NFL: 15 million dollars for a would be junior QB? No thanks.

It was announced earlier today that after struggling to reach contract negotiations with Michael Vick, possibly influenced by their most recent first round blunder of turning over a dead leaf, the San Diego Chargers will forfeit the rights to the 1st overall pick in the draft to the Atlanta Falcons for WR/KR Tim Dwight, the 5th pick, the 67th pick and the Falcons’ second round pick in 2002.

I think the advantage is clearly in favor of the Chargers on this one IF they use the picks wisely. Dwight is a playmaker that will help their offense and special teams. They are reportedly hoping to obtain TCU RB LaDainian Tomlinson with that 5th pick but could be ousted by the Cleveland Browns. If trumped, but still looking at a running back, Deuce McAllister from Mississippi might be next in line. His final season was plagued by injuries, but he still produced when playing last year and is a multi-faceted back suited for the NFL. I think if Tomlinson is gone, they should go with best talent, which could be someone like Michigan wide out David Terrell. This guy has Randy Moss type-talent, but also Randy Moss type-arrogance. The extra pick in the third round will also allow the Chargers to address their many needs. The Charger brass will make or break this trade.

This deal came to fruition because of negotiation struggles between Vick’s agent and the Chargers about the $15 million signing bonus that Vick doesn’t deserve. For most senior quarterbacks coming out to the NFL, it takes two or three years to be effective. Vick only played two years of college football, the second of which was hampered by injuries. After the Ryan Leaf fiasco, I don’t blame the Chargers for being gun-shy, plus I don’t think Vick will be THAT good. He’s got college football talent, tons of it, and pure athleticism too. But to be a quarterback in the NFL, it takes a bit more, namely an ability to throw the ball. Now you might be screaming at your computer screen, "Paul, have you SEEN him throw the ball deep??" Yes and I’ve been impressed with that aspect of it, but no team throws bombs on every play. You have to be able to stand in the pocket and hit receivers without telegraphing exactly where you are going either. Kordell Stewart learned/continues to learn the hard way.

You may be citing Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper as examples as to why Vick will succeed, but first off both of them passed a helluva lot more in college and secondly they are both bigger. Vick threw the ball just 313 times in college for 3074 yards and a weak 20/11 TD/INT ratio. Vick measures in at a miniscule 6’0, 215 pounds when compared to Culpepper at 6’4, 266 pounds or to a lesser extent, McNabb at 6’2, 226 pounds.

It should also be interesting to see how Vick deals with the hardships he’s bound to face in the early going. While he’s three, four and maybe even five years away from being the premier QB Atlanta is banking on, they’ll no doubt rush him into the starting job. With all the money they’ll spend on him and Chris Chandler on his last legs after multiple concussions, Vick could see regular action as soon as 2002 or 2003. Those two seasons would’ve been his senior season at Virginia Tech and rookie year in the NFL had he stayed in college.

All signs point in favor of the Chargers on this move. They got two extra picks and a playmaker for their offense and special teams units for four spots in the first round. Even if Vick is a star player for the Falcons, this is still a good move if they utilize Dwight and the picks properly. For now, the Falcons are on the clock despite their intentions being very obvious while the Chargers wait eagerly for the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals to pick before making their move that they hope will help improve their dismal .062 win percentage from a year ago.