Vick: Superman will return
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Vick: Superman will return
Bob Brookover and Jeff McLane
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.
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Superdistraction.— p-diddy- This analogy has got to go. Superman is a vegetarian hero who treats dogs and all other creators with compassion. His strength has given him additional responsibilities that he accepts with grace. Michael Vick is Lex Luthor, Braniac, Metallo (and maybe Bizarro)- but not Superman.— Jame
- reluctant lol at banana...funny is funny— dsoul
- Dancewithwords! Grow up! You sound like the kid who used to get his lunch money taken everyday at recess. Let it go!— taycom
- Dancewithwords! Grow up! You sound like the kid who used to get his lunch money taken everyday at recess. Let it go!— taycom
- Let the haters hate on! LOL, they really are funny!— cancer36
- OK, I totally supported the Eagles giving Vick a second chance but I don't agree with his Superman statements. Other than giving a few game specific comments and talking about how he will support the cause to end dog fighting, he needs to shut up and let his play do his talking. Let the fans decide if he turns out to be Superman.— massey1231
- Sick Vick will probably make a couple of big plays against KC, but it will be meaningless. Stevie Wonder could probaly run the offense against the Chiefs. However, The Porcine Wonder, Reid, will take the opportunity to congratulate himself on his oh-so-creative offense.— baabyrrej
- Who cares about this nonsense? Are they going to win a Superbowl based on what Vick does? No !! End of story.— baabyrrej
- I'm soooo tired of these people whining about Vick! I own and love my pitbull very much, but come on people. Give it a rest! What the man did was attrocious but what's done is done. He served his time and paid his fine get over it. It's amazing to me how many of you have never made a mistake. If he screws up again throw the book at him but until then how about we all get together and hate the people that stalk and prey on children.( There seem to be plenty of them out there these days.) If you can't find it in your heart to forgive the man and give him a second chance then it seems to me that you just might be the one with the problem.— dj.curly
- I'm soooo tired of these people whining about Vick! I own and love my pitbull very much, but come on people. Give it a rest! What the man did was attrocious but what's done is done. He served his time and paid his fine get over it. It's amazing to me how many of you have never made a mistake. If he screws up again throw the book at him but until then how about we all get together and hate the people that stalk and prey on children.( There seem to be plenty of them out there these days.) If you can't find it in your heart to forgive the man and give him a second chance then it seems to me that you just might be the one with the problem.— dj.curly
- Superman? Superman was supposed to be a good guy. Any grown man who would buy a farm in Virgina to run a Doggie Auschwitz cannot be described at Superman. All Vick is is the quarterback of a football team who has no standards on who they hire. The guy couldn't be a school bus driver but Andy Reid is proud to build a football team around a guy who hung, drowned, electrocuted and tortured dogs. This went on for 5 years when Vick was being paid multi millions for the Falcons. We all know a psychopath cannot change. God will see to it that the Eagles never will a superbowl. Evil will not prevail. Eagles fans are the world's worst. Lowest standards in the NFL. Those poor dogs, Vick slaughtered and Eagles fans are cheering for this monster.— Foxclove5
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- Superman huh? As a quarterback, he wasn't even Lois Lane.— PiccoloKu
- Superman huh? maybe as a receiver. As a quarterback, he wasn't even Lois Lane.— PiccoloKu
Is Dawk back?— Earl J- Is Dawk back?— Earl J
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- Vick is about as close to superman as I am to being a billionaire, not even close. It won't take long before he falls back to being the real vick, you can see it, the cockiness and invincible attitude will be his kryptonite !!! The worst part is he was an average quarterback at best when he was playing before, barely a 50% passer & let me tell you he won't last long in this league if all he can do is run. It is ahame that the fans of Phila. are so desperate for a championship that they would cheer a creep like vick, it's no wonder philly fans have the reputation they have, they deserve it...— lalleva
- How about we line up two pit bulls at the 10 yard line and Vick at the 20 yard line and see if the dogs can catch "Superman" running like a "wildcat". I think Mikey would lose big time.— nobodycares
- i think mcnabb is content with his revised contract knowing he will be gone in a couple of years. I dont believe the SB is a must for mcnabb like it was for Elway and some other star qbs. I think the future is Vick.. although I hate what he did, hopefully he has changed and is helping against dog fighting. Lets see what he can do and lets put him in as the #1 qb whether mcnabb is healthy or not.— Wise_Owl
- i think mcnabb is content with his revised contract knowing he will be gone in a couple of years. I dont believe the SB is a must for mcnabb like it was for Elway and some other star qbs. I think the future is Vick.. although I hate what he did, hopefully he has changed and is helping against dog fighting. Lets see what he can do and lets put him in as the #1 qb whether mcnabb is healthy or not.— Wise_Owl
- Superman? Not so sure about that. He was overrated when he was a so-so QB. Though I did agree with bringing him in as another weapon.— Super5
- Superman? Not so sure about that. He was overrated when he was a so-so QB. Though I did agree with bringing him in as another weapon.— Super5
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- Superman? are you kidding me? He was never that good and has proved nothing. "Best thing smoking", I try to root for the guy but his comments are so stupid.— burbs4life
- Superman? are you kidding me? He was never that good and has proved nothing. "Best thing smoking", I try to root for the guy but his comments are so stupid.— burbs4life
- what gives with people like Vick. The guy after what he's done should just shut up. Superman never killed dogs. He's just a SuperTampon in most eyes. Just shut up and thank God you have been given anpther chance.— bryky
- what gives with people like Vick. The guy after what he's done should just shut up. Superman never killed dogs. He's just a SuperTampon in most eyes. Just shut up and thank God you have been given anpther chance.— bryky
- "Superman??" Oh, please. This conscienceless thug is far closer to Lex Luthor on the moral spectrum. And sorry, mlr710, but no, the "haters" will go on hatin', because there's nothing Sick Vicious can do to atone for the torture and suffering he inflicted. Parroting a succession of repentant speeches and being forced to throw money at animal charities can never erase the pain that those creatures felt as they were beaten, drowned, electrocuted, or ripped to pieces by other animals. Personally, I will don't think he deserves any fate better than being used for alligator fodder.— DancesWithWords
- "However, if he can function and not being in normal danger of playing the game ... then he can play." (almost a sentence - another article states the quote as “If he can function and keep himself out of danger then he can play"). Does this mean Andy is appealing to the rules committee to let McNabb wear his non-contact red practice jersey? duh.— raoool
- This must really rile up the haters. lol— mlr710
- McNabb needs to heal. He tried to work through the pain in 2005 and his numbers suffered.— Joe Funk
- I think by the 3rd or 4th game he plays in, Vick will be making BIG plays for this team, cant wait !— Will.i.Am
- I think by the 3rd or 4th game he plays in, Vick will be making BIG plays for this team, cant wait !— Will.i.Am
- Superman? fine, as long as he does not go by Underdog.— BananaHammock
