Monday, October 18, 2004

Vick Suspension - Good For the Hokies

Often times, living in die hard SEC country, I am looked at as an anomaly when my local sports bar patrons discover that I am a Virginia Tech fan and alumni. Immediately after finding out, I am asked one of two questions: 1) What is a Hokie; and 2) What do ya think of Vick's brother?

Well as we all know a Hokie is a fighting gobbler which is a stronger, meaner, nastier version of a turkey. But you will never eat a Hokie on Thanksgiving, keep that in mind!

As far as Marcus Vick (some folks here in Ga don't even know his first name, he's just Vick's brother), I personally am ecstatic that he was suspended for the year. I'm not happy about the reasons he was suspended but I am rather pleased that his suspension has and will continue to have on the Hokies.

Last year, there were several games that I think we lost due to Beamer going with a two quarterback system. That does not work. It never has and more than likely never will. There were multiple times where Bryan Randall was playing a pretty good game, the Hokies were in control, and then Beamer mysteriously decides to put Vick in. The result? Rhythm is thrown off, and Mr. Momentum changes his address.

With this being Randall's senior year (in football, he's actually a graduate student academically), it is only appropriate that he get to play the game outside of a 'Vick' shadow. Coming to Tech, he was the one after Mike Vick. Then, he has to fight to keep his job from Marcus Vick. A lot of folks don't realize how good of a quarterback Bryan Randall is. His numbers don't astound you from game to game but he makes plays and he leads the team. Not to mention he is closing in on quite a few records at Va tech for the quarterback position.

Hopefully, for Marcus Vick this will be the learning experience necessary for him to get his head out of his hind parts and realize the fortunate situation he has in front of him. Next year, he can come to spring training and compete for the starting qb job....and I do want to see a competition. I don't want the job just handed to him. We have two true freshman qb's backing up Bryan Randall now that are probably getting quite a lesson from watching Randall. Best performer should get the job. Maybe, Marcus can come back and be the quarterback that he was hyped to be upon returning to the team.

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