Veteran quarterback Vick is vowing to make Steelers proud

Antonio Brown noticed it immediately. So did Todd Haley.

Michael Vick stepped onto the practice field Wednesday for the first time as a member of the Steelers and threw passes like not many 35-year-old quarterbacks who have been out of the game for nine months can do.

“He can still throw. He can still wow you with that arm,” Haley said after practice.

“Man,” Brown said, “he calmly flicked his wrist, and the ball was on you.”

The Steelers on Tuesday signed Vick to a one-year deal to provide a veteran backup to Ben Roethlisberger after Bruce Gradkowski had season-ending hand surgery.

Vick, the overall No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, started three games for the New York Jets last year, including a 20-13 win over the Steelers.

Vick was surprised when nobody was interested in him — even as a backup — during free agency. Vick hadn't worked out for any team before the Steelers called him after Gradkowski's injury.

“I just didn't understand why, but I kept my faith and kept working hard,” Vick said. “I knew at some point, eventually, I would get a shot.”

Even though it has been more than six years since Vick was released from prison for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring that cost him his job with the Falcons and millions of dollars, his checkered past made it uncertain whether he would get another chance.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who grew up in the same Virginia area as Vick (Hampton Roads), has interacted with Vick away from the field. Vick participated in Tomlin's All-Star Football Camp in July in Newport News, Va.

“We go way back,” Vick said. “I couldn't have landed in a better place. I am so glad I am here now. I am so glad I have the opportunity to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and play for a great organization. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I make Mr. (Art) Rooney, Coach Tomlin and my teammates proud.”

That sentiment isn't shared by a lot of Steelers fans.

Vick's involvement in bankrolling, promoting and facilitating a dog-fighting ring on his property over a five-year span in which he tortured and executed dogs made many Steelers fans angry.

A small protest was held just yards away across the street while Vick was practicing.

“I didn't notice, and I try to stay away from that because all it does is make you develop mixed emotions about how you feel toward people,” Vick said when asked whether he was aware of any backlash from his signing. “And I don't want to be emotionally disturbed right now. I want to be in a great place. I'm enjoying what I'm doing. I'm playing football. It's something that I needed in my life. I feel like I am in a great position and in a great place.”

Vick worked with the Humane Society before his release from prison to bring to light the perils of dog-fighting. He said he plans to continue that while with the Steelers.

“I think you have to look at the right I am trying to do,” Vick said. “I can't take back what happened in the past. Everybody is different from when they are 20 and when they are 35. You can't fault people with some of the mistakes they made in their life. If that was the case, then you wouldn't have a lot of people who get a second chance and wouldn't be successful.”

Tomlin said Tuesday that he did his due diligence on Vick and that he took into account the quarterback's actions since being released from prison before signing him.

Tomlin's concern is how quickly Vick can get comfortable backing up Roethlisberger.

Tomlin wouldn't commit to Vick playing Saturday against the Bills in the Steelers' fourth preseason game. It will depend on how Vick takes to the offense and how quickly he can get into football shape, Tomlin said.

“He is scrambling for breath right now,” Haley said. “It is a lot, and you try not to give him too much to let him get his feet on the ground and understand that he hasn't been in a camp, and we have to get him in shape like everybody else has been doing for the last six months.”

The Steelers don't plan to use Vick in specialty packages, including the 2-point conversion. He was signed strictly to back up Roethlisberger.

“He is obviously a unique talent, but that being said, Ben is playing at a high level as anyone and to take him off the field, you would have to think twice about that,” Haley said.

Mark Kaboly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at mkaboly@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MarkKaboly_Trib.