QB Michael Vick
On whether the comfort level of having a tight end position as one of his primary receivers has changed at all: "I don't think so. I think that the tight end is one of the most valuable assets on the field. He creates mismatches on linebackers and safeties, depending on how they cover. You have to move him around to see how they generate space and create space. I've always been a big fan of having a good tight end, and I have a good one here. I had a good one in Atlanta. I've been blessed to always have a good one. It's a valuable asset."
On whether he feels a TE can be a security blanket: "It is a security blanket position. Guys get open, and the mismatches are the most important thing - getting out and having a step on a big linebacker or safety. With a big body, they are able to box them out and you can get a pretty good throw. I like having those guys out there, and sometimes I like having two of them out there."
On whether sometimes a TE is a more reliable target than a wide receiver: "It depends on the flow of the game and what's going on outside with the coverages that you're getting. The tight end can work the middle of the field along with your backs. It can be a great combination when you put it all together."
On what he expects to see from WR Jeremy Maclin this year: "I think this is going to be Jeremy Maclin's best year yet. He has worked tremendously hard over the offseason. He has caught a ton of balls the last four-five days. I'm proud of him and I'm proud of his attitude most importantly."
On what he has seen so far from WR Damaris Johnson: "He works really hard, and that's really the most important thing. It's your work ethic and wanting to be great. If you don't have a desire to do something, you won't happen. When you have a desire and set your mind out to be the best that you can be, you're going to be that. It may come in time and the pace may become an issue, but it'll happen."
On what has really stood out about Johnson: "His work ethic. He can go hard every single play. Each and every play, he'll give you everything he has."
On working with young, fast receivers: "You can never have enough good receivers. You just have to find them."
On what the quick release drill helps him accomplish: "It helps get you going and get the blood flowing. You never know when you'll have to get the ball out quick. That drill just came out of nowhere today, but it's still good. You can always take that and still apply it to a part of your game. That was good to do. (Quarterback coach) Doug (Pederson) gets creative and innovative at times, and he'll pull some things out."
QB Trent Edwards
On his progression from last week to this week and whether he feels more comfortable on the field: "Yeah, and it's getting comfortable with your surroundings, too. I don't mean to get too deep with you guys but everybody, including you guys, have only known me for the last four-five weeks and it's a part of only being around people you've known for the last five weeks and constantly being around that on a daily basis. You don't have family or friends around here from back home around here, so obviously I'm on my own and I've been in this situation before. There's going to be ups and downs, but I need to keep progressing and keep moving in the right direction."
On whether there is a timetable that he will be able to just go out there and throw and not have to think: "I don't have a timetable for you. There are times when I understand where I'm going with the ball and my footwork feels good, and then on the very next rep, that's not the case. I don't know when that is, and I wish I had an answer. I do feel like the mechanics here are enforced, which they should be at the quarterback position, and they are enforced here way more than what I have been through before. I'm just trying to tweek some things and have made some progress, but I have a long way to go."
On whether getting a crash course in a new system is not strange because of constant changes in Buffalo: "Yeah, I was just talking to one of the rookies out here and he was saying how with the routes he ran in college, he did those for four years and that's all he knew. Now, to be coached and taught differently as a receiver, it's tough. I told him welcome to the NFL, you have to get used to it. There's going to be a new playbook every couple of years. It's a new language, and you just have to focus on what they have going forward."
On whether he is happy to be here where he can get some reps as opposed to some other situations where he might not see as much time: "Sure, and I'm happy to be here with the Eagles. The quarterback position here always seems to succeed no matter who is out there, whether it's Donovan (McNabb), Mike Vick, Kevin Kolb – they flourish in this system. For me to sit and watch and learn the system, and to be around those coaches and players – there are weapons everywhere and it's just a matter of me doing my job, improving, and hopefully getting to where I need to be."
