Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeMeco Ryans Talk About First Day Of Eagles OTA's
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Here's what Eagles QB Michael Vick, RB LeSean McCoy, and LB DeMeco Ryans had to say about the team's first day of OTA's (organized team activities):
Michael Vick
On how good it was to get through the first practice:
"It was very good to get the first practice in the books. We got the first one out of the way, and there was a lot of excitement. Even I had butterflies for the first day because I was so excited to get back out here. I think now that we got this out of the way, we can go ahead and coast from here on it."
On having his first offseason as the Eagles starting quarterback:
"It's great because after each and every play, you learn something different. You're always learning for something to capitalize on. I'm just excited to be out here and be out here with my teammates and the new guys that we have. Guys are playing fast and looking fresh, ready to go."
On how good this Eagles team can be this year:
"You all have just seen it. We have an opportunity to do some special things. This time right now has been valuable, and we have to go out and work as hard as we can to get the hard work and preparation in. It can be equivalent to something special down the road. That's what we're hoping for and that's what we're working towards. We have to keep grinding and understanding that nothing is going to come easy."
On how big of a difference it is to have a full offseason program:
"You can see how important it is. [At this time] last year, we would've been off probably vacationing or something. Now, you're out here detailing your work and trying to get better as an individual and better as a team. Everything happens for a reason, and this year there's a chance for us to gel together and know one another and work on being the best players we can be."
On what one area in particular he'd like to see himself grow in:
"Obviously, the turnovers because that's something that can be corrected, and my accuracy – slowing my feet down and not getting too anxious and excited. I can do that from time to time, and I have to work on it. If I do it, then it will take my game to another level. I feel like I'm getting there, so I'm going to continue working hard."
On whether the accuracy Vick has shown in practice is an example of what he was talking about:
"It's kind of tough to throw out here right now because the defense is putting tremendous pass rush on us. Our offensive line is doing a great job but we can't block if we don't have pads on. It was a great throw to [WR Jeremy] Maclin, and I had a couple of other opportunities out there and I missed a couple. I could have made a couple of more plays, but it's good to see the guys open and determined to get to where they need to be."
On whether this team goes into the season with a chip on its shoulder after last year:
"I think, after the last year, that we let a lot of people down including ourselves. We just want to play the best football we can for ourselves, our fans, our families, our coaches, and our organization. We understand it's going to take hard work. Obviously, we didn't have a chance to do what we're doing now last year, so it could've been one of the reasons why we weren't so effective. I think now that we have this time, we're going to take full advantage of it and try to be better than we were last year, which we will."
RB LeSean McCoy
On what you learn about your team during the OTAs:
"I think we brought so many new guys, who were excellent players, but we didn't gel together, take care of business, and get to get familiar with each other. Now, I think it's going to work out well for us because we have time to learn in the meeting rooms and come out onto the field and practice together. I think it's big and very helpful to us."
On how much further he needs to go before he considers himself a complete running back:
"I have so much room for improvement. I think of all the stuff I've done so far with yards, touchdowns, and blocking, but I look at tape and see so much that I could do to get myself better. A lot of players think they have something that they need to get better at. I'm one of those guys where I'm always trying to work hard, compete, and get better. I try to model myself after [RB] Brian [Westbrook], who no matter what he did or how great of a game he had, he watched film and figured out what he could do better. I try to take little stuff from each player's game, and with Brian, I take a lot of stuff from his game. There are some things I could definitely do better as far as picking out things out and getting better."
On whether the team learned a lot after going through last season:
"I think so. With the expectations and us not only not meeting our goals but not making the playoffs, we learned a lot. I think it humbled us. With all the big time players that we have, we really have to check ourselves and go into the season to prove ourselves. I really think all of the hype is out the window and it's a new year. I think there's a lot of pressure for us as players because we fought hard for our coach and he's back here again. We have to make sure we do the right things."
LB DeMeco Ryans
On how important the OTAs are for him as a new Eagle:
"It's very important. We didn't get these last year so it's important to get your feet under you and learn the defense and get all of the details of the defense down and inside and out. It's very good for us to get these OTAs in. I'm hitting the ground running and not slowed down by any injuries or anything like that. I'm happy to be out here and able to be running full speed out here with the guys."
On how long it takes as a newcomer to take over a leadership role:
"It doesn't take long, it just takes time to learn the guys, the locker room, and get comfortable around here. Being here over the last month and working out with the guys, I'm starting to get more and more comfortable."
On whether the feeling is different here in Philadelphia as opposed to Houston:
"It's a different defense, but at the end of the day, I've done these coverages and things before so it's nothing that's brand new to me."
On his first impressions of facing off against the Eagles offense:
"There are a lot of playmakers and a lot of speed, that's one thing I see coming out. There's a lot of speed on offense and things are happening very fast out there. I see a lot of playmakers. I'm excited about our offense, and going against them is going to be tough for us. That's what you need is to go against a tough offense in practice because it makes game day a lot easier when you're facing opposing offenses."
Quotes provided by the Philadelphia Eagles
