NFL 2006: Atlanta Falcons

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at Atlanta Falcons.)

Last year was a dismal one for Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora, Jr. After going to the NFC title game in 2004, the Falcons collapsed offensively and defensively, falling to 8-8 and out of the playoffs.

Owner Arthur Blank has everyone, especially Mora, on a short leash as training camp starts. If a winning season and playoff berth aren't secured in 2006, Mora and many others could be looking for new jobs.

Offense: The Michael Vick Experience turned into a bad trip last season as the passing game sputtered and died a slow, painful death. The running game was the lone bright spot on an offense that despite scoring 22 points a game, couldn't throw the football.

I'm just going to come right out and say it and break character from this preview - Vick is the most overrated player in pro football. Yes I know he's a gifted athlete with a strong arm. But the arm is inaccurate and the running will get you killed in the NFL. He lives off his reputation. How can a QB who throws for only 2,412 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 55 percent completion rate make the Pro Bowl? You're guess is as good as mine. Matt Schaub is the better quarterback, but he's stuck on the pine.

The running game is what makes the Atlanta offense tick and Warrick Dunn is the clockmaster. The guy scouts said was too small for the NFL rushed for 1,416 yards and three touchdowns last season. T.J. Duckett (388 yards) is a short-yardage specialist who scored eight times in the red zone. Rookie Jerious Norwood will see some action as well. Justin Griffith returns at fullback.

The Falcons threw for a league low 181.6 yards a game, yet no changes were made at wide receiver. Brian Finneran (50-611-2) and Michael Jenkins (36-508-3) return as starters, but second-year man Roddy White (29-446-3) is battling for one of those staring positions. Jerome Pathon and rookie Adam Jennings are in competition for the fourth receiver spot. This is a unit that must improve if Atlanta wants to make a playoff run.

There are no such problems at tight end where Alge Crumpler is one of the best around. He had an All-Pro season in 2005 with 65 catches for 877 yards and five scores. Depth is a problem. Backup Eric Beverly had zero grabs last season.

The offensive line returns four of five starters with Todd McClure at center, Kynan Forney and Matt Lehr at guard and Todd Weiner at right tackle. Veteran Wayne Gandy comes over from New Orleans to take over on the left side. Austin King, Ben Claxton and Frank Omiyale provide depth to this solid unit.

Defense: The Falcon defense, the strength of the team in 2004, fell off in 2005 by surrendering 21 points per game. An offseason of deal making has brought in some big name players and renewed Mora's faith in a bounce back year for the defense.

The biggest news of Atlanta's offseason was the trade with the Jets for John Abraham. Abraham (58 tackles) is one of the best pass rushers in the league (10.5 sacks) and will team with Patrick Kerney (53 tackles, 6.5 sacks) to form an intimidating presence at defensive end. Rod Coleman (40 tackles, 10.5 sacks) is an All-Pro at tackle. Returning starter Chad Lavalais (25 tackles, 2.5 sacks) is penciled in at nose tackle, but he's facing a stiff challenge from Antwan Lake (3.5 sacks) and Darrell Shropshire. Jonathan Babineaux is in the mix as well. This is a very talented line that could be devastating on quarterbacks. The starters accounted for 30 sacks in 2005. But will all those pass rushers be able to stop the run?

MLB Edgerton Hartwell returns from injury and that means All-Pro Keith Brooking (115 tackles, 3.5 sacks) will move back to the outside. Demorrio Williams (127 tackles, three sacks, two picks) is the other outside starter. Michael Boley and Ike Reese are quality reserves.

All-Pro DeAngelo Hall (65 tackles, six interceptions) returns at corner to lead the secondary. Jason Webster (79 tackles) returns at the other starting spot, but will be challenged by rookie Jimmy Williams, a major talent with major attitude problems. Allen Rossum is a reliable veteran presence. Two new safeties will be pressed into action after Bryan Scott was traded and Keion Carpenter left via free agency. Luckily for Atlanta, both are experienced veterans. Lawyer Milloy (106 tackles) comes over from the Bills, while Chris Crocker (86 tackles, two picks) was picked up in a trade with Cleveland. Omare Lowe will see action also.

Special Teams: A huge question mark this season after Atlanta decided to save some money and let Todd Peterson go. The job will be decided between two rookies: Tony Delk and Zac Derr. The Falcons may have to go scanning the waiver wire during camp. Michael Koenen (42.3) returns at punter and Rossum will return punts (8.5) and kicks (22.6).

Outlook: The Falcons will follow the typical Mora pattern since he got there three years ago: win by playing tough, aggressive defense and pound the ball on the ground with his offense. The running game is strong and the line is solid, but the passing game, with the exception of Crumpler is not that good. Vick must start making better decisions and one or two of the wideouts must step up if Atlanta wants to get back to the playoffs. The defense will cause havoc on the quarterback, but Abraham, Kerney and Coleman are not run stuffers. Stopping the run was a big problem for the Falcons in 2005 and could be again.

Prediction: The defense needs to bounce back and the offense needs to improve in the passing game for Atlanta to be serious contenders again. Vick risks getting hurt with his run first, throw later mentality. He plans on running even more this season, because the powers that be feel he needs to bring back the improvising he did all through college and his rookie NFL season. Good thing they have Schaub. Atlanta can be a playoff team, but if they have troubles throwing the ball and stopping the run, and if the kicking game turns to mush, another disappointing season could be in store for Atlanta fans. The Falcons will falter in those areas and go 8-8 or 9-7.

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