FOXBORO -- Michael Vick missed practice again on Friday, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Whether he plays, or if the Patriots see Eagles backup Vince Young, the Pats know that both quarterbacks can be dangerous as soon as they get outside of the pocket. That's when they buy themselves more time to find a receiver downfield, or pull the ball down and run with it themselves.
In either scenario, the result can mean a big play for the Eagles.
The Patriots said Friday that they are intent on staying disciplined and keeping their rushing lanes defensively so that they don't over-pursue and leave one area of the field open for Young, or Vick, to take advantage with their legs.
"It's very important to hold your rushing lanes. Both Vick and Young, you have to be watching out for them," said Kyle Love. "For defensive tackle-wise, you have to slow down a little bit. Ends can kind of do a little bit of both, they can slow down, they can speed up, they can coordinate with each other. You gotta watch them. We'll keep our eyes on them in the inside."
The problems caused by Vick and Young go beyond the defensive line. Linebackers and defensive backs can get themselves in trouble by locking onto their responsibilities too aggressively in man-to-man coverage. If their eyes are glued to a receiver, they may not notice that a mobile quarterback has escaped the pocket until it's too late.
Jerod Mayo said that's one of the keys to limiting the Eagles offensively.
"Just making sure everyone's able to see the quarterback," Mayo said. "Sometimes in man-to-man you'll lose him. He's a great athlete -- both quarterbacks -- and they're both very mobile."
Even though the speed of Philadelphia's quarterbacks might inspire chaotic pursuits by opposing defenses, the Patriots know that if they stay disciplined, they'll be better off.
"Just playing technique and disciplined," said Mayo when asked how to keep mobile signal-callers in check. "Everyone rushing their lanes . . . Everyone doing their job. That's one of our mottos and that's what we'll try to do this week."