DALLAS--Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick inspired teammates, coaches, and fans Sunday by heroically sitting in the coach’s booth and watching the game. Vick, who was injured in the pre-season, did a bang up job of sitting stationary in a chair viewing the action.

“Michael Vick truly is one of a kind,” said commentator Dick Enberg. “He is such an inspiration to everyone in this city. He has been a huge factor in this game, even though he’s not playing. What a player.”

Vick’s backup Doug Johnson had a decent game, making some mistakes but keeping his team close against the inept Cowboys. But it was Vick’s presence sitting in the booth that contributed most to the victory.

“Just look at the way he’s sitting there,” said ESPN’s Ron Jaworski. “So stoic, yet still the picture of intensity. Guys, roll the tape…Now, as the tape rolls, watch how Vick casually props his foot up on the chair, the very definition of confidence and swagger. And look at how he’s taking notes during the play. Obviously, he’s concocting some kind of incredible play to exploit the opponent’s defense. All this, and he’s not even on the field. He still instills fear into the opposition and awe into excitable hyperbole machines like me.”

The Vick hype machine has been in full force since his debut last season, when he wowed onlookers with his rare combination of speed and accuracy. A year later, he made the cover of Madden 2004, an honor bestowed upon such greats as Marhsall Faulk and Daunte Culpepper. The legend of Mike Vick grew even more yesterday when the second year quarterback impressed everyone with his unbelievable poise and determination in sitting down on a stool in the coaching booth.

Said Enberg: “I’ve seen a lot of people sit in coach’s booths in my day. Thousands, really. And I can honestly say that Michael Vick is probably the greatest I’ve ever seen at not playing in a game. His importance to this team, this city, this league, and this great nation cannot be overstated. He is truly a champion of champions, a God among men. Please, someone give me a Valium.”

The spectacular display of sitting there was the talk of the airwaves on Monday.

“Is Michael Vick the greatest athlete who’s ever lived?” asked Mike Lupica, sportswriter. “Or is he simply the greatest football player who’s ever lived? A tough question, but watching him sit up in the booth yesterday carrying his team to victory through sheer force of will, we are forced to conclude that Vick is not only the greatest athlete that ever lived, but one of the greatest men who ever lived. You know what? I would fellate him if I could.”

His teammates agree with the experts. Having a first hand view of Vick’s transcendence, they can appreciate it on a completely different level.

Says running back Warrick Dunn: “We really are worthless without Mike. Without him, we wouldn’t be able to tie our own shoes. He really is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to this city and the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Anytime we felt like we were out of the game, we’d just look up at Michael and the way he was sitting up there in a chair and would be totally inspired. He really leads by example.”

One play in particular illustrated the importance of Vick to his team. In the third quarter, with the game still undecided, backup QB Doug Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Warrick Dunn. The team immediately looked up to the booth to salute their fearless leader. Even coaches got into the act.

“As soon as Warrick caught that touchdown pass, we all ran over to Mike and started hugging him,” said offensive coordinator Paul Mangurian. “It was quite a sight, I'll tell you. The way he watched the play develop with his steely glare, never flinching, never breaking a sweat, a picture of composure and calm. If it wasn’t for Michael, who knows how that play would’ve turned out?”

Even Vick himself has gotten in on the excitement. He spends almost all his free time playing Madden 2004 as himself, and seems amazed at how spectacular he is.

“How great am I? Could I be any more great?” asked Vick. “And it’s not just hype. I’m telling you, I've never seen anyone quite so spectacular. You should see how fast I am on Madden. There is not one person on that game who can stop me. My cultural relevance cannot be overstated. I mean so much to the city of Atlanta. I am an emblem of hope, a symbol of justice and truth and all that is good with America. I only wish I were a contortionist, so I could suck my own dick. Then I could finally do what everyone else in America is pining to do.”