NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- For Michael Vick, it was time to move
on.
"I realize that I still have a lot to learn," the Virginia
Tech quarterback said Thursday in his hometown. "But the
opportunity was presented for me and I just said to myself, 'Be a
man, not a boy, and take advantage of the opportunity.' "
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Wed.,
Jan. 10
There are two statistics that jump out regarding Michael Vick. Due to his
ankle injury, Vick played only 18 games at Virginia Tech, and he averaged
only 18.5 passes per game. He attempted more than 20 passes in a game only
five times in his two seasons. Those relatively low numbers indicate that
Vick hasn't seen many different types of coverages or drops.
Vick's relative lack of experience could be a concern for some teams -- but it
is clearly outweighed by his phenomenal talent. His arm strength, the
accuracy he has demonstrated, his presence in the pocket, his ability to feel
pressure -- all of those things set him apart from everyone else out there.
Plus, Vick throws the best deep ball since Warren Moon. He's fast and
tremendously gifted. If Vick stays healthy, and if he can overcome his lack
of experience, there is no question he will become a superstar in the NFL.
Vick will be the first pick taken in the NFL draft, because he's simply
impossible to pass on. There is no way any team in the NFL could look at the
kind of talent he is and not select him. There is no other quarterback that
has the tools -- strong arm, quick feet, flat-out speed, excellent deep
ball -- or the presence Vick has. If a GM passes on Vick, he'll rue the day he
did so, because he'll forever be known as the guy who had a chance to draft
Michael Vick, and passed.
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Vick, a redshirt sophomore widely regarded as college football's
most dazzling player, gave up his final two years of eligibility to
enter the NFL draft. He is projected as possibly the No. 1 choice.
Flanked by his mother and father and with about 250 more family,
friends and fans looking on in the gymnasium of the Hampton Roads
Boys & Girls Club, he said the chance to help them made it too hard
to turn away from the NFL's money.
"This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to
make in my life," he said. "My family is so important to me and
now I have an opportunity to take care of them."
The announcement, widely reported for two days, was greeted with
cheers and applause by the throng, and brought tears to Hokies
coach Frank Beamer's eyes.
"I like the guy," Beamer said after Vick finished, a tissue in
one hand wiping tears away as they dripped down his face. "He's a
great player, but he's a wonderful person. He's a winner. He's
tough. And now I'm his No. 1 fan."
Vick, who had twice pledged to return to Virginia Tech next
season, said he considered the possibility of sustaining a
career-ending injury or having his stock drop while mulling his
decision. He also spoke with NFL players, executives and several
agents trying to learn as much as he could about his options.
"It's a big relief," he said of finally making the decision.
"I'm just hoping and praying I made the right decision."
Some have said that Vick isn't ready for the NFL and suggested
he could help himself more by staying in school for more seasoning,
the way Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair did after
pondering an early exit to the NFL.
But for Vick, who arrived at the Boys & Girls Club in the tough
neighborhood where he grew up driving a new silver Lexus GS-300,
the opportunity won out.
"It's going to take time," the 20-year-old player said of his
transition to the pros. "I'm not the greatest player in the world
and I won't be the greatest player in the world when I step on an
NFL field. But believe me, with a couple of years of maturing and a
couple of years of experience, maybe I will be the greatest."
And if the team that drafts you wants you to be able to play
right away?
|  | | Michael Vick announces he's going pro under the watchful eyes of his mother, Brenda Boddie, and tearful eyes of Tech coach Frank Beamer. |
"Regardless of any situation, I'll just have to deal with it,"
he said. "If I'm thrown into the fire, then I'll just have to be
thrown into the fire."
Vick's mother, Brenda Boddie, said she was glad the process is
over, but cautious because her son could end up 3,000 miles away in
San Diego. The Chargers have the top selection in this year's draft
after finishing 1-15 this season.
"I cried all the way to Virginia Tech and all the way home,"
she said of taking him to school for the first time. "I'm going to
be crying a lot more now."
Ronyell Whitaker, a Hokies defensive back who accompanied Vick
to the news conference, said the team will hold no ill will toward
their departed star.
"You might never see another Michael Vick," he said. "He
wanted to do things for his family. If I had the same opportunity,
I'd do the same thing."
The Hokies, who figured to be a national title contender with
Vick in the fold next year, will have to do some scrambling to fill
the void, Beamer said.
"We're not as good now as we were yesterday," he said.
But Beamer said Vick's contribution will last long after Vick
has gone. The Hokies played for the national championship last
season and have finished No. 2 and No. 6 in the polls the last two
years, their best finishes in history.
"In every way, our program is better because Michael Vick has
been there," Beamer said. "I hope the people at the next level do
what's right for him."
Vick, who retreated to a back room and signed autographs for
about an hour following the announcement, seemed resolved to handle
whatever comes next.
"I've made the decision, and I won't look back," he said.
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Clayton: Vick's choice to go pro makes Chargers' draft-day decision easy
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VIDEO
  Michael Vick News Conference RealVideo: 28.8  Michael Vick talks with ESPN's Trey Wingo about his decision to enter into the NFL Draft this year. wav: 1161 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Michael Vick hopes he made the right decision by entering the NFL Draft this year. wav: 136 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer talks about the great personality of Michael Vick. wav: 114 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down Michael Vick possibly being the No. 1 draft pick in this year's NFL Draft. wav: 1719 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 ESPN's Chris Mortensen says Michael Vick will be the Micheal Jordan of the NFL. wav: 310 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mort says there's a war being waged over Michael Vick. wav: 389 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mel Kiper Jr. looks at where Michael Vick is going. wav: 804 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Colts GM Bill Polian recaps his recent conference call with Peyton Manning, Frank Beamer and Michael Vick. wav: 869 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
