After an informal survey of responses to the Eagles' quarterback controversy, we narrowed down the three most common, expressly for the purpose of helping me make my point. We're good like that, and here they are.
1) We don't know what we have with Kolb.
2) OH MY GOD VICK IS AWESOME!!!
3) This offensive line is terrible.
There are people—quite a few of you actually—who honestly believe the switch to Michael Vick had something to do with the offensive line. Kevin Kolb will get repeatedly concussed behind this group, while Vick's escapability allows him to keep plays alive and not get sacked every drop back.
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What do I think about this line, a unit I determined was "better" heading into the season much to the disbelief of practically everybody? I think you need to go back and re-watch the game.
For much of the day, Vick had a pocket and time to throw. The Eagles didn't struggle to pick up the Lions' four man rush. There were some issues protecting against the blitz, which Detroit brought early and often, but that was with a center in his first NFL start making the calls for the line, and the fact is when the defense sends more rushers than the offense has blockers, somebody is going to come free.
Seriously, they weren't bad. Those six sacks Vick took? Almost entirely a product of the quarterback holding the ball too long, either of his own accord or because the play broke down. There were a few instances where Vick magically eluded attackers, but again, the bulk of the pressure came when the defense sold out.
That's not to argue the line played great, or there are no issues at all. They need to clean it up. Mike McGlynn is capable, and he'll learn to make the right calls for the unit. It might be time to think about inserting Reggie Wells in Nick Cole's spot. And LeSean McCoy, while a willing participant, will not be confused with Brian Westbrook as a blocker any time soon.
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But the idea these guys can't play, and that's why the team needs Vick, isn't exactly true. Even if the line were as bad as the perception about them, it's still the quarterback's job to deliver the football.
If opponents want to send heavy blitzes, that means somebody is open. You see guys like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees work this all the time. They identify where the pressure is coming from before the snap, and immediately throw the ball to the vacated part of the defense.
If Kolb hasn't progressed to the point where he's a Super Bowl champion quarterback, I suppose I'll have to understand. This is fairly elementary stuff though. When the defense brings the heat, that means there aren't enough players left to cover everybody. A few hot reads to the tight end or slot receiver, or simply dumping down to a back in the flat will keep the defense honest, and possibly even result in a big play. There are also inevitably going to be one-on-ones down the field, which the Eagles will win.
Even if the line were as awful as everybody is making it out to be, the coaches could always call the game different. Run the ball more, so defenses don't know every down is a passing situation. Go to more three step drops. Use the screen pass, which can absolutely devastate an aggressive defense.
Don't make this about who can improvise best. That's wonderful Vick can do that, but that's not actually what the offense needs. All that it would take to make the line look infinitely improved is for a quarterback to make quick decisions with the football, which just happens to be one of the expectations we had of Kevin Kolb.
Are they a perfect bunch? Not at all, but you would think the Eagles had the worst line in the league listening to the banter. In Minnesota, a double team couldn't keep Brett Favre from being strip-sacked for the decisive touchdown. The Cowboys and Redskins have absolutely no running game whatsoever. And in the Manning Bowl, Eli was getting less than two seconds to release the ball some plays, which is unthinkable.
Maybe this line isn't amazing or even steady exactly, but when you compare it to many situations around the NFL, including right at home in NFC East, it's not even close to being the worst. This isn't necessarily an ideal situation for a first year starter, or anybody for that matter, but how can so many teams with playoff and even Super Bowl aspirations look just as bad or worse protecting the quarterback?
When you're watching Vick run around in the backfield this Sunday, keep in mind that no matter how good they are, no offensive line can block forever. The drawback to all the freelancing is it takes time, more than most lines are asked to afford their quarterback. Consider the possibility that Vick had plenty of time to throw, didn't, and that's why a 300 lbs. lineman is getting a free shot at him.
Because placing all the blame on the offensive line is a misguided effort. Whoever is quarterback, their pocket presence needs to improve. Kolb needs to learn to slide over and buy himself that extra second, then show some confidence and step up when he throws the football. Vick needs to realize people are trying to kill him and get rid of the rock sooner.
And both of them need to understand the blitz is coming, because neither player has shown they know how to handle it. Some of the protection problems fall on the quarterback, folks. Whoever he is.