Michael Vick starts first game in 4 years, Eagles lose 21-17 to Jets

Vick makes brief appearance in 1st start since ‘06

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick’s first start in four years was merely a cameo.

The New York Jets beat Philadelphia 21-17 in their preseason finale Thursday night, while Vick led the Eagles to a field goal in two series and Kurt Coleman scored on two fumble returns.

Mark Brunell’s 51-yard touchdown pass to former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes in the fourth quarter put the Jets (2-2) ahead to stay against the Eagles (2-2).

Neither team used its starters. Kevin Kolb and New York’s Mark Sanchez watched from the sideline while backups saw plenty of action and no-name rookies fought for roster spots.

A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback during six seasons with Atlanta, Vick last started on Dec. 31, 2006, against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. He left that game after injuring his ankle on the first play in the third quarter.

Vick missed the next two seasons while serving an 18-month prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring. He signed with the Eagles as a backup last summer, and was used sparingly in Philadelphia’s version of the wildcat formation.

With Donovan McNabb gone, Vick enters this season as Kolb’s backup. He finished 3 of 5 for 56 yards and ran twice for 11 yards against the Jets. Overall, Vick had a so-so exhibition season, throwing for 189 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Brunell hardly needed the tuneup. He’s entering his 16th year in the NFL. The lefty was 11 of 17 for 118 yards and two TDs.

Coleman, a seventh-round pick, may have solidified his roster spot by being in the right spot twice. He picked up John Conner’s fumble and ran 8 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 17-7 lead in the final minute of the first half.

Conner tripped and lost the ball after hitting the ground, but he was not ruled down by contact so the play stood after review.

On the final play of the first quarter, Coleman picked up Joe McKnight’s fumble and ran 64 yards untouched to the end zone. McKnight appeared to lose the ball after running into his own lineman.

The Jets took a 21-17 lead when Brunell returned for a series and hit Holmes in stride in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Holmes, the 2009 Super Bowl MVP with Pittsburgh, played because he has to sit out the first four games after being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Kellen Clemens started the second half for the Jets and drove them into the end zone on his first series. Danny Woodhead’s 14-yard TD run got the Jets within 17-14. Clemens came out for a series after it appeared he injured his arm.

Rookie Mike Kafka replaced Vick in the second quarter, and was intercepted by Emanuel Cook on his second attempt. Cook returned it to the Eagles 15, and Brunell tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Jeff Cumberland to cut it to 10-7.

J.J. Arrington returned the opening kickoff 40 yards. Vick then connected with Riley Cooper for 27 yards on the first play, and ran for 11 more on the next two. But the drive stalled at the Jets 11 and David Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Vick’s final pass was dropped by Cooper at the Jets 29, forcing the Eagles to punt.