"Michael Vick's return to the Georgia Dome Sunday will be the quarterback's first appearance there in nearly three years.

But the person who jogs out of the tunnel in a No. 7 Eagles jersey can't relate to the one who once captivated the crowd every home game in the No. 7 Falcons jersey.

The new edition of Michael Vick, who spent nearly two years in prison and incurred public shame for bankrolling a dogfighting circuit, isn't recognizable to the prior one.

"I would say I'm not the same person I was when I left in 2007," Vick told the media gathered around him at Eagles headquarters before Wednesday's practice.

"I've been through a lot, seen a lot, had to deal with a lot. Going through certain experiences, you mature a great deal. You never know how much you mature until you are put in a similar situation. Those situations I handled pretty well and much different than I would have a couple years ago."

A self-described more mature Vick has, so far, handled his current role professionally, even if he anticipated more involvement in the Eagles' offense when he signed in late August.

Through 11 games, Vick has just 24 touches -- 15 runs, nine pass attempts -- and 71 total yards, which ranks eighth on the team, excluding quarterbacks.

He hasn't fulfilled the fans' version of the Wildcat specialist he and coach Andy Reid months ago forecasted for him, all of which makes Sunday's return to the place he reached iconic status somewhat unsettling.

Though he never developed into the quintessential West Coast offense quarterback that picked apart defenses with precision and timing, Vick's incomparable scrambling acumen made him one of the NFL's most indefensible superstars and sent him to the Pro Bowl three times.

"I think this week is going to be a little tougher than average because I played in that stadium, and that's where I started my career, and I have so many great memories," Vick said. "To be playing a limited role (with the Eagles), I'm pretty much used to that. I know my position on this team, but the ultimate goal is to win the game.""