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Wednesday, July 18
Updated: August 3, 1:48 AM ET
 
Falcons: Taking the next step
By Tom Oates
Special to ESPN.com

The Falcons have won nine of 32 games since that glorious Super Bowl season in 1998, and for good reason. Injuries to halfback Jamal Anderson and quarterback Chris Chandler have sidetracked the offense and there has been an alarming deterioration along both lines. The Falcons might have been the slowest team in the league last season.
 
CAMP AT A GLANCE
 Dan Reeves
Dan Reeves is entering his fifth season in Atlanta.
  Location: Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
Rookies report: July 19
Veterans report: July 19
Preseason schedule:
 Aug. 3: Pittsburgh
 Aug. 12: at N.Y. Jets
 Aug. 17: at Washington
 Aug. 31: Tampa Bay

The offseason was a success on two fronts. The Falcons ponied up $16 million in signing bonuses to re-sign offensive tackle Bob Whitfield and cornerback Ray Buchanan, their two best players. Then they made a blockbuster trade before draft day and landed quarterback Michael Vick with the first pick overall. Unfortunately, those deals tied the Falcons' hands financially and many of the pressing needs on both lines remain, which dampens the optimism for this season.

Man in the spotlight
Dan Reeves is entering the fifth and possibly last year of a five-year contract as coach and general manager. The Falcons were 14-2 in 1998, 16-32 in Reeves' other three seasons. The offense, which is Reeves' baby, slipped to 30th last year. Owner Taylor Smith is a Reeves supporter, but things didn't look good when assistant coaches Rich Brooks and Bill Kollar jumped ship after the season. The Vick trade showed Reeves is finally thinking like a general manager and not a coach, which might be a sign that this is his last year on the sideline.

Key position battle
Chandler remains the starter at quarterback, but he's merely keeping the seat warm for Vick. Chandler is 35, injury prone and was benched for two games last year because Reeves didn't like his leadership. He became a model citizen once Vick was drafted, accepting a pay cut and compiling a perfect attendance record during offseason workouts. Vick is a spectacular athlete who clearly isn't ready to start in the NFL. If Chandler gets off to a slow start, however, fans will be clamoring for Vick to take the reins. They might get homestate hero Eric Zeier instead.

Biggest adjustment
For six years, the Falcons had some of the NFL's best special teams. Dan Stryzinski's sky-high punts were virtually unreturnable, kicker Morten Andersen was automatic short and long and, in recent years, Tim Dwight was a dangerous return man. Now they're all gone, replaced by uncertainty. At punter, Atlanta signed ex-Bill Chris Mohr, whose 31.4-yard net average ranked last in the NFL (Stryzinski was first at 37.9). Andersen's job will go to Jake Arians, who made such a strong impression in training camp last year that he was kept on the practice squad. Darrick Vaughn made Dwight expandable on kickoff returns last year but the punt return job is wide open.

Rookie report
The Falcons gave away some of their draft to land Vick, then all but ignored both lines. Tight end Alge Crumpler, taken in the second round, isn't needed with Reggie Kelly around. In the fourth round, the Falcons took center Robert Garza, who had a good Senior Bowl, and linebacker Matt Stewart, who might get a shot with the loss of Henri Crockett in free agency and Keith Brooking's continuing injury woes. Fifth-round wide receiver Vinny Sutherland will be limited to kick and punt return duty early.

Offseason moves
Players signed Players lost
CB Ray Buchanan (re-signed)
RB Travis Jervey (signed as free agent)
WR Tony Martin (signed as free agent)
RB Rodney Thomas (signed as free agent)
OT Bob Whitfield (re-signed)
QB Eric Zeier (trade from T.B.)
 CB Terry Cousin (signed with Dolphins)
LB Henri Crockett (signed with Broncos)
WR Tim Dwight (traded to Chargers)
RB Winslow Oliver (released)
RB Ron Rivers (signed with Steelers)

  • Falcons' complete offseason moves







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    After last year's surprise ...


    AUDIO/VIDEO
    audio
     Michael Vick is nervous, yet excited about his first preseason game against the Steelers.
    wav: 152 k
    RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

    video
     The Falcons are looking forward to having Michael Vick at training camp.
    RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN
    Cable Modem

     With training camp underway, Michael Vick talks about his progress as an NFL quarterback.
    wav: 1615 k
    RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

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