Michael Vick lets his frustration with teammates show

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Michael Vick watched the final drive of what might be his final game in an Eagles uniform from the sideline, where he was supposed to be anyway before Nick Foles broke his hand.

Vick's unexpected start ended ahead of schedule Sunday because the game was already determined. The Eagles' 42-7 loss to the New York Giants will be remembered as Andy Reid's finale with Philadelphia, but the controversial Vick era also might have concluded with a whimper.

Most of Vick's postgame remarks were directed at the performance of the team, which clearly perturbed the $100 million quarterback.

"You watch us play and we don't exhibit the things that we do in practice," Vick said. "It's frustrating. It's difficult because, me, I leave it all out on the field and I give it everything I've got. Sometimes, I wish I could play other positions, but I can't."

When told that this was the first time he was so critical of his teammates, Vick interjected, saying he was not being critical of their effort. But he was at a loss to explain the team's play.

"You're down 21-0 and the first quarter isn't even over. What is that?" Vick said. "I just know it's a big difference than what we were going through last year and the year before, and it shouldn't be that way. I have to sit here and be candid right now, and if every guy in that locker room was to come up to this podium, they should say the same thing I say - verbatim."

Vick was asked if he wanted to be with the Eagles next season. "I don't know," he said. "I just have to take time to think about everything that happened this season and reflect on it."

The beleaguered quarterback - at times brilliant, at times maddening during his three years as a starter - threw an interception on the Eagles' opening drive and finished 19 of 35 for 197 yards and a touchdown.

He passed for 2,362 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He rushed for 332 yards and one touchdown. He also lost five fumbles. His career record as an Eagles starting quarterback was 18-16, although it was 3-7 this season.

"I can't even say [the season] was up and down," Vick said. "It was dismal. It wasn't what we thought."

Vick insisted in interviews last week that he wants to be a starter next season. He was asked why teams should be confident that he's still a starter based on the way he played Sunday and this season. Vick dismissed the question.

The Eagles did not anticipate a decline in Vick's performance after giving him a lucrative contract following Vick's dazzling 2010 season.

There are different theories for his statistical regression, but Vick believes he's a better quarterback now than he was in 2010. Reid said Vick "will have better days ahead of him," and the question is where that will happen.

Vick is due to make $15.5 million next season, and an NFL source familiar with the quarterback's thinking told The Inquirer last week that Vick would not restructure his deal. He is guaranteed $3 million if he is on the Eagles roster Feb. 6.

Even after Sunday's performance, Vick insisted that he would become a better quarterback.

"I felt good out there after missing eight games," Vick said. "No one man can do it on his own, and that's as candid as I can be right now."