I came across this article from the January 11, 1998 edition of the Post Standard.  It's VERY timely with today's NFL news.


WANTED: THE NEXT MCNABB

BYLINE: Donnie Webb Staff Writer

SECTION: SPORTS; SU Football; Pg. C1

LENGTH: 851 words


Donovan McNabb's reign now has an ending. Much to the relief of Syracuse University, it will last through the end of this year instead of the year that just ended.

McNabb decided last week to return for his final season of eligibility instead of entering the NFL draft as a junior. He'll complete his career at Syracuse as a four-year starter and a legacy as perhaps the best to ever play quarterback for the Orangemen.

The time to line up a potential successor at quarterback is now.

The pitch couldn't be any sweeter. Come to Syracuse, hang with McNabb for a year, be an understudy as a redshirt freshman, then take over the offense and be a four-year starter.

Syracuse has less than a month remaining in the current recruiting effort and has yet to gain the commitment from a quarterback. But the Orangemen may have identified their man, the player they hope to land that could be McNabb's successor.

He's Michael Vick of Warwick High School in Newport News, Va. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback made an official visit to Syracuse last month. His host was none other than McNabb. And according to Vick's high school coach, they are one in the same.

"He's McNabb," said Warwick coach Tommy Reamon.

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... but we'd be fooling ourselves if we didn't ask some key questions before the Melo era descends on Syracuse next fall.

Will Fab Melo's "mental game" hold up under the tests he's going to face.  Every high school coach says that their kid has "it" but does he have that hunger to truly get better?

And no one's saying it, but does a 65-year old Jimmy B have the fire in his belly to stay on this kid, grind on him and MAKE him improve like he did with Rony Seikaly 20+ years ago.

IF those questions get answered positively, then the sky's the limit for Cuse and Melo.

Is anyone else afraid that Syracuse is even worse off than we all initially feared?!

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These guys needed a stretch like this to feel good again.  Sure it was three relative cupcakes, but it was three STATEMENT wins.

Syracuse has never beaten 3 straight Big East teams by 20+ points each...

After seemingly-endless months of judicial boards, grumpy microphones, depressing Sports Illustrated articles, disheartening losses and bubble jokes - these guys are laughing and enjoying the moment. Don't you think the whole team is looking forward to practice on Wednesday?

The fog has lifted and our long winter of discontent is over...

Not a news flash... but I was at the game tonight.. when Harris stuffed home a game-tying dunk early in the 2nd half, he grabbed the ball a moment and tried to give it back to the ref...

After he ran down court, Calhoun was manically yelling at the ref out of the coaches box, obviously trying to get a 'T' on Harris.

Of course after the game, Calhoun brushes it off...

"Paul Harris ... I've known probably since he was a freshman in high school. ... He and I were joking during the game. He said something and I said something back. Just kidding with him and then Jimmy Burr came into the situation. I have great respect for Paul. He's a terrific competitor."

I call BS... Harris himself said he didn't say anything to Calhoun.. and why would he say something to a head coach while jogging back on defense in the middle of the game?!

Just another reason why Calhoun is a PUNK.

Check out how the bracket scientists out there thought Syracuse and other teams were sitting as of this Monday...

We are as low as a 7 seed according to Joe Lunardi and as high as a 5 seed in some people's minds.

I really think we HAVE to get to a 6 seed or betteron actual Selection Sunday because the 2-seed line is going to be so strong this year with Michigan State, Wake Forest and Duke all probably going to be there.

It's sweeping Facebook... why not the Orange Coalition?

Here are some samples:

• This year's team allows opponents to grab 14.3 offensive rebounds per game, MOST in the Big East...
• Syracuse is 7-15 against conference opponents when Eric Devendorf takes at least 5 three-pointers in the game.
• Syracuse's OPPONENTS' 61.5 FT pct this season is THE worst of the Jim Boeheim era.
• In the last two seasons, Arinze Onuaku has shot 82-for-110 from the floor on Saturdays (74.5 pct).