Michael Vick: I'd Sign With Eagles Again

MIchael Vick says he's happy and thankful to be with the Eagles, no matter what he said to Bob Costas three days ago.

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Vick has all but disappeared, since the season began, into the Eagles' multifaceted offense and Andy Reid's secret future plans for it. But he is still MIchael Vick, convicted dogfighter and NFL lightning rod. So when he said in an interview with NBC's Bob Costas on Sunday that he'd have a hard time returning to the Eagles in his current role next year, he wasn't surprised that it became big news.

But on Wednesday, before the Eagles took the field for practice, Vick spoke briefly to reporters in the locker room and wanted to make it very clear that, while he'd obviously like to be playing more than he is, he's still enjoying the Eagles' bench much more than he was enjoying federal prison.

"I've said it many times and I don't mind saying it again -- I'm just happy to be playing football," Vick said. "Two years ago, I wasn't playing football and I didn't know if I had a future in football. I know what I said, and I didn't mean it to come across as being disgruntled or upset or anything like that. I just want to have a chance at playing time. That's just me being a competitor. But if that's not the situation, what can I say? I just have to keep working and getting better."

Vick has been a nearly invisible part of the Eagles' offense this year. He enters games occasionally as a wildcat quarterback, but the Eagles haven't employed that very much since the regular season began. And when starting quarterback Donovan McNabb missed time early in the season with broken ribs, Kevin Kolb stepped in as the starter. Reid and Vick both declined Wednesday to discuss whether more wildcat is in their plans for the second half of this season, but even if it is, that's not a role in which Vick envisions himself long-term.

"I don't want to be handing the ball off," Vick said. "That's not what I do. I didn't come into the league doing that, and I don't want to do it for the rest of my career unless it's just something that's involved in the offense."

The point of Vick's address today was to make it clear that he's speaking about the rest of his career, and not 2009 -- a year in which he says he just feels lucky to be putting on a uniform. Asked directly if he'd sign with the Eagles again if he had it to do over, he said he would.

"I know how i feel inside and how blessed I feel to be in this situation," Vick said. "I want to play. The good thing is, I'm young and I'm going to have an opportunity to do that down the road. I've just got to be patient. Whether it's two years, three years from now, I've just got to be patient and take that opportunity when it arises."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-11-2009 @ 2:11PM

ajjrdj said...

I'm glad he got to keep all the money he earned before this situtation. He served his time and paid his debt to society, leave him alone and let him live his life with all the income he has earned and will earn. Go head Michael Vick I belive in you keep your head up and God Bless.

11-11-2009 @ 2:59PM

Steve said...

Dan Graziano ,I can see how SMALL MINDED you are by having to get in the (convicted dogfighter) comment..Does this make you feel good..DUDE ITS OLD NEWS (YAWN)!!!AS STATED IN THE ABOVE POST he has done his time and paid what YOUR SYSTEM DEEMED TO BE ENOUGH FOR THE CRIME..Although it was wrong we all have to move ahead INCLUDING YOU..Why dont you just write about things that are relivant..Regarding the rest of your blog it was ok..JUST MOVE WITH THE TIMES we all know what he did and we dont need YOU to remind us because most of the rest of us has MOVED ON..Regards Steve Dublin Ireland

11-11-2009 @ 3:02PM

Ed Fielding said...

Not a big Vick fan here, but not a hater, either. Of course, he would rather be on the field than on the bench. Jesus, these reporters ask loaded questions, so he's damned either way he answers. Kinda like, so are you happier since you stop beating your wife? How in the hell do you answer something like that?

11-11-2009 @ 3:16PM

psu74dl said...

Vick is a scumbag that does not belong anywhere near a football field showing kids that as long as you can run with a football you can be forgiven for anything. Vick might think he has gotten away with something but karma has a way of biting you in the butt when you least expect it. I just can't wait until that day comes.....

11-11-2009 @ 4:38PM

frankjl66 said...

I really do not understand why Vick was signed in the first place. The Eagles will not resign him due to the fact he will be paid 5 million next season. If the Eagles think they are going to get trade value for him, they will not.

11-11-2009 @ 9:32PM

Janny09 said...

