Flowery Branch -- Falcons coach Mike Smith spoke about former quarterback Michael Vick's signing with Philadelphia, but did not make players available after practice on Friday.
"I wish Michael Vick well," Smith said. "I'm very, very happy for Michael Vick and his family, that they are able to turn a page and start a new chapter in his life. That's what he's going to do and he's going to do that with the Philadelphia Eagles."
The team listed on it's public relations Web site that "coach Smith and players [would be] available on the field following the first practice." But the media was advised that players would not do any interviews upon the completion of practice.
The team contended that Vick's signing with the Eagles had nothing to do with the player unavailability.
"We are going ready to go on a flight," Smith said. "We never have our guys available prior to a game ... We have a policy in place about how we do things here.
"We always have done it that way. My concern is to go up to Detroit and get ready for a football game. That's the only concern that I have. That's the only concern our team has. That's the only concern our staff has; is to go up there and evaluate the 80 players who are going to end up being our 53 players."
The Falcons also issued a statement from owner Arthur Blank.
"Michael is going to a first-class organization and will receive tremendous support from Eagles chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie, team president Joe Banner, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb.
"Michael has been given a good opportunity to restart his career in the NFL, and we wish him well."
Smith would not address the fact that the Eagles face the Falcons in Week 13 of the season on Dec. 6.
"I don't worry about Week 12," Smith said. "I don't worry about Week one. I worry about Detroit [Saturday night]. Then after that I'll concern myself with the next game. That's how we'll approach it."
