Vick brings twist at quarterback for Eagles

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season-preview series

Michael Vick is not a typical backup.

He is arguably the most famous Eagle, a household name among more than just football fans, a three-time Pro Bowler who was once one of the young faces of the NFL.

And, unlike most reserve quarterbacks, he is not just here to take over in case the starter gets hurt.

Neither Eagles coaches nor Vick will go into detail about what the backup's on-field role will be this year, but it's clear he'll be in for more than just injury substitutions.

Kevin Kolb is the Eagles' undisputed starter. Barring injury, he will get the vast majority of snaps this season. But Vick will also have chances to play.

In preseason games, Vick replaced Kolb for short stints - often one snap - in varied down and distances and field positions. He has worked from the shotgun and under center, sometimes handing off, sometimes dropping back, often rolling out, and is always a threat to run. In his second year back in the NFL, his speed is reminiscent of his earlier days.

Vick, who said he still dreams of starting again in the NFL, was coy about his role on the team.

"My role is to make positive plays, baby," he said.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg also declined to talk specifics, but the preseason provided hints.

In the Eagles' third warm-up game, Vick came in on short-yardage situations and delivered his most effective spot duty, converting on third and 1 and third and 2. On both plays, the offense feinted a pass - Vick lined up in a shotgun - and the quarterback ran for a first down.

Inside the red zone that game, he took a second-down snap from under center and handed off to LeSean McCoy, who broke an 18-yard touchdown run. It was the only time the first team offense reached the end zone this preseason.

Notably absent have been the "Wildcat" plays that accounted for much of his 2009 playing time.

Vick has not been limited to short or red-zone situations, though. He has come in on several first-and-10 plays and at times appears to be a decoy as he hands off to a running back.

On pass plays, the Eagles have often sent Vick on bootlegs, giving him the opportunity to make a quick read and throw or pull the ball down and do what he has always done best: run.

His presence in different formations and plays gives defenses another look, and set of skills, to account for.

"I'm [going to] be me, regardless. . . . That's what my coaches said to me. That's what Andy told me. 'Be Mike Vick. Do what you do, but be smart doing it,' and I think that's the most important thing," Vick said.

If that means sometimes pulling Kolb mid-drive and taking him out of the offensive flow, the Eagles seem willing to do it.

"I do understand rhythm, and I think that is real," Mornhinweg said, but he said Kolb has an unselfish mentality that will allow him to handle the short breaks.

Said Kolb, "He's a great athlete. I want as many great athletes out there as possible, so I'm all for it."

Vick has fit in with his teammates since his controversial signing. Last year, his first back from a federal prison sentence for dogfighting, Vick's teammates awarded him the Ed Block Courage Award.

His fit on the field has been more mixed.

In 12 limited regular-season appearances in 2009, he was not a game-changer.

In the preseason, with a full year's experience in the Eagles' system, Vick had the same ups and downs that are familiar parts of his seven-year career. He made plays that could drop jaws in awe - a perfectly placed 46-yard strike and slick touchdown run against Jacksonville - and ire - a red-zone fumble and a first-half interception that set up a Jaguars field goal.

He ran for 111 preseason yards, leading the team, but threw three interceptions in 28 passes and still appeared more comfortable scrambling than working through his throwing options.

Questions remain about Vick's ability to run the Eagles' full offense, which relies on accuracy, if Kolb gets hurt.

Vick has talked at times about honing more traditional quarterbacking skills in Philadelphia. He said he continues to learn and hopes it will pay off with a starting job. If he gets that opportunity, though, it will almost certainly be elsewhere. Vick seems to see that, talking about how his time in Philadelphia can help him later on.

"As long as I stay fit and keep my mind into football, I'm praying that that day comes when I'll be a starter," said Vick, who is in the last year of his contract. "I think after my experience being here, I think it definitely will help me out in the future. I think I'll be more polished and ready."

But will the Vick of 2010 be showcasing his running skills? Will he be scoring from the red zone? Or will he just be a change-of-pace quarterback from all over the field?

And will those opportunities boost the Eagles offense or disrupt its flow?

If he was a typical backup, the answers might be easy. But this Michael Vick, and he is rarely typical.