| First things first. The Falcons’ decision
to obtain QB Michael Vick was a terrific move.
It was a smart move that instantly pumped new life into a floundering franchise and
gave long-suffering fans of the Dirty Birds something they could really chirp about.
It was a gutsy move with a high level of risk offset by Vick’s unlimited
potential. Before this guy’s through, the feeling here is he’ll be every bit as
good as Steve Young, another southpaw gunslinger with brilliant running ability, if not
better.
On the other hand, Atlanta’s other offseason moves have clearly left a lot to be
desired.
Heading into the 2001 draft, the Falcons appeared to have three major needs:
Offensive line. Aside from veteran OLT Bob Whitfield, the Falcons’ front
wall was full of cracks last season. Unless the same cast of characters dramatically
improves — new OL coach Pete Mangurian should help to a certain degree — the
odds Vick will be starting before season’s end out of necessity seem pretty strong.
The Falcons appear to have made a commitment to veteran Chris Chandler for the foreseeable
future, but with Chandler’s mobility most definitely on the decline, the nickname
"Crystal Chandelier" never has seemed more appropriate.
Wide receiver. Even if Chandler does get better protection this season,
who’s he going to throw to — especially deep? Both Terance Mathis and Shawn
Jefferson are on the south side of 30 while entering the final years of their contracts,
and neither looks to be capable any longer of stretching the field enough to sufficiently
complement the team’s ground attack featuring Jamal Anderson. It should be noted that
wide receiver appeared to be a major weakness even before mini-mite Tim Dwight was sent
packing to San Diego in the deal for Vick.
Pass rush. Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith are undersized defensive ends who can
do some nice things at times, but never on a consistent basis. In 1998, when
Atlanta’s defense was one of the most opportunistic in the league on the road to a
surprising Super Bowl berth, it was able to apply steady pressure. That has hardly been
the case since.
So what have the Falcons done to improve these areas? Not much, really.
Atlanta’s current depth chart has the same names, for the most part, as last
season at the aforementioned areas of need. The team did draft a center (Robert Garza), a
wide receiver (Vinny Sutherland) and a defensive end (Randy Garner) in rounds Four through
Six, respectively. But only Garza, who was one of the strongest athletes pound for pound
at this year’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, appears to have any shot at all of
starting.
According to sources in Atlanta, Sutherland is a Tim Dwight clone who could make his
presence felt on the roster in a similar fashion as a third receiver and return
specialist. But the team really needs a bona fide go-to guy.
Garner has some ability, but he’s a classic underachiever coming off a shaky
senior season. Seventh-round selection Ronald Flemons is another defensive end with more
minuses than pluses.
Rumors persist that the Falcons are still seriously considering going after a veteran
wide receiver such as Sean Dawkins (cut by Seattle), Charles Johnson (cut by Philadelphia)
or ex-Falcon Tony Martin (cut by Miami).
Making a move for Martin in particular could be beneficial — provided he has
anything at all left in the tank at age 35. In the Falcs’ Super season of ’98,
Martin was a major catalyst with 66 receptions for a 17.9-yard average.
But it would be a move that just scratches the surface in what continues to be a major
rebuilding job down in Georgia.
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