Desert Eagles Nest

Vick excited to return to Atlanta to face Falcons

Posted in Eagles, Sports on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm |

There’s no bitterness, no ill will, no animosity. Michael Vick understands why the Falcons released him 5 ½ months ago. And he says now he doesn’t blame them.

“When they cut ties, I knew it was the end,” Vick said this afternoon. “and I knew it was the best thing for that team at that time because my future was very uncertain and nobody knew when I was going to get out of prison,” Vick said Wednesday.

“That was the best thing to do for that organization and for that team. I wouldn’t say that for myself, because I always wanted to go back, but it was the right thing to do. … You have to move on. Life goes on. They did a great job drafting Matt Ryan, and he’s come in and played great for that organization.”

Vick, who went to three Pro Bowls during his six years with the Falcons, returns to Atlanta this weekend with the Eagles. It will be his first game in the Georgia Dome – where he won 27 of 43 starts – since Dec. 24, 2006, when he threw two interceptions in the Falcons’ 10-3 loss to the Panthers.

Soon after that, Vick was implicated in an illegal dogfighting operation in Virginia, and he spent 20 months in federal custody, including 18 months at Leavenworth Prison, before his release in July.

The Eagles face the Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Eagles are 7-4 and looking for their third straight win. The Falcons are 6-5 and scrambling to stay in the NFC wild-card race.

“I don’t really know what’s going to happen,” Vick said. “I know I still enjoy the city. I’ll never forget the fans. I’ll always be true to them. Who knows? I look forward to going back and being in that stadium. That’s going to be like a dream come true, even though I’m on the opposite side.”

When Vick ran out for his first snap as an Eagle, he received a warm ovation – about 99 percent positive.

What about Sunday afternoon?

Vick said he hopes for a positive reception but said he’ll put it out of his mind until the game is over so he can focus on whatever his role is on that play.

“The last thing I want to do is get caught up in the crowd’s emotions and their cheers and go out and forget the task at hand and embarrass myself,” he said. “Most importantly, I have to stay focused. Trust me, if it’s a warm reception, it’s going to be highly appreciated. I’ll say that before I even go into that stadium. But I have to stay focused.”

For my complete story on Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta, check out Thursday’s editions of The Burlington County Times!

Reuben Frank covers the Eagles for Phillyburbs.com. His email address is rfrank@phillyburbs.com.

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