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."