In facing the press for ten minutes for his first interviews in over three months, Marcus Vick said all the right things yesterday … almost. He apologized again, as he did months ago, and spoke of wanting to be a leader, of being more careful, and of thinking "about things first before I do it. I think about the consequences and what people are going to think if my actions aren't good." (The Roanoke Times)

According to published reports, during the fall Vick spent time both at his mother's house in Suffolk and at his brother Michael's house in Atlanta. He spoke of feeling welcomed back at Virginia Tech, and of not experiencing any negative reaction. Most of the players at practice supported Vick's return, but defensive end Darryl Tapp, a rising senior who will be one of the team's leaders in 2005, noted, "… he’s going to have to go out and prove himself, do the right things, for the guys to really want to play for him.” (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

In a twist that made many Tech fans uncomfortable, Vick noted that he sought advice from oft-maligned Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson. "Talking to Allen Iverson isn't very comforting," one source told TSL. "Allen has always had a 'they did me wrong' rather than an 'I did wrong' attitude, and there was some of that with Marcus yesterday."

Vick was quoted by several media outlets, including the Roanoke Times, as saying, "I realize you can't take life for granted. I know a lot of people do. But in the snap of a finger people can take it away from you, so you've really got to be careful." The comment about how "people can take it away from you" definitely smacks of "they did me wrong," particularly since it was Vick's dalliance with an underage girl and speeding down the interstate while in possession of marijuana that led to his problems, not anyone out to "take anything away" from him. It wasn’t as if anyone sought Marcus out and attacked him; it was his own actions that started the process that led to him getting suspended and losing a year of eligibility.

Overall, though, Vick handled himself well and put forth the right persona yesterday, and parsing the words of a 21-year-old with microphones shoved in his face is a dicey business that can lead one to jump to conclusions and assumptions that aren't true. Ultimately, it's not what Vick says, but what he does and doesn't do, by which he will be judged.

Marcus Vick has a chance to be the feel-good comeback story of the year. A gifted athlete, the brother of one of the most electrifying football players ever, run afoul of the law and banished, returned to redeem himself. You can't find a better story than that, and the national media will be all over it this fall. As much negative publicity as he brought to the school with his previous actions, Vick can bring just as much, or more, positive publicity to the program.

Redshirt freshman running back Branden Ore has been compared to Lee Suggs in his running style, and practice observers note that Ore now looks like Suggs, as well. Suggs was listed at 6-0 throughout his Tech career, with his weight ranging from 201-204, and the Cleveland Browns have him listed at 6-0, 210. Ore is listed by VT this spring at 5-11, 207, very Suggs-like dimensions. Ore is even sporting Suggs' old #22 jersey (which is back to being a tailback's number, as it should be – it was weird seeing James Griffin wear it for two years).

One area in which the two are not spitting images, though, is in raw speed. Suggs set the VT tailback record for the 40-yard dash in 2000 with a time of 4.27, and in February's testing, Ore ran a 4.44. Not that Ore's slow, of course; Suggs was just lightning fast.

On a related note, Cedric Humes looks as big as ever, being reported by one observer as having middle-linebacker-like proportions. In winter max testing, Humes back squatted 590 pounds, just 30 pounds short of Wayne Ward's record of 620 pounds, set in 2000.

Comments from practice observers on some players:

Vick showed no signs of being rusty. His touch was on the mark on many of the throws he made, in poor conditions. He hit Justin Harper in stride on a vertical route when the wind was blowing hard, and throughout practice, he used good technique, with a good center of gravity. He kept his shoulders square and threw on the run very well.

Sean Glennon is noticeably bigger and has the “quarterback look.” His throws had more zip, and he had an extra hop in his step. A lot of his throws on the run were low, but it was the first day in poor conditions, and even when off-target, he threw bullets. Glennon appears to have a cannon, and he looked decent on his long throws. He is very poised when he looks downfield.

Cory Holt looked like a different quarterback than he did last fall. He looked a lot more comfortable, cracking a smile here and there. Last fall, Holt looked nervous and uncomfortable. He has an incredible amount of size and athletic ability.

Justin Harper looked good and is already generating a lot of buzz this spring. He has good hands and a good eye for the ball. The possibilities are endless with Harper, who unlike his fellow wide receivers, had some disappointing moments last season. He caught just five passes for 84 yards last year and dropped a wide-open bomb from Glennon in the Florida A&M game.

David Clowney has a great attitude during practice and always is motivating himself and his fellow receivers to push it on every play. Clowney could be a clutch target this season.

Roland Minor (cornerback) is tough and can run with any of the receivers. He will pose problems for any deep threats he covers this year. Getting separation on him won’t be easy.

Jimmy Williams (cornerback) looked like he was ready for business. You can tell he wants big things to happen in his final year here. After closing strong last year and putting on a great performance in the Sugar Bowl, Williams figures to be one of the frontrunners for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive back. He is working out at cornerback.

Theodore Miller (cornerback) is very gifted athletically. He allowed one of the receivers to get separation on a route, though, and defensive backs coach Lorenzo "Whammy" Ward let him know about it. Miller is definitely bigger than most people would think.

Justin Hamilton (free safety) leads by example. When it is his turn, he goes as hard as anyone else out there. He could be a punishing player if given the opportunity, but adjusting to the new position of safety will be difficult. Hamilton looks bigger, particularly through the chest, and appears to be close to 230 pounds, after being listed at 219 last year.

Kent Hicks (rover) looked fluid and much more comfortable in some of the drills than he did in the fall.

Mike Imoh clowned around a little cornerback. Imoh is quick, but before you go starting message board rumors, he will not be moving to corner.

Jonathan Lewis is primed to make an enormous impact this season. He is explosive, quick, and strong. It is unbelievable how fast he gets out of his stance.

Chris Ellis does not look like a defensive end without pads on, but he certainly fits the mold when it is go-time. He is quick and strong and looked to be all business.

Carlton Powell looks like an extremely athletic defensive tackle. His first step is quick, and the only issue is how strong he will be when contact begins.

Kory Robertson has the physique to step in and be the role player Tech needs him to be. If he can get a little quicker and stronger as the spring rolls on, you will hear his name more and more next fall.