IS STOCKPILING DEFENSEMEN
Michael Vick is back. "Superman," he said, is not -- at least yet.
"I'm still going to be aggressive," said Vick, who is eligible to play Sunday after serving a two-game suspension. "Nothing is going to change about me on the field. I'm still going to be that same player -- dynamic in whatever way I can. Not doing too much. Superman may not be ready to return as of right now, but he will in the future."
The Eagles quarterback isn't sure exactly how he'll be employed against the Chiefs, if at all. Donovan McNabb is still questionable and coach Andy Reid is, as usual, keeping his cards close. Most expect Vick to be used in the Wildcat, especially if McNabb can't go and Kevin Kolb gets his second straight start.
"When we started doing it [in Atlanta] in 06, I thought it was the best thing smoking," Vick said today before practice. "It really helped our football team reach the plateau we wanted to reach. But down the stretch, it kind of wore itself out and it wasn't as productive as it was in the first half of the season. It can be a part of your offense, but not a major part of your offense. You have to throw it every now and then. This league is too complex and too fast and the coaches are too smart to line up and run it all the time. I really don't wish it was here five years ago."
However he's used, Vick is excited to play for the first time in over 2 1/2 years and since he was incarcerated 18 months for running a dogfighting operation.
"Being in prison the last two years, I never envisioned myself coming back so soon and to even be standing here right now," Vick said. "I think the commissioner has granted me this second chance and I'm taking advantage of it. I'm just thankful. I can't reiterate that enough. I was so excited last night to wake up this morning and come and play some football. Even in the walk through I was running fast."
Reid wouldn't say if Vick was the backup to Kolb -- Jeff Garcia is still on the roster -- or if he'll even play his new weapon.
"I'm not sure exactly how we'll use him, if he'll play and how much he'll play," Reid said. "I think he's in better shape than he was," against the Jets in the preseason finale.
Asked if there was a scenario in which Vick would not be activated for Sunday's game, Reid said, "We'll see. I haven't gotten that far with it yet."
McNabb, meanwhile, continues to rehab a fractured rib and won't practice today. His status for Sunday is still up in the air. If he can't go, Kolb will get another chance. Kolb will take all of the first team repetitions today at practice.
Reid said that McNabb has been able to throw, but "not with great velocity or length right now."
Reid was asked if next's week bye would factor into his decision whether to play McNabb. "I've looked at that," Reid said. "However, if he can function and not being in normal danger of playing the game ... then he can play."
Aside from McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook (ankle) and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (groin) won't practice today. Jackson went through the walk-through this morning. Reid said that the swelling in Westbrook's right ankle went down considerably. "We feel pretty good about [his playing Sunday]," Reid said. "We'll see how he does here the next couple of days."
Guard Todd Herremans (foot) and special teams player Dimitri Patterson (hand) are out for Sunday's game. Reid said that Herremans is scheduled to visit with the doctor next week. Herremans said last week that he hoped to be back by the NFC East opener against the Redskins on Oct. 26.
Safety Quintin Demps (hamstring) and linebacker Joe Mays (shoulder) will practice today and both said they expect to be ready to play Sunday. Victor Abiamiri (groin) is also practicing.
Reid confirmed that Shawn Andrews is in Los Angeles and will be examined by back specialist Robert Watkins in the next few days. Andrews tweeted his departure yesterday.
Reid also said that Max Jean-Gilles will remain the starter at right guard for the time being. Stacy Andrews was demoted last week because, Reid said, he wasn't 100 percent back from off-season knee surgery.
