Vick Returning To Va. Tech

Michael Vick is coming back for another season. The Virginia Tech quarterback wants to work on a few things before heading to the NFL.

"I just want to get better as a person and as a player," he said Friday at a news conference to discuss the Gator Bowl. "And when it's time for me to go to the next level, I'll definitely be ready."

Vick had a disappointing season after injuring his right ankle Oct. 28 against Pittsburgh. He saw limited action against Miami, Virginia Tech's biggest game of the year, and sat out the next game against Central Florida.

A 41-21 loss to Miami knocked the Hokies out of the championship race, but the Hokies rallied to beat Central Florida 44-21. Virginia Tech ended the regular season at 10-1 7-1 in the Big East and ranked No. 6.

He described his condition as "about 90 percent," and he will start against Clemson (9-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Vick said his injury played a role in his decision to return.

"The injury was definitely something I had no control over," he said. "Once that happened, it was just something I had to deal with."

Vick said he had been mulling his decision for the past month and discussed the matter with his family and coaches. He wanted to "get it off my chest" before the Gator Bowl.

"Once I go down to Jacksonville, I want my whole life to be easier," he said. "I don't want the question to be asked as many times as it was last season. I just want everything to move forward."

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said Vick made the right decision.

"A lot of people would think about not staying, but whatever money is there this year, there's just going to be more next year," Beamer said. "But that's not his issue. And those people that think it is are not going in the right direction."

Vick had a spectacular season as a redshirt freshman in 1999 and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He wants to regain some of the consistency he showed that year.

"I made some mistakes in the passing game," Vick said. "Those are things that can be worked on. That's one of the reasons I'm coming back.

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