Vick, Eagles Getting Ready For Big Game In Atlanta
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As the Eagles began preparation for Sunday night's contest against the Falcons, there was plenty of discussion on Wednesday about Michael Vick's return to Atlanta as the starting quarterback for Philadelphia.
"I think it's going to be exciting just to go back. This is a business, but from an emotional aspect, it'll be good to go back to the dome," said Vick. "I think we just have to focus on the game, and I think that's going to be my approach. I don't want any distractions, and I just want to go out and play the best football that I can play."
Vick spent six season in Atlanta, but isn't expecting a warm reception from the home crowd.
"I still have a lot of love for the fans down there, but keep in mind that I am with the opposition now," he said.
"He's heard everything, he knows," said head coach Andy Reid of the situation. "I'm not sure he gets caught up in too much of that."
Reid, however, did stress the importance of not allowing his team to be affected by the hype surrounding Vick or the things that go along with playing in prime-time.
"You focus in on what you can control, and that's getting yourself better to play a very, very good football team," added Reid.
The coach also acknowledged the need to tighten up the run defense with Pro-Bowl running back Michael Turner looming.
"Turner is a phenomenal player. He's a heck of player and he's going to gain a couple of yards. You know that going in," said Reid. "We have to work to secure things up and get better in that area."
As he did in the week leading up to their game with the Rams, Reid said he would continue to pump artificial crowd noise into the Eagles practice facility to help prepare his players for the challenge of playing inside a dome.
Defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sat out of Wednesday's practice with a sprained ankle. Reid was optimistic Cromartie would play on Sunday, but noted that Joselio Hanson would step in, if necessary.
Quarterback Vince Young and defensive end Darryl Tapp also missed practice with injuries.
Reported by Dan Majka, CBS Philly.
