BigPlayShay
04-30-2006, 04:06 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2427939
DENVER -- Elvis Dumervil has forgiven Marcus Vick and is ready to get on with his life in the NFL.
The Louisville defensive end was selected in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos on Sunday after leading the nation last year with 20 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.
He also was an All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Award, which goes to college football's best defensive player, and the Ted Hendricks Award, handed out to the nation's top defensive end.
Despite those lofty credentials, Dumervil is best known as Vick's victim.
Vick, the troubled younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star Michael, stomped on Dumervil's left calf in the Gator Bowl. Virginia Tech cut ties with Vick four days later.
"I spoke to him at the combine and he apologized," Dumervil said. "And you know I think the kid has a lot of other things that he has to deal with, and so I really just kind of moved on. Hopefully he gets his stuff together and I wish the best for him."
Marcus Vick has been in plenty of trouble. He has been charged with marijuana possession, furnishing alcohol to minors, having sex with a 15-year-old girl, and reckless driving in the past. After stomping on Dumervil, he was charged with pointing a gun at some teenagers he thought insulted his girlfriend.
He also made an obscene gesture to fans at West Virginia in October and was caught driving with a suspended license in December.
But the lasting image of Marcus Vick is of him stomping on a prone Dumervil, forever linking the two.
"It happened," Dumervil said. "I could have been hurt really bad. It is what it is. But I really don't think about it often. I see it on TV a lot when they're talking about Marcus Vick's situation."
Dumervil wasn't hurt, although he did blame a troublesome hamstring injury, which limited his workouts at the NFL combine, along with his height -- he stands just shy of 6 feet -- for sending his stock spiraling over the weekend.
After waiting by the phone until nightfall Saturday, he got a wake-up call from the Broncos early Sunday when they chose him with the 126th overall pick.
"I just kind of kept a positive mind-set," Dumervil said. "I'm just excited to get off the board early and land in Denver. I really don't feel bad no more."
He'll get the chance to make an immediate contribution. The Broncos' lack of a pass rush was exposed in the AFC championship game when Denver couldn't lay a hand on Pittsburgh passer Ben Roethlisberger.
Dumervil's size and skills could also make him a candidate at outside linebacker.
"I'm the type of guy who will do whatever they ask me to do, but I think my position is rushing the passer," Dumervil said. "I'm a hard worker and I bring energy to the defense."
DENVER -- Elvis Dumervil has forgiven Marcus Vick and is ready to get on with his life in the NFL.
The Louisville defensive end was selected in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos on Sunday after leading the nation last year with 20 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.
He also was an All-American and won the Bronko Nagurski Award, which goes to college football's best defensive player, and the Ted Hendricks Award, handed out to the nation's top defensive end.
Despite those lofty credentials, Dumervil is best known as Vick's victim.
Vick, the troubled younger brother of Atlanta Falcons star Michael, stomped on Dumervil's left calf in the Gator Bowl. Virginia Tech cut ties with Vick four days later.
"I spoke to him at the combine and he apologized," Dumervil said. "And you know I think the kid has a lot of other things that he has to deal with, and so I really just kind of moved on. Hopefully he gets his stuff together and I wish the best for him."
Marcus Vick has been in plenty of trouble. He has been charged with marijuana possession, furnishing alcohol to minors, having sex with a 15-year-old girl, and reckless driving in the past. After stomping on Dumervil, he was charged with pointing a gun at some teenagers he thought insulted his girlfriend.
He also made an obscene gesture to fans at West Virginia in October and was caught driving with a suspended license in December.
But the lasting image of Marcus Vick is of him stomping on a prone Dumervil, forever linking the two.
"It happened," Dumervil said. "I could have been hurt really bad. It is what it is. But I really don't think about it often. I see it on TV a lot when they're talking about Marcus Vick's situation."
Dumervil wasn't hurt, although he did blame a troublesome hamstring injury, which limited his workouts at the NFL combine, along with his height -- he stands just shy of 6 feet -- for sending his stock spiraling over the weekend.
After waiting by the phone until nightfall Saturday, he got a wake-up call from the Broncos early Sunday when they chose him with the 126th overall pick.
"I just kind of kept a positive mind-set," Dumervil said. "I'm just excited to get off the board early and land in Denver. I really don't feel bad no more."
He'll get the chance to make an immediate contribution. The Broncos' lack of a pass rush was exposed in the AFC championship game when Denver couldn't lay a hand on Pittsburgh passer Ben Roethlisberger.
Dumervil's size and skills could also make him a candidate at outside linebacker.
"I'm the type of guy who will do whatever they ask me to do, but I think my position is rushing the passer," Dumervil said. "I'm a hard worker and I bring energy to the defense."