Vick: I'm 80 percent; eyeing return by opener
Up to the minute Philadelphia sports news, Phillies, 76ers, Eagles, Flyers, college sports and more from Philly.com
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
- I can't believe some of you are ready to anoint Foles based on a couple of pre-season games. If Vick scrambles for twenty yards on that play the media and most of you are screaming "Only Vick can make that play." but no he gets hurt and it's the entire focus of the media and now your attention. Vick's style of play is what makes him a special athlete. People have tried to change it before and it has never worked. They should let him play and if he gets injured then Foles should show you and everybody else the same thing he has in two pre-season games and you would all get your wish that Vick would be a memory.— Jakzon
- you should tell the O- guy next time to check on the angle 45 degree from your right front shoulder when rolling to the left then your right side ribs won't be attracked for BBQ again Mike.
— phillafuN - Sitting in the pocket is going to get him killed unless it's max protect. He can't see over the lineman. While I don't think he'll ever be the guy, Vick can still ball.— sore richard
- its real simple guys vick can not get the ball out quick enough. There are so many rookie and 2nd year QBs who have great pocket awareness. That when pressure is coming they dont spin their body in a complete 360. Even guys like Rodgers and Brady get hit but typically the ball is out so quick because they know where the receiver is supposed to be. My main issue is that for a player that keeps blaming the line why call plays the require you to be in the pock longer? why not run the football and shorten the field. Yes eventually you will have to air it out some, but in the first quarter run the clock down some.— Yes_General
- Once Vicks legs slow down he will be a below average QB at best. If he isn't already.— Geno D
- Just another excuse, when he bombs again this season.— sackvicknow
Comment removed.- every time i see rodgers brady whomever is a good qb when the pressure comes they seem to take a few steps forward into the pocket keeping the line surrounding them and get rid of the ball before the pressure gets to them. flip floping spinning 360 behind your line and them not knowing where the hell you are usually leads to a turn over or negative yardage and vick loves to do this. i use to support vick but sorry people i see a lot more in foles than i do vick. ill support him for this year but that just means no super bowl and if andy is gone next year if we dont find a decent replacement doesnt matter how good foles become we wont go no where 5 nfc championship games a lot of teams wish they could have a coach that would get them to 5 nfc championship games. only thing about reid i dont like is juan castillo decision it just dumb... there is a big diff between taking chances on players coming out of college and hiring your offensive line coach to be your defensive coordinator yuck...— defroe
- Vick is an accident waiting to happen. Why did Foles not get sacked once while Vick is running for his life? Eagles made big mistake signing Vick. Foles is bigger, stronger, and tougher, and has a better arm. Let the Foles era begin now.— bubbiwubbi
- That's O.K....He is only 80% of a man anyhow. On a good day!!— sackvicknow
- Whether or not Vick takes care of himself, or it's the offensive line's fault, is irrelevant. The Eagles are not going to win when it counts with Vick. That has been established over the last 2 seasons. Even when he has been healthy, he hasn't won any big games as a starter. His record against teams with a winning record is abysmal. With luck, Vick won't be ready to go in week 1, Foles will start and have a good game, remain the starter and we'll say adios to Vick at year end and start building for the future with a the prototype NFL QB. Fly Eagles Fly!— DallasEagle
