threw three interceptions in a 24-14 pre-season loss to the Pitt

PITTSBURGH -- Michael Vick is glad he chose the Philadelphia Eagles, even if he had more attractive options. Brett Keisel Pittsburgh Steelers . After telling GQ magazine that he didnt want to come to Philadelphia to be a third-string quarterback following his release from federal prison two years ago, Vick clarified his remarks late Thursday after he threw three interceptions in a 24-14 pre-season loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. "I wanted to be with (coach Andy Reid)," Vick said. "I knew that I was going to have to sit, but I knew it was going to pay great dividends for me. I couldnt see it at the time, but that goes to show how much I know because of how things worked out. Im glad to be an Eagle and hopefully I will be for a long time." Vick was speaking to the media hours after he released a statement through the team that reiterated his stance that the choice to sign with the Eagles was solely his, with consultation from his agent and family. Vick rejuvenated his career with the Eagles, started in the Pro Bowl last year and finished runner-up to Tom Brady for NFL MVP. In the September issue of GQ, Vick says that he consulted with Commissioner Roger Goodell before signing with Philadelphia. "I think I can say this now, because its not going to hurt anybodys feelings, and its the truth," Vick says. "I didnt want to come to Philadelphia. Being the third-team quarterback is nothing to smile about. Cincinnati and Buffalo were better options." The article states: "After meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell and other reps from the NFL, Vick was convinced -- and granted league approval -- to sign with Philly." Vick is then quoted saying: "And I commend and thank them, because they put me in the right situation." Vick reiterated those thoughts in the visiting teams media room as midnight approached Thursday, denying that the distraction of days controversy had anything to do with performance. In validating his decision to sign with the Eagles after being tempted by opportunities where he might have had the chance to start immediately, Vick pointed to a pre-season game against the New York Jets that first season with Philadelphia in 2009. "I tried to take off running, and I fell flat on my face because I had no legs up under me," he said. "That right there really showed me that I wasnt ready to play an entire season. The pressures that came along with it, what it takes as far as your body and physical condition and endurance that you need. After that game I was just happy to have that opportunity to sit back and watch the game for a year, be a rookie again." Vick acknowledged that he initially was seeking a team where he could have the opportunity to start immediately. Vick also talked about how, even after discussions with Reid compelled him to sign with the Eagles, the quarterback still had to convince ownership (Jeffrey Lurie and family) he was fit to join the team. "As a competitor, you want to play, and of course Cincinnati and Buffalo were on the table at that time," Vick said. "I really had to evaluate my situation and how my body felt, had to take some things into consideration and also had to convince them to let me come here. That was after I made the decision to come here and negotiations with my agent with the Eagles. Once the decision was made and they bring me thats when everything worked out." The NFL issued the following statement Thursday: "Michael Vicks decision on where to play to put himself in the best position to succeed was entirely his own. Commissioner Goodell obviously met and spoke to Michael and his representatives as part of his decision on whether to reinstate Michael and on what terms. But the commissioner would never steer players to or away from particular teams and did not do so in this case." Vick played sparingly in 2009 behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. McNabb was traded to Washington in April 2010, and Vick eventually replaced Kolb after he was injured in the season opener last year. Vick had the best all-around season of his career, led the Eagles to the NFC East title and was The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.Authentic Shaun Suisham Jersey . The agreement Thursday was for $5,000 above the midpoint between the $2.4 million he had asked for and the $1.6 million the Indians had offered when the sides exchanged arbitration figures last month. Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers . PAUL, Minn. NEW YORK -- Deron Williams felt so good, he even dunked for the first time this season. Or, maybe he didnt. "Were trying to debate if that was a dunk," Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd said. It wasnt pretty, but it went in, just like nearly every other shot Williams took in one of his best games of the season. Williams scored 28 points, leading the Nets to a 108-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night that extended their home winning streak to nine. Williams shot 11 of 13 from the field and looks all the way back after ankle problems wrecked his first half of the season. He was two points off his season high and rose above the rim to throw down a dunk that finished off a fourth-quarter fast break started by Andrei Kirilenkos steal. The dunk wasnt exactly a no-doubter, but far better than what Williams was capable of a couple of months ago. "Im going to give it to him," rookie Mason Plumlee said. "Hes gone up about three times now with great courage. If at first you dont succeed, keep trying. This one, I mean it rattled in, so he didnt get the flush, but he got a dunk. Theres a difference." Williams joked that his coach was supposed to have his back, adding that Kidd "was never a dunker in his day, either." But theres no debating that the two-time Olympian looks better, and so do the Nets when he plays like this. "Im definitely feeling better," Williams said after shooting 80 per cent in a game for the first time in his career. "Still not jumping that high, as you can tell, but definitely feeling better and more confident every day." Joe Johnson added 19 points for the Nets, on their longest home winning streak since winning nine straight from March 15-April 6, 2006. Playing without Kevin Garnett because of back spasms for the ninth straight game, the Nets continued to thrive playing small ball, making 67.5 per cent of their shots in the first half and leading by as much as 23 in the game. Garnett hasnt played this month and will miss at least two more games before he is re-evaluated Saturday before the Nets leave for a three-game trip. But Mason Plumlee had another strong game in his absence, ffinishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds in outplaying his brother, Miles. Authentic Justin Brown Jersey. Markieff Morris scored 18 points and Gerald Green 17 for the Suns, who were seeking a perfect three-game trip against Atlantic Division teams after winning at Boston and Toronto. But they never led and fell 1 1/2 games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. "We cant have these semi-efforts on nights. We had terrible effort tonight," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. "This team has a bunch of All-Stars on it. This should have been a big game to get hyped up. Maybe we were worn out with four games in five nights. I dont know." Kidd talked before the game about how potent the Suns, who scored 121 points at Toronto, could be. But it was the Nets who were quicker up and down the floor in their 16th victory in their last 18 home games. The Nets made eight of their first 11 shots, hit 70 per cent in the first quarter, and led by as much as 14 in the period before taking a 30-20 lead to the second. With a couple of huge dunks by Green to answer some by Shaun Livingston, Phoenix was able to match Brooklyn in first-half highlights but not in baskets. Williams made all three of his shots in the second quarter, including a layup that gave the Nets a 62-49 lead at the break. "They were better than us today," Suns guard Goran Dragic said. "We tried to battle but we didnt find energy, and when you play hard you get all the calls. They were just better in all aspects of the game." Phoenix cut it to 76-67 on Morris three-point play, but Johnson and Paul Pierce hit consecutive 3-pointers to start a 14-0 burst and gave the Nets a 90-67 lead with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter. NOTES: Livingston, who suffered a devastating knee injury early in his career, surpassed his previous bests for minutes played and points scored in a season Monday. ... Brooklyns Jorge Gutierrez played 7 scoreless minutes on the day he signed a second 10-day contract. He played in only one game during the first deal. ... The game featured two sets of brothers, with the Suns Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus, and the Plumlees. ' ' '