There was an awesome article by Bill Roth today re: Marcus Vick:
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In the end, circumstances led Marcus Vick to follow his brother to Tech
The Roth Report
February 13, 2002
By Bill Roth
They should have noticed.
One by one, the various coaches walked right by, focused on the impending critical home visit they were about to make. But they didn't see it.
There was Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer, then Virginia's Al Groh, and Miami's Larry Coker.
They'd come up to this new beautiful home in Suffolk, Va. - the home of Marcus Vick - and walk right by the Hokie Stone. Marcus' mother, Brenda Boddie, had insisted the stone be part of the new house when it was constructed this past year.
"Oh, I just loved that stone on the Tech campus," she said. She told the builder she had to have it as part of the new house.
Of course, Brenda's oldest son, Michael, had helped build Tech into the football power it is today. And pardon the symbolism, Hokie Stone, the familiar limestone blocks which make up the majority of Tech's buildings, was used as part of their wonderful new home.
Marcus Vick had seen the Hokie Stone many times himself on his numerous trips to Blacksburg. In fact, there was a time, a couple years ago, when he imagined playing quarterback for the Virginia Tech Hokies, just like older brother Michael.
He had come up to those games to see Michael play and had watched the rest on TV.
"Wouldn't that be neat to do that some day?" he wondered.
Running out of that tunnel at Lane Stadium, winning BIG EAST titles on national television, competing for the Heisman Trophy, and being carried off the field by Tech fans, it all was an inviting thought. But by the start of this past fall, the Commonwealth of Virginia's premier high school quarterback prospect wasn't sure if Tech would be the best place for him to continue his academic and athletic development.
Vick had done it all on the high school level. In two seasons as the starting quarterback at Warwick High School in Newport News, he completed 295 of 432 passes for 3,992 yards and 40 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,468 yards and 26 more scores. Those numbers sound a lot like those posted by brother Michael, who led Tech to a pair of 11-1 seasons during his two years as the Hokies' starting quarterback (1999 and 2000).
The younger Vick did indeed sign with Tech last week - a decision that surprised his family, elated Hokie fans everywhere, and sent shivers throughout offices of defensive coordinators throughout the BIG EAST Conference. Why? There's another Vick heading to Blacksburg.
Greenville a long way from Newport News
If you've followed recruiting in this state over the past decade, you've heard of Tommy Reamon.
The charismatic, outspoken, witty, devoted, successful and ultra-influential head coach of the Warwick High School football team has turned out more than his share of college players over the years. His program has produced Aaron Brooks, Michael Vick, and now, Marcus. It's tough to name a public high school program anywhere over the past decade which can top that list.
Like many high school coaches, he's tremendously involved in the recruiting process. But unlike many, Reamon genuinely has his kids' best interests in mind.
Last summer, Marcus Vick and Reamon made the trip to Atlanta Falcons training camp in Greenville, S.C., to visit with Michael, who was just starting his first camp with the Falcons at Furman University.
"We flew down there to visit with Michael and he shared some things about Tech's system," Reamon recalled. "He said he could have learned a lot more to prepare him for the NFL. He did some three- and four-receiver sets and a spread offense in high school, but they didn't do that at Tech."
Meanwhile, Virginia, Tennessee, and Miami had scholarship offers on the table. There was a lot to consider for a kid heading into his senior year in high school.
Essentially, after the trip to Furman last summer, Marcus had some doubts about Tech and the Hokies' system. Plus, he knew Brooks, his cousin who played at UVa, was successful in the NFL. He knew that Tennessee's Tee Martin and Peyton Manning were in the NFL. And of course, no program has turned out more pro quarterbacks than Miami.
Other than Michael Vick, there weren't any Tech quarterback alums in the NFL. As a result, Virginia, Miami, and Tennessee seemed somewhat more appealing.
"But Tech did a great job of recruiting him," Reamon said. "Jim Cavanaugh and Coach [Frank] Beamer did an excellent job of staying in touch and understanding Marcus' perspective on things."
Meanwhile, Michael was staying out of the picture.
"I took a back seat," the older Vick said about the recruiting process, even though he admitted deep down he wanted Marcus to attend Tech. "I told him to visit which schools recruited him. I didn't push him. He had been to Tech plenty of times to see me play, so he knew the campus and coaches. It was good for him to see some other places too."
