Vick unsure if Jackson will report when Eagles open camp

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick was one of the first Eagles at team headquarters, lifting weights, catching up with teammates, doing all types of activities inside the state-of-the-art complex that he was banned from during the lockout.

He's ready to report Wednesday to training camp, even without a new contract.

Though Vick's not so sure his top target will join him.

Even with the lockout over, trouble looms for the Philadelphia Eagles after Vick suggested DeSean Jackson could hold out of training camp because the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is unhappy with his contract. Jackson enters the final year of his four-year rookie deal, and is set to earn $600,000, way below the market value for a top-flight receiver.

Vick said he doesn't know if Jackson will report to Lehigh University based on a conversation they had Monday.

"DeSean just has some things to think about," Vick said, "and some decisions to make that only himself can make."

Jackson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return a request for comment. Rosenhaus and client Terrell Owens battled for a new deal with the Eagles in training camp in 2005. T.O. never held out, though he was eventually booted out of camp and, later, off the team.

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Kevin Kolb, once groomed as the heir apparent to Donovan McNabb, did not attend the voluntary workout Tuesday because he is on the trading block. It seems unlikely he'll be asked to report to camp this week as the Eagles work out a trade.

Kolb started last season as the No. 1 quarterback until a concussion opened the path for Vick's emergence. Vick responded with 21 touchdowns, 3,018 passing yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl. Kolb has been rumored to be traded to Arizona, and it appears his time with the franchise is over. Vick said Kolb, through text messages, is excited about his future.

"We'll see how it all plays out," Vick said, "but we're rooting for him."

Jackson wants a new deal. Kolb wants out. And Vick? Well, he's not demanding a contract extension, but the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is due one. The Eagles designated Vick with the franchise tag before the lockout, and now have until Sept. 20 to sign him to a multiyear contract or extension.

He's set to earn about $16 million this year. Vick once had a $130 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons that was the NFL's richest.

Vick said he's focused on football and not yet worried about signing a new contract -- or of negotiations becoming a distraction over the first month of the season.

"Everything happens when it's supposed to," he said. "I put that in the hands of God and this organization to make it happen."

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie did not talk to reporters as he walked into the NovaCare facility for a meeting.

Coach Andy Reid, starting his 13th season, is set to take questions on Wednesday when the Eagles open training camp in Bethlehem, Pa. The Eagles practice for the first time on Thursday and hold their first public practice Saturday morning. Camp will break at Lehigh on Aug. 17.

Dozens of Eagles made a pit stop in Philadelphia before departing for camp. Defensive end Trent Cole, running back LeSean McCoy, safety Kurt Coleman and wide receiver Riley Cooper were among the players who popped in for workouts.

"It's been a little different," McCoy said. "I'm excited. I talked to a lot of coaches yesterday. I was happy to talk to them. I'm just geared up and ready to go. It's been a long wait. Not knowing which way it would turn out, I'm definitely glad it turned out in a positive way."

Vick was surprised the lockout dragged on for 18 weeks.

"I thought it would be over soon," he said. "It's tough when you have so many agreements to put in place, so many moving parts. There were too many intelligent people working on everything, the CBA itself, not to get it done. It doesn't surprise me that we're here now, actually on time. It's a credit to those guys on both sides."

Vick had already lost two seasons of his career while incarcerated for 18 months in a federal prison for dogfighting. He was a seldom-used backup his first year in Philadelphia, then saw his career skyrocket after taking over for Kolb in Week 2. He led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title.

He's not wasting any more precious days of his career. Wearing a Nike headband, Vick enthusiastically spoke about handling the responsibility of being the No. 1 quarterback and leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship.

"It's more pressure, but that's what I thrive off," he said. "That comes with being a quarterback and being a great one. There's certain things you have to go through and be able to withstand in order to maintain greatness.

"That's what I'm on a quest for."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Saints RB Thomas using crutches, unsure about injury status

Pierre Thomas hobbled into the New Orleans Saints' locker room on crutches Thursday, keeping weight off his sprained left ankle and sounding perplexed about why his recovery is going so much slower than he'd hoped.

"I really don't know what's the whole problem. Everybody keeps saying it's a sprain or maybe a little tear there," Thomas said. "I don't know for sure if that's true. I'm hearing so many different stories. I don't know what to believe."

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Thomas, the Saints' leading rusher in 2009, accounted for 280 total yards from scrimmage and one rushing touchdown in the first three games of this season. His injury occurred while he was being tackled late in the fourth quarter of a Week 3 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Thomas returned for the extra period in that game and gained 23 yards on a screen.

