IS BUYING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
He knows: With honesty, comes risk.
When Vick last week honestly answered a question about his future in the NFL, his response could have been received several ways. To some, he seemed disgruntled.
He insisted yesterday that he is perfectly gruntled.
"I know what I said. I didn't come across as being upset or disgruntled about anything," Vick said yesterday.
Perhaps he didn't mean to come across that way, but, when NBC released excerpts from its pregame show, his meaning was, at best, unclear.
Vick was quoted as saying it would be "an everyday struggle" to return to Philadelphia next season and replicate his current role as a backup to Donovan McNabb and a weapon in the Eagles' unremarkable Wildcat attack. Vick also was quoted as saying that he "won't be a Wildcat guy" as his career progresses.
Taken one way, it sounds as if Vick currently is undergoing an everyday struggle now, his first year back in the league after a 2-year absence due to a conviction on gambling and dogfighting offenses. It also sounds as if he currently resents being used as the Eagles' primary Wildcat instrument.
Not so, Vick said yesterday.
He said he signed with the Eagles for $1.6 million this season knowing what his role would be and he is not disappointed in his role, and he understands that, if the Eagles pick up his $5.2 million option next season, he very well could be in the same role.
"The only thing I said was, if the situation came about that I had to be the third quarterback, I wouldn't like it, but, hey, I'd have to deal with it," Vick said. "Not saying I would want to be in that situation. I would just want the chance at playing more.
"That's just me being a competitor. That's what the coaches appreciate. If that's not the situation, what can I say?"
Head coach and team architect Andy Reid said Vick had created no problems, had no complaints, and is a "pleasure" to have on the team.
And, yes, Reid understands Vick's ultimate desires and he supports Vick's contentions.
"I know Michael Vick can play quarterback and be a starting quarterback in the National Football League. And be a very good one," Reid said. "I think he's back, physically, where he needs to be to do that. I think whatever is in the future is in the future. Right now, I'm sure glad to have him here."
With the option in the Eagles' pocket, Vick's future is in Reid's hands. It is generally assumed – perhaps incorrectly – that the Eagles would not pick up the expensive option on a backup QB. That leads to speculation about where Vick might land.
NBC analyst and Vick adviser Tony Dungy speculated Sunday that Vick might play in several cities next season, and thinks Buffalo might be the best fit, since, according to Dungy, Vick negotiated with the Bills before signing with the Eagles.
Bills quarterbacks Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick have been unproductive this season for the 3-5 Bills.
Vick has no regrets.
"If I had to do it all over again, I'd sign with Philadelphia," he said.
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