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Message: [QUOTE="OrangePA, post: 2487294, member: 204"] I believe I responded quite directly to you. I didn't go back and evaluate the "NFL participation" analysis because I don't believe that that is necessarily an accurate measure of the strength of a college football team. The 2005 Orange team had a number of guys who played in the NFL - including Ryan LaCasse, Joe Fields, Dowayne Davis, and Alex Shor - among others. But they weren't dominant college players in any sense of the word, and they accumulated a total of one win that season. So, the simple process of going to a media guide and conducting a retroactive accounting of the number of NFL players on a college roster is pretty much a pointless exercise in this instance. Many, including you, have overestimated the talent level of the teams we had back then. We had a few great players during the P years - Harrison, McNabb, Bulluck, Freeney and Darius - and a number of very good college players. And we had a truly great coaching staff that helped those teams compete at high levels with meticulous preparation. Despite what you have believed over the years, we never had national championship talent - not even close. For example, we never had a truly dominant offensive lineman. John Flannery was about the best we ever produced. He was at best a decent pro. It was our unique OL technique that allowed us to accomplish what we were able to accomplish. Kevin Sampson made it to the NFL based upon his technique. He had minimal physical ability. He played in the League for three years - he did fine - better than anybody could have expected. So the technique that we utilized back then was great, but in the end you need dominant talent - and a great deal of depth - to win at the NC level. We were never at that level. Our success during the McNabb years was commensurate with our overall talent level. And, again, it was a wonderful time, with trips to the Fiesta, Orange, Gator and Liberty Bowls. Those years were lots of fun. As far a Vick is concerned, I don't think there is much debate that he was a more dominant college player than McNabb. And, I don't think it's even close. He literally won games by himself back then - to a greater extent than did Donovan. McNabb was a great college player, but Vick was one of the all-time greatest college players. The Orange had the Hokies beat in 2000, until Mike outran the entire SU defense 70 yards to win the game. Many believe that he was the best dual purpose college QB in history. If you are suggesting that Frank Beamer was a better coach than Pasqualoni, I guess we can argue about that. If I recall correctly, Pasqualoni had .500 record against Beamer during the latter's glory years. His Orange team beat Va Tech at Blacksburg in 2001 and did it again during that tough 2002 season when the Hokies were highly ranked. So, yes I read your post and I believe I answered it. [/QUOTE]

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