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| Thursday, April 12 Associated Press | |||
SAN DIEGO – Fullback Fred McCrary was the first San Diego
Chargers player to catch a pass from Michael Vick.
He wasn't supposed to – sticky little NFL rules, you know – but
McCrary was caught up in the excitement of having Vick, probably
the first pick in next weekend's draft, in town and watching a
voluntary offseason workout at team headquarters on Thursday.
As Vick walked onto the field with coach Mike Riley, McCrary,
one of the Chargers' most outgoing players, tossed Vick a ball.
Vick threw it back, an easy 20-yarder.
"I wanted to see how it feels to catch a ball from him,"
McCrary said. "It was pretty cool. Just a regular little throw.
Hopefully we'll get him on draft day, and in minicamp I can catch a
whole lot more from him."
McCrary threw the ball back to Vick, but Riley interceded.
Because Vick isn't Chargers property, he wasn't supposed to get
involved.
But that didn't stop players, including new quarterback Doug
Flutie, from going up to Vick for a handshake and few words. Team
president Dean Spanos and general manager John Butler watched from
a second-story balcony.
"Cool dude," McCrary said. "I like him a lot. Really down to
earth. I'm going to take him out tonight and show him a good
time."
The Chargers own the draft's No. 1 overall pick but haven't said
whether they'll take the electrifying former Virginia Tech
quarterback or trade the selection to stockpile players as they try
to emerge from the rubble of a 1-15 season.
The Chargers have seen Vick both in a private workout and in
another workout open to other teams. They wanted Vick, who never
had been to California, to come out for a quick tour, a chance to
meet some players and to meet again with the coaching staff.
Citing NFL rules, the Chargers refused to make Vick available to
reporters. As he was hustled off the field, Vick – who was wearing
a Chargers jacket – just nodded when asked how the visit was going.
"He's been studying some of the stuff that we went through with
him before," Riley said. "He was able to call a few of the things
without any prompting, really.
"He said, 'This really makes you want to be out there and makes
you love football.' He was, I think, very excited to be out there
today. I shouldn't speak for him but that's the sense I got from
him."
Under NFL rules, the Chargers can bring in 20 draft-eligible
players for a visit. Vick was the only player they brought in. The
Chargers say they got enough information from other top prospects
during the scouting combine earlier this year.
Flutie spoke with Vick before the workout.
"I told him that I love watching him play," Flutie said. "I
love his aggressiveness and the way he can run with the ball. He's
got some phenomenal skills. He's exciting to watch. From a team
standpoint, I would love to see him here."
So would Vick.
When asked at the airport Wednesday night if he thought the
Chargers will pick him, Vick said: "I hope so."
"I'm sure we will, unless some unbelievable offer comes,"
McCrary said. "How can you pass on the guy? It's like taking (Sam)
Bowie over Michael Jordan. It's not going to happen," he said,
referring to the Portland Trail Blazers passing up Jordan in the
1984 NBA Draft.
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