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Combine courting Probable top pick Vick put through the paces
INDIANAPOLIS -- This is just the beginning, of course. The unofficial kickoff of NFL Draft season. But Saturday, the second day of the league's annual Scouting Combine, we were treated to the draft's No. 1 storyline: Who will pick Vick? Let the debate begin. "I don't know what's going to happen," said Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick, the consensus top selection. "You never know. I can't put my faith in any team. You have to be alert for all things. I'm just playing it by ear and I'm not predicting anything." Vick wouldn't hazard a guess on his draft fate, but between now and April 21, he may be the only person in the world of football who won't weigh in with an opinion. The early view from this vantage point? After two days of talking to Combine types and league sources, I'd lay a buck on the San Diego Chargers sitting tight and refusing to trade out of the spot that rewards them with Vick. With two caveats: First, if the Chargers get scared off by the pace and feel of contract negotiations in April, when they'll be free to try and execute an agreement before actually selecting Vick. The anticipation of a nasty or protracted contract standoff could change the landscape. Secondly, if a team steps up and blows the Chargers away with a Ricky Williams- like package of draft picks in a trade. The only team San Diego believes is capable of doing that at this point is quarterback-hungry Seattle, which owns the Nos. 7 and 10 overall selections. What will it take for the Seahawks to pry Vick away from the Chargers? The early line is at least three first-round picks, two this year and one in 2002. Barring that, two first-rounders and a star-level player. And no, Atlanta's rumored package of two No. 1 picks (this year's No. 5 and the Falcons' 2002 first-rounder) and gimpy-kneed running back Jamal Anderson won't get it done. But Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren is believed to be leaning strongly against making a serious pitch for Vick, because he thinks his club has too many needs on defense to expend most of its precious draft capital on a quarterback. Even if that quarterback is the rare talent that some have labeled the Tiger Woods of this draft. "Obviously if you watch the same highlights as I did, he's a pretty incredible athlete," said Purdue quarterback Drew Brees, who some project as the only passer who will go in the first round. "He makes a lot of big plays. I think a lot of people think they can turn him into a pretty good, consistent passing quarterback as well as running." Said Vick: "I'm explosive. Sometimes I do things that I don't even know what I'm doing. But I'm in control of myself when I'm doing it. Teams will tell you that they've never seen a player like me before and I just take it as a great compliment." Saturday's Vick on Vick session spawned no real headlines. He teased the media with a few topics, but really went light on specifics when follow-up questions were launched. "Wherever I go, I'll have to make some changes," Vick said. "My style is going to change." When asked how his playing style would change, Vick seemed to indicate he would be much less of a running threat in the NFL. "If nobody's open downfield and there's 50 yards or something [ahead of you], you take it," Vick said. "But you've got to know these guys in this league are much bigger and faster and you've got to be cautious and be aware of what's going on. "I think I have a lot of learning to do. Back at Virginia Tech, I threw the ball enough, but not as much as I would have liked to. I think in the NFL you have a lot more chances to throw the football downfield. It's going to be a challenge." Vick also hinted at some slight discomfort with the draft evaluation process, but again skirted the fringes of the issue. "It's not everything I thought it would be," he said. "I didn't think you'd have to go through this much to play in the NFL. But it's something I have to go through. "It's just been a lot. I've matured a lot since I made my decision to go pro. It's just the last two months have been different. I'm learning how to carry myself in ways, through a lot of different things. It's look, listen and learn." With Vick refusing to work out for NFL talent scouts until his March 22 private session in Blacksburg, Va., the teams that are interested in Vick are looking, listening and learning about Vick any way possible this weekend. He was scheduled to meet individually with just five teams at the Combine: Chicago and Seattle on Friday night, and San Diego, Atlanta and New England on Saturday night. If there is a consensus opinion about Vick it is that he will need a one- or even two-year apprenticeship in the NFL in order to overcome his having just 22 games of collegiate experience. "Maybe they could be wrong, and maybe they could be right," Vick said matter-of-factly. "The only person that's going to be able to judge that is maybe me and my quarterback coach, whoever I'm working with. "There's a lot of pressure, especially being a first-round pick. Fans want action, and they want victories, and they want to see the team be successful. When you come in and you're the first-round pick, they expect big things out of you." Ordained the No. 1 pick the moment he declared for the draft, Vick reminded listeners Saturday that he has never sought to cast himself in that light. "I never said I wanted to be the first pick of the first round," he said. "All I wanted was a chance. I feel very blessed and I'm trying to make the most of my opportunity." Even while the Combine officially made him the most talked-about prospect of the draft season. "My life has been a whirlwind for the past three years," he said. "Ever since I was a redshirt freshman, things have started moving fast. But that is one thing I've learned to do, make adjustments. In all situations. And the NFL is just another step. Another challenge. It's just going to take time." Vick's time is now. Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.
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