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After reading this article it doesn't make me believe the falcon's plan on passing the ball that much but continue trying to bash teams in with there running game.I hope I am wrong but the falcon's may have to learn the hard way.
Vick: 'I'm a team guy'
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/27/05
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said Wednesday he is one of the NFL's top players and one of the most recognizable figures in all of sports and could use his celebrity to his advantage on and off the field. However, he said it is his nature to lay relatively low and have his teammates view him as one of them.
"Everybody knows I've got great talents and gifts and can do things 90 percent of the guys in the league can't do," Vick said. "I don't feel like I've got to do things differently, show off my status, my power. I can do it, but it's no need. Only if a line is crossed or if there's a need for me to act a certain way would I approach the situation differently. It's pretty much the way I've been since Virginia Tech and since I've been here. I'm a team guy, I understand the concept of winning and what it takes to win."
Vick said he's not having the kind of year he envisioned for himself thus far, but his coaches say they're not worried.
Coach Jim Mora said Vick's team-first approach is why teammates would rather do what they can to bail him out when he struggles, like he did in Monday night's 27-14 victory over the New York Jets, than harbor resentment or become exasperated for not always playing up to his $130 million contract.
"It goes back to his demeanor on the practice field and meetings, and his work ethic," Mora said. "He's a guy that is one of our hardest workers. He's here and committed in the off-season. He's a leader on the field during practice. They know he's in the boat with them. He's not a Prima Donna that is playing the quarterback position and doing things that doesn't relate to the team."
Even so, Vick said he does have personal goals that might not be attainable this season — or in future years — because of his role and effectiveness in the team's version of the West Coast offense.
"The only stat that counts is to win the game but still, I don't want my stats to look bad or not be up to par," Vick said. "I set a high standard for myself. My goal this year was to try to throw for 3,500 yards, at least 3,000. A couple years ago I fell [64] yards short of 3,000 yards passing. The last two years, it's been a little different.
"Last year I started out in new offense so I kind of expected things not to go well. This year I was expecting a lot out of myself and it seems like I'm not pace to do what I set my goals out to do."
Vick has completed 66-of-126 passes for 723 yards — nine fewer yards and nine fewer attempts than tailback Warrick Dunn has in running the ball.
"We've got to throw the ball 30, 40 times a game to reach those types of numbers," Vick said. "Our run game is so good. I won't say it's hurting me and I won't complain because it's a lot easier and it takes a lot of pressure off me."
Vick's remarks came after he completed 11-of-26 passes for 116 yards and threw three interceptions for a quarterback rating of 16.3 in Monday night's 27-14 victory over the New York Jets. Vick, who ran for two touchdowns, said he was to blame for the shortcomings in the passing game.
Vick did not say he would prefer to play in a different system, especially since the Falcons have posted a 17-8 record and an NFC championship game berth since offensive coordinator Greg Knapp implemented the run-dominant scheme upon arrival with head coach Jim Mora before the 2004 season. The ultra-versatile Vick, the team's second-leading rusher (302 yards) is a key factor in the running game.
"We run the football, whether it's with T.J. Duckett, Warrick or me, that's what makes our game go," Vick said. "If that's the way it's going to be, as long as we keep winning and as long as I make my plays when I have to, things are all good."
Knapp said Vick is like any quarterback when it comes to wanting to throw the ball and that he's seen Vick progress in the system - even in his poor showing Monday night.
"If you ask a quarterback if you should pass more, he'll say, 'Yeah,' " Knapp said. "But he always comes back to, 'I don't care if we win.' "
As for Vick's more recent performance, Knapp said, "He's had worse-graded games this year and better stats. He made great decisions, he improved his footwork, he went to check downs more often and those are signs of growth in this offense."
Knapp said Vick might not ever have a high completion percentage in this system because of the insistence of throwing a ball away instead of forcing a mistake. Vick's completion percentage is 52.4 percent, down from a career-best 56.4 percent last season.
Vick said the passing game and his production throwing the ball could improve if the Falcons periodically ran their two-minute offense other than at the end of halves. Knapp said that could be a possibility, but he would prefer not to venture off the current path.
"It gets you into a rhythm as a quarterback," Vick said.
Vick said his sprained right knee, which sidelined him for Atlanta's 31-28 loss to New England Oct. 9, is not totally healed but the bye this weekend should allow him to be close to full strength for the Nov. 6 game at Miami. Vick said he's tried to restrain himself from running as much because of his knee, but because of his potential to bust a big gain, staying put in the pocket could always be a struggle, he said.
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It's time!
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