Now that we know Michael Vick will be in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform in 2013, there are a couple of different ways to look at the union with new coach Chip Kelly. Vick might be the perfect fit for the tweaked read-option with his combination of athleticism and passing ability. But that might expose Vick to more hits, and he hasn't stayed healthy or played all 16 games in a season since 2006.
"I know it's possible, I've done it before," Vick said on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" on Tuesday. "The thing is, you have to be very cautious and meticulous about what you're doing on the field, but not to the point where it takes away from your game. Once you start trying not to get hurt, that's when you get hurt.
"What I have to do is just go out and play lights-out football and not worry about getting hurt. Over the last two years I was trying to protect myself, trying to make sure that I was out on the football field with my teammates. Just putting too much effort into not being injured. When you do that, it slows you down just a half second."
Vick, who missed nine games over the last two seasons, hasn't played in 17 of 64 contests since arriving in Philly in 2009. At 32 years old, he envisions himself playing another four or five years.
"I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts and I'm going to take advantage of it," Vick said. "I'm not focusing on next year, I'm not focusing on what happened in the past. I'm focusing on the next down. That's going to be my mindset going into 2013."
Vick's theory is interesting. Hesitation can get you hurt, but he's been banged up four straight years -- not just two. Regardless, Vick is running out of chances to show he remains a starting-caliber quarterback. We'll quickly find out what's left and if the Eagles' new offense is a good fit. He's playing for a multiyear deal and has no room to play at anything less than full speed.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
