Vicksburg: What if Atlanta drafted Marcus?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Thursday, April 27, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Atlanta Falcons
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What do Michael Vick and George W. Bush have in common?

Popularity ratings.

All you have to do is visit some of the Atlanta Falcons' fan sites to sense the discontent in Falcon Nation. More and more, the rumor is spreading that Emperor Mike has no clothes -- or, at least, no Super Bowl ring.

Surely the man judged Best Athlete in the World (the World!) by one national magazine should have been able to lead his team into the Promised Land by now.

It's possible, though, that Vick has turned out to be too good for his own good. He may well have started to believe all the hype (fueled initially by ESPN and Sports Illustrated) that proclaimed him "the future of the NFL" and the new frontier for quarterbacks.

Certainly, the Virginia Tech Hokies product has treated his fans to a highlight-reel full of spectacular plays. He has the quickest feet and arguably the strongest arm in the league. Yet last year, Vick was 25th in passing efficiency and threw 13 interceptions against 15 touchdown passes. His primary target continues to be tight end Alge Crumpler -- always a red flag for a pro QB, because it indicates an unwillingness or inability to go deep.

So what's the problem? Well, injuries, for one thing. Vick is lean and muscular, and that's the sort of frame particularly vulnerable to the violent hits of NFL linebackers and defensive backs. Last year, a knee injury limited him to 595 yards rushing. Another season it was his ankle.

"I want to be Michael Vick," Vick told reporters recently after a spring workout at the Falcons' training complex.

That actually makes sense. What he really meant was, he wants to be the Michael Vick of the high-tech commercials, not the Michael Vick being carted off the field.

It's beginning to look as if Vick's eye-popping performance in the 2000 BCS title game with Florida State was a microcosm of his career to come -- lots of great plays, but a loss in the end. One is reminded of a Virginia athlete in another sport, Ralph Sampson. A three-time national player of the year at Virginia, the agile, 7-4 Sampson was supposed to revolutionize pro basketball. Instead, a series of injuries left him far short of his potential.

So here's a suggestion for the Atlanta Falcons -- a gamble, to be sure, but not that much of one. Draft Marcus Vick, Michael's little brother, and make him a wide receiver.

You've probably forgotten, but little Vick (actually, he's bigger than Mike) played that position in the 2003 Insight.com Bowl, a 52-49 Virginia Tech loss to Aaron Rodgers and Cal. He caught four passes from Bryan Randall for 82 yards and a touchdown, and was virtually uncoverable on deep routes.

Marcus ran a 4.3-something at the NFL combine. He may be faster than his brother, although not as shifty. He was the 2005 All-ACC quarterback. He's a fierce competitor.

OK, a little too fierce. But the word is, he finally apologized to Louisville DE Elvis Dumervil for childishly stomping on Dumervil's leg in the Gator Bowl.

As for Vick's other transgressions, he has obviously demonstrated immaturity in large measure. But he hasn't shot or beaten up anybody. His crimes were a consensual dalliance with underage Tech groupies, speeding, and pot possession. The latest charge against him, of brandishing a firearm in a McDonald's parking lot in Suffolk, Va, has been sent to the trash bin. Vick said it was a cell phone, and there wasn't any evidence otherwise.

Plus, the Falcons could get Vick fairly late in the draft and probably cheaply. Michael has always been a surrogate parent for Marcus, and he could keep the kid in line (and if couldn't, perhaps Falcons' DB DeAngelo Hall – another ex-Hokie – could put a hit or two on him). It would give Vick another fleet target, one with whom he has a longstanding genetic connection. And Marcus could double as a third-string quarterback if the need arose (like an injury to his brother).

They could call the place "Vicksburg." Think about it, Falcons.
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