Jets Fans Take Cautious Approach, Look Ahead To New Era With Michael Vick
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets' decision Friday evening to cut quarterback Mark Sanchez and sign Michael Vick marked the end of an era for fans.
CBS 2's Don Champion talked to some supporters about losing one controversial quarterback and gaining another.
The move certainly came as no surprise to many Jets fans, given the fact that Sanchez missed all of last season.
But what might have come as a surprise was the Vick signing. Even with Vick's baggage, some fans seemed to be excited.
"It was coming," said fan Adrian Correa. "(Sanchez) makes too much money. He did a good job, but he's got a great team behind him. You don't got it, that ain't the quarterback for you."
"I think it's a shame," added fan Justin Bette. "I think, you know, he had some promise. But it's time for a new chapter."
Sanchez brought promise, but in the end couldn't win a Super Bowl. And as some Jets fans learned the big news, they admitted it was time to release him.
"He had accuracy issues," Bette said. "Obviously, he did a lot of good things for us, but couldn't get us over the hump."
Now with Vick on the team, some fans said they are optimistic.
Vick recently became a free agent after playing five seasons with the Eagles. It was in Philadelphia where he restarted his career after pleading guilty to animal abuse charges in 2007.
Fans hope he still has enough talent to help the Jets soar.
"You're stepping ahead moving with that guy, but it remains to be seen -- how much has he got left in the tank?" said fan Brian King. "Injuries is always a key thing with Vick."
"Vick's got a lot of baggage -- I don't think a lot of people around here are going to like that," Bette said. "But hopefully, it just makes Geno (Smith) work that much harder so he can take it over."
Vick will be paid $5 million for the 2014 season, according to the Daily News.
"I appreciate all the Jets fans who appreciate me and accept me for who I am and what I've become, not for what I've done," Vick said. "Right now, my past is irrelevant."
For his 11-year career, Vick has thrown for more than 21,000 yards, with 128 touchdowns and 85 interceptions, to go along with 5,857 yards, 36 touchdowns and 7.1 yards per carry on the ground.
During his five seasons with the Jets, Sanchez threw for 12,092 yards and 68 TDs, but turned the ball over 89 times.
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