<span style="color:black"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Atlanta Falcons</span></span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Looking Back:</span>Michael Vick was ready to break out. Edgerrin Hartwell was added to anchor the defense. DeAngelo Hall was going to be the one of the top cornerbacks in the league. After reaching the NFC championship in 2004, the Falcons were expected to take a big step forward, win the NFC South, and see themselves in Jacksonville for Superbowl XL led by Michael Vick, his quick legs and cannon of an arm.It didn't happen.The Falcons ended the 2005 season 8-8, third in the NFC South. Michael Vick took an arguable step backward, as his mediocre passing numbers stayed level and his rushing numbers decreased. Backup Matt Schaub started for Vick in a week five loss to the defending champion New England Patriots, and passed for 298 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, further raising the question about whether or not he should be the man under center in Atlanta. The two man attack in the backfield featuring Warrick Dunn and TJ Duckett was a one man show, as Duckett took a step back into the shadows. All in all, the team did not function as expected. Ed Hartwell suffered a season ending injury early. The pass defense was no where near as good as expected. Once again, no receivers stepped up as a #1 target in the passing game. The Falcons faced many problems heading into the off-season, and filling these holes is critical to next year's success.<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Key Off-Season Acquisitions:</span>John Abraham, Defensive End:Brady Smith and Patrick Kerney were aging at the defensive end position, and while Abraham isn't the youngest solution they could have come up with, he's possibly the most talented. Brady Smith got the boot at RE and Atlanta brought in Abraham in a three way trade involving the Jets and Broncos. Both Abraham and Kerney are sure to rival Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker in Carolina as the NFC South's best pair of defensive ends.Lawyer Milloy, Safety:After surprisingly being cut by the Buffalo Bills, the Falcons barely hesitated to add Milloy in order to improve their pass defense. The team has had a hole at safety for years now, and while Milloy may be no long-term solution he should be a great fix for the next season or two.Chris Crocker, Safety:Again, the Falcons needed help at safety and did a good job going out and fixing the problem. Crocker isn't the most talented safety out there, but is a solid young player on the rise and should challenge for a starting job.<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">The Draft:</span>Jimmy Williams, Cornerback:It's been made known over the past few seasons that the Falcons organization loves their Hokies, as is the case here with Williams, the cornerback out of Virginia Tech. As previously mentioned, Atlanta's pass defense was below average last season and it needed to be addressed. Atlanta moved up in the second round in order to pick Jimmy Williams, who had slid about 15 picks later than expected. However early indications show he's a bit slow and not very smooth in coverage, and Atlanta may be forced to move him to safety sooner than later.Jerious Norwood, Running Back:Atlanta is a team that relies heavily on the run, and with Warrick Dunn getting older and TJ Duckett seemingly fading away, youth and talent was needed at the position early. The Falcons made Norwood their third round pick, and it's a good one. While he may not be a full-time back anytime soon (if ever) he will keep Atlanta's run game strong which is vital to their offensive gameplan.DJ Shockley, Quarterback:Shockley was a sixth round pick, but may be the biggest impact pick Atlanta made. The team put a deathgrip on backup quarterback Matt Schaub this off-season, refusing to include him in any trade talks with potential suitors like the Jets and Lions. Early speculation is that the Falcons have Schaub in their future plans, and Michael Vick may be in a bit of an unofficial contract year within a season or so, possibly even this year. As of now, Shockley should be the third QB, but if Vick were eventually let go Schaub would take over the starting duties with Shockley as his primary backup. All of this may hinge on Shockley's early development, so keep an eye open.<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Looking Ahead:</span>The Falcons made multiple moves this off-season to bolster their defense, and don't be surprised if their defense carries them through many games this season. While defenses do win championships, Atlanta's offense is just too weak and inconsistant to keep the team competitive. Michael Vick has said he plans on running even more this upcoming season, which may produce more highlight reel plays but hardly means anything good for the team. Unless Roddy White or Michael Jenkins can improve dramatically, his #1 offensive target is still tight end Alge Crumpler and that formula is hardly successful in the long run..Just ask Trent Green. The team will make plays and be one of the most exciting in the league, and the defense shouldn't be anything short of solid, but the offense just has too much of a problem being consistant and don't have enough ways to score on opposing defenses - they don't allow the opposition to "pick their poison," if you will. While Atlanta should improve on their 8-8 record, I just don't see them overtaking Carolina or Tampa Bay to get into the upper half of the division this season.
Great read nice point. Theyre offense isnt going anywhere until they can get a solid consistent WR to help Vick out so his main option isnt a Tight End wich you cant throw too all game.
Good read, but Vick will surge this year, Roddy White got stronger, and stayed at the same speed, and has impressed everyone at camps.
