They chanted his name. They cheered his every deep completion.
Barring a miracle comeback and the Eagles' throwing caution to the North Jersey wind, Vince Young will start at quarterback Sunday night against the New York Giants in place of the injured Michael Vick.
Sidelined by two broken ribs, Vick has not practiced this week. Neither has wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who has shoulder and hamstring injuries. On the injury report, both were listed as questionable for the game.
Vick has never started without at least one day of practice, so the chances of the Eagles' throwing their franchise quarterback out there against the Giants, despite the magnitude of the game, are slim.
Coach Andy Reid had yet to rule out a return, but even Young said Friday he expected to start.
"In my mind, definitely," Young said. "You still have to check with Andy."
The indications all week were that Young could get his first start as an Eagle. Vick was nearly invisible at practices as Young took each snap with the first-team offense.
The practices also were among the more vocal of the season, with Young's teammates encouraging the former Tennessee Titan with sometimes over-the-top chants and cheers.
"He's looking more confident," said receiver Riley Cooper, who is expected to start in place of Maclin. "He just has something about him, some swagger and confidence. He needs that."
The Eagles need Young. This is the scenario - minus the losing record - they likely had in mind when they signed the former Pro Bowl quarterback to a one-year, $4 million contract. Young hasn't been sharp in very brief stints in relief of Vick. But come Sunday he will have had a week of preparation as the starter.
"One of the reasons that they did bring me in is to always stay ready and lead the guys and keep the same tempo that Mike Vick has," Young said. "Overall, I feel pretty good, but it's not about me. It's about going out and helping lead these guys to victory."
The Eagles are 3-6, so a loss would all but kill their minuscule chances of reaching the playoffs. Young, who has a 30-17 mark in 47 career regular-season starts, hasn't started since a year ago.
"We're just trying to keep it simple for him, not trying to put too much pressure on him," receiver DeSean Jackson said. "He's a good quarterback. We're familiar with the game he played against the Giants last year."
Last September, Tennessee went into the Meadowlands and handled the Giants, 29-10, with a run-heavy game plan. Young tossed only 16 passes, and he didn't turn the ball over as running back Chris Johnson logged 32 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
After two consecutive losses in which LeSean McCoy averaged only 15 carries, it's safe to say the Eagles running back will be featured prominently against the Giants.
Young also will likely be without Maclin, the Eagles' leading receiver. Cooper said he's been taking most of the first-team repetitions at Maclin's flanker spot. Steve Smith filled in for Jackson, who was benched, last week. But Jackson is back.
Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will give Young opportunities to throw downfield, but mostly they want the 28-year-old to manage the offense efficiently.
Young has battled confidence issues before and has not dealt well with booing. His "dream team" comparison during training camp has drawn criticism from some fans who thought the boast stamped a target on the team.
His shaky play against Washington, throwing an interception out of his own end zone, didn't calm the fears of others.
The Eagles under Reid, though, have had success with backup quarterbacks. Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley, Jeff Garcia, Kevin Kolb, and Vick have been able to step in and guide the Eagles to at least one victory as the starter.
"We've been fortunate to have attracted good players and then be able to teach them the system," Reid said.
