Mora, who coached Vick in Atlanta, says QB should be reinstated to league

Published: Jun 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM

RENTON, Wash. -- Seahawks coach Jim Mora says Michael Vick deserves to be reinstated to the NFL, although that second chance apparently won't come in Seattle.

Mora, who mentored Vick as the Atlanta Falcons' coach, said Wednesday during the Seahawks' mandatory minicamp: "I believe he's paid his debt to society."

But Mora added that the Seahawks won't be adding any quarterbacks.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hasn't committed to reinstating Vick to the league after he completes his 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring on July 20.

Mora said he last spoke to Vick just before the suspended Falcons quarterback went to prison in the fall of 2007. That was about 10 months after the Falcons fired Mora following three seasons, including 2004 when he was a rookie head coach and the dynamic Vick led Atlanta into the NFC Championship Game.

Mora then became the Seahawks' defensive backs coach and assistant head coach for two seasons before replacing Mike Holmgren as head coach in January.

Though Vick is still under contract with the Falcons, the team has said he will not be playing for Atlanta again.

Mora was asked if he would welcome Vick to the Seahawks, who have three-time Pro Bowl passer Matt Hasselbeck, veteran backup Seneca Wallace and sixth-round draft pick Mike Teel as the quarterbacks on their roster.

"You know what? It's a sticky situation, one I'm not comfortable talking about," Mora said. "The fact of the matter is, Michael Vick is a member of the Atlanta Falcons' organization right now. For me to be speaking on him would be speaking out of turn. I'll just say this for the record: We are very happy with the quarterbacks we have on our roster. We have no intentions of adding another player to our roster at this time."

Mora then caught himself, knowing "at this time" would invite rumors that the Seahawks' stance might change on Vick once he is a free man later this summer.

Mora made it clear it won't.

"Just cut out the 'at this time,' because then people will speculate for the next three months," the coach said, chuckling. "We have no intentions of adding a quarterback to our roster."

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