Vick prepared for contract pressure
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick shared some laughs, and offered up an occasional smile. But for the most part, his Tuesday press conference announcing his new contract was handled the same way he’s handled everything since he landed in Philadelphia two years ago.
All business.
“The common goal is to bring that ring back to the city of Philadelphia. That’s why we play,” Vick said. “That’s what we’re all working for. As a competitor, I don’t feel my career will be complete without that.”
And so begins the next phase in one of the league’s more remarkable comeback stories. With the business of his new, six-year, $100 million contract out of the way, it’s time for Vick and the rest of the star-laden Eagles to shoot for that elusive Super Bowl title.
The Eagles won the 1960 NFL championship, but have been to just two Super Bowls since, losing both.
Not that there’s any pressure or anything.
“It’s a lot of money, how ever you look at it,” Vick said. “Obviously, it’s going to create a lot of demands. I know what comes along with it, and I know how to handle it.”
Vick, 31, became the Eagles’ backup quarterback when they traded Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins after the 2009 season, and he became the starter last September after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb.
He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 after winning eight of 11 starts, throwing a career-high 21 touchdown passes and rushing for nine more. But despite engineering a memorable 38-31 comeback win over the New York Giants that ultimately led to the NFC East title in December, Vick and the Eagles were dumped at home a month later in the playoffs by the Green Bay Packers, 21-16, in the wild-card round.
But this year, knowing he’ll open the season as the starter, and knowing he has perhaps the most name-heavy roster in the league on his side, it appears like it’s Super Bowl or bust.
