National Football League

Eagles Notes: Reid says he told Vick to arrive later

Published Oct. 18, 2010 10:12 a.m. ET

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Coach Andy Reid said it was his decision to allow Michael Vick to arrive only 45 minutes before game time Sunday.

What was not clear after the Eagles' 31-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons was whether it was unusual for the coach to permit an inactive player - albeit the emergency third quarterback - to show up so close to kickoff and to keep him in the locker room during the game.

"I told him to be here at 12:15 p.m., and he showed up at 12:15," Reid said when pressed about the issue. "That was it. Don't worry about it. Enjoy the win."

Vick was not on the field for warm-ups and was not seen after the game, although the Eagles insisted he had been dressed and present. A number of Eagles players said they had seen him before the game and at halftime.

"I didn't see him after the game," tackle Winston Justice said. "I guess he left early."

Because Vick was still not completely healed from his rib-cartilage injury, Reid said, he had no intention of playing Vick even though he was third quarterback. Kevin Kolb was stellar as Vick's replacement, throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-29 passing.

Reid said Vick was still his starting quarterback but would not commit to his starter's returning in time for next week's game at the Tennessee Titans.

Late last night, an Eagles source said that neither Vick nor Kolb will be traded before the Tuesday trade deadline.

Samuel's return

On the few occasions that the Falcons threw at Asante Samuel, the cornerback was up to the challenge nearly every time.

Samuel deflected a pass early in the game, intercepted another off a tip, and almost had another pick, but Atlanta receiver Michael Jenkins turned into a defender and could have easily been called for offensive pass interference in the third quarter.

"I told [the official] I was trying to make it to the Hall of Fame," Samuel said. "I need those calls. I need those picks."

The return of Samuel, who missed last week with a concussion, buoyed a pass defense that kept quarterback Matt Ryan in check for most of the game. The Exton native completed just 23 of 42 passes for 250 yards.

Samuel "had a big game, and this was a big game," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "And he knew it."

The Eagles' defense was also significantly better on third downs than a week ago against the 49ers, when it surrendered eight conversions on 13 third downs. This week, the Eagles got off the field 10 of 14 times on third down.

Line dancing

A week after being victimized for three sacks after jumping in for the injured Jason Peters, King Dunlap had a much better outing against the Falcons.

The left tackle wasn't responsible for Atlanta's one sack, and he helped keep the dangerous John Abraham in check. He received some extra help from the running backs and with chip blocks from tight ends.

"I'll take my help," Dunlap said, "and throw my hands and still keep my butt down."

The 6-foot-9 Dunlap has struggled with staying low on rushers.

The offensive line kept Kolb off the ground for most of the game, and the one sack, Kolb said, was his fault. The Eagles' running game took a while to get started, but as the Falcons tired, backs LeSean McCoy and Eldra Buckley seemed to get stronger as the clock ticked down.

"I thought we dominated those guys," center Mike McGlynn said.

Wide left three times

David Akers' missing three field goals in a game was a first in his career.

The kicker missed attempts - all toward the south end zone - from 37, 47, and 37 yards out on a windy day. Each was wide left, but Akers came back for a fourth try late in the fourth quarter and connected from 30 yards.

"It was extremely windy, but it's always windy here, and I'm better than that," he said. "So I let the team down, and thank goodness it didn't affect the outcome of the game."

Extra points

Bobby April's special-teams coverage units fared much better Sunday than they had in previous games, never allowing anything longer than a 29-yard kick return. . . . The win saved the Eagles from losing three straight at home for the first time since the end of the forgetful 2005 season, the only time Reid has lost three straight at home. . . . The Eagles have won four straight against the Falcons, and Reid has an 8-1 career mark against Atlanta. . . . Wide receiver Chad Hall earned his first start when the Eagles opened with four wide receivers. . . . Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton led the Falcons with 11 tackles. . . . Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard showed up at the game and chatted with the Fox broadcasters.

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