Le'Veon Bell grew up “idolizing” Michael Vick.
Now, he is going to have a chance to be in the same huddle as him.
The Steelers on Tuesday worked out and then signed the No. 1 overall pick in 2001 to a one-year contract to provide depth behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“I like it,” Bell said. “He is a guy who I grew up watching all the time. Being in the same huddle as him is going to be crazy.”
The Steelers were not deterred by Vick's controversial past. The 35-year-old spent 21 months in federal prison in 2007-09 for his role in a dog-fighting ring.
The Steelers became thin at quarterback when backup Bruce Gradkowski's hand injury was worse that initially believed. Gradkowski hurt a finger on his left hand late in the first half of Sunday's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Gradkowski, who also has been nursing a sore shoulder, underwent surgery Tuesday and, according to coach Mike Tomlin, will likely have another procedure done at some point in the near future. This leaves a sizeable hole behind Roethlisberger despite the recent good play of third-year quarterback Landry Jones.
The Steelers placed Gradkowski on injured reserve.
“We thought it was prudent we got established veterans in to take a look at,” Tomlin said before the signing.
Tomlin said the situation wasn't unlike what the Steelers went through in 2008 when Charlie Batch was hurt during training camp. The Steelers brought in Byron Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper and worked them out before settling on Leftwich.
“He gave us several good years of service ... a guy that was a franchise quarterback who embraced the challenge here,” Tomlin said of Leftwich. “I imagine Mike is of the same mindset, but I don't want to speak for him.”
Vick was not made available but is expected to address the media Wednesday.
The four-time Pro Bowler was the only quarterback the Steelers worked out. Tomlin personally oversaw Vick's workout following practice and anticipated seeing some familiar things.
“Things that we've known about his game for some time, like there's not a throw on the field he can't make from an arm-strength standpoint,” Tomlin said. “He's a very experienced guy at what he does. The mobility he has is still unique, even at 35 years old.”
Vick started three games for the Jets last year, including a 20-13 win over the Steelers. He played in seven other games in relief of Geno Smith and threw for 604 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Vick was not re-signed, and there was limited interest in him in the free agent market until the Steelers contacted him. Tuesday was his first workout or visit of the season with any organization.
“For me, it is any way, any person, anything that can help this team — if that is Michael Vick, then so be it,” Roethlisberger said. “I don't really know him. He is a great football player.”
Vick went to federal prison in 2007 for 21 months after he pleaded guilty to bankrolling an interstate dogfighting ring on his Virginia property and helping to kill six to eight dogs.
Vick admitted promoting, funding and facilitating the operation for five years. Prosecutors said Vick engaged in hanging and drowning dogs and failed to cooperate fully with a police investigation.
Vick was out of the league for two years before resurrecting his career in 2010 with the Eagles, throwing for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“Great guy, great teammate, and I had the pleasure of playing with him for two years,” said cornerback Brandon Boykin, who played with Vick in Philadelphia in 2012-13. “He is a really good guy in the locker room and even a better athlete. Definitely has a lot left in the tank so I am excited.”
Tomlin has had first-hand experience with Vick.
The two grew up close to each other in the Tidewater region of Virginia — Vick in Newport News and Tomlin in Hampton Roads. Tomlin said he knew of Vick from his hometown but wouldn't go as far as calling him a friend.
Tomlin knows Vick more from his days as a defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he had to defend Vick twice a season.
“As a professional, obviously I have a great deal of respect for him and what he is capable of,” Tomlin said. “I spent a lot of time in the NFC South against him when I was the secondary coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he was the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. I had a lot of sleepless nights, obviously, in preparation for those matchups.”
Mark Kaboly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at mkaboly@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MarkKaboly_Trib.
