FLORHAM PARK – Michael Vick resurrected his NFL career – and more importantly, his life – during the five seasons he spent with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He will forever carry with him dozens of fond memories from that experience. His fondest came when he was perhaps most anxious and least secure – an unfamiliar feeling for one of this generation’s most gifted athletes.

It was the summer of 2009. Vick was about to play in a preseason game in Philadelphia. He hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2006. He had forever tarnished his reputation by running a dog-fighting ring that resulted in him spending 548 days in federal prison.

Now, he was trotting onto the field in Philadelphia for his first game with the Eagles. He will never forget what happened next. It is a moment in the forefront of his mind as he prepares to return to Philadelphia for the Jets’ preseason finale on Thursday night.

“What epitomized everything was the first time I ever stepped on the field as an Eagle, in preseason,” Vick said. “The standing ovation that I got, the welcome, the reception, it kind of made me feel so comfortable at that point in my life because of what I was going through, and the anxiety of playing in your first game in two years and not knowing what to expect from the crowd. That was a warm welcome. That’s my fondest memory. Out of all the games that I won, all the great things I accomplished, I think that was probably the best moment I had as an Eagle.”

Vick, 34, is in his first season with the Jets and will back up quarterback Geno Smith, at least to begin the season. Vick lost his starting job to Nick Foles last season in Philadelphia. But he still cherishes his time there.

Vick played in 54 games for the Eagles and started 42 of them. He threw 57 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions, and ran for 15 more touchdowns. He also got a contract from the Eagles in 2011 that contained $35.5 million in guaranteed pay.

Vick will start on Thursday, but won't play for long, said Jets coach Rex Ryan. It seems likely that Vick will hand off a couple times, and then come out of the game. He almost certainly will get a loud and large ovation. Vick said he didn't lobby Ryan for the ceremonial start, but he is clearly looking forward to reuniting with Philadelphia's fans.

“I’ve got a great deal of appreciation for the fans there,” he said. “After being with them for five years, you develop a great deal of appreciation for them. I’m just looking forward to going back to Philadelphia and just enjoying that day.”

Things didn’t start off so smoothly for Vick with the Eagles. He still remembers driving to Philadelphia for the first time after signing with the team.

“It was a place I didn’t want to be,” he said. “I wanted to go to a team and start, but I knew I was going to sit behind Donovan (McNabb) and Kevin Kolb. I just remember being angry the whole trip and kind of upset, almost (a) disgruntled employee before I could even get there.”

Then he met with McNabb, head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who now runs the Jets’ offense. The “comfort level” and candidness around the organization made Vick feel much better, he said.

“I didn’t know how long it would be, but I was like, ‘OK, this can be my home for a year,’ and it ended up being home for five years,” Vick said. “That’s how God works.”

Vick said he is fine with how things turned out last year in Philadelphia, when the Eagles turned to Foles.

“I think what happened can happen to anybody,” he said. “I never want to play second fiddle to anybody, but I just felt like that team was in such a groove that I didn’t want to try to become a distraction, even though I could have fought for my position and fought for the job. I had a great run there with a lot of great memories and accomplished some things that can never be taken away from me. I’m ecstatic about that, thankful and very grateful.

“The chemistry that I had with the organization was uncanny. The relationships that I developed with the people in the front office were awesome. There will always be the sense of gratitude. That’ll never change. I have friends on that team that I have for a lifetime. That means more than anything.”

Vick has moved on from Philadelphia, literally. He no longer has a home in the area. Now, he finds himself again not in a preferable role – as the Jets’ backup quarterback – but one he is embracing in the twilight of his career.

Last year’s experience with becoming a backup “helped me for this situation that I’m in now and what’s taking place here in this point in my life,” Vick said. “You always envision yourself being a starter. You always want to be the guy behind the center, but times change and things change and we change as individuals, our feelings and emotions. I think I’ve changed over the years and I still have the same attitude, winning attitude, but now I kind of see things from a different perspective. It’s very humbling to be in the position that I’m in now because I get to see things from a different angle. That’s just as important as being a starter, if you ask me.”

So would he have signed with the Jets, if he had to do it all over again?

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “The worst thing I could do is tell you, ‘No.’ The worst thing I could do is say ‘I would have done it differently,’ and then it would have been a totally different (series of) little questions. I’m just happy to be in this position. I think from the beginning, I wouldn’t have made the decision if I didn’t think it was the right one. I can honestly and candidly say right now that I’m very thankful and grateful to be here as a Jet and (am) excited about what we can accomplish this year. I’m looking forward to everything that’s about to happen.”

But before whatever happens this season – whether Vick rides the pine all year, or replaces Smith, for whatever reason – Vick will get another ovation in Philadelphia on Thursday.