Once the face of the Falcons, Michael Vick is now just a foe
Another Vick fumble. He fumbles a lot. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Flowery Branch – Not so long ago, it was the first question posed during a Falcons-Eagles week. This time it was the last. After Matt Ryan’s media session ended, someone mentioned that he’d almost gotten away without having to speak about Michael Vick. “It was close,” Ryan conceded, and he smiled.
And that’s how we know: The hot-button issue of Vick vis-a-vis the Falcons is no longer hot; heck, it’s not even a button. He has been gone since the summer of 2007, when he was indicted on federal charges involving dogfighting. He last played for the Falcons on Dec. 31, 2006. He has now been an ex-Falcon nearly as long as he was a Falcon. He has moved on, and so have they.
Only four Falcons — offensive linemen Todd McClure and Tyson Clabo, defensive end John Abraham and wide receiver Roddy White — ever played alongside Vick here. When you ask the current Falcons about their franchise quarterback, they don’t think of a guy wearing No. 7; they think instead of the guy who wears No. 2.
“That’s a thing of the past,” said free safety Thomas DeCoud, who was drafted in April 2008, at which time Vick was in prison. “Coach (Mike) Smith came in and said, ‘This is a new regime, a new day.’ We’ve got Matt Ryan, and he’s our elite quarterback.”
Three times, the Eagles with Vick have been scheduled to meet the Falcons with Ryan. On Dec. 6, 2009, Vick returned to the building he once filled and, playing as a sub in a lopsided Philadelphia victory, led his team to two late touchdowns. This sparked considerable glee among much of the crowd. One thing, though: Ryan didn’t play because of injury. It was one of the two games he has missed since being drafted by the Falcons.
The next October, Ryan played but Vick — by then the Eagles’ No. 1 quarterback — did not. He was injured, and Kevin Kolb engineered a two-touchdown home victory that wasn’t that close. But last September it finally happened: Ryan played, Vick played (though he left late with an injury) and the Falcons surged from behind to win in the Dome. Unlike the Vick-returns-to-Atlanta lollapalooza of December 2009, the 2011 game almost seemed a mere regular-season collision of gifted teams.
For Sunday’s game, we can remove the “almost.” Said Vick, speaking Wednesday with Atlanta media via a conference call: “It’s really just another game. It’s two good football teams going head-to-head. There’s nothing extra added.”
As we know, there was a time when Vick was more than just a football player. He arrived hailed as a savior, and his success — two postseason berths and two playoff victories accomplished in dashing style — made it seem as if he had indeed revolutionized his position. Then the Falcons stopped making the playoffs and Vick drew criticism for not being a Real Quarterback (a charge that was always ludicrous, by the way), and then he got indicted.
Some deemed him a scoundrel, others a victim. The 2007 season, which started without Vick and ended with Bobby Petrino bolting for Arkansas, was a new low in the history of a franchise that had known many lows. But that was, we note again, a while ago.
It’s 2012, and Vick’s years as a Falcon, for both better and worse, belong to history. “There was a certain buzz around the stadium when he showed up,” said McClure, who remembers Vick fondly. “You saw so many No. 7 jerseys it was unbelievable.”
And now? Said McClure of these 6-0 Falcons: “Now there’s a buzz around the whole team. It’s not just one guy.”
Said White, who on the day Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail flashed a T-shirt bearing the words “Free Mike Vick” during a Monday night loss to the Saints: “He did a lot of good things when he was here.”
He did. But he hasn’t been here to play football since 2006, and the Falcons have since found a quarterback who has won at an even higher rate. (Ryan is 48-22 as the Falcons’ starting quarterback; Vick was 40-30-1.) And there’s no debate as to which man has played better in 2012.
Ryan is among the leading early candidates for league MVP. Vick, who has made nearly twice as many turnovers (13) as the Falcons have as a team (seven), has again become a flashpoint, and this time the issue isn’t dogfighting. This time it’s, “Should he be benched?”
Times have changed. Michael Vick is no longer the face of the Atlanta Falcons, and he’s no longer the center of a raging social controversy. He’s just a quarterback for another team on the schedule, the quarterback of a team that stands between the Falcons and 7-0.
