The Associated Press

ATLANTA - Sophomore slump? Based on Michael Vick's first preseason game, it doesn't seem likely.

Vick, who was voted to the Pro Bowl in his first year as a starter, picked up right where he left off in one stellar quarter for the Atlanta Falcons.

He completed his first six passes, directed two touchdown drives and even scooted down the sideline on one of his trademark runs. By the time Vick left, the Falcons were up 14-3 on the Green Bay Packers.

"No need to be greedy," he said, flashing a confident grin in the Georgia Dome locker room late Saturday.

"What can you say?" Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie said. "The world sees what the rest of us see: one incredibly smooth, composed individual."

With Vick on the field, the Falcons piled up 147 yards on 16 plays - a nifty 9.2-yard average. He completed 6-of-7 passes for 110 yards, a tantalizing glimpse of what the NFL can expect this season.

"We went out there," Vick said, "and put it all together."

DOLPHINS: Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler returned to practice Sunday after missing the team's first preseason game with back spasms.

Coach Dave Wannstedt expects Fiedler to play the first quarter against Jacksonville this week.

Meanwhile, starting left tackle Mark Dixon did not practice and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on his ankle. Long-snapper Ed Perry was placed on injured reserve with ligament damage in his left knee. Signee Sean McDermott will take over for Perry. Fullback Rob Konrad had surgery to insert a pin and stabilize a broken right pinkie finger. Second-round draft pick Eddie Moore will miss at least the rest of the preseason with a foot injury, and Wannstedt said tight end Marco Battaglia is thinking about retiring and was excused from practice.

TITANS: Free safety Lance Schulters has Bell's Palsy, a virus that has partially paralyzed the left side of his face, the Titans announced Sunday.

Schulters sat out the Titans' exhibition opener Saturday night, forcing the team to replace him with rookie Donnie Nickey. But coach Jeff Fisher said Schulters has been cleared to practice and play.

Trainer Brad Brown said that 85 percent of people affected by Bell's Palsy recover completely, but it can take three weeks for symptoms to reach their worst. Recovery can take anywhere from three weeks to six months.

PATRIOTS: Guard Brendan Stai retired Sunday, less than two weeks after signing a one-year contract.

Stai, who is 31 and a veteran of eight NFL seasons, told coach Bill Belichick of his decision.

Originally a third-round draft pick from Nebraska in 1995, Stai was a rookie starter at right guard in the Super Bowl for the Steelers against Dallas.

He spent five seasons with Pittsburgh and also played for four other teams.

Stai played most of first half Thursday in the Patriots' 26-6 preseason victory over the New York Giants.

SEAHAWKS: Linebacker Orlando Huff will miss the next three-to-four weeks with a strained right knee.

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