Column: Vick is reaching the peak of his career with the Eagles

Let’s face it, Philadelphia’s surname “The City of Brotherly Love” is about as relevant of a tag to its sports franchises and fans as “The Price is Right” is without Bob Barker.

And until Andy Reid hoists the Lombardi Trophy during the parade at Lincoln Financial Field the day after his team wins the big one, Philly cheese steak will still be the fan favorite.

Who would have thought that a born-again, 4.29-dashing superstar in Michael Vick — not even two years out of jail — would be leading this team in a season that brings the team its best shot at a world championship since 2004?

Not me, not most people.

Say what you wish about Vick and whether or not he deserves a second go around, but here are the facts: Vick has accounted for more than 300 yards alone three times this year already, counting his 413 yard show in the Eagles’ 59-28 win Monday against Washington in Landover, Md.

He has a quarterback passer rating of 115.1 — that’s right, we’re talking about the happy-footed, go-to-runner we saw for years at Virginia Tech and in Atlanta.

“He’s doing a good job with the football in his hands and making smart decisions,” Reid said last week. “Like I said, it’s a week-to-week thing, so you have to stay focused on it. And at the same time, you want to be aggressive and be smart with it.”

What has the Eagles tied atop the NFC East is that Vick isn’t being as aggressive as he was during his first stint in the league. Back in the early and mid-2000s Vick was a runner first, pocket quarterback second.

Now you have a Michael Vick that is reformed just as much on the field as he is off. Passing is the first priority. Vick is the one exception that I can think of to a quarterback who throws a better ball this late in his career than he did before.

When Vick can be a two-dimensional quarterback, it brings a whole new scheme to Reid’s offense. It’s a pick-your-poison type of offense for opposing defensive coordinators.

“Just motivated to win, and go out and execute and lead this team to victory,” Vick said. “Do whatever it takes, and go out and make sure I’m prepared and rally the guys around me, and rally around them. And put it together on all three phases of the game.”

With the talent Vick has around him, the sky is the limit for this team. There’s enough speed in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to keep up with a cheetah. No win in a race with a cheetah will please the fans in Philly, though.

“I mentioned the Super Bowl—potentially,” Vick said when asked about team’s postseason hopes. “Don’t start putting words in my mouth saying that I guaranteed it, that we were going to be in the Super Bowl, but I think it’s important that we get off to a great start this game and just try to go on a run the next couple of games. You have to set goals. You have to set high standards, and that’s what we try to do here.”

Reid has gotten the credit from where it matters after five NFC Championship Game appearances and one Super Bowl bid. But in the court of public opinion, it will take just a little more.

Perhaps that little more is a quarterback — an ethically and athletically reformed quarterback who is only nearing the peak of his football career at age 30.

Email:  ftherber@indiana.edu