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spectre · 08-16-2003, 08:52 PM

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ATLANTA (TICKER) -- Michael Vick has been grounded.Vick, the electrifying quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, suffered a fractured right ankle in the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Vick suffered the injury after getting chased out of pocket and being tackled by defensive end Adalius Thomas. Vick fell awkwardly and grabbed for his leg before he fell to the ground.

After being examined by trainers, Vick was taken off the field on a cart. X-rays revealed a fractured fibula that likely will sideline one of the NFL's most exciting players for at least six weeks.

"I am terribly disappointed but this is the ultimate team sport and we will have to keep playing," Vick said. "I have confidence that these guys and coaches and can get it done."

"He's got a broken bone in his (ankle)," Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. "They say he's probably going to be out six weeks. But they don't think he's going to have to have surgery. We are just going to have to wait and see. It's a tough break for us."

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb suffered a similar injury last season and missed six games before returning for the playoffs.

But Falcons trainer Ron Medlin would not speculate how long Vick would be out.

"He has a fibula fracture and will be re-evaluated in the morning," Medlin said. "Obviously he will miss some time, but until the evaluation we don't know how much time he miss."

The fastest player in the league at his position, Vick burst onto the scene in his first full year as a starter last season, leading the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since 1998 while making the Pro Bowl.

Vick, 23, completed 231-of-421 passes for 2,936 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games. The NFL's youngest starting quarterback also proved to be handful out of the pocket as he rushed for 777 yards and eight scores.

Losing Vick is a huge blow for the Falcons, who were among the favorites in the NFC this season after adding wide receiver Peerless Price to an already potent attack.

Atlanta also plays in the NFC South, one of the NFL's toughest divisions that features the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The first overall pick in 2001, Vick rushed for 173 yards - the most by a quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger - and two touchdowns on just 10 carries in a victory at Minnesota in December.

Vick also provided perhaps the highlight of the NFL season in the game against the Vikings when he capped his electrifying day with a 46-yard touchdown run in overtime.

It also did not take long for Vick to begin building his playoff resume last season, when he led the Falcons to a historic win at Lambeau Field against the Packers.

Vick passed for 117 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 67 while outplaying three-time Most Valuable Player Brett Favre, who had been 35-0 at Lambeau Field when the game-time temperature was 34 degrees or less.

The Packers also were 13-0 all-time at home in the playoffs, including an 11-0 mark at storied Lambeau Field. But Vick rendered those stats meaningless.

With Vick sidelined, Doug Johnson will move into the starting role.

When Vick missed a game last season with a shoulder injury, Johnson stepped in and passed for 257 yards and a touchdown to lead the Falcons to a 17-10 victory.

But despite being in his third season, Johnson still is relatively untested as he has made just three career starts.
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08-16-2003, 08:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	For those that don't like clicking links <hr> ATLANTA (TICKER) -- Michael Vick has been grounded.Vick, the electrifying quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, suffered a fractured right ankle in the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Vick suffered the injury after getting chased out of pocket and being tackled by defensive end Adalius Thomas. Vick fell awkwardly and grabbed for his leg before he fell to the ground. After being examined by trainers, Vick was taken off the field on a cart. X-rays revealed a fractured fibula that likely will sideline one of the NFL's most exciting players for at least six weeks. "I am terribly disappointed but this is the ultimate team sport and we will have to keep playing," Vick said. "I have confidence that these guys and coaches and can get it done." "He's got a broken bone in his (ankle)," Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. "They say he's probably going to be out six weeks. But they don't think he's going to have to have surgery. We are just going to have to wait and see. It's a tough break for us." Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb suffered a similar injury last season and missed six games before returning for the playoffs. But Falcons trainer Ron Medlin would not speculate how long Vick would be out. "He has a fibula fracture and will be re-evaluated in the morning," Medlin said. "Obviously he will miss some time, but until the evaluation we don't know how much time he miss." The fastest player in the league at his position, Vick burst onto the scene in his first full year as a starter last season, leading the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since 1998 while making the Pro Bowl. Vick, 23, completed 231-of-421 passes for 2,936 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games. The NFL's youngest starting quarterback also proved to be handful out of the pocket as he rushed for 777 yards and eight scores. Losing Vick is a huge blow for the Falcons, who were among the favorites in the NFC this season after adding wide receiver Peerless Price to an already potent attack. Atlanta also plays in the NFC South, one of the NFL's toughest divisions that features the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The first overall pick in 2001, Vick rushed for 173 yards - the most by a quarterback since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger - and two touchdowns on just 10 carries in a victory at Minnesota in December. Vick also provided perhaps the highlight of the NFL season in the game against the Vikings when he capped his electrifying day with a 46-yard touchdown run in overtime. It also did not take long for Vick to begin building his playoff resume last season, when he led the Falcons to a historic win at Lambeau Field against the Packers. Vick passed for 117 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 67 while outplaying three-time Most Valuable Player Brett Favre, who had been 35-0 at Lambeau Field when the game-time temperature was 34 degrees or less. The Packers also were 13-0 all-time at home in the playoffs, including an 11-0 mark at storied Lambeau Field. But Vick rendered those stats meaningless. With Vick sidelined, Doug Johnson will move into the starting role. When Vick missed a game last season with a shoulder injury, Johnson stepped in and passed for 257 yards and a touchdown to lead the Falcons to a 17-10 victory. But despite being in his third season, Johnson still is relatively untested as he has made just three career starts. <hr> __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head