Michael Vick's injured ribs kept him out of Eagles practice Wednesday, as they did in Philadelphia's Week 11 game against the New York Giants. Backup Vince Young took the snaps for Philly in their road victory.
Whether Vick plays against the Patriots this weekend at Lincoln Financial Field remains unclear on the eve of Thanksgiving.
"He won't practice today and then we'll just take it day-by-day, see how it goes here," Eagles coach Andy Reid told reporters during a conferencecall.
"Vince will take reps and we'll see how [Vick] is doing tomorrow. He threw yesterday and a little more as we go on here [during the week]."
Consequently, the Patriots find themselves having to prepare extra hard – during a short week, no less – for two QBs: Vick and his backup, Vince Young.
"Both of them are great players," Patriots cornerback Antwaun Molden. "You know Vince [was] Rookie of the Year [in 2006] and he still has that talent. Both of them can run and pass, and both of them have strong arms."
"They are not the same player at all," countered cornerback Kyle Arrington. "Vick has good arm and he's a little bit faster, a little more dangerous running the ball. Young, he did a good job managing the [Giants] game and had a heck of a drive at the end there. We just have to be ready, study a lot this week – put in good preparation and try to come out and execute."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, New England will face their former star corner, Asante Samuel, for the first time since he left the Patriots for Philadelphia in 2008.
Quarterback Tom Brady, of course, faced Samuel for several years in practice, which may benefit Brady come Sunday at 4:15.
"Yeah, he makes a lot of plays and he always has made a lot of plays. He's a great player and I loved playing against him," Brady recalled, "because I thought he really brought the best out in our receivers and our passing game. He's always a threat to intercept the ball. As a quarterback, you're always paying attention to those guys. He does it as well as anybody that I've ever played against."
The tandem of Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha, with slot/nickel corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, gives Philadelphia as potent a cornerback group as any the Patriots will likely face all season.
"We play some pretty good corners. This is another group," Brady agreed. "When you have a pair of guys, that's what really is tough to go against because they're two of the best corners that have played for a long time. They're experienced, they're fast, they intercept the ball, they're looking for interceptions. They're real playmakers on that defense. They expect those guys to make plays and those guys do it".
For details on today's Patriots practice, please visit the PFW blog.
