When the Eagles open the regular season this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, it will mark the first time since 2006 that Michael Vick enters the season as a starting quarterback. It was five years ago this Saturday that the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year opened up on the road against the Carolina Panthers, a team that had made it as far as the NFC Championship game the season before. Vick posted a 96.8 passer rating in that game and led the Falcons to a decisive 20-6 victory.
Now, Vick is hoping to have a similar opening day performance when the Eagles open their quest for a Super Bowl in St. Louis. On paper, the Eagles are certainly more talented than the 2006 Falcons, while the Rams aren't proven like the 2006 Panthers were. So, unlike five years ago when his Falcons were the underdog, Vick begins this season as the starting quarterback for an opening day favorite.
The veteran quarterback spoke to the media following practice Monday about how the expectations that have been placed upon the Eagles have affected the team's approach to the season.
"There is always pressure," said the 2010 Pro Bowl quarterback. "There's pressure on every team in the league. We just have to make sure we thrive off that pressure and produce on the field.
"Our expectations are to win a championship and I'd be lying if I told you anything else. I don't have any personal goals, only team goals. As far as the team, I want us to excel, I want the best for this organization, and I think every man in this locker room would reiterate that. It's all about what we're trying to accomplish. We want to win it all."
Vick is well aware of the Eagles' obsession, shared by their fans, with winning a championship. He knows that the Eagles have yet to win a Super Bowl, and nothing would make him happier than to be the man to deliver that to the fans this season.
"It's definitely something we're all shooting for," said the 10-year veteran. "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, and this city, with a championship. I feel like it's going to happen at some point. I can't tell you when, but I am confident that it's going to happen and we're all incredibly optimistic."