By September, it was pretty clear that Marcus was going to consider a variety of schools. He liked Tech, but had some concerns about the Hokies' scheme.
It wasn't that Tech didn't have a great program - in Marcus' opinion - but that those other schools had a better track record in producing NFL quarterbacks because of the style of play.
"The offensive situation there was the issue, nothing else," Reamon said.
The Turning Point
Everything changed on Dec. 2, 2001, when Virginia Tech hired former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers as the Hokies' new quarterback coach, replacing Rickey Bustle, who left to become the new coach at Louisiana Lafayette. Having recruited Michael Vick during his tenure as an assistant at Syracuse, Rogers had gotten to know the family quite well.
Back in 1998, he had hoped Michael would come to Syracuse as the heir apparent to the great Donovan McNabb. Michael, of course, signed with Tech, but Rogers had left a lasting impression on the family and Reamon.
Thus, Beamer and his staff had a new pitch for Marcus to hear in December: "You can play for the coach who developed Donovan McNabb at the program that developed Michael Vick." In the end, that was the difference.
"When Rogers was hired, I told Marcus 'This puts a whole new spin on things,'" Reamon said. Suddenly, Tech was back in the picture - and stronger than ever.
Rogers, Cavanaugh, and Beamer visited with Marcus and explained how they could take advantage of his strengths and develop him into the next great quarterback.
"Here is what we did with Donovan McNabb. Here is what we did with Michael Vick. Now, we can combine efforts with you," they said.
"I talked a long time with Donovan McNabb before I hired Kevin Rogers and he talked in glowing terms about how Coach Rogers worked with him and prepared him for the NFL," Beamer said. "I knew that Donovan and Michael Vick were close and their friendship helped in this regard."
It sure did. The hiring of Rogers turned into a stroke of genius by Beamer and assistant Billy Hite who helped lure Rogers to Tech.
Things changed the day Rogers was hired.
"Oh, definitely," Marcus said. "Coach Rogers made all the difference. It was the biggest thing in this decision."
And had Rogers not been hired as Tech's quarterback coach?
"I'd be at Tennessee," Marcus said without hesitation.
So, over the next few years, fans in Knoxville and Blacksburg can keep this in mind - had Bob Davie not been fired as Notre Dame's head coach following the 2001 season, Marcus Vick probably would be wearing Volunteer Orange.
But once Rogers landed in Blacksburg, it was Good Bye Rocky Top.
Surprise for the family
In the weeks leading up to signing day, Tech coaches felt confident they would land Marcus Vick. He had made an official visit to Blacksburg in January and knew most of the players on this team. His host, DeAngelo Hall, took him around for the weekend and they had a great time. He visited the same weekend as junior college lineman Jimmy Williams and Chesapeake defensive lineman Darryl Tapp.
"We thought we had a really good weekend with those three," Cavanaugh said.
Besides, Tech had a need at the quarterback position and could offer some early playing time - perhaps as soon as this fall. The staff was getting good vibes.
But the folks at home weren't so sure.
"I thought he was going to Miami," Boddie said with a laugh.
Truth be known, Marcus claims he did like the 'Canes but, "when Brock Berlin transferred [from the University of Florida], I pretty much decided it would be either Tech or Tennessee."
In the end, even brother Michael was surprised by Marcus' decision to sign with the Hokies.
"I was shocked," Michael Vick said. "But I was excited. He's going to a place that has great people and a great coach."
So Marcus, why Tech?
"In the end, it was the place I felt most comfortable, and with the quarterback situation the way it is, I think I might be able to play sooner," he said.
Then he recalled a night in Charlottesville last November 17.
"You know, I went to the Tech-UVa game and stood on the UVa sidelines and Tech looked so much bigger and faster," Marcus recalled. "And I was cheering' for Tech, so I guess I'm a fan. Once Coach Rogers came in, I was pretty sure that's where I wanted to go."
Not the next Michael
Everyone you talk to in Newport News will tell you that Marcus Vick is not the next Michael Vick.
If you remember, Michael claimed that he 'didn't want to be the next McNabb.' Similarly, Marcus doesn't want to be the "next Michael."
But what exactly are the Hokies getting?
"He's gonna be one of the best. He's got all the tools," Michael said. "We're the same in some ways. Same personality, same demeanor and work ethic, but we're a lot different too.
"At his age, he plays a much smarter game than I did. He does little things like slide to avoid getting hit and switching the ball to the right hand when he runs. Little things like that. Stuff I'm still working on."
