Keeping Vick Healthy, More from Coordinators
The ongoing discussion on Michael Vick's unwillingness to slide or get out of bounds to avoid tackles continued today at the NovaCare Complex with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Morhinweg conceded that Vick is doing better, but not nearly as good as he needs to, to keep the team happy and Vick healthy. He said Vick needs to do a better job of protecting himself.
On trying to get Vick to avoid contact, Mornhinweg said, "It's going to be the death of me."
Morhinweg said he expects Vick will practice today after not practicing yesterday. He went through the walk-through today and is expected to play Sunday against the Jets.
Some other items from the coordinators:
* Morhinweg said the Jets play a variation of the defense that Miami, Baltimore, Dallas and the Dolphins play. The Eagles played Miami last week and handled Dallas in the earlier meeting this season. He said the Jets try to confuse you with many personnel packages, mostly directed by Jim Leonhard, who is out after surgery.
* He said he would like the Eagles to play more consistently than they did against Miami. He said there were some opportunities there that the Eagles failed to take advantage of. The Eagles scored 24 of their 26 points in the second quarter.
* He he thinks Vick's interception total is at least partyl due to bad luck, with the number of tipped passes, screens getting blown up and other maladies. He said he and Vick continue to work together in practice to try to eliminate mistakes.
* Mornhinweg lauded the Jets' corners, calling them two of the best in the league, if not the best.
* Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo said giving up rushing yards in the nickel when you are way ahead is kind of the way it goes, given that you are trying to avoid the big play. That was the story last Sunday in Miami, after the Birds did a solid job of stopping the run early.
* He said the Jets' offense is physical and plays smashmouth.
* Castillo said it was awesome to see the players so excited after the Miami game. He said the coverage by healthier Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie helped create sacks the nine sacks.
* Special teams coordinator Bobby April said the Eagles are "folding with four aces and leaving a lot of money on the table" on special teams, not being able to break returns.
* April blamed a missed block for the fumble on the punt return last week against Miami. He said the player who caused the fumble was supposed to be blocked. He also said all trick plays on special teams have to be cleared by Andy Reid.
*Defensive end Darryl Tapp said he plans to at least do some running today during practice, to see how much he is hindered by his broken rib.