Michael Vick and Mark Sanchez: Hype or Just Right?
November 22nd 2010 17:00
Over the past weeks, a lot of talk in the NFL has swirled around the resurgence of Michael Vick, and how he has exploited his talent to the fullest, while developing new traits that he didn't have while in Atlanta. Now in Philadelphia, Vick has been surrounded by game-breaking talent and is using it well, along with becoming more dangerous in the pocket. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Maybe that wasn't the greatest line to use there...
In the other league and just a bit north of Phili, there's plenty of buzz circulating around the New York Jets and their all-of-a-sudden elite quarterback Mark Sanchez. The 2nd year play-caller has become more than a simple game-manager, leading his team to another comeback win, this time against the Texans. Credited, the Texans have blown their last two games, but Sanchez was just as much to credit for "J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!"win over Houston.
The two QB's have some things in common, but mostly are opposites. Sanchez was drafted out of USC after one year as a Trojan starter, and many were not sure if the first-round pick would ever equal out to a pro-bowl caliber quarterback. Vick on the other hand was also a first-rounder, but had already become a multiple-time pro bowler. With that said, he also hadn't lived completely up to expectations. We all know what happened from there. After his jail time was up and he was back in the league, no one was sure if he would ever be the same player. In a way, they were right. He was never this good before.
I was skeptical of Sanchez when he was drafted, and after he struggled in his rookie season, nothing in my observation changed. But this year he has become a new man at his position, one that has far superior leadership and vastly improved intangibles. He has went from being almost a liability to being a major plus for the Jets' offense.
For Vick, his main improvements have been in his decision making from a pass-or-run standpoint. And thinking the first part before the latter has been crucial to his improvement. Where in the past he choose to run with any scent of pressure, he is now stepping up in the pocket more and has become a more effective, if still not traditional, quarterback. With his legs still being where they are, it makes him one of the hardest QB's to prepare for.
These two have proved many wrong already, but many skeptics will remain stubborn. Atleast for a while any way. With Vick, I see a top-5 QB right now, and he's showing his consistency more and more week in and week out. I still remain slightly cautious with Sanchez, but he has surprised me with how quick he has improved, something similar to what I'm pleased to see happening in Tampa Bay with Josh Freeman.
One's right-handed, one left. One is a veteran, one is still very young. One of them is in New York, the other in Philadelphia. But the one thing that Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick have in common is this: They are far more than just hype.
In the other league and just a bit north of Phili, there's plenty of buzz circulating around the New York Jets and their all-of-a-sudden elite quarterback Mark Sanchez. The 2nd year play-caller has become more than a simple game-manager, leading his team to another comeback win, this time against the Texans. Credited, the Texans have blown their last two games, but Sanchez was just as much to credit for "J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!"win over Houston.
The two QB's have some things in common, but mostly are opposites. Sanchez was drafted out of USC after one year as a Trojan starter, and many were not sure if the first-round pick would ever equal out to a pro-bowl caliber quarterback. Vick on the other hand was also a first-rounder, but had already become a multiple-time pro bowler. With that said, he also hadn't lived completely up to expectations. We all know what happened from there. After his jail time was up and he was back in the league, no one was sure if he would ever be the same player. In a way, they were right. He was never this good before.
I was skeptical of Sanchez when he was drafted, and after he struggled in his rookie season, nothing in my observation changed. But this year he has become a new man at his position, one that has far superior leadership and vastly improved intangibles. He has went from being almost a liability to being a major plus for the Jets' offense.
For Vick, his main improvements have been in his decision making from a pass-or-run standpoint. And thinking the first part before the latter has been crucial to his improvement. Where in the past he choose to run with any scent of pressure, he is now stepping up in the pocket more and has become a more effective, if still not traditional, quarterback. With his legs still being where they are, it makes him one of the hardest QB's to prepare for.
These two have proved many wrong already, but many skeptics will remain stubborn. Atleast for a while any way. With Vick, I see a top-5 QB right now, and he's showing his consistency more and more week in and week out. I still remain slightly cautious with Sanchez, but he has surprised me with how quick he has improved, something similar to what I'm pleased to see happening in Tampa Bay with Josh Freeman.
One's right-handed, one left. One is a veteran, one is still very young. One of them is in New York, the other in Philadelphia. But the one thing that Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick have in common is this: They are far more than just hype.
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