Coach Reamon has a similar view.
"Coming out of high school, Marcus is a very mature, intelligent quarterback," he said. "He's got the same arm strength as Michael did and the same speed."
"When you look at him throw the ball, he has a nice touch, and a real feel for the soft pass," Cavanaugh said. "He's got the moves, he's got the speed, and he's got a nice touch."
But a word of caution for the giddy Hokie Nation out there - the Michael Vick you remember in the Sugar and Gator Bowls had several years to develop whereas Marcus is still just a high school senior. Michael is faster and has a better arm right now - even Marcus will tell you so. "I'm still just in high school," Marcus said.
It will take a while for the younger Vick to develop under the direction of Tech's Mike Gentry in the Hokies' strength and conditioning program.
"You look at how Michael developed in that weight room and that training table that they feed those guys is amazing too," Reamon said. "Michael was there an entire year before he ever played in a game and that was a key year for him to get bigger and faster and become a better player. The first year in weightlifting is critical. You, as a fan, remember the finished product. Marcus is just going to be starting this fall."
In other words, Hokie fans, be patient and keep an open mind.
"I am not Michael, I am Marcus," the younger Vick said. "We're different people and different quarterbacks."
How so? Other than being right-handed and a few years younger, what are the differences?
"Well, I'm more willing to throw downfield, scramble back there and keep looking, whereas Mike would just take off running," Marcus said.
Playing in Michael's Shadow
Marcus Vick will wear jersey No. 5 at Virginia Tech, but fans, media and opponents will naturally compare him to his older brother. The split screen of the two Vicks playing for the Hokies will appear on your television screen someday soon. It's inevitable.
"It doesn't bother me one bit," Marcus said. "My brother was the first player taken in the NFL Draft. I'd like to be compared to him."
Reamon is convinced Marcus has the right stuff to handle the comparisons.
"Having Michael Vick as an older brother has been a plus for Marcus," Reamon said. "He's had such an advantage to be able to be around Michael and [his cousin] Aaron [Brooks]. He's been around those guys and worked out with them and he's been around Tech's program for years. He knows what's coming."
Yeah, big-time comparisons, and big-time pressure. Michael Vick might not have been the biggest guy ever to play at Virginia Tech, but he casts the tallest shadow.
Yet Reamon compared Vick's preparation to that of Eli Manning, whose brother, Peyton, played at Tennessee, and whose father, Archie, played at Ole Miss.
"You don't think Eli Manning has a lot of pressure?" Reamon asked. "Of course he does. But at the same time, he has Peyton to talk with, and he has his father who was a great quarterback. He is better off than someone who never had those resources.
"It's the same for Marcus. Between Michael and Aaron, he has two wonderful models to learn from."
It's true. People were going to compare the younger Manning to Peyton regardless of where he went to school.
"That's how I felt," Marcus said. "It didn't matter where I signed. People are always going to compare me to Michael and that's fine with me."
Perhaps his older brother Michael summed it up best
"The No. 1 thing he has to handle is the pressure and I think he will," Michael said. "But the fans have got to understand he may not do what I did and lead Tech to a national championship game. They'll just have to deal with it. He is not Michael. He is not me. But, he might be better."
Next call: DMV
Brenda Boddie has a brand new Winnebago.
"It's not the real big one, like a bus, but it's big," she said.
It is perfect for road trips to see both of her favorite quarterbacks over the next few years - Marcus in Blacksburg and Michael in Atlanta.
"When Michael was at Tech, my license plate was 'VTMOM7,'" she said. "Now, I'm thinking of 'VTMOM5.'"
"What about just 'MVMom?'" I suggested.
"That's a good one. I just might do that," she laughed.
In any event, you'll recognize this RV when it rolls into Blacksburg.
"We are having a special tire cover made for the back," Brenda said. "It's going to have a Virginia Tech logo and an Atlanta Falcons logo on it."
Meanwhile, her two sons will spend the upcoming months training and working out together in Newport News.
"We're going to work out here at Warwick and I'm going to help him on reading defenses," Michael said. "It should be a fun summer."
And what about that Hokie Stone in front of the new house? It will be there for everyone to see.
"It's funny, the other coaches didn't even pay attention," she said with a chuckle. "I'm very excited about this because it gives us a chance to come back to Tech."
Believe us, Brenda, Tech fans are just as excited. |
