Free Republic

College football coaches tend to be a paranoid bunch. With the proliferation of the Internet and, more specifically, fan message boards, there aren't many secrets in college football anymore. Even Frank Beamer, this journalist's last hope for open access, has gone to the dark side. He closed Virginia Tech's practices during preseason camp after suggesting that someone might have tipped off Georgia as to what plays the Hokies were going to run in last season's Chick-fil-A Bowl. In a clandestine effort, we've enlisted our sources from coast to coast to uncover a few of college football's secrets heading into the...

By HANK KURZ Jr., AP Sports Writer January 7, 2006 BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Marcus Vick decided to turn pro Saturday, one day after he was kicked off the team at Virginia Tech for transgressions on and off the field. "I have decided to enter the NFL draft," the junior quarterback said in a three-paragraph statement released through his lawyers. "I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to proving my athletic ability at the professional level. I believe I am ready for this challenge and the next chapter of my life." Vick said he appreciated all the...

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer will meet with Marcus Vick at his home on Friday and no announcement of possible discipline for the junior quarterback will be made before that, athletic director Jim Weaver said Thursday. The meeting will take place at the home of Vick's mother in Hampton Roads, Weaver said, and also will involve Vick's mother and possibly his brother, former Virginia Tech star Michael Vick, quarterback and merchandising megastar for the Atlanta Falcons. "He's going there to talk about the situation and what issues are out there at this point and what Marcus...