By Mark Bradley
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75 comments Add your comment
Mike Bell 790
October 26th, 2012
3:32 pm
First?
WTF
October 26th, 2012
3:38 pm
Never the ace of the Falcons. A punk. Street scum. Dog killer. Felon.
Jason
October 26th, 2012
3:56 pm
@Salley Butcher – You need to do some basic research on your idol. Matt Schuab was NOT drafted in the same draft with Vick. He was drafted in 2004. So, he backed Vick up for a total of 3 years. Though I think Schuab would have done fairly well in Atlanta had he not been traded, I highly doubt that he would have been as good in his first two years as he’s been in Houston the last 4 years. Also, keep in mind that Schuab has had Andre Johnson to throw to out there who is a bit of a different style player than Roddy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Schaub
Jason
October 26th, 2012
4:03 pm
…and on second thought, SallyButcher, you are stupid. If Schaub had been drafted the same year as Vick (as you claim), then he would have been our starting quarterback in the year that Vick broke his leg. Instead we were stuck with Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner. So I suspect that you really haven’t paid any attention to the Falcons over the years after all.
bfred
October 26th, 2012
6:16 pm
Hard to believe that after Sunday Ryan will have played as many games as a Falcon as Vick.
At this point Vick was becoming less effective, while Ryan is just coming into his own. I think people forget that the league had figured Vick out in his last couple of years as a Falcon (and still has). He always gets his rushing yards on busted plays, but his passing yards declined each of the last two years he was here. Teams forced him to throw downfield by stacking the box against the run, and he couldn’t do it consistently or with any touch. His arm has one speed: bazooka.
atlfalconsfan0125
October 26th, 2012
6:21 pm
I think this game will be close.
TheFalconeer
October 26th, 2012
6:58 pm
I was a Vick fan and still wish the best for him. He made some bad decisions and he has paid his debt to society. I know we will win this game and do NOT want Vick to get hurt but if it happens so be it this a contact sport. I wish everyone would get off of his back(except our D) and just let the man be a football player. We are in a much better place since his demise and we have a chance to get back in theplayoffs and get that monkey off our back.
TheFalconeer
October 26th, 2012
7:01 pm
I remeber last year when he got hurt and the Dome erupted in applause for the injury that was a shameful day for me as a true lifelong Falcon fan!
Eddiein acworth
October 26th, 2012
9:28 pm
@sallybutcher
Schaub was drafted in 04 not 01. He is hardly the best qb in the league. He cant stay healthy either.
Falcons 35 iggles 28. Vick is a dog fighting loser. Again.
2 > 7
October 26th, 2012
10:39 pm
TheFalconeer
October 26th, 2012
7:01 pm
I remeber last year when he got hurt and the Dome erupted in applause for the injury that was a shameful day for me as a true lifelong Falcon fan!
——————————————-
Was it more shameful than when the falcon fans cheered for the injury of Chandler who was the only QB in the history of the franchise to go to the SB so the Dog Killer could start?
Harry Kalas
October 27th, 2012
6:59 am
The Falcons have fans?
Jim
October 27th, 2012
7:03 am
That first home game aganst Vick when he returned as an Eagle did me in as a Falcon season ticket holder. I had attended every home game but one since 1983; however, to see the majority of “fans” cheering for Vick against the Falcons made it vivid to me that the majority of the fans in the Dome are not the type fans I want to sit with. How they could cheer for a guy who almost singlehandedly took the franchise down is beyond me. I still watch at home here in Augusta, but my days of driving to every home ended. The Dome fans are not Falcon fans; they are fans of particular players…and don’t tell me the majority of fans were not cheering for Vick. I was there, no need to try to rewrite history with me.
The Voice of Reason
October 27th, 2012
7:04 am
In my opinion, the best move Mr. Blank made was to jettison Vick. That domino allowed the rst of them to fall into place: changed the culture and personality of the team, the GA Dome environment on game days (MILES better now than back then), and – like all good businessmen – hired the right people and let them do their thing!
Esquire
October 27th, 2012
8:57 am
Kristian: Ivory may be traded?
by Kristian Garic, New Orleans WWL
I get that question all the time. I talked to the Saints running back this week, and he told me, “I’m frustrated (by the lack of playing time)”. Ivory has been inactive for all but one game this season, while the Saints running game has struggled for consistency and effectiveness. Ivory was quick to point out the trade deadline is coming up at the end of the month.
