As the Philadelphia Eagles get set to visit the Oakland Raiders this Sunday, quarterback Michael Vick says he never snubbed the Raiders, because there was never an opportunity to play for Oakland.

On the other hand, former Indianapolis Colts head coach and current NBC analyst Tony Dungy mentioned that he counseled Vick to stay clear of Oakland, meaning the Raiders might have wanted Vick, but Vick says an offer never came from the Al Davis’ team.

“When I got released from prison, I didn’t care where I would have played,” Vick said as Philadelphia gets ready to play the Raiders. “It really didn’t come up. I think coach Dungy just wanted me to be in a place where I was going to be protected, and I just wouldn’t have a lot of pressure on me. I think that’s what he meant.”

Way to clarify any sort of insinuations from the former head coach and Super Bowl winner.

Since the Raiders never called, if they did Vick would have been a backup to current Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell who has not performed up to expectations with the team’s current 1-4 start.

During the offseason, Oakland signed Jeff Garcia as a backup to Russell, a player everyone expected a lot more from due to his potential. Though most pundits expected Garcia to fill in for Russell once he started disappointing, the organization let Garcia go and he joined the Eagles after McNabb sustained the rib injury in the season opener, but was subsequently released once McNabb was fit to play again.

Though there is no quarterback controversy in Philadelphia and that is because the team is winning, if Vick had joined Oakland, the question would have been asked when he would replace Russell. Since Vick is a veteran quarterback and Russell is still up and coming that was something Raider Nation was smart to avoid, but they still need a veteran quarterback.

“If I'd have gone there, there would have just been a lot of quarterback controversy,” Vick said. “I think the most important thing is for JaMarcus to get his reps and get a feel for the game and place, to prove that he can play in this league. You don't get too many years to prove that. They’ve given him his shot, and he deserved it.”

With the game on Sunday though, the Eagles should not have any problems directing the flow of the game with Oakland, which has started off on another bad note.

With McNabb back and running affairs, after his rib injury from the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia can only have themselves to blame if they lose against the Raiders on Sunday.

In Philadelphia’s last win, a 33-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McNabb threw for 264 yards with three touchdowns, rushed for a team-high 30 yards and also scrambled for 13 yards on his first play from scrimmage.

“I was able to move around and be very effective doing different things, pick up a couple first downs with my legs,” said McNabb. “I was able to let defenses know that can happen.”

Though McNabb also exhibited some rust against the Buccaneers, the Raiders should not be much of a competition for the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

The Raiders are hoping to avoid losing their fourth straight game, but they have to answer some questions along the way too.

During their three-game losing streak, Oakland has been outscored 96-16. Last Sunday in their 44-7 loss to the New York Giants, they trailed New York 28-0 before getting a first down in the game.

It might be worse against Philadelphia since the Eagles are the second best in the league in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game.

The Raiders defense will have to contend with a lineup that includes McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook, wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, with tight end Brent Celek and Vick, a three-time Pro Bowler, off the bench.

“With the talented group of guys we have, big games are going to rotate between different guys,” Maclin said.

If the Eagles run the score up on Oakland, expect to see Vick in the game either late in the second half or probably the third quarter; the Eagles did not sign him so he can carry clipboards around the field all season long.

He should be excited he is not playing for Oakland instead. With a player restoring his image, the Raiders and their current status would have been a frustrating atmosphere for Vick to do that.