Michael Vick Unlikely to Play After Bye Week

[Walter Cronkite]

With their losing streak at six, the Atlanta Falcons sure could use Michael Vick.

But it appears unlikely the Pro Bowl quarterback will return for the Falcons' next game, Nov. 2 against Philadelphia.
"The chances are slim," coach Dan Reeves said after the Falcons were routed 45-17 by New Orleans on Sunday. "He's not even really running yet."

Kurt Kittner, who began the season as the third-string quarterback, made his first NFL start against the Saints. He was 9-of-29 for 115 yards -- good enough to likely keep the No. 1 job for the next game.

"We'll have to analyze it and see how he did," Reeves said. "But I don't know of any reason why he wouldn't start again."

Doug Johnson, who started the first six games for the Falcons (1-6), would remain the backup.

Source: AP

[Walter Cronkite]

Update

Oct 21 2003 - Michael Vick jogged again Monday and was more positive than last week. "It was a little better today, man," he said. "It hasn't advanced to a run yet. I can't do it full speed, maybe three-quarters speed." Vick still isn't likely to play in the first game after this week's bye.

Source: fox

[Walter Cronkite]

UPDATE: Reeves Wants Vick Back Out on the Field...NOW

After watching his team get off to a miserable start without its best player, Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves wants Michael Vick back on the field now.

No way, says Vick, who insists he won't come back until his broken leg is totally healed.

And, in the first firm timetable on his return, Vick said Wednesday he'll probably make his debut Dec. 7 against Carolina -- much longer than the projected recovery period.

"I'm kind of frustrated," he said. "I thought I would be back a little earlier. But I don't have any control over the way my body feels. ... Right now, I can't do it. I honestly can't do it."

Reeves obviously feels different. He gave a totally unsolicited assessment of Vick's recovery after being asked a general question about how the Falcons (1-6) are holding up during a six-game losing streak.

"Mike needs to get back as soon as he possibly can," Reeves said Wednesday. "He talks about how he shouldn't come back, but I think he realizes, too, that you've got a small window of opportunity, and he's not getting better sitting on the sidelines."

Vick, a Pro Bowler in his first season as a starter, broke his right leg in an Aug. 16 exhibition game. At the time, doctors projected the recovery time at six to ten weeks. Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb returned from a similar injury in a day short of eight weeks - coincidentally, in time to lead the Eagles to a playoff victory over Vick and the Falcons last January.

If Vick doesn't play until Dec. 7, his rehab will have lasted 16 weeks.

Second-stringer Doug Johnson started the first six games, but he was benched after throwing 10 interceptions. Third-stringer Kurt Kittner started the last game, a 45-17 loss to New Orleans, and will apparently start again against Philadelphia.

As for Vick, Reeves said, "If he's going to be better, it's going to be getting in ballgames and not watching Kurt and Doug playing. It isn't the same."

Reeves originally was told Vick would be out for six to eight weeks. Just to be on the conservative side, he figured his quarterback could be out as long as 10 weeks.

Under that scenario, Vick would have been ready to go Sunday.

"He wants to get back out there as quick as he can," Reeves said. "We're about 10 weeks into it, and hopefully he's close to being ready."

Vick began running in a straight line on Monday without much problem, but found the leg was still too painful to do any change of direction - critical to the running ability that separates him from other QBs.

Vick figures he'll be able to resume practicing in two or three weeks, and he'd like to have at least two weeks of practice time before playing in a game.

While expressing surprise at Reeves' comments, Vick said he doesn't expect the situation to cause a rift between player and coach.

Vick said he has the support of owner Arthur Blank, who has told the quarterback to make sure he's fully recovered before he tries to play. Blank, of course, also will decide Reeves' fate.

Vick also suggested that his recovery has been prolonged because Reeves wants him at practice.

"I do a lot of standing on it in practice," Vick said. "I think that's set me back, too. ... I'm trying to stay off it as much as I can."

The quarterback flatly rejected any suggestion he's delaying his comeback because the Falcons' season already appears hopeless. He said the team's record is irrelevant, but he's got to protect his future.

"The opponents don't care about you," Vick said. "I have to care about me. This is my livelihood. I want to play for a long time."

Safety Keion Carpenter stood by his teammate and close friend.

"He's one of the fiercest competitors I've ever met," Carpenter said. "He's the leader of this team. He wants to be out there, but nature won't let him."

In the past two weeks, Vick has spoken with McNabb, who acknowledged he wasn't 100 percent when he returned for the playoffs last season. "He emphasized to me not to rush it," Vick said.

Vick tried to play with a severely sprained ankle during his sophomore year at Virginia Tech, but could barely run. Never again.

"If I go out and try to play at 80 percent, I'm not going to play like I want to play," Vick said. "I know what that feeling is like. I don't want to feel it again."

Source: AP

[Modern Arts]

Either way the falcons are fucked this year