Vick OK with backup role
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Vick OK with backup role
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
For some, the fact that Michael Vick is still a Philadelphia Eagle is more surprising than Donovan McNabb now playing for the Washington Redskins.
Even Vick, now the Eagles backup quarterback to Kevin Kolb, said he was initially surprised.
“I was surprised in the beginning,” Vick said about not being traded. “But after the smoke cleared, I just thought about it and talked it over with my family and I just said, ‘I’m blessed to have a job in the NFL.’”
Still, Vick had been very adament this off-season about wanting to return to starting. He went on several radio shows in a sort-of campaign to get a job with a different team. But it didn't work. Even though the Eagles said they were entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, they didn't receive a serious sniff from any other teams.
So now that he's back, is Vick content with being just the No. 2 guy?
"I'm just going to continue to get better, continue to work hard," Vick said Friday after the first day of minicamp. "That's my role here. I just want to help this team win a championship."
Vick will earn $5.25 million in the last year of a two-year contract he signed with the Eagles last August after he was released from an 18-month prison term. Is he hoping that perhaps next year he can get another opportunity to start?
"Whatever happens happens," Vick said. "I can't predict the future. All I can do is control what I can control and hopefully put myself in a position where maybe I can start in this league."
Vick's role with the Eagles is more important that your customary backup. He'll still likely be a part of the Eagles' Wildcat package.
"I think we'll still have part of the Wildcat package," Vick said. "I think we'll still be able to mix in some things at times."
A slimmer Vick said that he was able to drop five or so pounds in the off-season, and now weighs around 207 pounds -- his normal playing weight. He said he's also down to 4 percent body fat.
"During the season I fluctuated in between 211 and 213," Vick said. "But just to be at a consistent 205, 207, like I used to be, and having a chance to add on more muscle was an important goal for me this off-season."
He thinks he's got the old motor back.
"I was really more quick than I was fast," Vick said. "I think some people failed to realize that. My ability was to get away with that initial burst. I feel like I got that back."
So far, the only arguments supporting Vick are insults to the commenters and the starting QB and demands that we stop telling the truth. That signals that you have nothing, and you lose.
I'm not sure the Eagles are ecstatic they still have Vick. But they couldn't start both McNabb and Kolb, so McNabb had to be traded. If Kolb misses four games and Vick plays, he'll be a pain if they win those games, cuz he'll think he should be made the starter.— tacklinjoe
Comment removed.- The Eagles are just giving money to Vick. Nobody will trade for him with that contract no matter how desperate they are and there are some teams who are desperate for QBs who didn't take a sniff at Vick.— jtj10
- Panthro-lucky for you xNBD posted so you can't be the most stupid poster of the night!— marley66
- I think Vick learned that he is lucky to have a job in the NFL. He, like me, thought there would be demand for his service. Reality is that no one wants him on their team. It works for the Eagles because he is an experienced back up. Still would prefer they trade hime for a draft pick and sign an vet back up.— lgeagles
- Give Vick a chance. Let's see how he does in training camp. He's going to be taking a lot of snaps in the pre-season games. They are not going to risk getting Kolb hurt even though he will probably be in the games longer than McNabb was in past pre-seasons.— Drew777
- Comment removed.
- "another team's QB will go down before the end of September and Vick becomes a 3rd round pick that gets parlayed into 12 7th round picks" Repeat1, that's a great line. If some team is dumb enough to deal for Vick to be their starter, I give 3:1 odds that the Eagles turn the 3rd rounder into three 7th round picks. Why pick a Westbrook or Bradley when you can get three Hank Basketts?— tacklinjoe
- The Courage Award Winner can't play. Time for all his apologists to face the truth. ConvicK can't play. Nobody wants him. With all the trading before & during the draft, no one...no one...offers even a bottom round pick? Why? Makes 5's accuracy look like Brees'. Incapable of learning the Gold Standard's version of the WCO. Rotten work ethic. Can't read defenses. Used to be able to run around, now lost a step(s). Not a winner. Mentor? Absurd. Time to end the sideshow. Besides, he doesn't like the uniforms. Time to turn his in. Dump him.— autolykos
- vick is not the man for the back up job...its just "not him" but he can play the wildcat which makes him worth the money... my guess he'll be a better player this year than last... and, it still very possible he gets traded... there will be a market for him as the season approaches...— elmeaux_b
- eaglephanatic...Vick was an All Star. You don't get that by "stinking". If he really was that bad, Reid would have Garcia in camp. I'm a dog owner too, but feel people are more important that dogs. Like him or not, he paid for his crime and in the country, once paid he gets to move on with his life and earn a living. Funny to see all these negative comments but during the first game of the season, the countless real Eagle fans showed up wearing #7 jerseys. Go figure!— dapmman
- man is that really all you haters got is to say vick is sooo inaccurate? Please, some of you need to wake up. If vick was that bad as a passer there is no way in hell he makes it into the NFL, and become a starter for a franchise point, blank, fukin period. How do you explain vick getting the falcons within one game of the superbowl with a not so talented supporting cast? not to mention the few pro bowls under his belt where he posted a better passer rating than manning in one of them. vick can make every and any pass that kolb can and then some.— mrmartell1
- Idiots— worldfan78
