RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM NFC quarterback Michael Vick lost his helmet as he scored during the third quarter of yesterday's Pro Bowl.

Vick leaves it
on the field

It was a scene out of Jim Mora's nightmares.

The Atlanta Falcons coach could only watch helplessly as his star quarterback, Michael Vick, dove for the goal line, where he was met by Baltimore safety Ed Reed. And it didn't help his blood pressure to see Vick's helmet pop into the air.

"I saw his helmet come off and I was about on the 5-yard-line getting ready to pick him up," Mora said. "I was nervous."

Mora's stomach quit churning when Vick playfully tossed the ball in the air after scoring in the third quarter of yesterday's Pro Bowl. But dealing with the unexpected is a part of life when you're dealing with the NFL's most electrifying player.

Vick dazzled the Aloha Stadium crowd by nearly leading the NFC back from an 18-point halftime deficit in his first Pro Bowl appearance. The rally fell short as the AFC posted a 38-27 win, but the result didn't put a damper on Vick's experience.

"It was a lot of fun playing with the guys, throwing the ball around, having a lot of protection, having a good group of receivers," Vick said as he left the field. "It was the bomb."

Vick displayed his array of talents in passing for 205 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a 3-yard score. Both touchdowns came in the third quarter as the NFC pulled to within four (28-24) before falling short.

Vick completed 11 of his first 15 throws and played the entire second half in relief of Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper.

Perhaps more impressive than his numbers was the effortless manner in which he racked them up, often gliding away from pressure to zip a dart downfield with a mere flick of his wrist.

Vick was selected to the 2003 Pro Bowl, but didn't play due to injury. So yesterday's All-Star exhibition was the first opportunity for Hawaii fans to see first-hand the skills that enabled Vick to pass for 2,313 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 902 yards and three scores during the regular season and led the Falcons to the NFC championship game.

"He was able to demonstrate his talents on this stage and he had a great time with it," Mora said.

"I think it'll help him elevate his game to a new level. Having some success like he did, watching guys like Donovan (McNabb) and Daunte (Culpepper) work, I really think it's going to help him become a better player down the line."

Vick entered the game to open the second half and completed four of six passes on a 73-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard TD strike to St. Louis receiver Torry Holt down the right sideline.

"When Mike's in there you know you always have to stay alive because he can move and he can run," said Holt, who caught a game-high five passes for 99 yards.

Following an interception by Lito Sheppard, the NFC tightened the game with a nine-play, 69-yard drive. On second down at the AFC 3, Vick rolled around the left side and had Packers fullback William Henderson open, but elected to take it in himself.

Reed actually pulled up on the hit at the goal line, but the impact still knocked Vick's helmet off, making more than his coach a bit edgy.

"I made myself nervous," Vick said. "My intention wasn't to run, but the opportunity was there."

The scores conjured memories of the NFC's dramatic comeback in last year's 55-52 win. But they could manage just a field goal the rest of the way and the AFC sealed the win in the fourth quarter.

"We all wanted to win the game -- we came up a little short, but it was fun," Vick said. "We were able to go out and make a run at it.

"I just had a great week in Hawaii. It was a great privilege to be here."