Vick on his future with the Eagles: "I got a lot left in my tank"
Michael Vick spoke publicly for the first time since his concussion on Nov. 11, the first time since there were reports that he believed that inter-team politics played a role in his return from injury, and the first time since he was benched in favor of Nick Foles.
Vick on his future with the Eagles: "I got a lot left in my tank"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Michael Vick spoke publicly for the first time since his concussion on Nov. 11, the first time since there were reports that he believed that inter-team politics played a role in his return from injury, and the first time since he was benched in favor of Nick Foles.
Vick's future with the Eagles beyond the end of this season remains in doubt. Asked if he wanted to stay in Philadelphia and whether he would be open to returning as a backup, Vick said that he hadn't thought that far ahead.
"I just feel like I got a lot of football to play," Vick said. "I feel like I got a lot left in my tank. I'm enjoying the game. I feel fresh. I don't know. I got to talk it over with my agent and just see what happens. As of right now I got to continue to help this football team win these last two games and the future will take care of itself."
Vick, 32, has three years left on his contract, but the Eagles are only committed to paying $3 million of his $16 million salary for 2013. The team can back out of the guaranteed $3 million if they cut Vick three days after the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.
Andy Reid has yet to announce whether Vick would be Foles' backup or the No. 3 quarterback behind Trent Edwards, although indications are that he will be at the bottom of the depth chart. Vick returned to practice and was cleared by an independent neurologist last week. He said he took repetitions with the scout team at today's practice.
"It's different, but that's just the way things are right now and I have to roll with the punches and deal with it, make the most out of it, continue to work hard and continue to try and get better, continue to try and help Nick out," Vick said.
Vick was asked if he agreed with Reid's decision, one he announced on Dec. 3, to go with Foles as the starter for the rest of the season.
"I'm a competitor and I've always felt like and will continue to feel like I'm one of the best and I can play at a high level and I know I can," Vick said.
Vick said that he didn't believe not playing would affect his future whether with the Eagles or some other team. He missed five games because of the concussion. Earlier this month there was an ESPN report, citing a source close to Vick, that stated the quarterback thought that he was a victim of politics as the Eagles had decided to go with the rookie.
Vick was asked if he was on board with how the team handled his concussion.
"I just roll with the punches," Vick said. "Whatever the doc tells me I go with. I don't question that. They're professionals just like we're professionals at what we do. I respect their opinions and their judgment. That's just the way it was."
Vick suffered his second concussion with the Eagles against the Cowboys. The first occurred last September in Atlanta. He confirmed that the injury came on his second to last play when he was tackled from behind during a scramble. Vick was hit on the next play by Cowboys linebacker Ernie Sims and the back of his helmet hit the ground. He said that exacerbated the head injury.
Vick was asked if he regretted not leaving after the first hit.
"When I'm out there I'm going for the kill. If I'm not laying there and can't get up, then I'm going to get up that next play and give it everything I got," Vick said. "That's just me and maybe sometimes that can be sort of selfish. I only know one way. When I got hit the second time, I was like I got to come out. I couldn't see."
Vick is a $100 million bust and now is old and washed up...maybe he will b a back-up QB with Buffalo or Oakland.— jim35- He made it through only 1 full season in his career. ONE. Look, he's just okay, nothing special. He was once special for his legs, never was for his arm (accuracy) and head. That only gets you so far in this league. Blitzkrieg enjoy your new team with Vick on it, Ill watch Foles and the Eagles. Big prediction there saying a guy with a few gms under his belt is bad. Its all we got for now and Ill hope youre wrong. Difference is, I know youre wrong about Vick.— peteike
- WOOF WOOF : )— bag-of-donuts
- according to market value if they can get Vick for 3 mil and bring him back it would be a bargain and a cant miss situation...... the O line killed this guy this year.
— pr0f3ss0r - The morons in this picture are most of the fans who have written earlier. The guy takes a beating every week and gets no respect with a bad O line and worse play calling. Might some of you prefer a Caucasian QB just because. Sad and pathetic people using this blog.— hankhammer2
- Vick will be a back-up QB for Buffalo..— jim35
- Mike - you are delusional, your NFL days are through. Good riddance _ I can't wait until the day you are no longer on the Eagles roster. I wish Reid has never bought you here.— rayjay
- Mike - you are delusional, your NFL days are through. Good riddance _ I can't wait until the day you are no longer on the Eagles roster. I wish Reid has never bought you here.— rayjay
- Jim35......what a complete and utter idiot....you weren't crying about Vick 2 years ago, or even last year...lol....for everyone on this message board, why not talk about the pathetic useless digusting excuse of an offensive line we have instead of putting the blame on Vick? food for though...I think anyone who put this all om Vick knows nothing about football period. The offensive line is the problem, and its reid's fault for not having anyone to back up all the injuries...start pointing fingers somewhere else because Vick isn't the problem.— PTDTax
- only idiots on this board are the ones who still, through all the evidence, think Vick is anything better than mediocre. Why start him at QB on any team when you already know his ceiling. Throw in his injuries and its a complete waste of time and would set back any superbowl goals or growth of a young qb. But its all the olines fault. Vick apologists, amazing. He cant win a superbowl and to quote another negative poster, never ever ever.......ever— peteike
- Vick gets the blame and Foles get the accolades. The O-line sucks, the defense is terrible and Vick gets the blame. Hmmm, Vick wins more games throwing on his back than Foles does standing up. Football is a TEAM game but posters and haters blame one player. Keep Nick behind that great Eagle O-line. I'm sure the Birds will win a SB in my dreams. SB teams have fans that support the whole TEAM!— lbg
- A lot left? That assumes he had a lot to begin with. Good riddance dog killer.— Scope33
- The NFC was up for grabs this season, a marginal record could have landed eagles in the wild card. And The eagle staff blew it. Andy Reid is the worse play caller player in the NFL. He never utilized Micheal Vick running ability. Mike has been in the red zone more than two dozen times this season and Andy Reid always preferred to call a pass plays. Andy reid called plays like the eagles had A J Green, Calvin Johnson, OR Dez Bryant on the team. Vick has never had a grab it out the air receiver while he was with the eagles. Yet Andy Reid insisted on thowing the ball in 1st and goal, 2nd goal, 3rd and situations. Who throws the ball from the two yard line, with one of the fastest quarterbacks in the NFL? Some of the Slowest qb's in the league have the green light run it in from the 2. You have one the fastest and most elusive players in the league and you refuse to call a quarterback sneaks, a bootlegs, or play action? Why wasnt Vick given the green light to run?. Vick and Shady never had a chance with the most pathetic offensive line in history. There is not a quarterback in the NFL outside of Ben Roethlisberger, and Tim Tebow who is could have withstood what Vick was hit with in Philly in regard to punishment he took. This bears repeating: I have never seen a Quarterback the beating Vick took You have no OFFENSIVE LINE, A SOFT DEFENSE, A coach who suffered a nervous break down and its all Mike Vicks Fault? Vick is, and was, Philly tough. He deserved better— jay919
