Vick wants better protection from refs

PHILADELPHIA -- Maybe Eagles quarterback Michael Vick should get into former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier's gym in North Philly, toughen up and learn how to protect himself.

Vick was ahead of the Giants on points 16-14 yesterday when he was TKO'd by a broken right hand suffered when he was hit by Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty after completing a pass.

Maybe it was the frustration of losing to the Giants, 29-16, and suffering an injury that could keep him out for an undetermined time, but Vick complained after the game that the referees don't protect him the way they do other quarterbacks. The injury came on a 23-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin as the Eagles' drove for the go-ahead field goal in the third.

"I felt like I got hit late," Vick said. "There was no flag. Broke my hand . . . I was trying to protect myself. Still didn't get a flag, and that's pretty much been the story for the last three weeks."

Vick started one week after suffering a concussion in a loss at Atlanta and said his head was fine even after he took some heavy hits in the first half. After injuring his hand, Vick went to the locker room for X-rays but returned to play the Eagles' first series of the fourth quarter. They failed to convert a fourth-down play, the Giants scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion for a 22-16 lead, and Vick gave way to backup Mike Kafka.

"It was starting to swell up more and more, and I couldn't bend my hand," Vick said. "It had no range of motion in it. I think while the adrenaline was flowing, I was able to keep it going, but it's tough when you've got to get the snap from the center."

Instead of scrambling as he did in his younger days, Vick has tried to stay in the pocket. The theory is that he exposes himself less than in the open field. But opposing defenses know where to find him now, and they're teeing off on him.

"Every time I throw the ball, I'm on the ground, getting hit in the head," Vick said. "I don't know why. I don't get the 15-yard flags like everybody else does. But hey, I'm not going to complain about it. I'm just making everybody aware. Hopefully somebody will take notice."

Asked if he said anything to the officials, Vick said: "I didn't say anything to the referees. I'm not blaming the referees by any stretch, so let's not get it twisted here. I'm just saying everybody on the field should do their job."