NFL Preseason Preview - Philadelphia (1-2) at N.Y. Jets (1-2)
Sports Network | September 1, 2009
(Sports Network) - Michael Vick is likely to play extended minutes for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, when the former Pro Bowl quarterback and his new team travel to meet the New York Jets in the final preseason tune- up for each squad.
Vick, who was 4-of-4 passing for 19 yards in the Eagles' 33-32 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday, is expected to succeed Kevin Kolb in the lineup against the Jets. Kolb will be starting in place of Donovan McNabb, who will be held out for precautionary reasons, as will many starters on both teams.
McNabb made headlines in the wake of the Jaguars win after complaining about the effect of Vick on the "rhythm" of the offense, and for making the throat- slash gesture for unconfirmed reasons on the sideline during that game.
Kolb, who figures to begin the year as the No. 2 quarterback, is expected to play all or most of the first half. The former second-round draft choice, who had battled a knee injury earlier in the preseason, was 10-of-18 for 102 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Jaguars.
Thursday will also be an important night for the Eagles defense, which has allowed the most points in the NFL (27.3 per game) during the 2009 preseason.
The Jets, meanwhile, will be trying to build on a positive performance in last Saturday's 27-25 win over the Giants.
Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, named the starting signal-caller for the team earlier in the week, completed 13-of-20 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown in his strongest preseason outing to date.
Sanchez will likely play only sparingly on Thursday before yielding to backups Kellen Clemens and Erik Ainge.
The Jets will open their regular season on September 13th at the Houston Texans, while the Eagles will travel to face the Carolina Panthers the same day.
Thursday will mark the 31st all-time preseason meeting between the Jets and Eagles, with New York holding a 19-11 edge in the series. The Jets won the most recent such matchup, 27-20, on the road prior to last season.
Philadelphia is 8-0 all-time against the Jets during the regular season.
