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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, September 26, 2009

NFL: Vick set to make his 2009 regular-season debut


ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick will put on his No. 7 jersey instead of a snazzy suit. He'll be on the field instead of watching from a luxury suite.

Tune in Sunday for more details.

Vick will make his long-anticipated return to the NFL when the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) host the Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at Lincoln Financial Field. From the second he comes out for pregame warmups, all eyes will be on Vick.

Once the game starts, no one knows for certain what Vick's role will be, particularly with starter Donovan McNabb nursing a cracked rib. Eagles coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg have a game plan, but they wouldn't reveal any of it.

Vick could be featured prominently in Philadelphia's version of the wildcat offense, or he may only take a few snaps in that formation. He might line up in the backfield as a running back or be split outside as a wide receiver. There's even a chance he's under center as a traditional QB at times.

"My role is my role right now. I don't know what the situation is or may be," Vick said. "Right now, I'm just a guy to come in and run my package."

That package includes several plays in the wildcat formation. The Eagles used it nine times in a 48-22 loss to New Orleans last Sunday with three players — wideouts DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and running back Brian Westbrook — taking snaps.

Vick, a three-time Pro Bowl QB during six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, is the ideal guy to run the wildcat because he's a threat to pass or run. Vick ran a version of this offense with the Falcons before the Miami Dolphins made it popular last year.

"We started doing it in '06 and I thought it was the best thing smoking," Vick said. "It really helped our football team reach a certain plateau that we wanted to reach. Down the stretch, it kind of wore itself out and it wasn't as productive as it was in the first half of the season. It can be a part of your offense, but not a major part of your offense. You have to throw it in every now and then. This league is too complex and too fast and the coaches are too smart to line up and run it all the time."

The Chiefs spent time preparing for Vick and whatever new wrinkles he adds to Philadelphia's already potent offense, but they realize the Eagles have several other weapons, including Westbrook and Jackson.

"You have some other problems, too," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. "They showed nine snaps or so of this wildcat or whatever you want to call it. I would expect that if (Vick) is in the lineup and active that he could be a part of that similar to some of the preseason stuff. That's the wave right now. We spent a lot of time as a defensive staff in the offseason and even as an offensive staff trying to be as prepared as we could for some of those things. Obviously, on game day it's being ready for whatever tweaks they've made to it."

The Saints had better success against the wildcat after seeing it a few times in the first half. Kansas City's defense certainly won't be surprised whether the Eagles use Vick or someone else to operate it.

"You have a plan and you practice it," Chiefs safety Jarrad Page said. "When they come out and run it, you know what to do. I think that just going over it in practice, you can prepare for what happens and if it does happen, then it's just how we play it. If they come out and line up in it, then nobody is like, 'Oh no, man.' They come out in wildcat and you know what to do."

Vick's role could depend on Philadelphia's quarterback situation. If McNabb misses his second straight game with the broken rib, Vick might see more playing time to take pressure off Kevin Kolb. In his first NFL start against the Saints, Kolb threw for 391 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

A second-round pick in 2007, Kolb makes up for his inexperience with confidence. He's studied the offense for three years and patiently sat behind and learned from McNabb while waiting for his opportunity.

"You're always going to learn something," Kolb said. "I assume there won't be quite as much worry and doubt. I can play with confidence, play assertive, just focus on the game plan. There were a lot of factors last week and hopefully this week will just run smoother."

Matt Cassel will start for the Chiefs, though Brodie Croyle performed better in the opener. Cassel was 24 of 39 for 241 yards, one TD and two interceptions in a 13-10 loss to Oakland. Croyle hit 16 of 24 for 177 yards, two TDs and no picks in a 38-24 loss at Baltimore the week before. But the Chiefs invested too much in Cassel to bench him after just one start; he was injured for the Baltimore game.

"There is not a quarterback controversy," Haley said.

Vick hasn't played a regular-season game since Dec. 31, 2006 — also at the Linc. He spent 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring, and sat out the first two games as the final league penalty.

"I'm just very thankful. I can't reiterate that enough," he said. "I'm happy to be here and I'm happy to have a chance."