2006 Falcons preview
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As usual, the focus will be on Michael Vick, an electrifying playmaker who still must prove to skeptics that he has grown into the quarterback position. But for the Falcons to rebound this year, following a 2005 season in which the team collapsed in the second half and lost six of its final eight games, it's the defense versus the run that will be under the most scrutiny.
The Falcons statistically ranked 26th in the league against the run and, to address the glaring deficiency, Atlanta overhauled its safety corps, signing veteran free agent Lawyer Milloy and acquiring youngster Chris Crocker in a trade. If the new starting tandem simply makes the routine plays, and tackles better than last year's safeties, it will represent a significant upgrade. The return to health of middle linebacker Ed Hartwell, who missed 11 games in 2005 with a ruptured Achilles and who might be sidelined for the season opener after having arthroscopic surgery on both knees this week, would help. Adding Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham to a line that already featured standouts in end Patrick Kerney and tackle Rod Coleman gives the Falcons a potential terrifying pass rush.
Look for the offense, even with all the attention on Vick, to remain largely run-oriented, with the Falcons having led the league in rushing for two straight years, and with tailback Warrick Dunn seemingly getting better with age.
General manager Rich McKay and head coach Jim Mora did a good job in the offseason of improving their personnel on defense. With the additions of RDE John Abraham, safeties Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker, and CB Jimmy Williams, the Falcons are trying to get back to their strong defensive performance that led them to the NFC Championship Game in 2004.
Offensively, it will all revolve around Michael Vick. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp must find a way to get on the same page with his franchise quarterback and play selection will be critical. RB Warrick Dunn will be counted on even more with the departure of T.J. Duckett. The receiving corps suffered a major blow with the injury to Brian Finneran. Both Roddy White and Michael Jenkins will be counted on heavily to play up to their first-round status. Newly acquired Ashley Lelie brings a unique dimension to the Falcons' passing game. However, he has a lot of catching up to do in a short amount of time. This is a talented team that will need to stay healthy throughout the regular season due to the strength in the NFC South.
Prediction: Third in NFC South.
Ashley Lelie could be just the tonic the doctor ordered for Michael Vick's vertical passing game. Vick ranked tied for 34th in deep pass success percentage in 2005 and already had lost his most effective vertical receiver from 2005, Brian Finneran, to a season-ending injury.
Lelie didn't have great deep pass metrics in 2005 (tied for 35th in deep pass success percentage) but his 2004 deep metrics were the best in the league. Lelie's presence should also take some of the coverage away from Alge Crumpler. This should allow Crumpler to improve on his league-low 60.2 percent success rate in 2005.
Wear out quicksilver Warrick Dunn (left), the NFL's toughest little guy, and here comes the deceptively powerful Jerious Norwood. Stop those two, and Michael Vick will posterize you on a naked bootleg or Matrix-inspired scramble. The secret? The O-line isn't big or especially talented, but the starters have mastered the art of the cut-block-and-zone-run scheme.
Preseason in the A-T-L was a star-studded affair, with guest appearances by Deion Sanders, Magic Johnson and Morris Day and the Time. If only the Falcons stars had showed up. Vick is one more bad season away from becoming another Kordell Stewart. His favorite target, Alge Crumpler, has been slowed by injuries. His top WR, Brian Finneran, is lost for the season with a knee injury. That means Michael Jenkins must make good on his vast potential and DeAngelo Hall will work double duty like his hero, Deion. On defense, Ed Hartwell returns from an Achilles injury to a unit that added game-changing players like Abraham and Lawyer Milloy (left). "This team is on the verge of a championship," says Milloy. "Losing is for the birds." Unfortunately, in a division this strong, it probably will be.
| Team Preview Centers |
| Key Stretch: Weeks 1-4 |
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Sept. 10: at Carolina Sept. 17: Tampa Bay Sept. 25: at New Orleans Oct. 1: Arizona |
| Comings & Goings |
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Key Acquisitions: WR Ashley Lelie; DE John Abraham; S Lawyer Milloy; OT Wayne Gandy. Key Departures: |
| Offensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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RB Warrick Dunn FB Justin Griffith QB Michael Vick WR Roddy White RT Todd Weiner RG Kynan Forney C Todd McClure LG Matt Lehr LT Wayne Gandy TE Alge Crumpler WR Michael Jenkins |
| Defensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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LDE Patrick Kerney LDT Rod Coleman RDT Chad Lavalais RDE John Abraham SLB Michael Boley MLB Ed Hartwell WLB Keith Brooking LCB DeAngelo Hall FS Chris Crocker SS Lawyer Milloy RCB Jason Webster • Complete roster |
