Tokyo — Jim Mora saw the chance to have a little fun when asked how much Michael Vick would play in the first preseason game.
"The whole game," said Mora, the Atlanta Falcons' second-year coach. "We're going to encourage him to run. Oh yeah, sneaks, draws, bootlegs."
No chance of that happening. The Falcons won't take any chances with Vick in today's American Bowl game against the Indianapolis Colts - not after what happened two years ago.
Vick broke a leg in a 2003 exhibition and missed the first 11 games that counted, essentially ruining the Falcons' season.
Of course, Mora knows the Japanese fans are eager to see one of the NFL's most exciting players for more than three plays. Likewise for Peyton Manning of the Colts, coming off an NFL-record 49 touchdown passes last season.
So, look for a gentleman's agreement between Mora and his Indianapolis counterpart, Tony Dungy.
"I need to talk to Tony and see what his plans are for Peyton," Mora said. "I think between us, we'll kind of manage it so that the people get to see those guys play."
Both defenses might refrain from blitzing while the phenoms are on the field.
"What we really want to see is Michael Vick and Peyton Manning playing in the regular season," Mora said. "We also want to see Peyton Manning make some throws down the field (today), and Mike Vick run around and make some throws, so if you pull off the blitz a little bit, you're going to get to see something.
"Tony and I will talk, and we will make sure it's a good show."
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