Owner called Goodell before Jets signed Vick
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said Sunday that he called commissioner Roger Goodell before the team signed quarterback Michael Vick last week.
"We've checked -- we've talked to everyone. Commissioner Goodell, I had one conversation with him about Mike," Johnson said at the NFL meeting in Orlando, Fla. "I think he'll be a real positive to help us get better. Not only at the quarterback position but also as a team."
Johnson was asked when he spoke to Goodell before signing Vick on Friday.
"I spoke to him a while ago. I don't remember exactly when," Johnson said. "We didn't talk about evaluating Michael Vick in terms of his throwing motion. Just in terms of (him as a) person. He was, very very supportive.
"Not really character references but to see what he's like and have a conversation. Quarterback's a really important position so we're going to do our due diligence."
After signing Vick, the Jets released Mark Sanchez.
Vick and the Jets reached agreement on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, according to reports. He leaves the Philadelphia Eagles after being replaced as the starter last season by Nick Foles.
"We are excited to acquire Michael Vick," said Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who coached Vick from 2009 to 2012 with the Eagles. "He's a great talent who's won many games, including playoff games, in this league. He has the respect of both his teammates and opponents.
"He's here in a role where he's going to compete and push Geno Smith to become the very best that he can be. Michael will be able to go in and play at a high level and a winning level if called upon."
Vick joined the Eagles in 2009 after six years with the Atlanta Falcons and serving time in prison on federal gambling and dogfighting charges. He was Philadelphia's starting quarterback after the 2013 preseason but suffered a hamstring injury and gave way to Foles after his last start in a Oct. 27 loss to the New York Giants.
"I have an opportunity to come in and compete," Vick said, according to the Jets' website. "Push Geno, help him. Be there for him. And just try to help this team win some games in whatever way I can, and that's going to be my contribution."
Vick has made it clear that he wants to be a starter again. That means competing with Smith, who is in his second year.
"They're getting a great football player and a great person," Vick said. "I think at the end of the day, regardless of what happened in the past, I'm here to do one thing. And that's play football. And I think that will be embraced. It's already been embraced in the building."
Sanchez was selected by the Jets with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and started 62 games in five years, posting a 33-29 record and passing for 68 touchdowns with 69 interceptions.
Releasing Sanchez, who was due a $2 million bonus on March 25, saved the Jets $8.3 million against the salary cap.
