Vick denies report Eagles assistants wanted him benched

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick denied a report by Yahoo Sports that said he told coach Andy Reid that some of the team's assistant coaches were pushing to have him benched.

Vick did have a meeting with Reid, but said after Saturday's practice that he never complained about the assistants.

"That is absolutely false," Vick said. "Coach and I never had that conversation. Everything we talked about in that room is personal, man to man."

Then for emphasis, Vick added: "That never came up."

Vick then praised the Eagles' coaching staff.

"My coaches do a great job of getting me prepared, put me in the best position possible, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for them, and they know that without me having to say it on camera."

On another topic, Vick suggested the media have had a negative impact on the players.

"You guys create a lot of turmoil for us sometimes," Vick said. "It's cool, man. We have to battle through it."

Vick wasn't saying this in a mean tone, just calmly stating his opinion.

"The quieter you all can be, the easier for us that we can concentrate and focus as individuals, as a unit, as a team and organization," he said.

The Eagles activated defensive tackle Mike Patterson. He is eligible to play Monday night.

To make room on the 53-man roster, the Eagles released linebacker Jason Williams, who appeared in two games this year.

Patterson was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list Aug. 27 while recovering from offseason brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation.

"I am really anxious," Patterson said after Saturday's practice. "More than anything, I am excited to get back out here."

Patterson will now get his full salary ($2.1 million) after the Eagles cut his salary 50 percent in August.

Strong safety Nate Allen (hamstring strain) missed his second straight practice. "We are going to take it all the way up to game day to see how he does," Reid said. David Sims would take Allen's place if he is unable to go. . . . Reid said that receiver-return man Mardy Gilyard (hamstring) and guard Danny Watkins (ankle) didn't practice and are out for this week.