QB Michael Vick had some interesting observations on Thursday, when he was asked what wide receiver DeSean Jackson has to do to play on the same level as he did two years ago when he went to the Pro Bowl.

Jackson averaged 22.5 yards per reception in 2010 and scored a total of eight touchdowns. In 2011, he averaged 16.6 yards and scored four touchdowns. That’s a dramatic drop in production and Jackson has admitted that his unhappiness with his contract played a part in that.

Now Jackson has a new contract and says he is happy. And now Vick wants to see that turned into production on the field

“He has to be focused,’’ Vick said. “His mind has to be in tune with football. The most important thing he can do right now is to make sure that he’s attentive in the meetings, he’s in his playbook and he understands different coverages so when he hears a play call, (he understands) what it’s designed for.

“It’s a lot of responsibility that he has to bear,’’ Vick added, “but in order to be in the same league with the great ones, those are things that you have to do. From my understanding, he wants to be one of the best at his position and in this league. He’s going to have to work for it. I think he understands that, and he’s been showing that.”

Happy return for Foles: The last time Nick Foles was on the Eagles’ practice fields in South Philly it was for a spring minicamp and the rookie quarterback readily admits he was lost -- he didn’t know his way around the city and he didn’t know his way around the Eagles’ playbook.
The city still hasn’t been explored, but Foles is a much more confident and competent quarterback in August than he was in May.

“I’ve grown a lot,’’ he said. “It’s been two months since I’ve been here, so I’ve gained a lot of knowledge of the offense and timing with the receivers, and I played in a (preseason) game. We had a lot of knowledge heading in the right direction. I’ve still got a long ways to go, so I’ll keep plugging away.’’

Now he gets to plug away with better players since he was moved to No. 2 QB after Mike Kafka broke a bone in his hand. It’s a promotion he couldn’t have handled back in May, but now he’s looking forward to it.

“It’s a great opportunity to practice and play with the (second team) and a great opportunity for all of us to take a step forward,’’ he said. “And that’s what I’m trying to do every day, take a step forward.”

Injury update: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha tried to practice on Thursday, but his sore neck – the result of a head-to-head collision with S Nate Allen during practice on – was still bothering him, so after warming up and testing it, he went back to the trainer’s room.

Also, cornerback Joselio Hanson left practice after dislocating his pinky, linebacker Casey Matthews sat out with sprained ankle and defensive tackle Antonion Dixon left after straining his left triceps. The Eagles will watch that closely, since it’s the same triceps Dixon tore last season, ending his season after just four games.

Defensive end Jason Babin still is out with a strained calf that’s kept him sidelined for almost all of training camp. Coach Andy Reid said it’s possible Babin will be able to play in the final preseason game, but he will be cautious with his Pro Bowl pass rusher.

“The one thing you don’t want to do is see guys rush back from these calf injuries and they strain it again,’’ Reid said. “You don’t want to put them in that position where that happens.”

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Philadelphia Eagles from blogger Kevin Noonan, follow@CBSSportsNFLPHI.