Michael Vick was last heard in these parts on Dec. 29, the day after the New York Jets' 4-12 season came to a merciful end. At the time, he expressed confidence in his ability to be a starting quarterback in the league, claiming he still was capable of playing at "a high level."

Five months later, Vick sounds humbled. Being out of work that long will do that to a player, even a former star.

"Sometimes, it takes certain things to wake you up and [last year] was certainly a wake-up call for me," he said Wednesday to The Virginian-Pilot, his hometown newspaper.

Vick's one season with the Jets will be remembered for his stunning admission he was ill-prepared for backup duty in a Week 5 loss to the San Diego Chargers and his failure (twice in the regular season) to unseat Geno Smith as the starting quarterback. All things considered, it was a forgettable season for Vick, who became a free agent and apparently hasn't received any offers.

Vick, working out in Florida at a gym owned by former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers, told the newspaper he can "help a football team win a couple of games." He said he's training hard, looking to gain a few pounds in an attempt to improve his durability.

"I see my role as being a mentor first and foremost, a confident quarterback who can come off the bench if necessary in whatever the situation may be and win football games," he said.

"Whether it's two or three games a year or four or five, I feel like I can put myself in that situation where I can... use the weapons around me, play some smart football."

Vick started three games last season, actually leading the Jets to an upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was respectable in his first two starts, but he was awful in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, opening the door for Smith's return.

It wasn't a bad idea to sign Vick, but it never worked out. While he was publicly supportive of Smith, his role as mentor didn't make a positive impact on Smith -- at least not from a production standpoint. As a player, Vick showed he can still run away from trouble, but he was sloppy in the pocket as a passer.

Vick said he hopes to catch on with a team in training camp. What team could use the services of a 35-year-old former phenom? Right now, there aren't any No. 2 jobs available, but there could be an opening with the New England Patriots -- if Tom Brady's four-game suspension stands. It's hard to imagine Bill Belichick signing Vick to back up Jimmy Garoppolo, but stranger things have happened. Chances are, it'll take a preseason injury for Vick to draw interest from a quarterback-needy team.