Vick 'looking forward to playing'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Vick 'looking forward to playing'
Philly.com Staff and Les Bowen
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is listed as questionable, although all signs point to his being the starter Sunday against the Giants.
"There's no reason to think I won't play," Vick said, pressed into his locker stall by a crush of cameras in his first conversation with reporters since suffering a concussion Sunday night against Atlanta. "After havng two good days of practice, I am optimistic and I am looking forward to playing the New York Football Giants."
Vick added: "I feel good. Nothing feels different. I worked myself back into playing shape and feel ready to go."
Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said Vick has passed all concussion testing and will not need to undergo additional testing, unless there is a setback. He is scheduled to meet informally with team internist Dr. Gary Dorsheimer before the game.
Asked whether Vick will play barring a setback, Burkholder said, "We're headed in that direction."
Vick was not wearing a mouthpiece when he was injured, but Burkholder said that they are "working on" his wearing one this week. Vick said he will wear a mouthpiece.
Vick said he does not plan to change the way he plays.
"I haven't even thought about geting hit," Vick said. "I play this game to win and am not thinking about the consequences of standing in the pocket or getting hit when I run."
He said the play he was injured on, which ended with a tackler swinging Vick into Todd Herremans face-first, "was just the situation I was in at the time," not anything he could prevent or needs to fear happening again.
Vick said he it was his decision as to whether to return to practice. He called the sessions Thursday and today "sharp."
"You have to be conscientious and take it seriously, and I do," Vick said. "I feel lke everthing happens for a reason. If it wasn't meant for me to be on the field this weekend, then I wouldn't feel as good as I do."
Vick denied that his helmet was being altered to add a different style passing made from kevlar, contrary to reports. Burkholder said they were still working through some helmet issues with Vick.
"I'm not getting fitted for a new helmet," he said. "I'm not going to change anything."
Later, Vick explained that it was too late in the week to change his helmet -- presumably because that might need league approval.
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Vince Young will be listed as probable with a hamstring injury, making it seem likely that Mike Kafka will serve as the backup quarterback. Asked whether Young will be in uniform, Reid said, "There is a chance he is. there is a chance he's not."
Both defensive ends Daryl Tapp (pectoral muscle) and Juqua Parker (ankle) are listed as out. Phillip Hunt, who only got a few snaps in his NFL debut last week, will play a bigger role, Andy Reid said. Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins will likely play some snaps on the outside.
Also, listed as probable: S Nate Allen (knee), TE Brent Celek (hip), DE Trent Cole (hand), WR Riley Cooper (hamstring), TE Clay Harbor (ankle), LB Akeem Jordan (shoulder), T Winston Justice (knee), LB Brian Rolle (quadricep), CB Asante Samuel (finger), WR Steve Smith (knee).
Comment removed.- You just know how this one ends. Sometime next year Vick is forced to retire due to concussions and he wanders off with about $60 mil of the Eagle's money and the fans end up with a few 9 win seasons.
— JonKap - why would he not want a new helmet to protect himself? why don't all players get that helmet? too expensive? Both sides have buckets of money. Protect your NOODLE, You eerd ME!?!— sore richard
- "There is a chance he is. there is a chance he's not." LOL
— P Even - Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- i think AR though because he has his brothers hair that they were the same player....lol
- He just said he feels good numbnuts.— JettaPSU01
- Oh this is great! ConVICk is going to play! Hope he is ready to be knocked out for the Season! Giants are going after him to hurt him and not just for one play!— MRD
- Ohhh..another goof who can't wait to see Michael Vick hurt...wow what a surprise....nerd
- Right after Vic scores a touchdown, I want him to do the Michael Jackson pose where he grabs his package and say to my girl "this one's for sackvicknow."— Could.It.Really.Be...ColonelAngus
- Getsawaywithmurder, you're a certified nitwit!— doug1834
- Colonel Anis...You would want him to do that. But wouldn't that excite your cellmate.— sackvicknow
