Big hit knocks Vick out of game
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. (AP)
Michael Vick walked slowly off the field, shaken up for the second
straight game. And he was eager to get back in the action.
Philadelphia's star quarterback was leveled on just his sixth play of
the Eagles' 27-17 preseason win over the New England Patriots on Monday
night. X-rays on his ribs were negative, but he was held out as a
precaution.
''He's sore,'' Eagles coach Andy Reid said. ''He was trying to talk me
into going back in, so how sore is sore?''
Vick was knocked down by linebacker Jermaine Cunningham after heaving a
long pass in the first quarter. Eleven days earlier, in a 24-23 win
over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had X-rays on his left thumb — also
negative — after hitting it on the helmet of center Jason Kelce. Vick
took part in only six plays in that game, too.
''Mike's tough,'' Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said. ''I kind of
figured it would be all right, even though he took kind of a big blow.''
On Monday night, Nick Foles replaced Vick and threw two touchdown
passes for the second straight game for the Eagles.
''I didn't give any speech or anything'' when he joined his teammates
in the huddle, Foles said. ''I was ready to play and they were, too. I
could look in their eyes and see the confidence.''
Tom Brady sat out the game for the Patriots. The New England
quarterback figures to play Friday night in the team's third preseason
game, at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other healthy starters, including
wide receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, tight ends Rob Gronkowski
and Aaron Hernandez, defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and linebacker
Jerod Mayo, were held out of the game.
The Eagles (2-0) also have a quick turnaround between games. Vick had
been expected to play at least a half on Monday night and possibly rest
on Friday night when Philadelphia faces the Cleveland Browns, also the
Eagles' opponent in the regular-season opener.
But his night was cut short, and he left after going 1 for 3 for 5
yards with one run for another 5 yards. After Cunningham drove his
helmet into Vick's left side, the quarterback went down, got up slowly
then knelt on one knee. He was checked by medical personnel before
going to the sideline under his own power.
''That is just football,'' Cunningham said, ''going out there and
getting the person with the ball.''
Foles, a rookie third-round draft pick from Arizona, came in and
finished 18 for 28 for 217 yards and touchdown passes to Clay Harbor of
1 and 3 yards.
''He did a great job,'' McCoy said. ''In the huddle he demanded
respect. He put everybody in the right places at the right times.''
McCoy scored on a 1-yard run, and Alex Henery kicked a 42-yard field
goal to give the Eagles a 24-17 lead with 33 seconds left in the third
quarter. He added a 21-yarder that capped the scoring with 2:00
remaining.
For the Patriots (1-1), third-stringer Ryan Mallett completed 10 of 20
passes for 105 yards, including a 7-yard scoring pass to Alex Silvestro. Brian Hoyer was just 5 for 17 for 55 yards.
''Ryan's a very confident player, both him and Brian,'' wide receiver
Deion Branch said, ''but it's hard for them because they have to play
behind Tom Brady.''
Stephen Gostkowski kicked field goals of 51, 35 and 55 yards for the
Patriots, who have scored only two preseason touchdowns.
Vick's departure didn't change much for the Patriots despite his
scrambling ability, defensive end Chandler Jones said.
''It's the same offensive scheme they're running,'' he said.
Vick wasn't the only first-stringer knocked out of the game.
Philadelphia cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and New England
safety Patrick Chung went out in the first half with shoulder injuries.
Mike Kafka, Vick's backup last year, missed the game with a hand injury.
The Patriots led 11-0 after Silvestro's touchdown 1:16 into the second
quarter and a two-point conversion run by Shane Vereen. Then two lost
fumbles within a span of six plays led to two Eagles touchdowns.
Rookie Brandon Bolden muffed a punt, and McCoy scored three plays
later. On the Patriots' second play after that, Hoyer fumbled when he
was sacked by Phillip Hunt, and Darryl Tapp recovered at the New
England 12. Foles hit DeSean Jackson for an 11-yard completion on the
next play before connecting with Harbor.
The Eagles took the lead for good, 21-14, with 3:58 gone in the third
quarter on Harbor's second touchdown.
NOTES: A moment of silence was held before the game for
Garrett Reid. The son of Philadelphia coach Andy Reid was found dead
Aug. 5 in his dorm room at Lehigh University where he was helping the
team's strength and conditioning coach during training camp. ... Four
Olympic medalists with New England connections were introduced before
the game — gymnast Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass., swimmer Elizabeth
Beisel of Saunderstown, R.I., judo player Kayla Harrison of Marblehead,
Mass., and basketball player Maya Moore, who played at the University
of Connecticut. ... Andy Reid and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins had a
brief confrontation on the sideline in the first half. ''He comes at
you. He wants to get the best out of you,'' Jenkins said. ''Obviously,
that's not the way I should have handled it, but you just get
emotional.''
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