Vick’s aim? Only the greatest comeback story ever written
Michael Dwayne Vick doesn’t dream small. He didn’t just want to be a NFL quarterback; he wanted to be the greatest quarterback the league has ever seen and to revolutionize his sport in the process. He knows he has been blessed with a rare and perhaps unprecedented skill-set. Indeed, he said as much in his introduction as an Eagle on Friday.
In that briefing, Vick used the right words and struck the proper chords, which was hardly surprising. (No matter what his detractors might insist, he has always been an effective speaker.) He made his apologies in the requisite amounts, and the thought occurred — just as it did two years ago in the ballroom of the Omni Hotel in Richmond — that it’s difficult to consider him a bad guy if you’re ever around him.
But as I heard Vick’s words, I got the feeling that the notion of a grand design still simmers within. As he eases back into the NFL and public life, there’s a part of Michael Vick that’s thinking: I can write the greatest comeback story in the history of sports.
The off-the-cuff remark he made to David Squires of the Newport News Daily Press — “The first year will be about getting all the way in shape; the next year will be about being the face of the NFL for the next 10 years” — was a glimpse of that Michael Vick. He has been humbled, yes, but this is not a humble man. This is a man who continues to believe he has greatness within him.
This isn’t to say Vick will overstep. He has immense respect for Donovan McNabb, who long ago escorted Vick during a recruiting visit to Syracuse and who, along with Vick, made the NFC championship of Jan. 23, 2005, the first to feature two African-American starting quarterbacks. McNabb has dealt with his own issues, from boos on Draft Day to Rush Limbaugh to Terrell Owens, and has risen above all. There’s not a better man for Vick to have as his teammate.
The greater question, at least on the field, is the one we were pondering when last Vick played a game: How good a quarterback can he be? Does he run too much to win at the highest level year upon year? Does he complete enough passes? Is disciplined enough to stay in the pocket and devoted enough to become not just a talent but a honed talent?
Loading ...All I know is this: In the brief time Bobby Petrino had with Vick in the spring of 2007, the new coach was so taken with his quarterback he was telling people who worked at Falcons HQ the team was going to average 30 points a game. (And Petrino isn’t a man for idle words. Or, as we know, idle feet.)
None of us can know what is written on walls of Michael Vick’s heart — is he truly remorseful or just sorry he got caught? — but if he abides by the law and doesn’t dishonor his new employer that shouldn’t really matter. He’s no longer in federal custody. He’s a free man with a new job. He can’t change the past. He can only point toward the future, and if I know him at all I know he’s not thinking in bite-sized increments.
Michael Vick always wanted to be great. Having been brought low, he surely wants to become even greater. He wants to show the world. I’m thinking he just might.
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72 comments Add your comment
All I'm Saying Is...
August 15th, 2009
9:37 am
As for MV7, time will tell (and, after this post, that’s all I’m going to say about a non-Falcon playing for a non-divison team…until 12/6 if he plays because then he’s relevant to the Falcons again).
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Common Sense
August 15th, 2009
9:42 am
We all want to determine as to whether or not Vick is a great quarterback. Well, how many great quarterbacks are there? Brady, Manning, maybe a couple of more. Where does this leave the rest of them? They all the same or similar deficiencies as does Vick. NO ONE can argue this point. There WILL be a place for him in the NFL. Just look at the list of QB’s who have trotted out onto the field for the Falcons. Honestly now, would the Falcons not have had a much better chance of winning these games with a quarterback who possessed the skill sets of Vick? The personal feelings and attitudes are a waste. Anyway, poster boys for causes are very seldom plucked from the ranks of professional athletes. Great minds discuss ideas (How to use Vick), average minds discuss events (Vick’s performance on the field), Small minds discuss people (Vick’s personal life).
crabapplejoe
August 15th, 2009
9:58 am
UGAslobberknocker wrote: Mike Vick’s punishment was way to severe for his crime. Stallworth kills somebody and he gets 30 days. Ray Lewis was an accessory to murder, yet never served a day in jail. Vick shoots a couple of dogs and gets 2 years? That was wrong, but 2 freakin years?!!!.I hope he comes back and tears it up. And although I am a white guy (and lets face it this Vick question is in large part about skin color)
I guess you’re really crying for Matt Jones then. All he did was drink a beer on a golf course with some buddies and has, apparently, been black-balled from the league. Tony Dungy hasn’t been around to ‘mentor’ Matt. How many 6′6 guys who lead their NFL team in receiving last year and can run a 4.3 are sitting around waiting for a phone call. The Falcons picked up Ferguson instead…..he had 3 receptions for 25 yards last year! But, yeah, its all about the black man being discriminated against….cry me a river….and I’m sure you don’t know the significance of “cry me a river”.
