Eagles Notes: Eagles' Vick preparing for a heavy dose of blitz

Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb at practice Wednesday. Vick said he's "100 percent sure" the Packers will turn up the heat Sunday.

By Jonathan Tamari, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: January 06, 2011

Michael Vick said he expected to be "100 percent" healthy by Sunday, and he's also "100 percent sure" that he'll be seeing a familiar package of blitzing. The Packers, he said, will almost surely bring the same kind of pressure that the Vikings used when they sent cornerback Antoine Winfield after him.

"I'm almost 100 percent sure that we'll get the same type of looks," Vick said. "It might not be the exact same, but in some way, shape or form it'll be similar. So we just have to be ready for it, and I think we've learned a lot."

Said wide receiver Jason Avant: "The Packers do the same blitz, and they're better at it, so we'd better get ready for it, and I think we're prepared for it."

The Eagles didn't adjust to the pressure from Winfield, costing them dearly. Expect Packers cornerback Charles Woodson to play a similar role Sunday.

"Everybody took a look at that film and really critiqued it, and tried to figure out what we can do to get better," Vick said.

Vick said he has seen blitzes since his first start this season. Recently, though, the rush has reached him more often.

Coach Andy Reid said Vick is "aware" of the adjustments defenses have made after the quarterback's torrid season.

"They're going to come after you. They're going to try to get you rattled, get you off your square, but that's football," Vick said. "You just have to be ready for it."

After practice, Vick said he felt good and moved well. He'll need to on Sunday.

Overtime changes

The Packers have gone to overtime in four of their last six postseason games. If it happens again on Sunday, both teams will have to deal with new rules.

Under the new overtime format for the playoffs, the game can end on the initial possession only if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown. If that team kicks a field goal or doesn't score at all, the other team gets one possession to tie the game or win. If the game remains tied after one possession each, it becomes sudden death.

Both teams went over the rules this week.

"There are some unique things that you're going to be challenged with if they appear," Reid said.

Said Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: "It's obviously something guys are aware of and understand the change. But we hope it doesn't have to go to overtime."

Mornhinweg to Browns?

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is expected to be a head coaching candidate in Cleveland. Mornhinweg worked under Browns president Mike Holmgren in Green Bay in 1995 and '96. Holmgren also coached Mornhinweg in high school.

Under NFL rules, Mornhinweg can't interview with the Browns until next week.

Injury update

Guard Todd Herremans (calf) was limited in practice Wednesday. Linebacker Stewart Bradley (elbow) and guard Max Jean-Gilles (ankle) both sat out.

Extra Points

Gerard Lawson, signed Dec. 24, will return kickoffs against the Packers, Reid said. . . . The Eagles will set either a positive or negative wild-card record Sunday. The team is tied for most wild-card wins in NFL history, with seven, and most wild-card losses, with six. None of the co-record-holders made the playoffs, so the Eagles will claim first place in one of the categories. They already have the most wild-card appearances, 13. . . . The team re-signed running back Martell Mallett to the practice squad.

Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214 or jtamari@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JonathanTamari.