Michael Vick Responds To Criticism, Says He "Always Play Pissed Off"

After a Bye Week that featured speculation about his job security, Michael Vick reported to work today ready to hopefully turn around this Eagles season.

But did he worry that he might not get the chance after Andy Reid evaluated his play in the first 6 games? Vick's answer to that today was a resounding "no".

"No, it was never a time when I didn't know whether I was going to be the starter or not," said Vick. "Quite frankly, I know what I can do when I'm out there and I know what has to happen when I'm out there on the football field. That's just my approach now, to go out there and get the job done. We'll see what happens."

We might never know how close Andy Reid was to going with Nick Foles, but chances are that it was a lot closer than Vick seems to think it was. The argument can be made that since he entered the NFL, Vick has never been under more pressure to succeed. While he struggled in Atlanta, Vick was sent to jail before he really faced any pressure to produce or he could lose his job. Fans were disappointed last year by his play, but were hoping that with a full off-season his play would improve this year. Vick has produced game winning drives, but his play has not really improved as he still has 8 interceptions and 7 lost fumbles.

Still, Vick says having to respond to critics is nothing new to him.

"It's not the first time that I've been in this situation," said Vick. "I understand that the most important thing is for me to go out there and continue to do my job, and try to help this football team anyway I can"

As for the comment by Donovan McNabb that Michael Vick needs to play pissed off- much like McNabb did after his benching in 2008?

"I always play pissed off," said Vick.

Other Practice Notes:

Mike Patterson Practices: Reports yesterday that Mike Patterson could return to the practice field proved to be true, as the former USC Trojan practiced on Monday for the first time this season. The Eagles have until Week 9 to activate Patterson. All indications are that Patterson will not play this week against the Atlanta Falcons. Patterson said today that nothing has been done to his helmet to prevent further injury.

Nnamdi Asomugha Responds: When Nnamdi Asomugha said after the Eagles loss to the Detroit Lions that he didn't agree with the change in gameplan, many fans and media members used that as the prime example of players not respecting now ex-defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. Not the case, said Asomugha.

I had a tough time last week when those stories came out, to be honest. It was more so a character thing and that’s something that I would never do as a player. I think you guys will start to know that a little bit more as we continue to get to know each other. But there’s no underlying [message] -- this was said, but it might have meant this. I wouldn’t do that to a coach and especially Juan, just because as far as a player-coach relationship, we had been so communicative. It wasn’t a good feeling. But after speaking to him and him knowing that wasn’t the case, I think it made it a lot better. But I don’t think that had anything to do with him being let go or anything.”

Multiple players said today that when Todd Bowles addressed the team this morning, he said the defense was not going to be "as predictable." Whether or not the defense improved with Bowles at the helm remains to be seen, but Kurt Coleman spelled out the pressure facing this unit when they return to the field.

We’ve got 10 games to really prove ourselves and prove our worth to ourselves, to these fans, and to the whole NFL. We’re not achieving to our full potential I feel like. We looked past the last two years and we just haven’t been able to do it, whether it be closing out the games and whatnot. Like I said, we have 10 games to really prove ourselves and it starts with this week.

Follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks