Former Jets QB Michael Vick To Meet With Steelers

Former Jets QB Michael Vick To Meet With Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a quarterback because an injury to Bruce Gradkowski will require surgery.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Michael Vick is scheduled to meet with the Steelers today.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin says the team will hold a workout for Vick sometime Tuesday evening, and then decide whether or not to sign him after that.

Vick appeared in 10 games with the New York Jets last year. He completed 52.9 percent of his passes for 604 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

According to Schefter, Gradkowski’s finger injury will require surgery, which is why the Steelers could be looking at Vick.

Here’s one reason Michael Vick is headed to Pittsburgh: Bruce Gradkowski dislocated his left finger and is having surgery today, per source.

Vick is eight years removed from going to prison for dogfighting.

So how well will he mix with Ben Roethlisberger whose love of dogs and gifts of K-9s to police departments has been well documented.

“For me, it’s about any way, any person, anything that can help this team, and if that’s Michael Vick, then so be it,” says Roethlisberger.

Since being released from prison, Vick has been with the Philadelphia Eagles, and last year gave linebacker Cam Heyward fits as he led the Jets.

“He’s got speed, he’s got a deep ball, and he throws very quick,” said Heyward.

That kind of respect for Vick the player is what you find throughout the Steelers locker room.

As for Vick, the convicted dogfighter, Heyward weighed in, saying, “I’d like to think he’s moved on from that and try to be a better citizen, and I think we are all trying to do that. You know, we make mistakes and that’s how we grow from it.”

“I’m sure that’s behind him, and if that’s the case, we’ll leave that be,” said Steelers lineman Ramon Foster. “We’ll bring him in, accept him for what he is, and as a player.”
As you can imagine, Steelers fans are showing a wide range of emotions as they come to terms with the idea that the team could be signing the controversial quarterback to backup Roethlisberger. The phone lines at 93-7 The Fan lit up and haven’t stopped ringing off the hook since the news broke.

93-7 The Fan’s Joe Starkey received a statement from PETA’s senior VP Lisa Lange Tuesday afternoon.

The statement read in part, “As long as he’s throwing a football and not electrocuting a dog, PETA is pleased he is focused on his game.”

Perhaps the best call of the day was from Steelers fan Chris, who says he will go to extreme lengths to cut all ties from his favorite team if they sign Vick.
When it comes to fans still being upset with Vick over his involvement in the dog fighting ring that eventually sent him to jail, caller Pete told Ron Cook it’s not that big of a deal here in Pittsburgh because this city is more of “a cat tahn.”