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Wake-Up Call: Just where does Vick fit with Eagles?

The Associated Press

The Eagles believe Michael Vick must take baby steps, slowly progressing to a more regular role.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2009

The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.

Good morning!

Eleven plays.

Seven yards.

That was the sum total of Michael Vick's debut with the Philadelphia Eagles in a 34-14 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 27.

Let's put things into perspective. Kevin Kolb was the quarterback starter against the Chiefs. He passed for 327 yards. Donovan McNabb, who suffered a fractured rib in the Eagles' opening game, returns to practice this week and could start on Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Vick is on the back burner – understandably so because he's still shaking off the rust from two years of NFL inactivity.

But he's still one of the league's hot-button subjects.

When will he play more often? How will he be utilized?

And did the Eagles do the right thing by bringing him back?

Many observers believe a quarterback controversy is inevitable.

"Let's face it, Mike Vick is one of the most exciting players anyone has ever seen in the NFL,'' NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth said. "You would pay cold hard cash, even if you're in the media, to go watch him play.

"For Donovan, it's got to be a tough situation. Here they are, one of the preseason favorites to win it all. The pieces all seem to be in place. But anytime Donovan throws two or three incomplete passes – or, God forbid, two interceptions in one half – and it's only human nature for the crowd to want to see someone as exciting as Vick playing quarterback."

Eagles coach Andy Reid has been resolute in saying Kolb is the backup. Reid believes Vick must take baby steps, slowly progressing to a more regular role.

Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden, now working on ESPN's "Monday Night Football," said Vick represents the ultimate insurance policy.

"I think what Andy Reid is doing is getting Michael Vick acclimated to being a quarterback," Gruden said. "That could take a year. If it develops during the season, if there's a package here or there for Michael Vick, so be it.

"Look, this is clearly Donovan McNabb's show. I mean, clearly. This guy is a dominant quarterback and he has been for a decade. But God forbid, should anything happen to McNabb, the possibility of having a backup quarterback like Michael Vick might help you in a game or two to help you get into the playoffs or advance in the playoffs."

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking – rather slowly.

How long before Vick establishes more of a presence?

"Competition is healthy," said former New England Patriots defensive back Rodney Harrison, now with NBC Sports. "Anytime you can get a Pro Bowl quarterback to back up another Pro Bowl quarterback, it's fantastic. The Eagles have more ammunition.

"The Patriots were very fortunate last year to have Matt Cassel," after Tom Brady went down with a season-ending injury. "It all comes down to wins and losses. It shouldn't be about pride. Having Michael Vick around is a positive."

Vick, of course, is no stranger to the Bucs.

During five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was just 4-5 against the Bucs, mostly with pedestrian statistics. He had one 300-yard passing game and one 100-yard rushing game.

The selling of Michael Vick

Vick has the fifth-highest selling NFL jersey, according to the NFLShop.com.

Here's the top 10:

1. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.

2. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

3. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

4. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.

5. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

6. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

7. Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

8. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

9. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

10. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Along the line

The Eagles' defensive line features two familiar faces for Tampa Bay area fans – Brodrick Bunkley (Chamberlain High) and Darren Howard (Boca Ciega High).

Span's remarks

Minnesota Twins center fielder Denard Span (Tampa Catholic) was probably relieved to win Tuesday night's one-game playoff against the Detroit Tigers for the American League Central Division title. His remarks in Monday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune created a stir in Detroit.

After the Tigers blew a seven-game September lead in the AL Central – and a three-game lead with four to play – Span was asked about Detroit's fade.

"I don't want to say they've choked, but, yeah, they have choked," Span said. "They've choked a little bit. But now they have the opportunity to not choke, I guess."

Not anymore.

Span's Twins advanced to AL Division Series against the New York Yankees. Game 1 is tonight.

McCalebb honored by SEC

Auburn University running back Onterio McCalebb (Fort Meade) was named SEC freshman of the week after accumulating 204 all-purpose yards in a 26-22 victory at Tennessee.

The breakdown: 91 yards on kickoff returns, 62 yards receiving and 51 yards rushing. McCalebb's 52-yard kickoff return with 4:19 remaining set up Auburn's game-clinching field goal with 39 seconds left.

UCF's Harvey makes impression

University of Central Florida sophomore running back Brynn Harvey (Largo), who had 42 carries for 219 yards in a 32-14 win against Memphis, was named UCF's Bright House Student-Athlete of the Week. UCF hosts Miami on Oct. 17.

UT men's soccer up to No. 3

The University of Tampa men's soccer program has improved one spot to No. 3 in the NCAA Division II national poll, following Saturday's 2-1 double-overtime victory against No. 1 Lynn University.

UT's Callaway preseason All-American

University of Tampa men's basketball player Rashad Callaway was named a preseason All-American by The Sporting News. Callaway, a junior point guard from Bayonne, N.J., was on the honorable-mention list. Last season, Callaway led the Spartans in scoring (18.0 points per game), assists (126), steals (43) and 3-point field goals (65).

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, a two-time American League All-Star, who just completed his second major-league season with a .281 batting average, 44 doubles, 33 home runs and 113 RBIs. Today, Longoria turns 24.

The Answer Man

Here's the answer to Tuesday's trivia question:

Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan, a graduate of East Lake High School, played college baseball for Ole Miss.

Wednesday trivia

Here's our daily sports trivia question, featuring a Tampa Bay/Florida spin. Try your luck by commenting below.

As part of the trade that gave the Atlanta Falcons the No. 1 overall pick (and quarterback Michael Vick) in the 2001 NFL draft, the Falcons and San Diego Chargers flip-flopped first-round picks. Who did the Chargers select with the No. 5 overall selection?

Check for the answer in Thursday's Wake-Up Call.

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