Vick: I 'settled for mediocrity' with Falcons

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A contrite Michael Vick told an Atlanta radio station Wednesday he wishes he had been more dedicated to his craft while quarterbacking the Falcons.

It was one of many regrets Vick expressed in the interview with 790 AM The Zone.

"There was a lot more I could have done off the field and in the film room that could have elevated my game to a different level," Vick said. "I was complacent at the time, somewhat lazy, and I settled for mediocrity. I thought what I was doing was enough."

In contrast, Vick, who will turn 30 in June, said he's training hard for what may be his last opportunity to start in the NFL.

"I'm stronger, I feel fast and I'm back to my old-school workouts," he said. "I think you'll see a big difference this year."

The Philadelphia Eagles -- who signed Vick to a two-year deal after he spent 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring --  hold a $5.25 million option on Vick's 2010 contract. The team has not announced whether it will pick up the option or possibly trade him. Reports out of St. Louis say the Rams are interested in acquiring Vick to revitalize their moribund offense.

Vick doesn't know where he'll play but vowed his preparation will be intense.

"I want to play my best football up until the age of 34 and 35, and I'm going to put everything into it," said Vick, drafted first overall by the Falcons in 2001.  "Just imagine what I could have been doing if I really would have been applying myself. That's a regret I have."

"The Michael Vick Project," a 10-episode docu-series, is airing every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on BET. Vick said he did the show so he could answer everyone's questions and wipe the slate clean.

He's been speaking to children's groups and hopes to speak at the NFL rookie symposium.

"I think it's going to be a great opportunity for me to share with the young guys coming in, not take this opportunity for granted and to walk that straight path," Vick said. "Why jeopardize everything over a pointless activity?"

Vick said he knows he has a long way to go to change people's perceptions of him.

"You have to go out and do the right things," he said. "It takes time. It takes patience for you to go out and fulfill all your obligations. And that's what I plan on doing."