National Football League

Irvin: Vick 'stupid' to take so many hits

Published Aug. 24, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Never one to mince words during his playing days or his current time as an analyst, Hall of Famer Michael Irvin has a simple message for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

While at the NFL Network’s launch party on Wednesday, Irvin was discussing Vick’s inability to stay healthy and his lack of understanding of when to slide.

“Somebody’s got to say that (to him) — you can’t do that. It’s stupid,” he said, according to The Sporting News. “You cannot be this stupid. You cannot be this dumb. It’s impossible. Your (butt) has been hurt every year. Stop putting your body on the line like that.’’

Oh wait, there’s more.

“It’s mind boggling. Mind boggling, mind boggling, mind boggling. I mean, I’m watching the game (last week against Carolina) — he took a hit in the preseason, and he almost didn’t get up. I said, 'Oh my God.' Down on the goal line, he almost did not get up, on that play down on the goal line. Are you (kidding) me?”

Well, we decided to go to the video tape and . . . yes, Vick, who started 10 games last year and 13 in 2011, has been throttled in his career. Take a look at this compilation . . .

Granted, most of those hits came inside the pocket, but if anything, that just bolsters Irvin’s point that when he scrambles he needs to get down and get down fast.