It's been a while since Vick stood in the starter's shoes before the season. When he reports to training camp at Lehigh University on Wednesday it will be the first time in five years that he arrives as the No. 1 quarterback.
He missed two seasons, of course, because of an 18-month prison term, spent 2009 as the Eagles' Wildcat plaything, and was supposed to be Kolb's backup last season. That lasted all of two games. Vick won the starting job and went on to lead the Eagles to the NFC East title.
Despite an unprecedented six-game run, Vick's performance tailed off toward the end of last season. Despite some tempered expectations because of that, Vick said the Eagles should contend for a Super Bowl.
"I think this team has what it takes," Vick said. "Obviously we all have to be on the same page, offensively and defensively. But I really do think we have a shot."
Vick and the Eagles still don't know what the team will look like when the season starts. Heck, they don't even know what it will look like Wednesday with free agency ongoing. A number of familiar faces arrived at Eagles headquarters, however. A few dozen veterans that are under contract arrived Tuesday, including running back LeSean McCoy, defensive end Trent Cole and defensive tackle Mike Patterson, even though their presence was not mandatory.
"I've never seen so many guys excited to be lifting weights, which is uncommon," Vick said.
Brandon Graham bounded up the stairs to the NovaCare Complex after a summer of rehabilitation. The defensive end said he did not yet have a timetable for his return to the field, although he expected to miss significant time. Graham, the Eagles top pick last year, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in December and also needed microfracture surgery.
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