Michael Vick admits to costing the Falcons a Super Bowl title

Birdland Michael Vick went on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access show Wednesday and basically admitted to costing the Falcons a shot at

Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon making a hit on Michael Vick last season.

Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon making a hit on Michael Vick last season.

winning the Super Bowl during his ill-fated tenure.

Vick talked about his poor study habits and concluded that he probably would have a Super Bowl ring if he started studying back in the day before he went to jail on federal dog fighting charges.

The Falcons are one of the 14 teams that have never won the Super Bowl.

Vick is promoting a biography that will be released on Sept. 4. Tony Dungy wrote the foreword.

Here is a video link and transcript of the interview.

(ASIDE: He talks about how he knew more about breeding dogs than the playbook. If I remember correctly, the court documents detailed how Vick’s dogs lost most of their fights. The dog experts noted that he would buy “cheap” and then try to coach up his dogs. His dogs had a “losing” record.)

Here are the highlights of the interview:

On how good he would be right now if he would have had his current habits earlier in his career: “The sky is the limit. I probably would have already had a ring on my finger, but that’s easy to say. With any team you still have to have 11 guys on offense, defense and special teams that can put it all together. But I would have made a better contribution. I just give thanks now that I’m an even better quarterback and I give a lot of credit to my coaches for that.”

On his comments that he would have probably already had a Super Bowl ring if he worked as hard earlier in his career as he does now: “Yeah, maybe so. That’s just me hypothetically speaking. I know how to work hard, I know I would have been better. Maybe if I would have put more time and effort into my craft then I could have done some things differently. But like I said, it still takes a total team effort to win football games and I understand that.”

On if it ever crossed his mind that he kept doing something he knew was wrong because he wanted to get caught so he could stop doing it: “No, it never crossed my mind. I always thought about what would happen or what could happen, but until it finally happens, then you start to think about the consequences behind it. I just wanted to get away from it all at some point, but the moment I started to turn the corner it was too late. So I’m just thankful that I got another opportunity to do it all over again and do it the right way because it would have been tough on me mentally and emotionally if I would have never gotten an opportunity to do it again.”

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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206 comments Add your comment

lowdownjj

July 18th, 2012
11:09 pm

Good riddence Mike

Falcon Fan

July 18th, 2012
11:10 pm

Can we move past the Mike Vick talk?

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 18th, 2012
11:15 pm

It’s got to be to admit that you were a slacker.

sas

July 18th, 2012
11:29 pm

OL, ANY UPDATE ON TURNER?DID HE REALLY SHOWED UP OVERWEIGHT @ CAMP?

Michael M.

July 18th, 2012
11:38 pm

Best Mike worries about where he is at now and forget about the Red and Black………..as they say everything happens for a reason and the Falcons are in much better shape than yesterday because of that reason, what ya say D-Led about that.

kerryb

July 18th, 2012
11:42 pm

As a Falcons fan this really makes me feel good. “I was making a ton of money and was too stupid and lazy to apply myself and work hard so my team didn’t when a SB when we probably would have”. All you MV7 lovers out there that say you are Falcons fans how does this make you feel? Anyone with a Falcons #7 jersey on at the Georgia Dome this year should be taken out and given a lobotomy.

kerryb

July 18th, 2012
11:43 pm

Love how a newspaper would scream “Freedom of the Press” if they were censored but will censor you in a heartbeat.

Chub Rock

July 18th, 2012
11:45 pm

Glad the bum is outta of the A. Philly deserves this guy.

Broderick

July 18th, 2012
11:57 pm

OK MIKE stop downing yourself because you think you owe it to everybody, you served your punishment like a man and you are spreading your word. Stop downing yourself. You had your faults with the falcons but you wasn’t the only one. The coach and management could of handled you better when you wasn’t on your a game. And I’m not a Falcon Fan..I’m A Panther..

Najeh Davenpoop

July 18th, 2012
11:59 pm

Who was the last Falcons QB to win a playoff game? Just wondering.

That garbage team with the worst coaching staff in the NFL wouldn’t have sniffed the playoffs if he wasn’t there.

Larry

July 19th, 2012
12:02 am

A little pretentious, I’d say, for a 5′11″ fast guy who could throw a long tight spiral but saddled with a double-digit IQ to think he’s have won a Super Bowl. Yeah, right!

