NEW YORK — Michael Vick says he cried in prison because of the guilt he felt about being involved in dogfighting, and was disgusted with himself for allowing it to happen.

In an interview with "60 Minutes" that aired last night, Vick said the day he walked into prison he realized "the magnitude of the decisions that I made.

"And, you know, it's no way of, you know, explaining, you know, the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights. And that put it all into perspective," he said.

A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring and was reinstated last month by the NFL after being out of action since 2006.

He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.

"I let myself down, you know, not being out on the football field, being in a prison bed, in a prison bunk, writing letters home, you know," he said. "That wasn't my life. That wasn't the way that things was supposed to be. And all because of the so-called culture that I thought was right — that I thought it was cool. And I thought it was, you know, it was fun, and it was exciting at the time. It all led to me laying in a prison bunk by myself with no one to talk to but myself."

Vick said he blamed only himself for landing in prison and deserved to lose the $135 million contract that made him the NFL's highest paid player.

"I was disgusted, you know, because of what I let happen to those animals," he said. "I could've put a stop to it. I could've walked away from it. I could've shut the whole operation down."

Vick said he initially lied about being involved in dogfighting because he realized his career was in jeopardy.

"I felt the guilt and I knew I was guilty, and I knew what I had done," he said. "And, not knowing at the time that, you know, actually telling the truth may have been better than, you know, not being honest. And it backfired on me tremendously."

Vick also admitted that his reputation as a player that didn't work hard and relied mostly on his athletic ability was warranted.

"I was lazy. You know, I was the last guy in the building, first guy out," Vick said. "I know that. You know, I hear everything that people say. And that hurt me when I heard that, but I know it was true."

COWBOYS

WR WILLIAMS HURT

Dallas Cowboys receiver Roy Williams missed practice yesterday because of a sprained left wrist and his status is day to day.

The Cowboys said X-rays were negative on Williams, who is expected to be the team's No. 1 receiver after the departure of Terrell Owens.

Jones said Williams hurt his wrist when he came down hard during yesterday's morning practice.

JETS

QB SANCHEZ STARTS

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, coming off an impressive NFL debut, will start the New York Jets' preseason game at Baltimore next week.

Rex Ryan announced yesterday that Sanchez would open under center against the Ravens in the nationally televised game Aug. 24. Ryan previously determined that Kellen Clemens would start the preseason opener against St. Louis on Friday and the two would flip-flop against Baltimore.

Sanchez came into the 23-20 loss with 28 seconds left in the first quarter, and threw a 48-yard pass to David Clowney on his opening play. He completed three of four passes for 88 yards in one series.

Clemens, entering his fourth season, was 4 of 4 for 24 yards and was sacked once — and lost a fumble — in two series.

ELSEWHERE

Texans: Houston's Rex Grossman is expected to miss about a month with a hamstring injury, and the Texans are looking to sign another quarterback to fill in until he's healthy.

Grossman, Houston's third quarterback and the former Bears starter, was injured in Saturday's win over the Chiefs and coach Gary Kubiak says he doesn't feel comfortable finishing the preseason with only Matt Schaub and backup Dan Orlovsky.

Kubiak says the Texans could bring back Alex Brink, who was with the team last season.

Saints: New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley plans to serve a four-game suspension when the regular season begins because he tested positive for a banned stimulant.

Hartley said yesterday he obtained the Adderall prescription pills from a former college friend and used them to stay awake while driving at night from Dallas to New Orleans for an offseason workout.

Hartley said he learned of the failed test in a recent letter from the league, and did not plan to appeal. The NFL considers players' drug tests confidential and does not comment.

49ers: San Francisco waived running back Thomas Clayton, two days after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the fourth quarter of Friday night's 17-16 preseason win over the Denver Broncos.

The Niners signed fullback Bill Rentmeester to replace Clayton. He was released by the Chargers on Aug. 5 after signing with San Diego as an undrafted free agent May 1.

Also, coach Mike Singletary said fullback Zak Keasey would likely miss 8 to 10 weeks after breaking his arm Friday.

Raiders: Oakland signed linebacker Morlon Greenwood and cut defensive end Derrick Gray.

The move announced yesterday gives the Raiders more depth at outside linebacker with Jon Alston nursing a foot injury and Ricky Brown competing with Kirk Morrison for the starting middle linebacker spot.