Thursday night, Donovan McNabb plainly stated (and gestured) that the rhythm of the Eagles offense suffered in Michael Vick’s first game. Sunday morning, Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was busy pooh-poohing the notion.
“It was new,” said Mornhinweg in a transcript provided by the team. “Listen, I understand the rhythm and all of that, but one play here and there is not going to disrupt the rhythm. It won’t happen. So we’ll continue to do that and Michael will help us in some of those situations.”
Given McNabb’s in-game and post-game reaction Thursday night, it would seem the Eagles franchise quarterback is the one who needs the convincing more than the general populace.
After the game, McNabb said (among other things), “I think it’s very important in a game, whether it’s in the regular season or the preseason, to get that rhythm going. If you’re going to show different looks, make sure it’s the right time. That’s what the preseason’s for to make sure you know when that time is and we’ll get that time together. I thought it was important at that time to get out and run our offense.”
More damning was a seemingly terse sideline exchange between Vick and McNabb in the second quarter in which McNabb went directly from speaking to Vick to giving the throat-slash, “cut it” gesture to Mornhinweg. Vick watched the exchange, a hurt look on his face. (Maybe it was gas.)
Asked about the exchange, Mornhinweg said, “We did have a quick conversation. We all do our jobs, that’s it. I understand but that’s secondary. You are not going to let one or two plays throw us out of the rhytm and that’s at every position.”
Mornhinweg then launched into the notion that players at other positions, so what’s the big deal with quarterback?
“Receivers like to get into a little rhythm too and they’re in and out,” said Mornhinweg. “Backs go in and out. We change personnel groups virtually every play. . . . There it is, that’s my thoughts about that.”
Last year, though, rhythm and substitution was a big deal. Big enough for the Eagles to shorten their bench in late November. Asked about the inconsistency, Mornhinweg said, “Who told you that? Did I say that? It was so long ago. We probably cut it just a little bit because we were good at certain things.”
Mornhinweg dropped the curtain on the rhythm questions by saying, “I understand the rhythm and all those types of things. It’s not going to disrupt our rhythm. It won’t.”
Given that it took fewer than 18 minutes of game time in Vick’s first appearance for it to become an issue, you have to wonder how that could be true. Will it be on the coaching staff to use Vick less? Or will it be McNabb’s job to suck it up and deal with the situation even if he believes the offense is suffering?
Again, this isn’t an issue a team with Super Bowl aspirations really needs in late August. Or ever.
The McDonalds jingle is in my head:
Ba-da-ba-ba-baaaaaa, I’m loving it.
Crybaby McNabb needs to shut up. The Eagle’s have a better chance of winning with Vick. McNabb’s just worried that Vick may eventually displace him. Sounds like the whining of an insecure brat.
Same questions Marty is going to face all season, starting week 6. Or earlier. Give him time to perfect his response, doesn’t sound convincing.
Two qb’s with fragile egos on the same team rotating time just sounds like a terrible idea. Kudos to the Eagles for trying it and throwing their season down the drain.
hello tom… as always, good article.
on this one i am with macCnabb, it was clear and evident that the offense was off rhythm do to the play calling. and if ried and mornhinweg deny that, then they r as high as the rest of us on seeing vick in action.
Dude it was their FIRST GAME working on this.. get over the drama you guys do at TMZ i mean PFT.com.. of course their would be a little trouble getting in sync the first game especially when one of the players was out of the league for 2 years..
A freakin nightmare……I said it before and I’ll say it again……This signing wasn’t needed, it makes absolutely zero sense, and if one thing Reid doesn’t need………It’s to out think himself, when play calling is involved…….Hell, he can’t figure out when to balance the run vs. pass, and now your going to have Qb’s alternating between snaps? For the life of me, I’ll never figure this out……
move along people, nothing to see here.
How is he gonna defend McScabb throwing balls into the dirt and behind receivers?
Year in and year out the Iggles are overrated. This season is no different.
Doesn’t make sense.
We’re supposed to believe McNabb was all for this move, even initiated it, then in the first practice game he’s trying to pull the plug on it publicly?
Gee, I wonder if there’s something we don’t know.
Nothing better than people trying to stir up drama that doesnt exist to feel better about themselves. Mcnabb already explained everything, and there are no “issues” going on. But if thats what it takes for you people to feel better about yourselves, than by all means do. And than when you have to play the Eagles, don’t be surprised to be going home with your head in your hands.
at this rate the eagles will hand that 6-44* back to dallas, and soon.
if they dont use vick as something other than under-center-qb then they are playing hell with their offense, which was designed around a qb, who is a product of the star system.
if mcnabb asked for them to sign vick, i sense he now wishes he hadnt.
i think this all has something to do with a lack of health for westbrook.
As a reformed Eagles fan, I say to the team and their fans:
Karma is a stone cold bitch.
Sold your soul and you’re still going nowhere.
LO f-in L.
