As an NFL head coach, Herm Edwards was known for memorable post-game sound bites and inspirational pre-game speeches. Now as an ESPN analyst, Edwards continues to provide thought-provoking commentary on football. Edwards recently spoke with rolling out sports about the 2011 NFL playoffs and the resurgence of Michael Vick.
–amir shaw
Now that the NFL playoffs are finally here, which players who are under the radar will find a way to make a name for themselves?
The teams that didn’t get a lot of recognition from prime time games will benefit. People will watch Jamaal Charles of the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike Williams of the Seattle Seahawks has resurrected his career and could catch a lot of passes if the New Orleans Saints get an early lead. Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons is another guy that a lot of fans don’t know about, but he could get a lot of attention during the playoffs.
Michael Vick is unstoppable at times. If you were coaching against him, what game plan would you use to slow him down?
The first thing you tell your defense is that Michael Vick is going to do five things in this football game that you and I haven’t seen before. So we’ll give him those five because we don’t know what’s coming. But the other 60 plays, we will get after the quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles have given up 50 sacks. You also want to force him to his right. The one thing you can’t let him do is run left because bad things happen with him either running or throwing.
If Michael Vick happens to win a Super Bowl, how will that affect his legacy?
His legacy will be two parts. One will be what he’s done as a football player. How he’s matured from Atlanta to Philadelphia. But I think his biggest legacy is how his life has changed. … A lot of people will not forgive him, but he was in a dark place for two years. When you’re in a place that dark, you have to make a decision about what kind of guy you’re going to become. I think he has shown people that he is a different guy. He is obviously a tremendous football player, but I like what he has done off the field more than his football playing ability. He is a father and I think he is trying to make his kids understand that he made an error. He is trying to get his life in order and he has done a pretty good job of that in my opinion.