Vick is and always will be, a thug. What he did to those dogs is unforgiveable and dead wrong. Instead of going through the litany of his misdeeds, suffice to say he does not belong in public or for children to see, I don't care how much "community service" and fawning he does. Watching Tony Dungy gushing about Vick being a perfect fit for the Buffalo Bills, was sickening. I can't stand Dungy anymore; the Vick mentor, urging us to overlook all of Vick's sins. Truth is, Vick can't be a football player anymore, he is getting old and will eventually revert back to all his thug friends and stop being a false persona. In a few years people will say; Vick who?

11-11-2009 @ 9:35PM

farmers386 said...

Don't care for Vick,,,at all...but if there are NFL team owners out there willing to pay this man millions, to do nuthin! Can't blame Sick Vick for ceasing the oppurtunity. What kills me is..I work for the Prison System in Texas. All these inmates are doomed. Can't make it if they do get out, cause they are not allowed to work ANYWHERE, with thier past record. What makes sick vick any better? Some of these inmates I see every day are in prison for ALOT less of a crime. 2nd DUI etc. and they are basically ruined. No such thing as "paid off debt to society" as all of you Vick lovers spew...a stint in prison is a brand for life (for anyone but this a wipe)

11-11-2009 @ 9:44PM

Wendy said...

Could somebody throw that man into a pitbull pit, wet him then electric shock him into shutting the fug up. If someone gave me a million dollars to warm my azz on a bench I'd be in church every morning thanking God instead of complaining at a press conference then back peddling when the ungrateful words come back to bite me.

11-11-2009 @ 10:12PM

Joe Aviles said...

Hey, the man serve time and paid his dues to society. Let the guy live his life. everyone in this world has done something wrong at one time or another in their lifetime. I love dogs but Americans are too attached to these animals. In South America, Mexico and in Asia dogs are food. A dog is looked as a pig and a cow. In a kettle being cooked.

11-11-2009 @ 11:54PM

nexxtlevell said...

I don't understand why they signed Mike Vick, only to have him in for a meaningless hand off or short run. I truly believe the Eagles would be better the more they actually use Vick and not just when Donovan needs a drink.

11-12-2009 @ 3:08AM

moonerjr said...

How can anyone say Vick should not be playing NFL football? The man spent over 18 months in jail, lost over 100 million dollars, filed bankrupcy and went from the most popular and highest paid player in the NFL to a convicted felon who is crucified no matter what he does to improve himself.

The fact is Vick is the only QB in NFL history to rush for over a 1000 yards, he has a rifle arm, runs a 4.25 forty yard dash (wow)and would be the most exciting player in the NFL whenever he gets a chance to play and get in a rythm!

He is good for the NFL, good for the economy, great for bringing more viewers and revenue to television, NIKE and the NFL which will create more jobs...and so on! Haters keep hating because you are actually going to put more money into his pockets because the media loves controversy and will promote him even more, LOL.

11-12-2009 @ 7:30AM

Debby said...

I hope people never forget what Vick did and never let him forget. Being a good athlete doesn't earn you a free pass.He wasn't a good person then and prison doesn't make you a good person. No , he should not be allowed to forget.

11-12-2009 @ 9:36AM

he may have served his time and may have "paid his debt" But that does not give him the right to go back to his passed life. He can work but just not as a player in the NFL where the image has taken enough hits already. Get rid of this scum bag let him go work in burger king and leave the true football fans alone. If you like Vick and think he deserves to be in the NFL then you are %100 a pathetic Eagles Fan.

But one thing I do guarantee is that if this guy signed with the Cowboys you would be saying he doesn't belong in the NFL and that is what makes all of his supporters hypocrites...

11-12-2009 @ 3:59PM

sjr said...

Vick is an arrogant thug. What he did was wrong, plain and simple. It also shows his character, evil. Any money this guy gets should go to animal welfare groups and to pay down the debt he filed bankruptcy on. He wasn't a good QB (his statistics stunk) before this and he still can't play!

11-13-2009 @ 5:31PM

larryvolvo2 said...

Everyone, anyone can be forgiven! Sadaam did some dispicable things. I don't believe that he deserved his eventual "murder." Michael Vick fought dogs for money. Major corporations sell alchohol that kills thousands of humans each day!No one is criticizing them. Most of these readers contribute to the continued manufacture and purchase of "alchohol." WE all got a second chance. Why not Vick?!

11-13-2009 @ 6:54PM

because vick is a S C U M B A G!!!!!