Michael Vick gracious about being No. 2, disputes parts of SI story

Michael Vick wasn't at all surprised by the news Geno Smith will start Week 1.

Truth be told, he's the only person in the Jets organization who has been completely transparent about their quarterback competition.

"I think it's great for Geno," Vick said after Friday night's 35-24 loss to the Giants in the Snoopy Bowl. "I knew the entire time that Geno was going to be the starter, but Geno went out and proved that he is capable of running this team and putting this team in a position to win."

Since he arrived in March, Vick has been both accepting of his role and supportive of the incumbent Smith. And Vick wasn't at all pleased with an Sports Illustrated Monday Morning Quarterback story that claimed "some Jets coaches have privately expressed disappointment that Vick didn't show up more hell-bent on winning the starting job."

"That's not true, that's not true at all," said Vick, who threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Eric Decker in the third quarter. Me and my coaches, we have great conversations, we have open dialogue, and that was far from the case. So whoever wrote that story, it was on the side of being very fictitious. And you have to come up with better stories than that. There are better things to talk about."

Vick told reporters after the game that he "obviously" would want to play more, "but I knew that wasn't going to be the case.

"Coach tried to keep me in there with the No. 1 offensive line, even though I don't mind playing with the twos," he said.

The former Eagle also made it clear that his intention was never to be a distraction. "My primary goal was to come in and help this team get better. I felt like I have done that, with the second and third guys, and helping put everybody in position where they can learn and get better."