michael vick
Eagles' Vick throws under pressure from Lions Avril during the second quarter of their NFL football game in Philadelphia. Reuters

The Philadelphia Eagles, you may have heard of them. A 4-12 record in the 2012-2013 regular season, fourth place in the NFC East. Michael Vick can't do that all by himself, you guys. And now the veteran QB is letting everyone in the locker room know it, attacking his teammates' "lack of effort," which he's described as "very evident," CSNPhilly.com reported.

"It's all about focus, dedication and commitment," Vick said. "Until you get guys who are willing to better themselves week in and week out and want to win, you're not going to win. And I haven't played with guys like that. It's unfortunate for coach thing turned out the way they are. It could have been a lot better. This locker room could have dictated that."

Vick's position on the issue is certainly ironic. Many have claimed the QB has been complacent ever since his MVP-caliber performance in 2010. But just in case you were worried this was his entire fault, not so fast. Vick said he isn't the one to blame for this season.

"I give 110 percent effort," Vick said. "My body is scarred up all year. I'm hurt, I'm bruised, get up after every hit and still try and fight and push. I do that for my coaches. I do that for my teammates. And I would expect the same thing in return."

Vick believes he gave a greater effort than his teammates.

"Until you get guys who are willing to better themselves week in and week out and want to win, you're not going to win," Vick said. "And I haven't played with guys like that. It's unfortunate for Coach (Andy Reid) things turned out the way they are. It could have been a lot better. This locker room could have dictated that."

"I wish could play other positions, but I can't," Vick added Sunday.

The idea's plausible that Vick's teammates may have played apathetically toward the end of the 2012-2013 season; there was virtually no chance of the team making the playoffs. However, as NBC Sports noted, he also has a tendency to avoid taking reasonability for his own struggles.

However, Vick did admit that at least some of this lack of effort arose out of his failure to command the team more assertively.

"I should have done it," Vick said. "But I tried to take the modest approach, I tried to lead by example. I held a team meeting and tried to help guys recommit. It was still the same thing over and over again. I'm not going to tell a grown man the same thing twice because the reason I ended up incarcerated (on federal dog-fighting charges) was because people told me the same thing over and over again and I didn't listen," he said. "I feel like if you don't learn in the first go-around, you disregard it. You just deal with the consequences because there will always be consequences."

Those consequences are very clear. Reid was fired and Vick will likely be fired next. A turn of events that might even delight him, considering the news that Vick may be interested in taking a QB position with the similarly beleaguered New York Jets

According to CBSSports.com's Josh Katzowitz, if Vick is truly interested in playing for the Jets, he's likely favored to win the job, "especially with Rex Ryan reportedly showing 'an affinity' for Vick because he would have a better chance of helping save Ryan's job with a successful 2013."

Either way, Vick's words aren't the best resume for his leadership skills as he searches for a position with a new team.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.