Atlanta Falcons 2005 season preview

Updated: September 2, 2005, 11:21 AM ET

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THE BOTTOM LINE

By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

This marks the 40th anniversary in Falcons history, and in one of the most incredible statistical anomalies of all-time, the franchise has never posted consecutive winning seasons. That should change, of course, in 2005, with the Falcons coming off a 2004 campaign that ended only one victory shy of a Super Bowl XXXIX appearance.

To take that one more giant step forward, the Falcons, who did more spackling than wholesale refurbishing in the offseason, are counting principally on improvement from within. And that means a passing game that statistically rated as the league's third-worst a year ago has to be more consistent and more productive. While the Falcons have not abandoned the West Coast spinoff design implemented in 2004, there is more latitude now for quarterback Michael Vick to be, well, Michael Vick. The coaches want him to play more within the system, but have also concluded there are some constraints that have to be removed.

On defense, the addition of middle linebacker Ed Hartwell in free agency bolsters the front seven versus the run, but the secondary has to play batter. Second-year cornerback DeAngelo Hall is a potential Pro Bowl player, a shut-down defender in the making, but the safeties remain suspect.

ESPN's TAKE

By Joe Theismann, ESPN.com

The Big Question?
There are two questions for the Falcons and both have to do with Vick. First, can Vick stay healthy? Second, does Vick have a grasp of the West Coast offense? This team revolves completely around Vick and without him they aren't anywhere near a playoff team. But even with him they need him to be comfortable with the offense for them to make the playoffs and contend in the NFC.

FANTASY TAKE

By Scott Engel, ESPN.com

Sleeper: WR Michael Jenkins
The Falcons desperately need someone to become a reliable playmaker at wide receiver. Jenkins has the natural skills to be that guy. He has big-play potential and isn't afraid to make the difficult grab. Jenkins has looked good in exhibition play in his first two NFL seasons. He just needs to make sure his good preseason performances carry into the regular season.
Bust: QB Michael Vick
Don't expect any major improvements. Yes, Vick is exciting and can make things happen as a scrambler/runner. But he won't be dependable statistically, even if he has a few good games. If you draft Vick as anything more than a fantasy backup, you are either overrating him or getting blinded by the hype. Or maybe both.

From ESPN the MAGAZINE

The Big Number

105 Mora thinks his last two first-round draft picks, Jenkins and Roddy White, will juice the passing game. It needs juice: Falcons WRs caught the fewest passes of any NFL unit last year (105).

STRENGTH --> MIKE

Without him in 2003, the Falcons were bottom-feeders. With him in 2004, they soared to the NFC South crown. Vick (left) led the league with an average of 7.5 yard per carry last season, and he's got the sixth-best winning percentage (.653) among active QBs. With improved patience and better efficiency on throws -- both of which he's shown this summer -- he can carry the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

WEAKNESS --> MIKE'S POSSE

Yes, Vick needs to be more decisive, and his 78.1 rating and 14 TD passes in '04 won't suffice in '05. But don't put it all on the QB. The line allowed 50 sacks on just 395 passing attempts last season, inexcusable given how many Vick avoids on his own. And it's never good when a tight end is the only reliable target.

PROSPECTS

Since Jim Mora showed up, nobody walks. On the field or off. Between drills. To the water fountain. Coaches, players, equipment guys -- everybody sprints all the time.

In a hurry to get to the Super Bowl, Mora and GM Rich McKay want speed everywhere. They chose field-stretching WR Roddy White with their first-round pick, boosted 2004 No. 1 Jenkins to starter and pushed Vick to make his decision making as fast as his feet.

Adding Hartwell and Williams to a unit already featuring Pro Bowlers Kerney and Brooking and soon-to-be Pro Bowler Hall gives McKay the fastest D since the one he built in Tampa. "Speed equals swagger," Hartwell says. "Swagger can break people's wills."

And maybe get you to Detroit.

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