Should Vick play next week?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Should Vick play next week?
Daily News staff
Like most NFL teams, the Eagles will not play their starters in the preseason finale. Next Thursday's game against the Jets will be almost exclusively backups and those players fighting for the final remaining roster spots.
For the Eagles, the interesting question is where Michael Vick fits in.
His six plays last night were his first game action since 2006 as the Eagles tried to "get his feet wet," in coach Andy Reid's words. Vick did not have the benefit of a full training camp and is trying to get acclimated to the offense with post-practice sessions with the coaches. After the preseason ends, he faces a suspension that could keep him off the field for up to five weeks. He said he has not heard yet.
Asked whether Vick would play against the Jets, Reid said, "There's a chance."
Asked whether he wanted to play, Vick said: "Hopefully, whatever the plan is I have to go with it. I may be out there, maybe not. We’ll have to see.”
Vick put himself at 70 percent physically and said the better shape he gets in, the more he can help the team.
"Regardless of what we are doing, I will be able to make it work," he said. "If it’s at the quarterback position or the wildcat formation, regardless of what we are doing, if I am out there, I just want to be productive. That is why I go home and study every night, that’s why I prepare myself and that’s why I am spending that extra time after practice trying to get my body back to playing shape. I am almost there, about 70 percent there. So, right now I am just going off my natural ability. Once I get myself into top shape, the sky is the limit. I just want to use my abilities to help this team.”
Here are some reactions to Vick's performance last night:
Hank Baskett: “He looked good. He definitely has an arm on him. He read the defense [well]. It’s all about being on the same page. No matter what happens, it’s all about the quarterback and the receiver being on the same page ... He’s been showing great signs, and great character and poise throughout practice. And he came out here and did it tonight. He played a good game.”
Jason Avant: “He made a couple guys miss. It’s going to take him a while to get after them. Being away for two years, I thought he did good. He stepped into a couple throws. He looks better than most people are expecting. This is a game -- at this level, with these types of athletes -- that you just can’t come back into and be the same player. But tonight, he proved that he still has a lot left to play.”
Jeremy Maclin: “I thought he looked alright. He only got a few snaps, but I thought he executed when he was in there. I thought he did very well.”
DeSean Jackson: “I think it was really important for him to get out there. Get some things going and get into that rhythm, as far as being with the starters, flying around and making a lot of plays. But we all still have a lot of work to do. As we get to practice more, we can keep grinding and keep getting better ... I think he looked pretty good to me. There was time when if he looked at me I was open in the corner of the end-zone and it would have been a touchdown. He did good and I’m looking forward to heading into the season and moving from here.”
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio: “I’m happy for him that he is getting the opportunity to resume his career. I wish him the best with that.”
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Daily News columnist Rich Hofmann chats Eagles at 1 p.m. today.
To read our previous posts, click here.
how was ellishorse routed for approval....sad— dsoul- Sorry lil ladies, no more comments allowed. Women who are "against Michael Vick" should get off the computer and get back in the kitchen. While your at it, Iron my shirt...— phillyinATL
- I usually read the comments only for a laugh, but... We've all had times in our life that we would love to have back, to change things that we did. But that's not allowed. We have to live with our mistakes and move on, try to make today better, to be a better person, for ourselves, our God and our family. This guy spent two years torturing himself, do you really think you can add to that? Doubt it. My own personal belief, taking all the off season into account, is that two years from now, both McNabb and Reid will retire and rightfully begin the waiting period for The Hall. Marty will be promoted to head coach and Vick will be your starter. That's the reason that he's here. Think about that "two year" window.— eagledon
- let him play, but only after first pulling out all his teeth, and taking away his helmet.— RossGellar
- VTSweetG - thanks for taking one for the team here - sounds like he won't be back!— mebphila
- YES HE SHOULD PLAY NEXT WEEK— gallen024
Comment removed.- Someone please tell Maclin he is in the NFL. You really get hit here and he looks like he wants no part of the contact. Great 1st round pick oh round one...— Big R
- why is this even an article? why the hell wouldn't he play next week. the 4th pre-season is MADE for situations like this. he hasn't played in two years and won't play for weeks in the regular season. daft question.— jayflo
- Comment removed.
- Put Vick in every goal line situation as QB— Gold
- DOG KILLER. What more can you say. Philly is what it is because it supports crooks - from the mob to this piece of trash. and you complain when they shut down your libraries, get labeled as the ugliest and unfriendliest city, have the most violent schools in the state, yet you still find money to waste on pro sports. get your priorities straight ya moe rons.— 6and10
- Absolutely he should play. He may not be able to for a few games at the beginning of the regular season so if they want to get him playing time, next week is it. As for a "football reason" for hiring Vick, I'm no expert but I did hear Jimmie Johnson say that it was "one of the best moves in the NFL this year". Maybe he knows something.— chemlady
- Comment removed.
- This game is a final audition. Vick WILL be on the team, so no reason to play him. No reason to give him a "tune-up", as any positive effect will be lost by the time he's allowed to play in real games. No, don't play him. Let Kolb and Feeley take the snaps. The only reason Vick played last night is that Andy wanted to get his first appearance in an Eagles uniform out of the way.— dlscholt
