Vick Calls His Return An 'Awesome Feeling'

Quarterback Says Fans' Positive Reaction Was Unexpected

PHILADELPHIA -- When his long day finally was done, Michael Vick could say late Thursday night that it had been "a great day for me overall."

Vick's day began in bankruptcy court in Newport News, Va., where a judge approved his plan to repay his creditors. It ended at Lincoln Financial Field with Vick making his preseason debut for the Philadelphia Eagles. He participated in a half-dozen plays in a 33-32 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and said he was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction he received from the crowd.

"I didn't think it was going to be that positive," Vick said after the game. "I didn't know what to expect. I was running out there on the field. I was listening to see what the reaction was going to be, and I was very pleased. That was part of the reason I wanted to go out and make some things happen. I really didn't expect that reaction, but I'm very thankful."

Vick was mostly cheered by the fans, some of whom wore Vick jerseys. Outside the stadium, there were few protesters. Representatives of local civil rights groups gathered to offer support.

"It was great to finally get out there and get my feet wet and get a feel for the game again, and see if the speed was still the same as it was two years ago," Vick said. "It felt the same. It was almost like riding a bike. . . . I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the time that I was out there. I had fun."

Asked specifically about the crowd reaction, Vick said: "I can't explain the feeling. It was unbelievable the way that I was embraced, just the warm welcome. It actually made me screw up one of my reads. I wanted to please the crowd and I actually made a bad play. But I came back from it, and it was awesome. It was an awesome feeling."

Said Eagles Coach Andy Reid: "I thought everybody reacted well. I didn't see anything negative."

Vick missed the last two NFL seasons while serving his federal sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation in Virginia. He preseason unveiling with the Eagles came two weeks after he signed with the club.

"It was something that I've been waiting for a long time, to actually suit up and go out and get ready to play a game, regardless of whether it's the preseason or the regular season," Vick said. "It's been a long journey for me, and I just want to do it right this time around and make the most of my situation."

He called himself 70 percent of the way to being back in playing shape, and added, "Once I get myself into tip-top shape, the sky is the limit."

Vick entered the game on the Eagles' second offensive play. He played five plays at quarterback and one at wide receiver, all in the first half. He completed all four of his passes, but they totaled only 19 yards. He ran for one yard on his lone carry, saying that he should have pitched the ball to his running back but was trying to make something happen to please the crowd.

Reid said he planned to use Vick for five to 10 plays and indicated that the Eagles "kind of got accomplished what we wanted to get accomplished" with Vick's debut. Reid added: "We were just running basic plays with the option there. He did okay, though."