Would he be better in a more conventional system than the Falcons’ unique offense of cutback runs and West Coast throw game?

Maybe it is the system. Vick threw for 2,936 yards and 16 touchdowns when Dan Reeves was the head coach.

There is one thing that does not require debate. His breakdown in leadership. It is biting back.

You can’t go on a national TV and rip the receivers and the scheme and then play like Vick has played the past two weeks.

You go to the owner, the general manager and the head coach with complaints. Maybe Vick has done that already. I bet he wishes he never talked to Cris Carter and HBO.

One minute he says the recent losses are his fault. The next minute he has an issue with teammates and scheme.

Maybe I’m being unfair, but I expect a little more out of a $130 million quarterback, the highest paid player in the NFL.

There is a reason Vick has trouble in the pocket. He’s too short, 6 feet, especially for a West Coast type throwing game with its three-step drops. He doesn’t get enough depth from the mosh pit in the middle of the line.

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Sure, Vick’s receivers drop too many balls, but some balls don’t even make it out of the backfield. They get batted down.

I think Vick’s completion percentage should be higher because of the scrambling. It gives receivers opportunity for separation.

So now another debate. Do the Falcons overhaul their scheme for him or keep working at it? Do they fire Knapp at the end of the season?

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The Vick backers say get rid of Knapp and get better receivers. They point to the Falcons 36-23-1 record under Vick, sixth best among active NFL quarterbacks.

They act as if he is the only player on the field responsible for the 61 percent of wins when he starts. Forget about contributions from running back Warrick Dunn or linemen Todd McClure or Wayne Gandy.

Of course, it could be the coaching. Only Baltimore and St. Louis (14) have more players on their active roster who have made the Pro Bowl than Atlanta (12).

For now, Vick better take blame, not lay blame. No matter how hot it gets for him, nobody wants to hear the star complain. Vick better be the leader now, especially with all the Falcons' injuries on defense. He might not like the scheme, but he has to fulfill some of his potential throwing the ball or Atlanta is going to fade from the playoff picture.

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