Michael Vick 
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August 30, 2000
Under Center, Under Fire
by Paul Hammons
HoustonProFootball.com
OK, before I make the pronouncement that everybody assumes is coming in this column, let me say this about quarterbacks who have great freshmen years: the next year, they’re still only sophomores. And then they’re juniors. And then they might get drafted or they might play another year before moving on to the pros. The point of all this? Simple: there is a long way to go in Michael Vick‘s career before he can be handed the title as the second coming of whatever great quarterback you wish to insert here. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this as the year goes on, but for now, suffice it to say, Vick is an incredibly talented player that, if he continues to play at this level against top competition, could definitely be the top player in the draft come April, 2002.
As it is, Vick (6’1″, 212, Virginia Tech) tops the list because he has two qualities that NFL scouts love: arm strength and playmaking ability. In fact, it seemed his freshman year was one big play after another: 2,065 yards passing for an average of nearly 20 yards per completion and 13 TDs. Add in another 677 yards and nine TD’s on the ground, and it’s understandable why he’s the preseason Heisman favorite. Whether he remains the top pick when Draft Day rolls around depends on whether any more strong-armed prospects step up to the challenge. As it stands, there’s some already that compare to him in mobility and there’s some that have his arm strength, but few have both.
Another guy that could crack the top pick is one that fewer people got to see last year, Illinois junior Kurt Kittner. He has the size (6’3″, 205) and impressive arm strength to catch the scouts’ eyes. In addition, he’s proven he can win in a program that was mired in mediocrity before he led them to an 8-4 season and wins over Ohio State and Michigan. He did it with the following numbers: 216 of 396 passing, 2,702 yards, 24 TDs and only 5 INT’s. Those are impressive.
Speaking of Michigan, junior Drew Henson (6’4″, 218) has a chance to show why he has been touted so loudly as Michigan’s next star quarterback, provided he can come back from the broken foot, which is expected to sideline him for at least three games this season. Great arm and great mobility have been his hallmarks so far, but he has to show he can carry the starting QB load.
Then there’s Georgia’s Quincy Carter (6’2″, 218), who only passed for 2,956 yards, 18 TD’s and 6 INT’s last year while rushing for six more scores. Two years ago as a freshman, I thought he showed flashes of brilliance, and he’s continued that despite an inability to help the Bulldogs over the hump in the SEC East. If he can turn in a junior year filled with highlights, he may go into his senior year as a projected first-rounder.
There’s some question marks that could turn into exclamation points, as well. Nevada junior David Neill (6’4″, 200) threw for 3,373 yards and 20 TD’s last year, but with a pass-happy offense in a suspect league that has brought its share of disappointments to the NFL. Ole Miss junior Antwaan Randle-El (5’11”, 185) brings almost the opposite problem to the table despite throwing for 2,277 yards, he’s still a raw passer viewed more as a running threat (788 yards last year). Then there’s Carson Palmer (6’5″, 220), who seems to be the prototypical NFL passer and yet hasn’t shown it on the field yet, due partially to injury. Ken Dorsey (6’4″, 195) was the first true freshman QB to start at Miami since 1978, splitting time last year with sophomore Kenny Kelly. Kelly is now playing baseball full-time, and Dorsey (compared favorably to Bernie Kosar) will be the number one starter in South Florida. Finally, we have Major Applewhite (6’1″, 205), who has put up big-league numbers (3,470 yards and 20 TDs) without benefit of a big-league arm.
I’ll round out the preview with a couple of guys that haven’t played a lot, but who look to have huge upsides. Penn State sophomore Matt Senneca (6’3″, 226) has a monster arm and may end up playing this year if Rashard Casey doesn’t get things together. Another sophomore, Texas lefty Chris Simms (6’5″, 210), knows he’ll be playing, whether as a starter or a reliever. Either way, he has definite prime time potential as well, not to mention an impressive bloodline — his dad is former Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms.
Paul Hammons served as a sportswriter for various and sundry publications (only one of which is now defunct) before leaving the lucrative world of journalism for his MBA and a shot at a big-screen TV and more time in front of Saturday afternoon college football. He currently resides in Plano and spends his days wondering why he couldn’t have been born six inches taller and a few steps faster in the 40.