Not in a million years could this dope have beaten a Brady or Manning–two real QB’s–in a Super Bowl!

sas

July 19th, 2012
12:03 am

najeh keep with the HAWKS only please…

Larry

July 19th, 2012
12:06 am

Najeh PoopForBrains,

Don’t be your typical stupid self. Gloating over Vick beating the worst Green Bay team in years (and the defense won that day) and beating down the 8-8 Rams in the Georgia Dome (the “last Falcons playoff win”) is a just a tad different than losing to the last two Super Bowl Champions, you dope!

Larry

July 19th, 2012
12:08 am

Yeah, PoopForBrains, I’d say their last playoff victory at the Georgia Dome against the mighty 8-8 Rams was much more impressive than losing to the last two Super Bowl Champions.

Waht a freaking dope!

Najeh Davenpoop

July 19th, 2012
12:18 am

Uh, yes, I would say a win is more impressive than a loss (a blowout loss at that) under any circumstances.

DR. FALCON

July 19th, 2012
12:18 am

MIKE VICK IS A CHANGED MAN, FOR THE BETTER! LET;S NOT HOLD ANT GRUDGES! IT;S A TESTAMENT TO HIS SKILL, THAT HE PRETTY MUCH OUT ATHLETED EVEYBODY, WITHOUT HITTING THE FILM ROOM! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, MICHAEL!

Art Malone

July 19th, 2012
12:20 am

The firing of Dan Reaves was the worst thing that happened to Vick when he was here.Then Blank hired guys who didn’t know what offense to put him in. Reaves had Vick in an offense that workrd but he broke his leg and Reaves was fired. That made no sense at all.

DR. FALCON

July 19th, 2012
12:21 am

I HOLD KNOW GRUDGES, MICHAEL VICK! YOU ARE A CHANGED MAN! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES IN FALCON, RED & BLACK! GOOD LUCK, THE REST OF THE WAY!

Ron Mexico

July 19th, 2012
12:22 am

Puff, puff, ….cough, cough……who me?

Failcants have the same chance as the Viqueens to win a SB = ZERO!

July 19th, 2012
12:35 am

Who dat, we dat, Lombardi #2 this year, Saints fans…..if you can beat us Falclowns, join us….

Byrdz Eye

July 19th, 2012
12:47 am

I’m glad that idiot is gone! Screw him and his book!

jj

July 19th, 2012
12:53 am

I have moved on from Mike and next to The Falcons I pull for The other Birds.I just want our QB,Matty Ice to win a playoff game then we can worry about a Super Bowl.Matt,this is the year you do it or The Falcons start looking for another Face for The Organization.Go Falcons

This Gets Old

July 19th, 2012
1:16 am

jezuz! You know something D-led? I can’t get over the constant and I mean constant attention that you pay to Mike Vick. I’m a black man who celebrated the day Dan Reeves made the trade to get the rights to draft Mike. I understand the resistance that he faced coming into Atlanta. I bought tickets, took my son out to see him and cheered for him and stood up when people said that he was no good and that the team only won because of its defense.

However Mike lied. Lied to Arthur Blank, who’d given him an amazing contract and put his faith in Mike. He lied to the commissioner and he lied to his fans. In the long run I’m a Falcon fan more than I ever was a Mike Vick fan.

You went over the redemption angle not too long ago. Man we’re abouit to go to camp, can’t you leave the Mike reporting to Philly.com?

james

July 19th, 2012
1:34 am

You guys are the idiots….He did a lot for our city we should thank him…..Im a huge falcons fan I love Matt Ryan but Vick got Atlanta happy about football again….it pisses me off that before all that went down you haters were his biggest fans

RhinoGT

July 19th, 2012
1:56 am

pretty impressive for a guy who never studied or prepared correctly to preform like he did. never took for granite what i witnessed in person for what he did on the field. we might never see an athlete like him ever again. from the vikings OT game to the numerous come back wins (over the panthers in ‘05 on 4th and goal from the 12 yard line!!! greatest thing ive ever witnessed). then to the heartbreak of the ‘08 season….. just so sad that his full potential wasnt utilized. from the BIGGEST falcons fan in the world… im still mourning…

Jamaaliver

July 19th, 2012
3:01 am

Glad to hear the guy admit his sins. ALL his sins. Takes true humility to honestly assess your flaws and confess them to the world.

He seems to have turned his life around. Hope he stays on the straight and narrow from this point on.

