SB Nation User Blog: Nicks2Cents

1998 Post Standard Article on McNabb, Vick

Nicks2Cents — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:03:49 -0000

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.

VICK started for three and a half years at Warwick and passed for more than 5,000 yards. Reamon said Vick has "raw athletic ability," but he also possesses an elegant passing game and exceptional arm. He's left-handed and deft at making all the throws.

"He has one of the quickest releases you would ever want to see in a high school quarterback," Reamon said. "Marino has that quick release. You don't teach that. God gave him that."

Vick has received little national attention, but it's likely because he plays in the same area as Ronald Curry of Hampton, the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country. Curry is headed to Virginia. Vick's destination is unknown.

The two got their chance to play against one another during the season. Curry's team won the game, but Vick made his point. In a game before more than 8,000 fans, Vick passed for more than 300 yards against Hampton.

"It was a show," Reamon said. "I said after the game that I'm tired of hearing about Ronald Curry. Vick spoke tonight. That's what I said. (Vick) throws better than him. Michael Vick is probably the most unsung quarterback to come out of high school, wherever it is."

Vick has taken just two official visits - to Syracuse and East Carolina. He has remaining visits to Virginia Tech and Clemson over the next two weekends. He won't make his decision until taking all his visits.

REAMON said Vick turned down overtures from the likes of Florida State, Penn State and Notre Dame because their systems of offense did not fit the quarterback's skills or needs.

"That's why (Syracuse) is on his list," Reamon said. "Other than that, they would not be. It's not what Syracuse wants. It's what Vick wants."

Reamon said Syracuse coaches have told him they think Vick is their quarterback of the future. Head coach Paul Pasqualoni called Reamon on Thursday. Reamon told Pasqualoni that no decision is imminent. Vick will take his visits, period.

The Orangemen are walking a tight rope in pursuit of Vick. Recruiting a quarterback out of Virginia is tough stuff. At the same time, the Orangemen can't put all their eggs in one basket, just as East Carolina, Virginia Tech and Clemson can't either. So each continues to court other quarterbacks.

The only other quarterback to make an official visit to Syracuse is Troy Nunes of Butler, Pa. Derrick Joseph of Shaw High School in Marrero, La., will make a visit to Syracuse later this month. So will quarterback Calvin McCall of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. Each is considered a fine quarterback, but none has the passing skills of Vick.

Syracuse seems to be pursuing Vick the right way. Reamon praised the Orangemen for their effort. Syracuse offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers is recruiting Vick. Reamon said Rogers is a key piece to the puzzle and a big reason why Vick likes the Orangemen.

McNabb is another ingredient. Vick sees McNabb as a role model, according to Reamon, and likes the idea of spending a year watching the Syracuse star.

It's difficult to get much of a read from Reamon about where Vick stands. He's adamant that his star complete the recruiting process and investigate all of his options before making a decision.

East Carolina uses a unique passing game that is appealing. Warwick has also sent players to Greenville in the past. Reamon said there's a problem with Clemson because they're not sure of what's happening offensively. Virginia Tech is close and has been adaptable to different quarterbacks.

"They have to prove they're in position to utilize a quarterback like Vick," Reamon said of the Hokies.

"Whatever program gets him gets a plus. He's not going anywhere where there's going to be a controversy at quarterback. Syracuse, as well known as they are, if they even think he's coming there to compete with another redshirt quarterback, you can forget it."

I'm as excited for Melo as the next guy...

Nicks2Cents — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:50:21 -0000

... 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.

'Cuse Hoops Worse Off Than We All Feared

Nicks2Cents — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:57:48 -0000

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

The loss of Jonny Flynn may be settling in for some, but not me.

Do you guys realize how big of a loss this is? Flynn - maybe even more so than 'Melo, Billy Owens and Pearl - is irreplacable.

He's that ultimate commodity in college basketball. A living, breathing floor general who has the ball in his hands almost 75% of the time his team has possession.

Syracuse almost won it all the year that Pearl left early... Syracuse went 0-2 in the postseason in Owens' last year on The Hill... Heck, Melo gave us a title - what else did he have to accomplish?

But Flynn leaves the cupboard bare with no legit replacement on the horizon, just when the sky was the limit.

This will sting me for years - maybe until Syracuse sniffs the Final Four again.

Our long winter of discontent is over...

Nicks2Cents — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:20:11 -0000

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...

Calhoun is full of it...

Nicks2Cents — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:21:41 -0000

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.

34 Days Till Selection Sunday!

Nicks2Cents — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:38:56 -0000

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.

25 Random Things About Syracuse Basketball

Nicks2Cents — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:16:21 -0000

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).