NFL draft: Falcons pick Vick

(New York-AP) -- Atlanta has opened the N-F-L draft by making Virginia Tech's Michael Vick the number one choice. The Falcons secured the top pick in a trade with San Diego yesterday. The

Saturday, April 21st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(New York-AP) -- Atlanta has opened the N-F-L draft by making Virginia Tech's Michael Vick the number one choice.

The Falcons secured the top pick in a trade with San Diego yesterday.

The left-handed Vick is highly regarded for his passing and running abilities. His downsides include just two years of college football and his size. At six feet, there are questions about his ability to see out of the pocket in the N-F-L.

Vick was a freshman sensation two years ago, when he passed for over 18-hundred yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 585 yards and eight scores. That helped Virginia Tech to a perfect regular season. Vick finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting that year.

Last season, Vick missed playing time with a high ankle sprain. His numbers included 12-hundred-34 yards and eight touchdowns passing. He rushed for 617 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Falcons plan to groom Vick behind injury prone starter Chris Chandler.