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Vick shines in first practice with Eagles

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Alex Marvez

Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He has covered the NFL for the past 17 seasons as a beat writer and is the former president of the Pro Football Writers of America. He also is a frequent host on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

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Updated Aug 16, 2009 12:34 AM ET
     
 

PHILADELPHIA

Michael Vick didn't need long to gain acceptance among his new teammates. During his first Philadelphia Eagles practice, Vick received some good-natured ribbing from cornerback Asante Samuel. "Not today, not tomorrow" a grinning Samuel shouted Saturday after a Vick pass was deflected in the end zone. "No way."
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It might not be long before Samuel is eating his words. Those who expected — or hoped — that Vick would be woefully unprepared to take the field after almost two years in prison will be sorely disappointed. Although he worked only as a fourth-string quarterback, Vick's performance showed he should quickly shoot up the depth chart. Wearing a red non-contact jersey bearing the No. 7 of Eagles legend Ron Jaworski, Vick never looked rusty or uncomfortable during a smattering of snaps in seven-on-seven and team drills. His two 50-yard touchdown throws to rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in one-on-one coverage drills were things of beauty. Vick's work ethic also impressed. He and reserve quarterback Adam DiMichele were the last players to leave the practice field on a sweltering afternoon. Afterward, Vick was asked how the session went. "Great," he said without breaking stride. Vick didn't look back as he ran inside the locker room. The same applies to his personal life. Vick wasn't made available to 50-plus media members Saturday after being peppered Friday with questions about his dog-fighting past. For the second consecutive day, a small crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the closed practice to protest the Vick signing. Eagles coach Andy Reid reiterated Saturday that it was important Vick continues to "do the right thing" toward making amends for his heinous actions. Reid, though, pointed out that it also was important that Vick concentrate on getting into "football shape." Vick already had done his part before signing Thursday. Reid said Vick weighed only two pounds over an undisclosed target weight. "We're just going to gradually bring him along," Reid said. "We'll ease him back into throwing the ball and working the legs at the same time conditioning-wise." Vick will benefit from familiarity with the concepts of Philadelphia's offensive system. Greg Knapp, who was Vick's offensive coordinator in Atlanta from 2004 to 2006, was an assistant coach under Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in San Francisco a decade ago. "Although he's been out of the game for two years, it's like riding a bike," Eagles reserve quarterback A.J. Feeley said of Vick. "He'll get it soon enough." Provided Vick's commitment extends to becoming a better player than when he left for the big house. Not to slight his three Pro Bowl selections, but Vick's development had tapered before his NFL suspension. Standout quarterbacks with running skill like Jeff Garcia and the late Steve McNair gradually learned to make more plays with their passing arm than their feet. Vick was heading in the opposite direction. In Atlanta, Vick wasn't known for having a strong work ethic in the classroom. Ex-NFL linebacker Ike Reese, a former Falcons teammate, said Vick "resisted" efforts by Knapp to make him more of a pocket passer. "(Vick) had it all," Reese told Adam Caplan of Scout.com. "He could throw. He had great arm strength. He could run. But something happened during games. He got happy feet. He didn't do all the things other quarterbacks did." It would behoove Vick to learn all of Philadelphia's offense. He could then challenge Kevin Kolb for full-time backup duties behind Donovan McNabb rather than be relegated to a niche role on offense. Regardless, Vick's potential impact in a Wildcat offense is already resonating throughout the NFC East. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said it was coincidence that his Friday defensive session was based around stopping the Wildcat. Such preparation won't be happenstance when New York girds for regular-season games against Philadelphia scheduled after Vick's likely reinstatement this fall by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "There are so many more options with (Vick) now," New York defensive end Justin Tuck told Giants media after Friday's practice. "It makes it hard to game-plan." The Eagles experienced mixed success last year when using the Wildcat with wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Reid was coy when asked how much more effective the formation could be with a dual run/pass threat like Vick taking the snaps. "We have a couple guys that can run pretty fast and run the ball pretty good," Reid said. "You add that up and you can have some fun." Reid wasn't smiling when he said that. But if Vick's Saturday debut was any indication, he soon will be.

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