Posted on 11/27/2006 2:00:56 AM PST by mcg2000
ATLANTA -- Michael Vick apologized for making an obscene gesture toward Atlanta fans as he walked off the field after the Falcons' fourth straight loss Sunday.
Vick used both hands to deliver the gesture and flashed an angry look toward the handful of fans remaining in the Georgia Dome. Those who hung around booed the home team loudly after its dismal 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate actions with fans today," the quarterback said in a statement released by the Falcons. "I was frustrated and upset at how the game was going for my team, and that frustration came out the wrong way."
Vick was the Falcons' main offensive threat with 166 yards rushing, just 7 off his NFL record for a quarterback. He had another rough day passing, completing nine of 24 for 84 yards, but that wasn't entirely his fault.
The Atlanta receivers dropped at least five passes, and the offensive line didn't provide much protection. Vick was sacked three times and hit a dozen more behind the line of scrimmage after throwing passes.
Leaving the field, he let his frustration get the best of him.
"That's not what I'm about. That's not what the Atlanta Falcons are about," Vick said in his statement. "I simply lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I apologize and look forward to putting this incident behind me."
Vick did not address his actions at a postgame news conference.
Reporters were not aware that he made the obscene gesture until afterward, when replays of him leaving the field began airing on television.
"I can't explain how I'm feeling right now," Vick said during the news conference. "Losing the game says it all. It is not a good feeling when you lose four games in a row, and when you lose a game that you had a shot at winning."
Vick said he did his best to keep the Falcons (5-6) from losing again. This is the first time since 2003 that Atlanta has been below .500, and the team appears headed for another second-half collapse.
Last season, coming off a trip to the NFC championship game, the Falcons won six of their first eight games. But they went 2-6 the rest of the way, missed the playoffs and failed to break the franchise's ignominious streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons.
With the next two games on the road, Atlanta seems headed for another disappointing season.
"I was just out there fighting for this team, for pride and for this organization," Vick said. "We have to keep fighting. We have to show some resolve."
I love Vick for 2 reasons. 1. He has restored my faith in my ability to predict. A faith that has been destroyed at least 10 times by the Iraq war. I knew from day one EXACTLY what Vick's career would be like.
2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching the media handle Vick. 'Tis wonderful and incredible. It could be the last game of the season, and Vick could be going into it 0-15, with 320 interceptions and 3 touchdowns, and if he broke the 100 mark for passer rating in that last game, Chris Collinsworth would say, "Now THAT's Michael Vick. He sure shut up his critics today. Yep, don't hear much from the critics now. Now we see what Vick is all about. WOW!"
I've got to think Mora's job is in jeopardy. Arthur Blanc isn't a loser, and he's spent a lot of money on talent.
Jeff George 5 Teams
12 Seasons 131 games played 27602 yards,57.9%,154TD's,113INT's, 80.4 rating
NOT a BUST by ANY measure.
wow something we agree on... running backs are VERY tough and can take a hit Vick cant, he would be hurt in about 4-6 games if that.
Jeff George doesn't have three Super Bowl rings like Aikman does. Vick should take notice that he doesn't have any real bling either...
Careful! You might be called a racist!..........
You are suggesting Jeff George could have led a team to three Super Bowls? Not a chance. I did business with one of the teams he played for. He was a cancer in the locker room. His numbers may measure up, but the man did not.
yes. great runner.
bump
Totally agree.
Peyton Manning 9th Season 11 games in
139 games played 63.9%, 36153 yards, 265TD's, 136 INT's, 94.1 Rating.
I'm sorry, I thought I saw Kramer in the stands.
I Say bench Ron Mexico for a game and let Shaub QB. Of course then the Falcons would see how much better their offense would run without Vick, and we can't have that happen now can we....
Correct. He would not be able to withstand the pounding over time. He is the 'man without a position' unfortunately, unless he can develop his pocket skills as McNabb has.
yea cause QB's win super bowls... :::rolls eyes:::
Give him a defense and a o-line.
I guess you will never know how good he would have been if deployed correctly. And neither will I.
****
But to me, I've never seen a better athlete/runner/a guy who gains yards with the ball in his hands.
Nobody can tackle the guy one on one in the open field.
And can you imagine him returning kickoffs?
Thank you.
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