Hey Eskin, this is a perfect example of Reid being a head coach and you not. They obviously know what they are doing or else they wouldn’t have sacrificed their reputation. There is a plan here and its going to have to be a wait and see approach. ITS THE F**KIN PRESEASON. You and everyone else that argues against the run/pash ratio doesn’t know a lick about the west coast offense. Quit your b*tchin – I find it hilarious when all you ‘experts’ think they know more than the coaches.
In Reid we Trust
McNabb has always been a cry baby. The Eagles would be smart to get a qb of the future.
Mornhinweg was Detroit’s great head coach!
and PoopDollar…LOL…i gotta laugh at the name….I never said I was a head coach jackass……I assume your an expert on the west coast offense?..Have a resume for us to see?….And what rep did they sacrifice?…….The Gold standard rep?…..The almost but not good enough rep?….I find it hilarious when you act as if I haven’t watched this coaching regimine for the last decade…….
I am an expert by the way, thanks for asking. Everything revolves around westbrook in our offense – the reason that we got Vick is to take the focus a little off of Westbrook when they are out there together. He has yet to even play yet and we have so many ‘toys’ already to play with out there. Everyone needs to understand that we are running vanilla everything in the preseason. Its kinda like LT in recent years when he hasn’t played the preseason because he doesn’t need to. Westbrook could have played last game – but why risk it. Thank you also ‘theblowedone’ – well put.
Missanelli for life brotha.
What would Mornhinweg know about rhythm? He’s white…
Oh…….I thought Vick was a QB…..Am i wrong?..He seemed to be under center during the jags game….maybe it was an illusion..And isn’t the main focus of a QB is the west coast…..To throw the ball?……….I didn’t realize he was there to take pressure off of Westy……Hell…..you truly are an expert…..So, let me get this correct……The eagles signed Vick to be a decoy for Westy…….And after the first week, when NFL defensive coordinators figure that out, then what do we do?…….I await your words of wisdom……
Yet another Reid basher!! I almost wish my Eagles would go 0-16….then ALL the bashers would REALLY have something to cry about….almost!!
Attention all Reid/McNabb bashers please see the following: Detroit Lions/Oakland Raiders/Buffalo Bills for REAL areas of disaster! It really strengthens my theory that these Reid Bashers are probably “Exotic Pet Owner Guy” that lives in Mommy’s basement.
Yes Vick is technically a ‘QB’ but he is more of a threat to run than he is to pass and D coordinators will have to plan against his threat no matter how many any times they see it. This takes some pressure and focus off of Westbrook. Ironically, Vick is more of a threat to run and Westrbook is more of a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. If you can’t understand this unique structure they have now then you are wasting my time.
After time, IF they ever win a Super Bowl, Reid will go down as the best ever head coach for the Eagles and McNabb will be best ever QB. Again, IF, not currently.
Mornhinweg’s qualifications (or lack of) are well known. I think McNabb knows a little more about how things are or aren’t going on the field than Mornhinweg.
The Vick experiment is a fail.
Yo genius – you can’t fail without even being tested yet. This is like a room full of morons. Do us a favor and don’t comment unless you have knowledge of the fact.
Agree with you poopdollar,
Too early to see, how is mcnabb a crybaby? Someone please explain y they think so, so I can destroy your theory.
Preseason folks. Poopdollar— don’t let ‘em get to you. Silly commentary from silly folks who watched high school football while tuning their instruments. Yet, somehow, they feel they know the nuances of a pro offense. Maybe we should be using the Veer option, yeah that used to work!
As for Morningweg —- Samuel L. Bronkowitz, that is hilarious! Although, they did say kid had a gangsta ride w/22″ rims in the parking lot!
Random question, totally unrelated to anything …
… is it just me (it probably is), or has usage of the phrase “vanilla” ramped up exponentially in the past year or two? I can’t go more than 2 or 3 days it seems without hearing someone describing some person or action as “vanilla.” Did I miss some event where someone described something as “vanilla” and it caught on among everyone? Just wondering.
Good stuff Meezle and Opie. They should have wonderlic tests in order to post a comment on here for the rest of the crowd…
I guess if you didn’t use ‘vanilla,’ what flavor would you prefer? The regular season would be more of a vanilla with macadamia nuts or almonds with a chocolate coating and sprinkles – although we have more nuts posting here than a squirrel turd. Usually come playoff time everything melts anyway, but hopefully not this year. I know I am along for the ride, it’ll be an exciting season.
i’m going to have to side with mcnabb on this one. they took something that wasn’t broke, and just put matches, gasoline, and lighter fluid all right next to each other in a very dry room.
it was stupid for *them* to sign vick, and this was just asking for controversy. they reap what they sow, hope they enjoy a crappy season with arguments, unhappiness, and a lack of cohesion…. and this has nothing to do with Vick’s past – this is just about players & personnel
Its another wonderful season with the Phila egurls
Mcscab or Vick who cares your still not going to win
My point exactly. Amazingly creative bigblue, did you think of that all by yourself?
Bigblue thinks that Philadelphia is no longer the nations capitol because we “sucked too much” to keep it over DC.
That’s the level of intelligence we’re working with here. Don’t even bother making fun of him for it. He’s too stupid to get it.