Twenty Years Ago — Michael Vick Was All That Stood Between the Eagles and A Super Bowl Appearance.
If you are a politician — well- flip-flopping isn’t so great. If you are an NFL defense — well then — it’s pure genius. The 2004–2005 Philadelphia Eagles were set on removing a roadblock. For three seasons prior — they had reached the NFC Championship Game and advanced no farther. A barely missed N.D. Kalu blocked punt attempt, a perfectly executed Jon Gruden game plan as Buccaneers Head Coach, and a blanketing performance by Carolina defensive back Ricky Manning, Jr. against Eagles wide receivers had left Philadelphia with three consecutive NFC East Championships and three NFC Championship Game losses.
In 2004 — the Eagles were determined to end the playoff drought making them reminiscent of the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990s who had reached Super Bowl after Super Bowl without being able to win it. In the off-season, the Eagles signed defensive end and pass rusher Javon Kearse and wide receiver Terrell Owens. Owens had broken his fibula against the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the season — and were without him in both the Divisional Round and also the NFC Championship Game. A 27–14 win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Linc in the Divisional Round had setup a matchup with Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons.
By 2005, Michael Vick was not an NFL rookie. In his fourth NFL season — however — he had become one of the most dangerous and athletic NFL Quarterbacks ever. In the 2005 Divisional Round — the Falcons had blanketed the once elite St. Louis Rams 47–17. Michael Vick would rush for 119 yards in the win.
Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson cooked up a plan to contain Michael Vick’s elusiveness. By flipping the Eagles defensive ends Javon Kearse and Derrick Burgess — the change prevented Michael Vick from escaping the pocket to his left where he was most comfortable and most dangerous. Vick would be held to only 26 yards on that afternoon. Ironically — Michael Vick would supplant Donovan McNabb as the starting Eagles quarterback in 2010.
On Sunday — we’ll see how Vic Fangio will draw up have the Eagles defense in preparation for Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. On thing is for sure — Vic Fangio who once coached against Jim Johnson and was his professional friend — will take all that he can to give Jayden Daniels all that he can handle.
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