[1/19/05].

”The New Orleans Saints are on the clock,” an e-mail from a lifelong Saints’ fan read. &#8220And with the second overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Saints pick …”

So, my Baton Rouge-turned-Austin friend asked, who will it be? Will it be University of Texas slinger Vince Young with his swift feet, unusual throwing style and flair for the big play? Will it be Southern Cal’s Matt Leinart with a pedigree of winning with huge stats?.

The Saints are in a perfect position to make the first step toward a turnaround with two unbelievable choices sitting in front of them. New head coach Sean Payton is a quarterbacking guru, having most recently worked under Bill Parcells in Dallas.

Assuming Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush goes No. 1 to the Houston Texans, it leaves two phenomenal quarterbacks for the Saints.

Young’s draft status skyrocketed with his Rose Bowl performance, while Leinart has been as successful as any college quarterback. Young can beat you in so many ways, while Leinart will pick defenses apart with his left arm.

The Saints have offensive talent, if they can stay healthy. Deuce McAllister and wide receiver Joe Horn are premiere players. The offensive line needs work, but not even the Saints would spend their second overall pick on an offensive lineman, would they?.

Certainly not with Payton in control.

On draft day, the cameras will pan to the Saints’ draft table where representatives will be furiously working the phones. Somewhere in Louisiana, what used to be called a &#8220war room” will be abuzz with activity.

Saints’ supporters near and far will gather around the television sets wondering which star athlete will be the one to relieve 40 years of suffering.

Young and Leinart will likely be in the crowd, wondering which one will be the first quarterback chosen by the Saints in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971. (That has to be a plus for Young, since Manning spent almost his entire career running for his life.).

My friend and I exchanged e-mails, mulling the pluses and minuses of the Saints’ upcoming draft pick. He wants Young; I’m undecided.

In a final e-mail, he implied that all this will be a moot point. The Saints couldn’t possibly make the right decision, even with a new coach, new attitude and bright skies on the horizon.

So we came to the same conclusion. You can bring this to the bank.

&#8220With the second selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select … quarterback … Marcus Vick from Virginia Tech.”

Could it be any other way?