Thomas even returned to practice on a limited basis three days before New Orleans' Week 4 loss at Arizona.

At that time, Saints coach Sean Payton sounded optimistic that Thomas was close to returning when he spoke about the possibility of both the running back and safety Roman Harper (then slowed by a hamstring pull) playing in the Cardinals game.

"They were limited, but they got work today, and both of them are progressing quickly," Payton said then, adding that the players would be game-time decisions that week.

Thomas hasn't practiced since, though he seemed to be making progress Wednesday when he was present for the portion of practice open to reporters, participated in the team stretch and did some light jogging.

During the open portion of practice Thursday, however, Thomas was nowhere to be seen.

"All I'm thinking about is just trying to get healthy, just trying to get better," Thomas said. "I was told to stay off my foot. So that's why I'm in the crutches and in the boot. They told me to take a little pressure off, be on crutches for a little while just see how it does."

Thomas said he hasn't been given a timetable on his return, but he doesn't fault the doctors and trainers who have diagnosed and treated the injury.

"I'm not upset with anybody -- no person. I'm upset with my injury," Thomas said. "It's taking too long."

Fellow running back Reggie Bush also didn't practice Thursday as he continues to recover from a broken bone in his lower right leg. It's highly unlikely that Bush will return this week, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora on Wednesday.

"Both with him and Pierre, there's a little bit of wait and see," Payton said Thursday. "They'd have to do something more than what we've seen these first two days (of practice this week). In Pierre's case, we put him in a walking boot to take some of the pressure off after his workouts leading up to this week, trying to rest it. So it will be unlikely that he gets to practice, and then with Reggie, we'll just monitor him again. We'll list the game status (Friday)."

There were signs of the Saints getting healthier on defense. Starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (left shoulder) and Tracy Porter (left knee) both practiced Thursday on a limited basis, as did linebacker Scott Shanle.

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Greer was injured during the Saints' Week 6 victory at Tampa Bay. Porter had arthroscopic surgery to repair his left lateral meniscus after injuring himself in Week 4. Shanle has missed two games since pulling his left hamstring.

Porter said he felt "pretty good," but he wasn't yet sure if he'd play Sunday.

"I'd like to," Porter said. "But I want to be smart, just as my coaches and my trainers want to be smart with me as well. If they don't feel it's the right time, they're going to hold me out. But if they tell me I can go, I'm definitely going to be happy and excited about that."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Favre unsure of status after re-injuring ankle vs. Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre struggled to walk through the locker room and to and from his postgame news conference after re-injuring his surgically repaired left ankle in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He said he knows by the time he gets off the plane back in Minneapolis, it would be “pretty bad.”

As for his playing status next week against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Favre said, “Who knows? I hope I do. If I can play but not be effective, then it’s not worth playing. I hope I use good judgment. So, we’ll see. I’m not a spring chicken any more. I don’t heal as quickly.”

He went on.

“I know the heart’s in the right place, though,” he said.

Favre said he injured his ankle while being hit on a third-quarter interception by Packers’ linebacker A.J. Hawk –- one of three interceptions. Favre did not wear any type of walking boot or other support after the game. However, he could not put any pressure on his left ankle as he tried to walk down steps from a stage following his news conference.

The 41-year-old quarterback lit up his former team in two games last season, including a four-touchdown performance at Lambeau Field.

Favre wasn't nearly as effective on Sunday night, though his fourth-quarter pass to Percy Harvin nearly capped a dramatic comeback. The play, originally ruled a touchdown, was overturned after an official review.

In addition to his ankle issue, Favre has dealt with tendinitis in his right elbow this season. Favre has started in 291 consecutive games, an NFL record for quarterbacks.

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Payton unsure if injured Saints DE Smith, RB Thomas will play

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Thursday that he still hasn't decided whether or not to play running back Pierre Thomas and defensive end Will Smith this weekend at Arizona.

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Payton said Smith, who has a groin pull, was able to participate in some individual work, but he sat out all of the team drills for a second consecutive day. Thomas also missed his second day of practice this week after sitting out last weekend's victory over the Carolina Panthers with a left ankle injury.

If Thomas cannot play, Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory will handle running back duties, as they did against the Panthers.

Payton said he doesn't want to discuss who might start at cornerback for the injured Tracy Porter. The coach said it could be Randall Gay, recently re-signed veteran Leigh Torrence or rookie Patrick Robinson.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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