Virginia Tech's impact on the NFL quarterback

After Cam Newton's stellar rookie year and RG3's spectacular rookie year, one can't help but notice the new trend among NFL quarterbacks. These days, mobile quarterbacks are being glorified as the new fad. Not only because there are more these days than ever before, but because they are actually successful. It makes sense if you think about it, the quarterback is usually "unaccounted for" which leaves defenses vulnerable if the quarterback decides to think outside of the box and use his feet instead of his arm. Well if it's that easy, why is it such a new trend in the NFL? Why haven't teams made mobile quarterbacks a focal point in the past?

Answer: Virginia Tech's Michael Vick.

When Michael Vick got drafted #1 overall in 2001, it changed the stigma associated with mobile quarterbacks. Prior to Vick, mobile quarterbacks weren't looked at as a long term solution, but instead an exciting way to win games. That changed when the Falcons took Vick #1 overall. Obviously, there were mobile quarterbacks before Vick, like Cunningham and Tarkenton, but people were reluctant to accept them, even with their success.

Furthermore, no mobile quarterback had been asked to come in and be the face of the franchise prior to Vick. Culpepper was taken 11th overall two years prior to Vick which was a huge step for mobile quarterbacks, but those 10 picks are huge. By Vick being taken #1 overall, it showed the world that mobile quarterbacks are quarterbacks too. It changed people's mindset on what was an acceptable NFL quarterback. It showed NFL fans, players, execs, coaches, etc. that you can build a team around a mobile quarterback.

Although Vick's had his downs in the NFL (on the field), I strongly believe that his being taken #1 overall paved the way for these mobile quarterbacks we see today. Therefore, not only has our alma mater changed the way we feel about football, but it has changed the way everybody views what is acceptable in professional football. Cheers to Tyrod and Logan being the next VT quarterbacks to progress the position. Go Hokies!

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