Rob

July 19th, 2012
3:13 am

Najeh will alays defend his hero Vick like a lot of his apologists. He always brings up Ryan, even when Vick keeps proving the rest of us right by his own words. It’s obvious he is still sensitive about Michael’s departure.

Name (required)

July 19th, 2012
6:29 am

As far as Atlanta is concerned, he’s the past. Why mention him in the Atlanta press anymore, unless the Eagles are in town?

Falcon James

July 19th, 2012
6:54 am

Do we have to keep reliving this?

jd

July 19th, 2012
6:57 am

Vick, stop trying to please those one-sided people and play your sport…FOOTBALL. The ones who are against you for whatever reasonS will always be against you for whatever reasonS. You are a great player, very exciting to watch.Believe you me, there are some players in the NFL who have done a hell of a lot worse than you, and nobody mentions their names. Wonder WHY???? Let your actions do your talking. ATLANTA’S LOSS!

mgdawg

July 19th, 2012
6:57 am

So when can Arthur Blank be expecting to get his money back?

Orlando

July 19th, 2012
6:59 am

All you are a bunch of losers. I would bet that none of you actually PLAYED the game. You sit on he sideline and cheer just like a girl for your dream player. Good luck MV7, you are a great QB.

jd

July 19th, 2012
7:04 am

Mike, stop trying to please these jokers who constantly try to put you down. Play your sport and tell the haters to kiss where the sun DON’T SHINE! (Your behind!)…You are an exciting player, and I look forward to seeing you pass and run like NO ONE ELSE in the NFL can.

BubbaDaBaller

July 19th, 2012
7:18 am

“Hype Myth”…never was, never will be a SB QB…It’s just the Hype talking…and the Myth can’t deliver…

William

July 19th, 2012
7:18 am

Vick, I wish you were still here in the ATL because with this QB today we will never win a Super Bowl. Just being honest…The town give him to much credit. Vick you are one of the greatest QB’s I have seen in a long time……and everyone talking still watch you play because you are something to WATCH…..talking only from experience… from an old man that once played this sport!!!!!!

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:19 am

mgdawg — They got a credit from the league this offseason. I think that’s about it. I guess he goes on the list of players who “stole” money form their owners.

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:21 am

Falcons James — Umm, yeah. Just getting y’all ready for when the book comes out on Sept. 4.

mike

July 19th, 2012
7:21 am

I wish Mike would just move on. He has done his time and other than the haters people are over it. The falcants dont have a chance in h_ll to win a Superbowel then or anytime in the future. Stop kidding your selves folks.Other than high school and little league the college and so called professional teams in this city are just loservilles.

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:22 am

Name (required) — The Eagles are coming to town and I have to get y’all ready for when the book comes out.

William

July 19th, 2012
7:22 am

The QB that that ATL have now will never win a super bowl…they need you back Vick

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:23 am

ZACK – Try again, you had a good post going up you callled Mora a ____. Had to take it down.

JSS

July 19th, 2012
7:24 am

MGDawg…
He paying the Falcons back according to bankruptcy plan… Blank got more than money’s worth!

Larry, you are at it again? Do you really want to open your can of worms? It is still on the shelf, go read what Prometheus put him self in for…

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:24 am

ddoogg33 — Enjoy your ban!

JSS

July 19th, 2012
7:30 am

D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 19th, 2012
7:22 am
“Name (required) — The Eagles are coming to town and I have to get y’all ready for when the book comes out.”

@Ledbetter…
They are playing in the Linc on October 28…

Alvin Spencer

July 19th, 2012
7:33 am

Can’t wait to read a biography from a 32 year old college dropout who’s been to prison for killing animals and filed bankruptcy after blowing millions.

At least his friends gave my Rolex back.

Really?

July 19th, 2012
7:34 am

So DOL… please answer the question about Turner.. did he come in fat again? Thanks!!

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:40 am

Really? — No he didn’t. I asked him and his running backs coach about his weight. He’s the same as last year. Here’s the video: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/06/21/video-michael-turner-denies-rumors-that-hes-overweight/

LMFAO

July 19th, 2012
7:42 am

So who’s to blame for the years since he’s been gone??? Face it, birds: you are the bottom barrel team of the NFC South. Get used to it and get OVER Mike Vick.

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:44 am

JSS – You are correct. Not coming to town.

D. Orlando Ledbetter

July 19th, 2012
7:47 am

BubbaDaBaller – There was a lot of sizzle, but not much meat.