Nativebird
August 15th, 2009
10:04 am
Ah yes, and now it begins…the media love-story part II. You tore him down, now surely building him back up has simply GOT to sell more papers for Cox right?). Can’t you guys just report on reality? A gangsta from the streets with great athletic ability, but still a gangsta simply. Now we get , “effective speaker”, “greatest comeback”.
What a sell out. Thought you guys were interested in truth. Now it’s an “epic” for you I’m sure. Hey MB, who do you think will get the Movie rights.
ATL Steve
August 15th, 2009
11:56 am
In the city of Philadelphia, they have a deep underground dog fighting scene. If you can get this guy to get in there and talk and become a positive influence on the youngsters, maybe you prevent another Vick story 10 years from now. I said it before he was convicted and I still believe it…he would have done a HELLUVA lot more good with 2000 community hours than jail. I do believe that prison has put him on the right path and we can only see how it goes from here. One more thing…I have a nomination for an 8th Deadly Sin…Self-RIghteousness! Until we understand that we ALL FALL SHORT, we will never become the world that we need to be!
GO FALCONS!
John R. Smith
August 15th, 2009
12:00 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..
Marijuana
Hartsfield
Water bottle
Watches
Dogs
Middle Finger
Herpes
Am I miising anything?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………………..
Paulie OldSchool
August 15th, 2009
12:10 pm
Several points: Greatest comeback sports story of all time? I think not. Rather, I think Jimmy Piersall (mental health), Ben Hogan (severe car accident), Harry Varden (TB), Monty Stratton (lost leg), Joe Wood (dead arm), Jerry Kramer (numerous serious operations), etc. Secondly, effective speaker? I think not. I saw “highpoints” of his “press conference” and I have two questions: Firstly, will this man EVER face reporters alone again? And, secondly, does he have 2 kids or 3? He said both at different times. He is barely conversant with the mother tongue, no leader (check what various Falcons have said anonymously re the difference in Vick and Ryan in terms of leadership on the field), and will always be a run-first, throw-in-desperation QB. Several years ago, in talking to a buddy who is a Steeler fan, I said that I was afraid Vick would never be more than a “Slash” player–our version of Kordell Stewart. I was wrong. Kordell Stewart, while ineffective, never brought the level of shame and disgrace to the game or the city he played for like Vick did. Philly fans will never be as lenient as ATL fans were. He will be flipping them off within days of being allowed to take the field.
Charlie
August 15th, 2009
12:18 pm
I think what is interesting is issue is his mention of distructive “cultural issues” within the black community. Whenever “dialog” of race comes up, any mention of these issues is met with racist accusations, it is a subject blacks have been reluctant to address.
I think Tony Dungy is going to make or break Vick. he will not accept excuses, and if Vick falls into any old habits (the exact “cultural issues” that plague the black community), Dungy will be all over him, and if Dungy gives up, Vick is done.
I believe this is a very good lesson, and the lesson is, it is not society that is restricting the black male, but the cultural issues that effect the choices he makes.
If Vick is able to drop these cultural habits, he very will may become the greatest QB story of all time. If he gives in to the pressure of his old “friends”, he will another black tragedy of wasted opportunity, of another black man being held down by their culture.
Vick is working under the standard of everyone else in this country, his future will be dictated by the choices he makes, not the color of his skin. I believe that is what MLK gave his life for.
And just like Vick, all you black haters will one day be out of excuses, and your future will also be dictated by your actions and choices.
Tired of Dumb Vick Fans and Glad Matt Ryan is Here
August 15th, 2009
12:25 pm
Mark Bradley the guy didn’t have cancer he was a criminal! I hope the guy keeps his nose clean and can have some sort of a career
But he wasn’t great before, he was exciting.
Articles like this perpetuate the hype. If he were 45 with a gut playing qb, he would still be exciting because it is intriguing to see a quarterback run. Exciting does not equal great.
To put things into perspective:
Mike Vick-2 playoff wins in 8 years
Joe Flacco-2 Playoff wins in 1 year
Give me a break!
Lance Armstrong
August 15th, 2009
12:48 pm
Greatest comeback story ever, hmmm.
Rev. Jomocha
August 15th, 2009
1:59 pm
If Vick does indeed [ahem] “write” the greatest comeback story ever written, he and most of his chest-thumping, drug-using, inarticulate, brain-numb “SUPPORTERS” will be too dumb to read it.