I asked him if he would request a trade and he responded, “No comment.” Ivory went on to say, “At this point in the season I do feel like I should be on the field.”
He’s says there has been no communication between him and the Saints coaches about why he’s not on the field. “Deep down, yes I’m frustrated. It’s a little frustrating to just sit back. I feel like my worth is more than that.” Ivory also said he plans to talk to the organization this week or next about his playing time.
Stay tuned, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints trade Ivory. For what it’s worth, Ivory isn’t the savior in the running game, but he sure breaks a lot of tackles and is excellent at gaining yards after contact.
Michael "the dynasty" Vick
October 27th, 2012
12:40 pm
My dynasty (most turnovers) resumes tomorrow.
Thanks for your support.
Likes 612 Dislike 0
Doug Williams
October 27th, 2012
12:46 pm
I was hoping you’d join my lonely a–.
True Falcon Fan
October 27th, 2012
1:47 pm
Hello Mark: Thought maybe i could post this on your blog since DLed felt/filter needed to be taken out. Re: Dled’s column “3 Keys for Falcons to win come Sunday in Philly” —- Dled’s problem is he jus luvs MV7 and can’t anyone to say anything bad or discouraging about “ConVICK”……
Mark: Thanks for letting me post my respectful opinion & thoughts!
If Trent Cole shows-up 100% we are in for a serious fight! MV7 — will cough-up the ball 2X2 = 2 fumbles + 2 int’s —- If our D gets a wrap on #25 McCoy = Falcons “WIN” BIG! Babs & Peters and of course Big John #55 Will make MV7’s day miserable that’s given and expected!!!! Somebody please get a message to Big Ray Edwards “It’s Time SON”???? It really would be nice to see Big Ray get 4-5 sacks this Sunday!
Go Falcons —- I’m thinkin’ — bet the OVER —- probably 47-53 points will be scored in this game —- Falcons 37 — Eaglettes 14
True Falcon Fan
October 27th, 2012
3:49 pm
Also the weather will play a big issue for this game come Sunday re Sandy is going to coat the eastern sea coast with heavy rain… So need to alter prediction a little — Falcons are better mudders than the Eaglettes —- so bet the “under” take the points +2.5 gift to the Falcons — we win 17 – 7
Go Falcons —- Eaglettes, then CaBOYs #9 is that really Danny White or Romo next
DEE
October 27th, 2012
5:36 pm
Philadelphia 28 / Atlanta 0
Tigers don't change their stripes, neither do skunks....
October 27th, 2012
6:36 pm
Tigers don’t change their stripes and neither do skunks – Vick is still a PUNK/THUG and should be treated like one – IN JAIL PERMANENTLY!
Ha, Ha
October 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
Remember LOSERS…You can be beaten on any day at any given time and it’s time to take the LOSERS down a peg! THE FALCONS ARE GOING TO LOSE ON 10-28-12! Remember LOSERS..You read it here first! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA…..GO EAGLES!
jfreak13713
October 28th, 2012
8:11 am
What has Vick ever done to any of you personally? Nothing! Folks if you take sports this serious then you are the problem not Vick. He made some mistakes and paid his debt for those mistakes. I NEVER want to see another human being fail and am ALWAYS pleased to see someone turn their life around.
Now as far as the games goes I hope the Falcons destroy Philly!
Live from Philly: Waiting on Falcons, Eagles – and Sandy | Mark Bradley
October 28th, 2012
12:24 pm
[...] again, Michael Vick does have trouble holding the ball on dry fields, and we shudder to think what might happen on a wet track. But what do I [...]
interested bystanders
October 28th, 2012
2:41 pm
All this hate for Vick is because some never wanted him here. It was all wrong he did and no one denies. He paid dearly his career his finance his freedom. So you have no more to continue your bitter hatred. He’s moved on minding his business. I hope there will be no mercy for you on your way out
gatorsc1@yahoo.com
October 28th, 2012
4:22 pm
ughhh go away bradley… please spare us AJC.