The big news prior to the Eagles game today was that pro bowl WR DeSean Jackson was deactivated after missing a team meeting. With the Eagles WRs struggling to get open and dropping five passes today, it’s no surprise that Jackson’s absence was the first thing Michael Vick was asked about after the game.
Vick admitted that the loss of Jackson hurt.
“Anytime you have one of your premier players, one of your go-to guys, it does, yeah it does." Vick said. "But we have to respect the decisions that are made. We wish it never had to come to that, but it is what it is and you still have to go out and win the football game.”
Vick also said that he didn’t think DeSean was being singled out for particularly harsh punishment.
“Well, coach has always been a no-nonsense guy since I’ve been here. Since I’ve known him. If it was anybody else aside from DeSean, it would have been the same punishment. It was not because it was just him. So I think there’s certain things that are tolerated and there’s certain things that are not. It’s just a situation where coach had to make a decision and he felt how he felt and I think DeSean respected it and there weren’t any hard feelings and that’s the end. I think he’ll learn from it and move on.”
All that said, Vick doesn’t blame the loss of Jackson for the loss. He reserves that blame for himself.
“I was inaccurate today and never really got comfortable. I’m very hard on myself and that just can’t happen. You have to find ways to get it done. I didn’t do it and I just have to figure out a way to get it done next time we’re in the situation.”