2005 Record: 8-8 (3rd in NFC South)
2005 Rankings
Offense: 13th (28th pass; 1st run)
Defense: 22nd (14th pass; 26th run)
Head Coach: Jim Mora, Jr. (19-13, 1-1 in post-season); Entering 3rd season as Atlanta Falcons Head Coach.
2006 Draft Class
2.37 – CB, Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech)
3.79 – RB, Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State)
5.139 – OT, Quinn Ojinnaka (Syracuse)
6.184 – WR, Adam Jennings (Fresno State)
7.223 – QB, DJ Shockley (Georgia)
Arrivals
John Abraham, DE (NY Jets)
Lawyer Milloy, S (Buffalo)
Wayne Gandy, OT (New Orleans)
Chris Crocker, S (Cleveland)
Departures
Kevin Shaffer, OT (Cleveland)
Bryan Scott, DB (New Orleans)
Kevin Macadam, S (Carolina)
Barry Stokes, OL (Detroit)
Keion Carpenter, S (not re-signed)
Brady Smith, DE (released)
Todd Peterson, K (not re-signed)
Team Overview
Heading into the 2004 playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons were the team many predicted would represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXVIIII. They were energized by their rookie head coach (Jim Mora), they had the league’s best athlete (Vick) and a feared ground attack that led the NFL in rushing. After putting up 300 rushing yards in a 47-17 blowout of the St. Louis Rams, the Falcons were confident that they could go into Philadelphia and beat the Eagles, who were playing without star WR Terrell Owens.
And they got beat. Badly. The combination of sub-zero temperatures, and a tough, physical Eagles defense limited Atlanta to 10 points, and a different group of birds were heading to the Super Bowl.
Atlanta entered 2005 as the favorites to win the NFC South and represent the NFC in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, and starting out 6-2 did little to sway NFL pundits. It was at this time that the Falcons began feeling the effects of some key injuries (Edgerton Hartwell and Brady Smith were lost for the season) just as the team entered the meat of their schedule. In the season’s final 8 weeks, Atlanta was swept by division rivals Tampa Bay and Carolina, couldn’t muster up any offense against a stingy Bears team, and lost at home to the lowly Green Bay Packers. The Atlanta Falcons went from a team with Super Bowl aspirations to one that was fortunate to finish at 8-8.
Michael Vick is about to enter his 6th season in the NFL, and his 5th season as the unquestioned #1 QB. In that time, the league’s most athletic player has generated just 2 playoff wins, and has shown little progress as a QB. Vick’s quarterback rating has topped out at 81.6, and that was in his 1st season as a full-time starting QB. Not counting 2003, where he played in just 5 games, Vick’s QB rating has gone from 81.6 to 78.1 to a lowly 73.1 in 2005.
There’s no doubt that the Falcons are a “run first” team. Warrick Dunn, TJ Duckett and yes, Michael Vick, have been the NFL’s best rushing attack the last two seasons, and I don’t expect that to change. Duckett has been the subject of trade rumors this off-season, and if he is dealt before the season, Atlanta has the speedy Jerious Norwood (2nd round pick) to replace him on the depth chart. The passing game suffered a huge blow when Brian Finneran was lost for the season with an injury, which means they’ll be looking to former 1st round picks Roddy White and Michael Jenkins to step up and produce this season. Michael Vick’s favorite target is still Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler, the team’s leading receiver the last two seasons. Crumpler and Vick came into the NFL at the same time, and the 6th year tight end has made 3 straight trips to the Pro Bowl, with his numbers increasing every season. There’s little reason to suspect that will change in 2006.
After DE Brady Smith to injury, and releasing him in March, the Falcons traded away their first round pick for Jets defensive end John Abraham, a pass-rushing DE in the prime of this career. Abraham put up double-digit sack totals in the Big Apple, but he and Jets couldn’t come to terms on a long-term contract. He’ll be paired up with Patrick Kerney, and along with Pro Bowl DT Rod Coleman, the Falcons should have trouble generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Edgerton Hartwell was the prized free agent in 2005, and he returns from an injury-shortened season, as well. Hartwell and veteran Keith Brooking are smart, physical linebackers, and will be joined by 2nd year LB Michael Boley. The unit has great depth, with Demorrio Williams (the team’s leading tackler playing in place of Hartwell), Ike Reese and Jordan Beck backing up.
The secondary received a bit of a facelift in the off-season, as well. SS Lawyer Milloy was brought in, perceivably to improve the 26th-ranked run defense and add some veteran leadership in the secondary. He’ll be paired up with fellow newcomer Chris Crocker, who comes to Atlanta after 3 seasons in Cleveland. On the outside is Jason Webster (who came to Atlanta from San Francisco with coach Mora) and DeAngelo Hall, who is emerging as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Rookie CB Jimmy Williams is expected to be the nickel corner.
Getting back to the playoffs won’t be easy for Atlanta. The NFC South is arguably the toughest division in the NFL. The non-conference schedule has them playing the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals and the improved Baltimore Ravens. They also have to face the entire NFC East (all have playoff aspirations) and the allegedly improved Arizona Cardinals. If Vick improves, and the defense plays up to its potential, the Falcons have a good shot to win the division. If Vick doesn’t improve, you can’t blame Falcons fans if they get a little impatient with their star QB.
Three & Out
- The loss of Finneran cannot be understated. Vick was as comfortable throwing to Finneran, a big (6-5) target, as he is with Alge Crumpler. Jenkins and White are promising wide receivers, but their 2005 production combined was equal to Alge Crumplers. One of them will need to step up and replace what was lost when Finneran was lost.
- For those that have always wondered why teams use two roster spots on kickers and punters, Jim Mora might be your kind of guy. Michael Koenen, the team’s punter, is getting a look as a field goal kicker as well. Blessed with a powerful leg, Keonen drilled all 4 of his field goal attempts in the pre-season opener, all of which from beyond 40 yards.
- You can’t talk about the Atlanta Falcons without mentioning the offensive line. Whenever you lead the NFL in rushing two straight years, this unit’s exposure is bound to increase. The downside of that is other teams will target them in free agency. That’s what happened to last year’s left tackle, Kevin Shaffer, who is now a Cleveland Brown. To fill that position, the Falcons acquired Wayne Gandy from New Orleans.
Fantasy Island
The safest fantasy option on the Falcons is Alge Crumpler. In fact, it’s not even close. Every opponent knows that Vick will be looking for him, yet Crumpler’s production has increased every season.
There’s no reason to suspect that won’t continue in 2006.
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