One thing that should never be brought into question concerning quarterback Michael Vick is his toughness. A fearless leader and fierce competitor, Vick consistently takes lumps while fighting for extra yards or while hanging in the pocket for that extra moment necessary to complete a pass. His most recent lump set him, and his team, back significantly. Now, he's looking to make up for it.
After breaking two ribs in a game against the Cardinals last month, Vick was forced to watch his team play without him for three weeks while the quarterback healed. The Eagles went 1-2 in their three games without him. The All-Pro quarterback returned Sunday against the Dolphins, leading the team to a much-needed 26-10 victory in Miami.
"It's always great to be out on the field with your teammates," Vick told PhiladelphiaEagles.com. "Last year, I also missed three games with a rib injury; I was able to step right back in without much trouble. This time around, it was a little tougher.
"Physically I'm getting better, but it's been difficult. When you break your ribs, it takes a while for them to recover, so it's going to hurt a lot until they're fully healed. I'm still sore from Sunday, but I'm just working hard and fighting to stay out there with my teammates. I want to be accountable to all of them."
The franchise quarterback knows it's not enough to simply be out there on Sundays; he needs to help contribute to victories. His rib injury has limited some of what he can do, physically. Knowing that, he is working especially hard to correct the mental mistakes that reared their ugly heads Sunday.
"I think I made enough plays to win the game, but there were things I could have done better," Vick acknowledged. "I went back and watched the film. I'm just trying to go back and evaluate myself after every game.
"I want to be smoother on the field and I always make it my goal to be flawless, even though it's not reasonable. I want to always be out there helping the team, not hurting it, and I want to put us in a position to win games."
With a tough and confident Rex Ryan defense on tap for the Eagles' showdown with the Jets Sunday, Vick knows that perfection is likely not in the cards. But perfection isn't necessary, all Vick wants is to bring home a victory.
"Their corners, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, are very aggressive, and the Jets have a very good front," said Vick. "You have to bring your 'A' game to beat them.
"We're just fighting to stay alive. We need to take it one game at a time and control the things that we can control, which is us winning our final three games. That starts Sunday against the Jets."
