A Sports Illustrated panel of experts found three major flaws in Michael Vick's game after reviewing tapes of three of Vick's performances with Virginia Tech.
The games reviewed were this last season's Gator Bowl against Clemson (one of his better passing games); one of his typical all-around games against Virginia; and a game in which he struggled against Boston College.
The flaws detailed in this week's Sports Illustrated:
Vick is too quick to abandon the pass in order to run. "There's no progression through his reads," 49ers general manager Bill Walsh said. "That'll take extensive training to fix."
Vick repeatedly exposes himself to injury. "You can't run this much; you won't last," said Chargers coach Mike Riley, whose team has the No. 1 pick in the draft and is expected to select Vick.
Walsh added: "Ultimately, running like this in the NFL would be a negative. It won't help when he makes electrifying plays with his feet in the preseason and drives the fans crazy. No matter what the coaches tell him, he'll figure he can play the same way in the NFL that he did in college."
Although Vick has an exceptionally strong arm, he is too often inaccurate. After watching him miss several open receivers, former Giants quarterback Phil Simms said: "It doesn't seem like he had one easy completion in those three games."
Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young said: "I like guys who can manipulate defenses, but accuracy is a huge issue, and it looks like that's something Michael has to work on."
The most damning quote in this week's Sports Illustrated came from Walsh, who probably is the game's top quarterback expert:
"Vick is not ready to be an NFL quarterback," Walsh said. "He has more potential than (Drew) Brees, but I don't see how he'll be able to play regularly until his third year. I hope those coaches in San Diego are secure in their jobs. They'll need to be to see this kid through."
Walsh said on the "Dan Patrick Show" on ESPN Radio today that his comments regarding Vick's ability were accurate but that the statement regarding the coaches' job security "must have been a point of humor."
"We had to be laughing because I wouldn't be that stark with anybody's job," Walsh said.
The panel also included James Harris, the Ravens director of pro personnel and a former NFL quarterback. He probably was the most positive saying Vick "could well become one of the greatest playmakers in NFL history."
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