NEW YORK — Michael Vick is in for the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez is out. ADVERTISING NEW YORK — Michael Vick is in for the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez is out. And, the stage is set for one
NEW YORK — Michael Vick is in for the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez is out.
And, the stage is set for one hot quarterback competition this summer with Geno Smith.
The Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a one-year deal Friday, and released Sanchez, the one-time face of the franchise.
“Anywhere I go, or any team, I’m always going to compete for the No. 1 spot,” Vick said during a conference call. “And I will encourage any other quarterback behind me or in front of me to always compete for their job, for the No. 1 spot.
“That’s how champions are made.”
Vick will present a real challenge to Smith, who played well down the stretch of his rookie season, but finished with 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. The Jets, however, never labeled Smith their starter entering the offseason — and last year’s second-round draft pick will have his work cut out during training camp if he intends to be under center in Week 1 this season.
“As of right now,” Vick said, “Geno’s the starting quarterback of this football team.”
But, Vick also made it clear that he still envisions himself as a starting-caliber player.
“I wouldn’t say I would necessarily be OK with sitting on the bench all year,” Vick said. “But, I know what I signed up for and I know what I came to New York to do.”
That means competing with Smith, helping the youngster along and getting better himself.
“At the end of the day,” Vick said of however things turn out, “I’ll be content with it.”
Vick was a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the Eagles. He will be reunited with Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who helped the quarterback have the best season of his career in Philadelphia in 2010. Vick was plagued by injuries the last three years and lost the starting job last year to Nick Foles.
Vick was still considered the top quarterback available in the offseason free-agent class. Vick said he was sold on the Jets because he enjoyed the idea of reuniting with Mornhinweg and playing for coach Rex Ryan, an opportunity he welcomed.
“I love competition and I love football,” Vick said. “And, I feel I have a lot of football left to play.”
Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who will be 34 in June, was once considered the most dynamic player in the NFL, particularly during his first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. His playing career was abruptly halted for two seasons in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to being part of a dog fighting ring. He served 21 months in federal prison, and two more in home confinement. Since his release in 2009, Vick has worked with the Humane Society of the United States to help stop organized animal fighting.
The move drew mixed reviews by Jets fans on Twitter and message boards, but that didn’t concern Vick.
“I appreciate all the Jets fans who appreciate me and accept me for who I am and what I’ve become, not for what I’ve done,” Vick said. “Right now, my past is irrelevant.”
Titans’ Ojomo arrested in sex case
MIAMI — Tennessee Titans defensive end Adewale Ojomo — a former University of Miami player — was booked into jail Friday morning on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute.
According to a Miami police arrest report, Ojomo solicited an undercover detective during a sting on Northeast Second Avenue and 22nd Street, an area known for prostitution.
“You got condoms? I need to get some,” Ojomo told the female undercover detective, offering $100 for sex, according to the report.
Ojomo was arrested by Miami’s newly re-instituted vice squad. His 2013 Lexus was impounded. He’ll have to pay $500 to get the car back from police.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman began his professional career as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants, playing in one game. Last year, he has stints on the practice squads of Seattle and Buffalo.
By wire sources
