Referring to his newest teammate as "an exciting player," Pro Bowl Cornerback Asante Samuel can only imagine what it was like for Michael Vick to be back on an NFL practice field on Saturday.

"I can imagine how he felt just stepping out there with his No. 7 jersey on, feeling a part of something again," Samuel said. "We're definitely happy to have him here. We're going to support him and we're going to have his back. I just told him I'm here for him. I'm happy to see him rebounding off his bad situation. I hope to see him make the best of it."

As for those who don't agree with the Eagles' decision to sign Vick, Samuel says the team cannot worry about that.

"People have their own opinions and their own differences. We're not worried about the distractions," Samuel said. "We're just going to go out there and try to win some games and hopefully they'll be happy from that.

"It's going to be real hard for defenses to game-plan against the offense being that we can do so many formations with a weapon like Michael Vick. I know (head coach) Andy (Reid) and them got something drawn up and they'll come up with some crazy offensive plays."

Assuming the team utilizes Vick in some type of Wildcat formation, Vick's speed, elusiveness and passing ability make for a dual threat.

"I think it's going to be very difficult (to defend)," Samuel said. "You have to set the edges on him because you know he'll take off with it. Then you have to worry about him throwing the ball deep to DeSean (Jackson) or somebody."

Samuel did not hold back on the trash talk with his new teammate.

"I told him I like them left-hand balls," Samuel said.

-- Posted by Bob Kent, 6:15 p.m., August 15