"I get too caught up in the game sometimes, but that leads to you being sidelined and not being accountable for your team on Sundays and not being out there," he said.
His first test comes Sunday at Miami. Barring a setback, coach Andy Reid said, Vick will start for the first time since Nov. 13. The 4-8 Eagles technically are not out of the playoff picture, but these final four games should be more about building momentum for next season.
And a strong, injury-free stretch by Vick is of the utmost importance. Vick said he plans to wear extra padding around his torso on Sunday. If he truly intends to avoid unnecessary contact, he may not need it.
But it will be difficult for him to change his spots and overcome his instincts - formed years ago when he was a running back - and not fight for extra yards.
"I just have to start playing smarter and being conscious about what I'm doing when I'm in the moment," Vick said.
And he has to slide.
Vick has said the fear of a leg injury was what often kept him from sliding and giving himself up. Late last season, he tried. The results were awkward, but he managed to avoid contact. But when this season started, it was back to the old Vick.
His first two injuries this season, however, came from out of the pocket. He suffered a concussion at Atlanta in Week 2 and a bruised hand a game later against the New York Giants.
The Eagles said Vick broke his ribs on the second play of the Arizona game when he took a shot in the pocket. But Vick endured a blow to the same area later in the game while he was scrambling.
Nevertheless, Vick said, he concluded that he must start sliding, in part because his teammates "week-in and week-out" have been asking him to just get down.
"I've been running after him this year and seeing him juking people and I'm screaming, 'Slide!' from 10 yards behind him," center Jason Kelce said.
