Finally, Eagles' Vick intends to slide

Mike Vick has learned his lesson.

Finally.

Vick has missed the Eagles last three games with broken ribs. He has left two other games early this seasonhe injured his right hand against the Giants in the third quarter and suffered a concussion in the third quarter in the second week of the season against Atlanta.

And now, Vick is tired of getting hurt. Hes tired of watching his teammates struggle without him. Hes tired of watching his team lose. And he didnt say it, but hes probably tired of watching Vince Young throw the ball to the other team.

Now, the four-time Pro Bowler, the Eagles franchise quarterback, has made up his mind, hes going to slide.

Finally.

Im sliding from now on, he said. Im getting down. I made my mind up. Its going to be times where I cant get the extra yards. I gotta get down.

I get too caught up in the game sometimes. That leaves me being sidelined and not being accountable for the team on Sundays and not being out there. I dont want to put the team through that.

In the past, Vick has said he doesnt know how to slide. At times, hes simply refused to give up on a play, to deny a few extra yards in the name of protecting his body. Hes a tough player but hes also only 6-foot and 215 pounds, and has a history of injuries.

Vick also hurt his ribs last season against the Redskins in the first meeting between the two teams and had to leave early.

What makes Vick dangerous is the unique ability to turn any ordinary play into an extraordinary one. He thinks he can score every time he touches the ball. Not only for Vick, but for the entire Eagles team, that has been both a blessing and a curse.

So why the sudden decision to start sliding now?

I broke three ribs and Im still sore, when I could have been out there for the last three games helping my football team, Vick said. I just know that it was a situation I have total control over and I still do it every time I step out of the pocket.

Vick has said hes trying to learn how to slide. He might go with a headfirst slide or a normal quarterback knee slide.

Wide receiver Jason Avant jokingly said he would teach his quarterback how to slide for a reduced fee, but also admitted that he was happy to hear Vick is going to start worrying about his body and his health.

I want to see him play football the way he plays football, does everything he can and when its time to get down, its time to get down, Avant said. I think that makes the defense more angry, when a guy makes guys miss and when a crowd comes and he slides.

For the season, Vick has a 60.3 completion percentage, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But what has made Vick so elusive in his career is his ability to run and hes been pretty effective in that regard this season, too. He has rushed for 535 yards on 65 attempts for an 8.2 average.

Most of those carries and yards come on passing plays when Vick cant find an open man and takes off downfield, making plays few other quarterbacks can.

Hes our best player, Avant said. Its not hard, hes our best player and to have him back is confidence for us because we know what he can do with the football.

Rookie center Jason Kelce said that blocking for a guy like Vick can be challenging. Sometimes it makes the offensive lines job more difficult because they dont know where he is or where they should block. On the other hand, Kelce admitted that it can make the line look good if they miss a block; Vick can elude a pass-rusher.

That likely wont change and Kelce doesnt want it to. He just wants Vick to slide.

It will make our job easier and hopefully it will keep him out of the trainers room, he said. Anytime hes out on the field making plays, its a good thing.

Vick said that the sudden decision to start sliding came from him, although hes heard the suggestions pour in from his teammates over the past two years.

Ive been running after him this year, seeing him juking people and Im screaming slide from 10 yards behind him, Kelce said. But he doesnt have that in him. Hopefully, hell start doing it. Weve been on him about it for a long time. He says he hears me, says, Ill get you the next time. Then, the next time he does the same thing. Thats how hes wired. Hes wired to be competitive.

Vick wants to stay healthy but he also doesnt want to change his style of play.

Im still going to play the way I want, Im just going to get down, Vick said. Its not worth taking a hit for an extra one or two yardsunless the first-down marker is right there.

Yeah, its a work in progress.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com.