QB Michael Vick
On whether he or the team is feeling any pressure heading into the regular season: "You know, there's always pressure. There's pressure on every team in this league. Every team's goal is to win the Super Bowl. So we thrive off pressure and that's the way it's going to be. A majority of these guys have been faced with pressure situations all their life. It's football, so how much pressure could there be?"
On how the team is going to deal with the inexperience and youth on the offensive line: "I think you just have to keep it simple for the guys and keep them upbeat and confident. You know, like I said last week, experience is the best teacher, and that's what they're going to get right now. So we're going to bear with them and keep them confident. We'll be able to make that happen."
On his expectations for the 2011 season: "Our expectations - mine is to win a championship and I'd be lying if I told you anything else. Other than that I have no more personal goals. You know, as far as the team, I want this team to excel, I want the best for this organization, and I think every man in this locker room would tell you the same thing that I just told you; they would probably reiterate that. So it's all about the team and what we're trying to accomplish. We want to win it all."
On the progression that he's made as a quarterback over the last 18 months: "That was all just a part of God's plan, you know, for me to be here right now. I had no control over that, I was just doing what I was put on this earth to do."
On whether he will change his reckless style of play: "I'll play the exact same way but you play with a tad bit more intelligence. The thing is, I can control what goes on on the field. If I want to take a shot, I take a shot. If I want to fall to the ground and get down, I can. So it's just all about feeling and what I'm doing. I didn't play as reckless last year as I did in the past and I refuse to do that. You know, I think didn't take as many hits last year that I took in the past. But that's not my concern. I'm not here to talk about that, my style of play. It is what it is and it's going to happen the way it's going to happen. And that's the way I've been successful the last eight years of my career and nothing's going to change."
On his thoughts about the Eagles franchise not winning a title in over 50 years: "It's definitely something to shoot for. I would love to be a part of the group that gets it done. And it would mean more to me than anything in this world to be able to reward this organization with that, or (head coach) Andy (Reid) with that after all of the hard work and blood, sweat, and tears that he put into this sport. And for me as well and for a lot of the other guys on the team in this locker room who have put forth so much effort week in and week out over the years. We just want to be one of those elite groups and we're just trying to make that happen."
On his thoughts about what it will take to stop this offense with all of the talent on the team: "I don't know, I don't know. I mean, just the weapons that we have, the guys that we have in place right now, you know it's a great thing. And I think what supersedes it all is the attitude that they bring to the table. It's one thing to have unbelievable talent and to be gifted, but you also have to have an outstanding work ethic and attitude. And if we have that then it goes a long way. And you kind of put those two together and it balances out, and then next thing you know you're a future Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer."
On whether he felt in 2004 that he would be close to the Super Bowl every year: "When I think about the 04' season, I was in Atlanta which was a great season. I was blessed to be in the position that I was in. You know, we just felt like we would get back each and every year. And then, you understand how hard it is to get back because there's a lot of moving parts, there's a lot of things that happen in the offseason, guys going to different teams and just a lot of movement. And you don't take it for granted, but at the same time it happens so easy you think it will happen repeatedly. And now, I just want to get back in that position again, and if I do I won't take it lightly."
On whether he has an emptiness because he hasn't won the Super Bowl yet: "Yeah, I mean, it's something that you think about as a quarterback. But the thing is I'm still young, I still have some time; Lord bless me if I stay healthy I still have time. And I feel like it's going to happen at some point. I can't tell you when, but I feel like it's going to happen and the optimism's great."
LB Casey Matthews
On his thoughts about the upcoming game on Sunday: "We all have the same goal in mind and we're looking forward to playing together as a team on Sunday."
On his thoughts about the difference between preseason and regular season games: "I mean, obviously people are going to go hard in preseason but it's a different type of atmosphere. You know with the games counting, obviously, you're going to play a lot more, people are going a little harder, and obviously some of the established guys got a couple reps and stuff like that. But obviously, it's going to be a little different now. They know what's at stake, a playoff birth; and obviously, it's a long season, but everyone is shooting for the same goal."
On whether he feels different now than he did when he was first inserted into the middle linebacker position: "I feel more comfortable. Obviously, I know what I'm doing. Earlier in preseason I had to think a little more, but now it's just coming more natural to me, and that's basically it. Things just started slowing down and having to think less."
On his relationship with defensive coordinator Juan Castillo: "We have a great relationship. Obviously, he tells me I'm his guy, so that's good to know, especially how fiery he is and his outlook – when it comes to his job he's a great coach to play for and he's a great guy as well. Off the field he's a little different, he's quiet. At (president Jeffery) Lurie's barbeque he was quiet, talking all soft, I've never heard it before. I introduced my mom and fiancé and they said, 'oh he's so nice.' And it's weird to think, but that's just how it is. But again, he makes practice fun, he runs to the ball, slapping people on the helmet and he makes you feel like he's one of the guys."
G Kyle DeVan
On how he landed in Philadelphia: "You know, I got a call Saturday at about 12:30pm, and I was pretty shocked. I thought I was going to make the team, thought I played well enough to be in the rotation. And unfortunately, that's not what happened. So I had to move on, I had to find another job. And I didn't know for a little while, didn't know Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening or Sunday morning until the Eagles called me. And I'm just happy to be here, happy to have a job, happy to be part of a great organization in a city that's historically known for great fans and great football."
On whether he thinks the Eagles are a good fit for him: "Well, I think what Philadelphia's doing in the offense I think I can fit in well and contribute to this team in any way, shape, and form."
On whether he is friends with any players on the team: "(CB) Brandon Hughes, actually. We went to college together. And then, me and (DT) Trevor Laws wrestled against each other in high school and played each other in college and at the NFL level."
On where he wrestled Laws: "I went to Vacaville High School in California, we flew out to Minnesota, and me and him, we got to wrestle each other."
On who won the wrestling match: "He won by a point, but I got homered. I didn't get my take down at the end of the match (laughing). It's unfortunate but we've known each other for a decade."
On whether it is easier to come into a system that he's familiar with: "There is one part that's nice is a lot of his techniques and his calls are the same stuff we did in Indianapolis. And now it's all about sitting down and pulling out the playbook and learning the plays, learning the calls that they use here. And not necessarily comparing it to what we did in Indy, but kind of getting on a neutral ground and saying, 'Okay, this is this in Indy, but now we call it this.' And as quickly as I can learn the playbook, the better off I am on this team."
On how long he played under Howard Mudd: "I got to play for Howard for one year, and then he retired after the Super Bowl."
On whether he practiced today: "I got to practice today, yeah."
On whether he practiced with the first team or second team: "You know, I just went out there and got the feel of the team. I got to take some reps on the scout team, and trying to learn the cadence, trying to learn the speed of their practice, you know what they're doing, what they're looking for when we're trying to give the defense some looks. So I'm just trying to learn the plays, like I said the cadence, the cadence is completely different than (Colts QB) Peyton's (Manning). So you know whatever I have to do to get better is what I'm going to do."
On what position he plays: "Ever since I've played for Howard I've been able to play all three, right (guard), left (guard) and center. So whatever he tells me to go in or wherever the scout team coach tells me to go in, I'll go there. It doesn't matter if I play right tackle or tight end or something (joking). So it doesn't matter to me, I just want to get my reps and learn the system."
