FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Two weeks ago, Michael Vick stopped by the
Atlanta Falcons' training complex for a courtesy visit.
He met coach Dan Reeves, chatted with the assistants, looked at some film
and talked shop. Little did Vick know he would be playing for this team.
"I really didn't think there was a chance," he said. "The whole time, San
Diego was showing a great deal of interest in me. I thought that was who I
would play for."
But the Chargers traded the No. 1 pick to the Falcons, who quickly grabbed
the player they hope will transform a woebegone franchise.
Vick returned to Flowery Branch on Sunday -- this time to put down roots.
"I'm glad the trade was made. I'm glad to be closer to home," said Vick, a
native of Newport News, Va. "It's a blessing in disguise."
No matter what happened on draft day, Vick was assured of being a very rich
man. The Falcons are willing to meet his asking price: a $15 million signing
bonus in a deal that could be worth more than $50 million.
Vick, wearing a dark blue suit with black shirt, said his first priority was
to make his mother comfortable. Brenda Boddie accompanied her son to Atlanta
and sat at the side of the stage while he addressed the media.
"I'm going to buy her whatever she wants," Vick said. "Whatever it is -- a
house seven blocks long -- it doesn't matter. She's always been there for me, so
I'm going to buy her whatever she wants."
So, what will it be?
"I'd like a big house," Boddie said, grinning, "and an Escalade," a
premium SUV.
Reeves took a break from the second day of the draft to introduce Vick to a
city that has scorned the team for most of its 35-year history -- with good
reason.
The Falcons have made the playoffs only six times and never had back-to-back winning seasons. Even the most glorious moment in franchise
history -- the 1998 NFC championship -- was followed by two years of utter
incompetence.
Atlanta is 9-23 since its one and only Super Bowl appearance.
"No question this is an exciting time for the Atlanta Falcons," Reeves
said. "I think the pick of Michael Vick definitely gives this franchise a
chance for the future to be one of the best franchises in the National Football
League."
Everyone wants to see what this guy can do -- even the Falcons' second-round
draft choice.
"The first thing I thought about when my name flashed across the screen,"
tight end Alge Crumpler said, "was Michael Vick."
Vick is perfectly willing to begin his career as a backup to Chris Chandler,
the Falcons' starter since 1997 and a two-time Pro Bowler.
"My first priority is to learn as much as I can about this offense and have
the comfort level I had at Virginia Tech," he said. "I'm very eager to find
out what my role will be. I want to be ready to play when the time is right."
The Falcons have already floated the idea of putting in some option plays
for Vick and designing formations that have both him and Chandler in the same
backfield.
"I have the ability to do a lot of things," Vick said. "I love the game
of football and I've done it all. When I first went out as a 7-year-old, I
played tight end."
Reeves smiled and glanced toward Crumpler, who was merely shaking his head.
He certainly has no plans to try out for Vick's position.
"There will not be a quarterback controversy with me and Michael Vick,"
Crumpler said.
Vick's critics point to his lack of college experience -- he played only two
years for the Hokies -- and say he is woefully unprepared for the complexities
of running a pro offense and reading defenses.
Vick shrugged his broad shoulders.
"I know what type of player I am," he said. "I know what I can do, I know
what I can learn. There's nothing I can't learn. People are always going to
scrutinize you. You just have to look past that."
Vick should fit in well with a team that plays eight games a year on the
Georgia Dome's artificial turf. And he made this clear: no one will ever
question his effort.
"I'm going to come in here and do the best I can," Vick said. "I don't
know how fast it's going to happen, but I'll do my best."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
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