ON FOOTBALL: Vick’s back, and welcomed in Philly

Positive vibes for Vick at the Linc

PHILADELPHIA — Boos? There weren’t any.

Protests? No banners decrying Michael Vick’s dogfighting pursuits that sent him to prison for 18 months.

There was no doubt how Philly fans felt about having Vick on their team. As he trotted onto the field for his first play in an Eagles uniform in Thursday night’s exhibition game against Jacksonville, they rose from their seats and cheered.

Vick didn’t seem to notice; he was all business as he entered the huddle on just the second play from scrimmage. Coach Andy Reid had promised to use Vick early, and he was good to his word.

Reid also made Vick’s initial NFL play since December 31, 2006, an easy one: a shovel pass to rookie LeSean McCoy that went for 4 yards.

Vick came on for five more plays in the opening half, and each time there was an audible buzz in the Linc. Again, Vick didn’t appear to notice — he spent his time shuttling from Reid’s shadow on the sideline to the huddle, and then taking snaps in the shotgun.

On his third play, in the midst of the Eagles’ 68-yard drive to a 31-yard field goal, Vick actually replaced Donovan McNabb at quarterback. On the previous two, McNabb split out wide, but Vick never looked his way.

Without McNabb on the field — calm down, Vick is not usurping the incumbent’s job — the newcomer made his best play, a 13-yard completion to Hank Baskett. He didn’t celebrate with any fist pumps or chest bumps; Vick headed right back to Reid’s side.

He did have a lively conversation with receiver DeSean Jackson on the sideline while the Jaguars were conducting a long touchdown drive. And during Philadelphia’s 57-yard drive to the Jags 1, Vick took on a cheerleader’s role, clapping his hands with his helmet askew on top of his head.

That drive ended ignominiously when McNabb’s lateral to McCoy was mishandled and returned 92 yards for a Jaguars touchdown. When the Eagles staged another long drive at the end of the half, a helmetless Vick once more was clapping and cheering — but not playing.

Indeed, Philly’s offense was more efficient without the gimmicks involving Vick.

If Vick noticed the smattering of No. 7 jerseys with his name on them in the stands, he never reacted to those fans — or any others. During warmups, the only time he became somewhat animated was when former NFL coach Herman Edwards, on hand as a TV commentator, walked over to hug Vick and McNabb. All three were smiling broadly as Edwards joked with them.

As for any organized protests by animal rights groups near the stadium or even inside, nothing materialized. Perhaps next week, when the Eagles travel to the Meadowlands to conclude the preseason against the Jets. Or maybe when Vick is cleared to play during the season by commissioner Roger Goodell, which could happen by mid-October or sooner.