needed this reception, having already lost twice to the Cowboys in the regular season and having amassed only one touchdown between both games. However, it may be the case that Michael Vick, coming off the dog fighting controversy and subsequent prison sentence, needed it more.
Vick is only signed on for one season (with a second year option) as the Eagles back-up quarterback - a risky deal the team made despite criticism from animal rights groups and pressure from media outlets. After this season, the largely unproven Vick is a free agent who had only this season to prove himself as a legitimate NFL quarterback. Despite the second NFL chance, Vick had only provided mediocre statistics for a quarterback, leaving many wondering what was next for the felon superstar.
Until this game, Mike Vick threw for a total of 86 yards on the season. He played primarily as a back-up with a wildcat upside due to his breakaway speed and rushing ability; both characteristics he had displayed from 2001-2006 as an Atlanta Falcon. As a rusher Vick ran 24 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns with the Eagles this season, proving his abilities as a ball carrier post prison.
The question remained - could Michael Vick play at a professional level at the quarterback position or would he be destined to be utilized as a gimic QB or H-back type player? Perhaps in one play, Michael Vick answered this question. The Eagles set up in a "wildcat" formation with Vick as the Quarterback. Defensively, most teams prepare for a run in the wildcard situation as the typical ball recipient is not an established passer. It deserves to be noted, however, that Vick is an established quarterback (and an arguably established passer) having led the Falcons to two play-off seasons before his widely publicized prison term.
On this play and in this high-stakes game, Vick threw on the mark by executing a play-action pass which sailed effortlessly into the hand of rookie Jeremy Maclin, who bolted down the field for a 76 yard touchdown. The significance of this play could be lost on most, but not on those wondering what is next for Michael Vick.
As his pass cruised into the hands of Maclin, many football viewers watched Mike Vick prove his abilities as a current NFL QB. Despite the fact that the play was technically drawn from the Wildcat formation (largely viewed as a gimic formation made popular in the NFL by the Miami Dolphins, but not viewed as a consistently viable NFL format), Vick executed a perfect play action pass, looked through his progressions, read all of his options, and pinned Maclin with a perfectl pass that left him off to the races and into the endzone. A pass like that leaves many to wonder if Vick just didn't receive enough reps behind Donovan McNabb to prove his very real capabilities.
This type of poise, accuracy, and arm strength indicates that Vick may be worth a shot at a starting quarterback position on an NFL team next year. Of course, NFL fans will have to wait and see what becomes of Vick as the Eagles head into the off-season, but it is no longer far fetched to believe that the once ill-fated Vick will be headed to another city with another chance at NFL stardom.
Keywords: 2009, Cowboys, Dallas, Dallas Cowboys, Donovan McNabb, Eagles, Jeremy, Jeremy Maclin, Maclin, McNabb, Michael, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFC, NFC wildcard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Eagles, Playoffs, touchdown, Vick, Wild Card, wildcard
