FLOWERY BRANCH — Michael Vick is clear about the ownership rights of the Georgia Dome.
The player who once ruled Atlanta as one of more electrifying players — if not the most electrifying — in the NFL returns to the city Sunday night. As the starting quarterback of the Eagles, Vick will square off against his old team and Matt Ryan, the man who replaced him at the helm of the Falcons’ offense.
Deion Sanders may once have declared the Georgia Dome as “my house” on a return visit with the 49ers after his time in Atlanta was over, but according to Vick, neither he nor Sanders owns the figurative deed to the stadium.
“No, that’s not my house,” Vick said. “That’s Matt Ryan’s house. I’m just a visitor.”
The story of Vick’s demise in Atlanta is well-documented. He was out of football for two years while serving a federal prison sentence on felony charges related to dogfighting. The Eagles gave him a second chance, and his turnaround on the field has led to a starting job and a second $100 million contract. The first, a $130 million deal, was given by the Falcons before his crash and burn.
Vick said Wednesday, in a conference call with the Atlanta media in preparation for Sunday’s game, that he did not want to dwell on the past. He has matured. It’s time to look forward.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about that in a while,” Vick said of any regrets he might have. “It might cross my mind every now and then, but I’m just so thankful to be here in Philly right now. I know things happen for a reason, and maybe it was meant for me to be here.
“I couldn’t have landed in a better city and a better place right now. This is my home and this is where I want to be.”
Vick likely will have fans in the stands at the Georgia Dome, much the way he did in 2009 when he first returned. As a backup with the Eagles, with only a few plays in the offense designed for him, he threw for one touchdown and ran for another in a 34-7 victory.
With much national and local attention focused on Sunday’s game, it certainly puts Ryan in an awkward position. He has seen the way some fans still respond to Vick. For his role in the saga, Ryan said he is focused on other things.
“I don’t think it’s difficult at all,” Ryan said. “We’ve had great support here the last couple of years. Certainly Mike was a great player down here and did some fantastic things and is going to have support from people in this city. I really feel like we’ve had great support in the three years since I’ve been down here.”
Ryan will have help in blocking out the possible distraction of Vick supporters.
“I’m going to get [Ryan’s] ear and say don’t even listen to it,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “Just go out there and play ball. Matt is a poised guy. He’s not going to let that creep into his mind, and [he will] play like he always does.”
For his part, Vick said he can appreciate what Ryan is facing.
“I think it’s a plus for me and it is motivation for Ryan to play better, to be the best that he can be,” Vick said. “Make sure that he captures those fans as well. I think he’s done a great job of doing that.
“Fans are allowed to like as many people as the want, as many quarterbacks as they want. I think it’s a good thing for both of us.”
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