Vick gives Jets change of pace

CORTLAND, NY — Michael Vick and the Wildcat package could be the perfect pairing for the New York Jets.

The mere mention of the formation might cause some Jets fans to break out into sweats after how it was so unsuccessfully executed with Tim Tebow two years ago. But with this quarterback and in this offense, it could make a whole lot of sense. Used sparingly, of course. “It’s Mike Vick,” linebacker Calvin Pace said Saturday. “Anytime you see that name on the back of the jersey, as a defensive player you are aware of what he could do with his legs and also with his arm. It puts pressure on the defense.” Exactly right. And even if Vick doesn’t overtake Geno Smith for the starting quarterback job, there’s a potential for seeing Vick on the field throughout the season. Rex Ryan did not dismiss the idea of using the ever-elusive Vick, 34, as a change-ofpace option in a Wildcat-like or zone-read package.

Vick, signed in March to back up Smith, has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons because of his all-out approach on the field. But, as he showed in the Jets’ 13-10 preseason victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night, he still has a knack for making plays. Vick drew loud cheers with a 15-yard run for a first down in the second quarter.

Smith, an athletic quarterback in his own right, had a 10-yard, Vick-like scramble for a first down on a zone-read option against the Colts.

The Jets worked on the Wildcat for an entire period Saturday as the team returned to practice, a planned package of plays put into the schedule — Vick or no Vick.

“It made no difference on who was here,” Ryan said. “We did it last year. So, you’re trying to get your team prepared, your offense, because it is something that we have in our playbook and the same thing with the defense. You’ve got to defend it. You’ve got to be ready to see some of those plays. So it’s good on both sides. To say I’ve really changed or thought about it, I really haven’t.”

After the game, Vick wasn’t high on the idea of being used in a Wildcat-like role, saying it disrupts the timing of the starting quarterback and the offense. But he also recognized that it could be a possibility.

“When the time calls for it,” he said, “then I think the coaches will see fit that that’s put in.”