Vick Revisits ‘Starter’ Comments, Says Kelly Has Team’s Attention


When we last heard from Michael Vick, he was walking off the field at the NovaCare Complex following the Eagles’ final mini-camp of the spring.

At the time, Vick admitted it was tough splitting reps and said he hoped Chip Kelly would name a starter before training camp so that he wouldn’t have to answer more questions about the QB situation.

Today, while making an appearance at Jeremy Maclin’s football camp at RiverWinds Community Center in West Deptford, N.J., Vick said he didn’t expect his comments to create such a stir.

“I was very surprised because I didn’t try to say it in a derogatory way where I felt like Coach should make a decision or there’s pressure on him to make a decision,” Vick said. “I was just asked a question, and I answered it the best way that I could. But Coach is totally involved in our team and what we’ve got going on and what needs to be done. Like I said, we’re all going to sit back and make sure that we do exactly what he asks us to do, regardless of who’s out there on the field.”

Kelly has preached competition for every starting job since the day he was named the Eagles’ new head coach. He often points out that players, not coaches, determine playing time by how they perform during practice.

But it’s important to remember that Vick has never been part of a QB competition at the NFL level, and when the Eagles brought him back on a one-year deal, the veteran might have assumed that the starting job would be his.

Asked specifically if Kelly told him there would be a competition when he agreed to come back, Vick said, “Coach and I talked, and we have an understanding. I think the most important thing is the relationship that we have and continue to carry on, and the working relationship, which has been great. You’re just trying to do what’s best for this football team, and that’s the reason I came back, to try and help this football team win games in the best way possible.”

After Vick made the comments during mini-camp, he texted Kelly to make sure the coach knew he didn’t mean any disrespect.

“Coach is just so straightforward,” Vick said. “After the first four or five words, you already understand and know where he’s coming from. So we talked the next day, and I sent him a text and he called me back and we talked and that was it. Like I said, everybody on that football team respects Coach Kelly and likes what he’s been able to accomplish so far. He’s grabbing the attention of everybody on our football team. We’re just focused trying to do what’s best for the organization.

“The things that I’ve been able to learn and obtain mentally over the last three months is uncanny, so I just appreciate that, and we all as players appreciate him being there for us.”

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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