NFC East Notes: Vick promises fans safer play

Michael Vick’s speed and scrambling ability can be a blessing, but also a curse.

Both sides of the story have been well-documented throughout his career. Vick’s versatility has turned him into one of the most electric quarterbacks of all-time, but his gutsy, all-out mindset has also resulted in an injury-plagued career.

But the Eagles quarterback is looking to reverse the trend.

On The Mike Missanelli Show on 97.5 The Fanatic, via ProFootballTalk, Vick assured his fans of his safety.

“I want to make a promise to all my fans that I’m going to make a conscious effort, a cognitive effort, to make sure that I protect myself,” Vick said. “And you know my motto has been this for the last six months, and I repeatedly said to myself: ‘Get the next yard on the next play.’ You know, whether I’m running the football or scrambling or trying to do something improvising. Get the next yard on the next play. That’s why you have second down and third down, and possibly fourth down. So you can give yourself opportunity.

“If you’re not on the field, then you don’t have that chance. So I just want to give myself ample opportunity. Praying to God that I can play sixteen games. I know that’s the key to the season. I know deep down in my heart. And even though I believe in the players behind me, the players around me, I know what I can do and I know what I can bring to the table each and every Sunday, so I know it’s paramount that I’m out on the field.”

Spencer must wait for new deal
Dallas outside linebacker Anthony Spencer might get a long-term offer from the Cowboys, but it’ll have to wait.

According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, the Cowboys had only “brief talks” with Spencer in the off-season about signing him long-term, and according to the collective bargaining agreement, Dallas cannot sign him until after the season.

“The Cowboys had only brief talks with Spencer in the offseason about a long-term deal and have prepared for their 2007 first-round pick to count $8.8 million against the 2012 salary cap all along,” wrote Archer.

Eli rallying behind Peyton
THIBODAUX, La. -- Even for the Manning brothers, this offseason has been extraordinary, from Eli basking in a second Super Bowl triumph to Peyton's comeback in a new uniform.

They're getting some family time this weekend at their annual football camp in their native Louisiana. For Eli and father Archie, it's been gratifying to see Peyton throwing again, something he could not do at the Manning Passing Academy a year ago while recovering from neck surgery that sidelined him for all of 2011 (see full story).

- The Associated Press