Vick-Jaws-McNabb

Michael Vick, left, with former Eagles quarterbacks Ron Jaworski, middle, and Donovan McNabb at Ron Jaworski's Celebrity Golf Challenge.

(Jordan Raanan | NJ Advance Media)

EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. ‐ Michael Vick's always been that big brother figure to former Eagles teammate LeSean McCoy. When they were teammates in Philadelphia for five seasons, Vick regularly imparted his life experience on the younger McCoy, who idolized the electric quarterback when he first entered the league.

Even though McCoy's now a veteran with six years of NFL experience, nothing has changed. Vick's still dishing the advice in that direction.

The unemployed quarterback saw McCoy recently at former teammate DeSean Jackson's charity event in Washington, D.C., and tried to help the Pro Bowl running back after he created a firestorm with comments inferring that Eagles coach Chip Kelly was racist.

"I try to give my little piece of advice that I can offer him. He's his own man. He has his own feelings and emotions. So I can't interfere with that," Vick said Monday at Ron Jaworski's Celebrity Golf Challenge at Blue Heron Pines. "The only thing I try to tell him is stay positive, don't expose yourself so much. You're still blessed to be playing in the NFL, a great league, and don't take things so personal. Your life is great on and off the field. Keep it that way."

McCoy was traded by Kelly and the Eagles this offseason to the Buffalo Bills. It didn't go over well with McCoy.

The outspoken running back's comments have left everyone in and around the Eagles organization answering questions that have nothing to do with football.

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Vick, a former team leader, has been forced to play mediator.

"I talked to [wide receiver Riley] Cooper two weeks ago. He called me looking for Shady," Vick said. "We all stay in contact. That is the way it's supposed to be."

It's unlikely this is what they'd like to be talking about. McCoy and Cooper have had their differences. And Vick didn't exactly agree with McCoy's recent assessment about his former coach.

"Shady said that for his own reasons," Vick said "I know Chip personally and I don't feel that way about him. I try not to even look at it that way.

"I don't know why Shady said that. Maybe it was because of personal encounters. We just try to leave it at that, but I know Shady has moved on, Chip has moved on and we should all leave it at that."

Vick's trying to reach the next step in his career as well. Currently he's working out but doesn't have a job. He's waiting patiently.

There's little doubt in his mind there is still something left in that soon-to-be 35-year-old body.

"Absolutely, I still want to play. I'll continue to work out and stay optimistic," said Vick, who spent last year with the Jets. "That's about all you can do in my situation. Don't be upset about it. I'm not the first guy this has happened to. Just got to stay the course and stay patient."

In the meantime, he's been working on his golf game, shooting consistently in the mid-80s. His scores have even dipped into the 70s.

"I have plenty of time to play golf lately," Vick said. "So I take advantage of it."

In between serving as McCoy's big brother, of course.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.