Vick: I'm 80 percent; eyeing return by opener
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Vick: I'm 80 percent; eyeing return by opener
Jeff McLane
Michael Vick, in an interview with USA Today, said that his injured ribs were 80 percent healthy and that he was aiming to return in time for the season opener on Sept. 9 at Cleveland.
In response to criticism that he is still not taking the necessary precautions in protecting himself, Vick said that he was "trying to do the best" that he can.
"I can only do what I can do," Vick said to USA Today. "I'm feeling better. Hanging in there. Trying to make it to September 9."
Vick did not speak following Monday night's game at New England, nor did he meet with reporters back at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. Andy Reid said Wednesday that Vick would play in the opener.
Vick will not play in Friday night's preseason game at the Browns, however, and he is not expected to suit up for the preseason finale on Aug. 30 against the New York Jets. Vick has taken only 12 offensive snaps in the preseason.
He bruised him thumb on his sixth offensive play against the Steelers on Aug. 9. Vick was not slated to play longer in that game. He was scheduled to play into the third quarter Monday night at New England, but during the Eagles offense's sixth play from scrimmage Vick was pummeled by Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham.
Vick left the game and was replaced by rookie Nick Foles, who will start Friday against the Browns. An X-ray after the game and an MRI and CT scan the following day did not reveal any bone or cartilage fractures in Vick's rib area.
Even though he avoided major injury, Vick has been injury-prone over the last two-plus years. Some have suggested that his holding onto the football too long -- sometimes to extend a play -- has made him more susceptible to injury than most quarterbacks.
On Monday night, Vick spun away from inside pressure when guard Evan Mathis was beat. Before he was met by Cunningham Vick heaved a long incomplete pass to DeSean Jackson.
"I just let everything happen in that moment," Vick said. "I can't go to the line dictating what I'm going to do. I can't go to the line trying to predict everything that I'm going to do. That would hurt you're game a little bit, because I might miss somebody getting open. I have to go through my progressions to the best of my abilities."
Everybody is talking about/blaming Vick for the fact that he can't stay healthy. Doesn't the offensive line carry some of the blame? They've looked mediocre (at best) during the first two games.— dtrain67- The offensive line is fine. Foles did a three step drop and then checked down.
Just like you're supposed to do in a west coast offense.
How can Foles pick up the offense in 3 months faster than Vick has in 3 years?— fmMD - They should just let Vick play his game. Playing "to not get injured" will only take away from his effectiveness (reference Jackson, DeSean in 2011). Of course, this makes it doubly important that the Eagles have a competent backup QB. Is Foles the guy? Who knows...but that will be another story for another day.— SteveS11
- Two weeks is a long time for only a contusion to heal, I am betting he will be 100% by that time, and then lead the Beags to a huge route of the Browns!— mtwall06
- How can you tell? He's put in 12 plays in preseason total.
Based on what I can tell, he looks like he's forgotten how to play the position.— fmMD 
"hah""hah"you know what the difference is between michael vick and a dollar ?you can get 4 quarters out of a dollar!!!!!!!!!!!!- Awesome journalism fellas - cut and paste an article from USA Today. This would have earned an "F" in j-school.— BornOnTheWrongSide_of_PA
- All this "doing my best" stuff sounds like a guy who has already given up on "getting it done".
— croozn - On another note, Can someone please explain to me why DeSean Jackson stood over a guy that he tackled (after the int) like he knocked out the Heavyweight Champion of the world?— Geno D
- eagles can kiss Michael V. goodbye after this year. If the NFL defenses don't end his career this year the poison from all the X'rays will.— mustang1
- Is he really that stupid that he can't make a decision to dump the ball off when getting creamed is imminent? They teach you that in Pee Wee.
At this rate he's gonna spend most of the season on the DL. I hope Foles the real deal because they are going to need him. Hey Bornonthewrong side....please move out there. We don't need your asinine posts here.— djlen - dtrain.....are you talking about the same offensive line Foles played behind the past two games....Foles got rid of the ball and rarely got hit for two games.......face it, Vick is a scrub....— tags23
- Geno, ever see that famous picture of Ali standing over Sonny Liston?
Maybe DJ was imitating The Greatest?— tpizza - "I'm at 80 percent"
Its okay Mike. We've got a guy that can more than cover for you. Take your time.— fmMD - good one pizza!! lol— Geno D
