m Brady’s comeback became an afterthought.
Brady’s return may not have created much buzz Thursday night, but he proved the knee injury that cost him last year is behind him. He threw two touchdown passes in his first game since tearing ligaments in his left knee in Week 1 last year, leading the New England Patriots to a 27-25 victory over the Eagles in the preseason opener.
“Preseason game doesn’t have quite the feel of a regular-season game, but to be out there on the field with my teammates and celebrate after a win, and the bus ride home … those are the things you probably enjoy the most,” Brady said.
Vick stole the headlines with news that the former Falcons quarterback signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year with the Eagles.
Vick was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation, and served 18 of a 23-month sentence in federal prison. The former Atlanta star also was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. He played his last NFL game on Dec. 31, 2006, against Philadelphia.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said Vick deserved a second chance.
“You’re talking about one of the top quarterbacks in the league when he was playing,” Reid said. “I talked to Michael and he’s in a good place.”
Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown, who had an interception, said Vick deserved the opportunity to restart his career.
nt behind him,” Brown said. “From Day 1, to be honest, we thought it wasn’t fair.”
Brady, who used a protective brace, moved well in the pocket and showed no lingering effects of his surgically repaired left knee. He threw two touchdown passes to tight end Chris Baker, one in the first quarter and another in the second.
Brady completed 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards with one interception.
All he missed out on was absorbing the big hit.
“I was just going to hold the ball in the pocket, just kind of cuddle up with the ball,” Brady said. “I was saying, ‘Gosh, I wish somebody would just come up and blast me.”’
The 2007 NFL MVP came out firing on New England’s second possession. He connected with Randy Moss over the middle for 13 yards, then threw a perfect deep ball to Moss down the right sideline. Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel was called for pass interference on the play, resulting in a 46-yard gain to the Eagles 18.
Four plays later, Brady found Baker open for a 4-yard TD strike.
“I thought he was sharp. He went out there and moved us up and down the field and put some points on the board,” Baker said.
Brady sent the Patriots into halftime with a 21-6 lead when he connected with Baker on a 9-yard scoring play.
les that cut the lead to two at 24-22 at the end of the quarter. The Eagles had a chance to win, but David Akers missed a 43-yard field goal with 57 seconds left.
Steelers 20, Cardinals 10
At Pittsburgh, Isaac Redman, an undrafted rookie from Bowie State playing long after the starters for both Super Bowl teams left the field, scored twice in the fourth quarter for the defending champion Steelers.
Neither team scored a touchdown until rookie Joe Burnett intercepted a pass by third-teamer Brian St. Pierre, a former Steelers backup, and returned it to the Arizona 3 to end the third quarter. Redman scored on the next play, and scored on a 5-yard run about 7 minutes later to end an 80-yard drive led by No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon.
Raiders 31, Cowboys 10
At Oakland, Calif., Bruce Gradkowski engineered three touchdown drives for the Raiders against mostly backups on Dallas’ defense, throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tony Stewart in the second quarter.
Louis Rankin and Gary Russell added short TD runs in the third quarter.
Cowboys star Tony Romo threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to favorite target Jason Witten to cap a brief but successful night.
Ravens 23, Redskins 0
At Baltimore, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to field goals on his only two series, and Troy Smith threw a touchdown pass against punchless Washington.
Flacco completed nine of 15 passes for 103 yards, and Smith completed 14 of 30 attempts for 200 yards, including a beat-the-clock 19-yard score to Harper with 5 seconds left in the first half.
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