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The 35-year-old quarterback, who was unsigned for most of the
NFL offseason until the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him in
August, will make his first start since last November when he
fills in for the injured Ben Roethlisberger on Thursday against
the Baltimore Ravens.
"It's a great opportunity for me, because I don't know if I will
have this opportunity ever again," said Vick. "Just a month ago
I was waiting to sign with a team. Now I feel like I have a
chance to go out and play freely and enjoy the game, enjoy this
moment and being out there with my teammates."
The Steelers hope Vick, whose involvement in a dog fighting ring
led to a dramatic fall from grace, will be able to flash even a
glimpse of the form of his early days and he said after practice
he still had some of the speed that once made him one of the
NFL's most feared players.
"My legs feel good," said Vick. "I can still move a little bit,
which is a blessing. I think at age 35 to still be as quick as I
am is a credit to the hard work I put into the offseason.
"I'm just trying to keep my body in tip-top shape. I know that's
an asset for me and I have to continue to use it."
In three starts last season with the New York Jets, Vick
completed 38 of 65 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns.
Between now and Thursday's game Vick will do his best to build
chemistry with the offense and watch more game film but will
surely reflect on yet another chance at being a starter.
"Everything happens for a reason," said Vick.
"I just stayed optimistic and tried to stay in shape, kept the
faith, kept believing. This is what I love to do, so I continue
to work hard at it.
"As a quarterback, there's always room for progress. You can
only regress if you allow yourself to. I'm just trying to make
strides in every area of my game."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Greg
Stutchbury)
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