Vick thankful for new contract, career

Speaking at a Tuesday press conference about his new, lucrative contract, Michael Vick said he was honored to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and thanked numerous people who helped guide his career resurgence.

The quarterback signed a six-year contract that will pay him a reported $100 million with about $40 million in guaranteed money.

It's been just a few years since he was in prison, but Vick has established himself as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks -- a status reflected by his new contract.

But he didn't get to this point on his own. Tuesday, he pointed to those in the organization who he said sacrificed to steer him in the right direction after he was released.

Among those who sacrificed to get him back on the right track, Vick said, were head coach Andy Reid, his teammates and former NFL coach Tony Dungy.

Vick also thanked Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I want to thank everybody who has been there for me the past two years and believed in me," said Vick. "It certainly paid dividends."

Sitting next to Vick at the press conference, Reid said the Eagles were "very excited" to have their starting quarterback signed.

"This is a great story all the way through and this is what America is all about," said Reid.

Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a one-year franchise tender contract in March, prior to the NFL lockout. The club placed the franchise tag on Vick before he inked the tender, which ended up being worth about $16 million.

He passed for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns with six interceptions last season while helping the Eagles to the NFC East title in his first season as an NFL starter since 2006.

Vick, 31, spent 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from a dogfighting operation. When he was released, his future in the NFL was up in the air until the Eagles signed him.

He began his Eagle career in 2009 as the third-string quarterback, then started last season as the backup to Kevin Kolb after Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington. But Vick quickly ascended to the starter's role after the first game of the season.

"Nothing's going to come easy in life and I've learned a lot of lessons -- some the hard way and some by standard procedure," Vick said. "It's something that drives and motivates you, and I'm motivated now to do something special."

Kolb was traded to Arizona before camp and the Eagles signed former Titans QB Vince Young this summer as the backup for Vick.