Ah, to be Michael Vick. Even for a day.

Because of his absolutely incredible athletic ability? Yeah, that's something, but not the reason.

Because of the lucrative payday about to come his way in a few months? That doesn't hurt either, but still not it.

What I'm wondering is what a decision like the one Vick announced yesterday — that he's heading to the NFL — must have been like to come to.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make in my life," Vick told The Associated Press.

No kidding.

In the simplest form, he had two choices. Vick could have either stayed in school for another year or two, touching up on his game under the tutelage of Frank Beamer, or gone for the glory that may await him in the NFL.

The case for another year of NCAA is valid. Look at how six quarterbacks taken in the 1998 and 1999 NFL Drafts have fared thus far in their pro careers.

Daunte Culpepper, Peyton Manning and Donovan McNabb all went to school four years.

The trio shared something else in common in 2000 — all three took their respective clubs to the postseason.

Beamer even brought Manning and McNabb in to chat about the importance of staying in school.

Now take a look at this trifecta — Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith. All three entered the NFL after their junior seasons, and the combined record of their teams in 2000 was 8-40.

Granted, one was injured (Couch), one was benched (Smith) and one was everything else (Leaf). But most experts agree that the QB's who stayed until they were seniors were still ahead of their younger counterparts.

And keep in mind, Vick is leaving after his sophomore season. He would need another year of college ball just to be at the same level as Couch, Leaf and Smith when they left school.

But just as everything seems to point to him staying at Virginia Tech at least another year, there's a strong argument for him to leave the Hokies as well.

Beamer, who is arguably as responsible for the program's recent success as Vick is, made overtures a few months ago about becoming the coach of North Carolina before landing a contract extension with Virginia Tech.

And even after he got an extension, his name popped up last month on the Washington Redskins' all-star list of coaching candidates. It isn't fair for Vick to commit to Beamer another year when the coach can't even make any definite promises.

And if Vick were to enter the 2002 NFL Draft, he would likely be the first pick of the expansion Houston Texans, where he may take an unnecessary pounding before his career would get the chance to blossom.

By entering the draft this year, he has the chance to go to a team with established players. San Diego, despite being 1-15 in 2000, would at least provide a solid defense to give Vick a chance.

So Vick will likely head to the podium this year during the first half-hour of the draft, possibly even after the first five minutes.

And there's no questioning his talents. He led the Hokies to back-to-back 11-1 seasons, a remarkable feat on what used to be a rather ordinary team.

Broadcaster and former NFL coach Mike Ditka even said he would trade all of his available draft choices for the opportunity to pick Vick.

But remember, Michael.

The last time Iron Mike did that, he was fired less than a year later.