Burn in Hell, Vick and all the V-103 listeners who worship you!
Vick Lover
August 15th, 2009
2:49 pm
Thanks Mark Bradley. I appreciate you more and more. I’m blown away by the hypocrisy in these animal lovers, especially PETA. these same people eat meat (seen a feedlot lately?) wear leather shoes, etc. if PETA is so big and bad? why do they only have Vick, who just fell into their hands. Everyone knows that dog fighting is big business and on any given weekend in may southern towns, there are people who know exactly where it’s taking place. Where’s PETA’s influence with the Law Enforcement? If Vick gave away a $25,000 purse to his opponent why wasn’t the opponent apprehended? What about cock fighting in LA? What about the greyhounds? PETA has Vick and Vick only which makes them real cowards in my mind. Vicks’s dogs are millionaires and his penalty was the stiffest ever. Enough already!!!! God speed Michael. Why, I may even learn to like the Eagles. (AARRGHH! Did i say that?). .
Ted Striker
August 15th, 2009
3:09 pm
PaulieOldschool, Lance Armstrong, Navigator, RogerWriter: I haven’t seen anyone disparage what Hogan accomplished. But riddle me this, folks: What IF Vick were to play a larger than expected role in helping the Eagles reach the playoffs — after being banned by the sport entirely and sent to prison during his prime? And what if McNabb was injured during the playoffs and Vick then led the Eagles to the Super Bowl? And what IF Vick was then the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV?
Unless Pete Rose gets reinstated by baseball, decides to play for the Reds and becomes MVP of the World Series, I’d say Vick’s comeback would reign supreme. I could be wrong, but I think even gritty Ben Hogan would say the same.
Right Reverend Jomocha: I’m too “inarticulate”, “drugged-up”, “brain-numb” and “dumb” to accurately read most of your 1:59 p.m. sermon, pastor, but I did manage to somehow comprehend one phrase: “V-103 listeners.” Your holiness, I’m begging your pardon to say this but you see — I don’t actually listen to V-103. (I’m more of a 98.5 The Beat heathen).
In closing, I’m honored by your ecclesiastical decree that I go burn in the fiery pit of hell and all that — I was just hoping you might get all the stereotypes about me correct in the future before I actually begin my eternal sentence.
One of your straying flock,
Ted Striker
Lance Armstrong
August 15th, 2009
3:58 pm
What if Vick stepped in and won a superbowl, well if he wins 5 more after that, then retires for 4 years, then comes back again and goes deep in the playoffs, well, then I will say he equals my comeback story.
Ted Striker
August 15th, 2009
5:51 pm
Dear Lance,
There’s an expression that says “it’s like riding a bike…you never forget how to do it.” Ever considered there might actually be a reason they say “riding a bike” as opposed to say — “being an NFL quarterback”?
Not that I’m knocking your greatness, but I will say this. Had Brett Favre’s dad had bought him a bike rather than a football when he was little, he’d have won 27 or 28 Tour de France titles in between retiring and un-retiring and drinking beer.
p.s. My 3 year old nephew can ride a bike. And so can my 107 year old grandmother. But I’ll grant you’re faster than the both of them.
FL
August 15th, 2009
9:05 pm
I’m an Eagles fan because of Vick. Much success Michael!!!
Tom J
August 15th, 2009
10:42 pm
Greatest comeback story of all-time? Uh, Mark, that would be the story of Muhammad Ali, a man who lost his three years on principle, rather than by dint of of his own criminality.
Ted Striker
August 15th, 2009
11:09 pm
Mark, we’re outnumbered but you hit ‘em high and I’ll hit ‘em low. (I’m good at that).
Ron Mexico
August 16th, 2009
12:10 am
I do not have an active outbreak, I swear!
Matt M.
August 16th, 2009
1:26 am
“Hypothetical question for all Falcons fans:
If Matt Ryan had suffered a season-ending injury last week,”
Yeah…just a harmless little “hypothetical question” for us to consider right?
Why do I get the feeling that people like Najeh are actively rooting for Matt Ryan to fail or have a career-ending injury? How pathetic. It reminds me of the “I hope he fails” stuff about Obama.
truth-serum
August 16th, 2009
12:06 pm
Any furor over Vick’s signing has not stopped the NFL marketing machine. Vick’s new Eagles’ jersey — available in white, black or midnight green — was available on the league’s Web site for $259.99.
Daddy Long Long
August 18th, 2009
8:47 pm
10-4 Striker