NFL notes: Vick has his game on the upswing

Michael Vick has his swagger back.

When last season ended, Vick was beat up physically and worn down mentally. He was uncertain of his future with the Philadelphia Eagles and his confidence was shaky.

Then Chip Kelly showed up, Vick stuck around, and the rejuvenated quarterback has never looked better than he has in the first two preseason games.

“I’m having fun playing football and I fell in love with the game again and I am thankful for that,” Vick said after going 9 for 10 for 105 yards in a 14-9 win over Carolina on Thursday night.

“You’ve got to play this game with intense passion and purpose and I thank Coach Kelly for what he has done for me and that’s just giving me that confidence that I felt like I was losing at some point in my career. You just have to keep working hard and when you do that, you get the results that you want. But I can’t be satisfied with this performance. It’s a long season and we have a lot of work to do and I understand that and I can’t lose sight of that.”

Vick restructured his contract, took a pay cut and had no assurances he’d even make the roster when he returned to the Eagles. He’s been competing with Nick Foles for the starting job since Kelly’s arrival and still isn’t guaranteed anything at this point.

But Vick has outplayed Foles, who also looks sharp running Kelly’s up-tempo offense. Through two games, Vick is 13 of 15 for 199 yards, one TD, one desperation-pass interception and a passer rating of 113.1. Foles is 11 of 14 for 96 yards, no TDs, one pick and a passer rating of 65.7 in two games.

Browns rookie remains in hospital

Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo remains hospitalized after suffering a bruised lung in an exhibition game Thursday.

Mingo was the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft.