Vick finally reports for voluntary workouts

FLOWERY BRANCH - Michael Vick needed a week to recover from that vicious hit he took from Brian Dawkins in the NFC playoffs Jan. 13.

Vick needed even longer before he was ready to report to the Atlanta Falcons' offseason conditioning program.

``What I think everybody should understand is that I have a family now,'' Vick said Monday morning. ``Everybody has to know that. I have a son that I have to spend quality time with. I have a family I have to deal with.''

The star quarterback was noticeably absent during the first three weeks of the Falcons' voluntary workouts. He needed extra time to spend with his family and honor some endorsement deals.

His body ached following Atlanta's 20-6 season-ending loss to the Eagles. Vick pulled out of the Pro Bowl because a bunion had to be removed from his right foot. Both shoulders hurt. So did his left thumb.

Despite rushing for more yards (1,066) in his first two years than any other quarterback in NFL history, Vick's injuries caused him to alter his mechanics and led to mistakes in the passing game. He had a 7-to-6 touchdown-interception ratio and owned a rating of 60.4 or worse in each of his last five regular-season games.

Vick recovered to lead the Falcons to a 20-point wildcard victory at Green Bay, but he had another poor outing against the Eagles. Though he completed 22 of 38 passes for 274 yards, Vick threw two interceptions. Bobby Taylor returned the first one for a 39-yard touchdown.

Vick's third quarter goal-line collision with Dawkins, Philadelphia's All-Pro safety, forced both players leave the game briefly. Vick returned after missing only one play, but he and the Falcons never recovered from having his 20-yard touchdown run nullified by a holding penalty on guard Travis Claridge.

``All I could see was stars,'' Vick said. ``Stars and white lights. I was laid up in the house for a week after that one.''

Coach Dan Reeves wants his players to attend every workout, but he also understands that some have commitments that required them to be elsewhere.

``The program is voluntary,'' Reeves said. ``Yeah, you'd like 100 percent participation, but the fact is that's probably not going to happen.''

Vick wasn't the only player absent. Nose tackle Ellis Johnson and running backs Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett and Travis Jervey were others who had yet to report. Like Vick, Dunn participated in his first workout Monday.

``I think you have time to get away, but some guys have much more to do,'' Dunn said. ``Also, the stress that we have, sometimes you just need time away. I don't know what was said, or if anybody emphasized anything. But guys know what they're doing. They're professionals.''

Vick has remained in contact with the coaching staff during the last three months. He helped recruit receiver Peerless Price, who signed a long-term contract after the Falcons traded their first-round pick to Buffalo on March 7.

With most of Vick's family living in his hometown of Newport News, Va., he wanted to spend as much time with them as he could. At the top of his list is nine-month-old Mike Jr., who lives with his mother,Tameka Taylor.

Vick has no immediate plans to move them to Atlanta.

``I don't know,'' he said. ``There are other situations that have to be dealt with.''