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| In this image released by the New York Jets, NFL football free-agent quarterback Michael Vick signs with the New York Jets Friday, March 21, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a one-year deal on Friday, and released Mark Sanchez, the one-time face of the franchise. |
NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Vick is switching green jerseys - and maybe trading his clipboard for a starting job.
The
New York Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a
one-year deal Friday, and released Mark Sanchez, the one-time face of
the franchise.
"I love competition and I love
football," Vick said during a conference call Friday night. "And, I feel
I have a lot of football left to play."
Vick
will present a real challenge to Jets starter Geno Smith, who played
well down the stretch of his rookie season, but finished with 12
touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
"As of right now," Vick said, "Geno's the starting quarterback of this football team."
But, Vick also made it clear that he still envisions himself as a starter.
"I
wouldn't say I would necessarily be OK with sitting on the bench all
year," Vick said. "But, I know what I signed up for and I know what I
came to New York to do."
He said his first order of business is competing with Smith and helping the second-year quarterback along.
"At the end of the day," Vick said, "I'll be content with it."
Vick
said he met Smith last year during the draft process and has stayed in
touch since. He also acknowledged that he won't wear his familiar No. 7
with the Jets, saying it was Smith's number to keep.
Vick
was a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the Eagles.
He will be reunited with Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg,
who helped the quarterback have the best season of his career in
Philadelphia in 2010. Vick was plagued by injuries the last three years
and lost the starting job last year to Nick Foles.
"I
want to personally wish Michael Vick and his family all the best as he
heads into the next phase of his career," Eagles chairman and CEO
Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "I really enjoyed getting to know him
over the last five years. He always represented our team with a
tremendous amount of class."
Vick thanked the
Eagles, their fans and the city of Philadelphia in an open letter posted
on The Philadelphia Inquirer's website.
"I was honored to be their quarterback and took the privilege to heart every day," he wrote.
Vick
was considered the top quarterback available in this offseason's free
agent class, although he didn't garner much attention. Vick said he was
sold on the Jets because he enjoyed the idea of being reunited with
Mornhinweg and playing for Rex Ryan, an opportunity he always hoped for.
"He's
a great talent who's won many games, including playoff games, in this
league," Mornhinweg said of Vick in comments posted on the team's
website. "He has the respect of both his teammates and opponents.
He's
here in a role where he's going to compete and push Geno Smith to become
the very best that he can be. Michael will be able to go in and play at
a high level and a winning level if called upon."
Vick,
who had a solid start in Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense, injured a
hamstring in Week 5 last season. He was replaced by Foles, who led the
Eagles to the NFC East title and was selected the Pro Bowl MVP.
Despite
losing the starting gig, Vick was praised by Kelly and team officials
for being a leader in the locker room and maintaining an outstanding
relationship with Foles and helping him through his second NFL season.
"I have a lot left," Vick said. "It's evident with what I was able to do last year."
The
move by the Jets is reminiscent of the headline-making trade they made
in 2008, when they acquired an unretired Brett Favre - but as their
unquestioned starter. The Vick signing also came two years to the day
that the Jets made the stunning move to trade for Tim Tebow.
Vick,
a four-time Pro Bowl selection who will be 34 in June, was once
considered the most dynamic player in the NFL, particularly during his
first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
His
playing career was abruptly halted for two seasons in 2007 when he
pleaded guilty to being part of a dog fighting ring. He served 21 months
in federal prison, and two more in home confinement. Since his release
in 2009, Vick has worked with the Humane Society of the United States to
stop organized animal fighting.
The move drew mixed reviews by Jets fans on Twitter and message boards, but that didn't concern Vick.
"I
appreciate all the Jets fans who appreciate me and accept me for who I
am and what I've become, not for what I've done," Vick said. "Right now,
my past is irrelevant."
The Sanchez move came
as no surprise, but completes a stunning downfall for the quarterback
who once drew comparisons to Joe Namath after helping lead the Jets to
consecutive AFC title games in 2009 and 2010.
Sanchez
struggled with consistency after that, and the lasting image of his
time with the Jets came in 2012 when he fumbled after running into the
backside of guard Brandon Moore. It was returned for a touchdown by New
England's Steve Gregory in front of a national television audience on
Thanksgiving night and infamously labeled "The Butt Fumble."
He
spent last season on injured reserve after tearing the labrum in his
right shoulder in a preseason game, clearing the way for Smith to start
every game. Sanchez had three years remaining on his contract, but his
$13.1 million salary cap number for next season - and $2 million roster
bonus due Tuesday - made it unlikely the team would keep him at that
amount.
"I'd like to thank Mark for everything
he's done for this team and me personally," Ryan said in a statement
issued by the team. "We were rookies together and had some early
success, becoming the first rookie head coach-quarterback to go to
back-to-back championship games. We experienced a lot together and I
really appreciate Mark.
"He's a great player, a great teammate and I wish him nothing but the best."
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