Atlanta Falcons Team Report by Jacques Cuneo
| Atl Projections (9/3) | Passing Stats | Rush Stats | Receiving Stats | Fantasy | |||||||||||
| Change | Name | Pos | Att | Comp | % | Yds | TD | Int | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | Pts |
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#fname# #lname# | #pos# | #NumberFormat("#pts#", '__,_____')# | ||||||||||||
| Totals | #NumberFormat("#tot_patt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pcmp#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#evaluate(100*tot_pcmp/tot_patt)#", '_____._')#% | #NumberFormat("#tot_pyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ptds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_int#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ratt#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ryds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rtds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_rec#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_cyds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_ctds#", '__,_____')# | #NumberFormat("#tot_pts#", '__,_____')# | ||
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Quarterbacks Starter - Michael Vick Backups - Doug Johnson, Kurt Kittner Starting Quarterback: Well, ready or not, the Michael Vick era has begun. The new owner, Arthur Blank, made it clear that he wanted a lot of changes made in an attempt to turn the struggling franchise around. The first was anointing Vick the starter, and shipping Chris Chandler to Da Bears. We have very little on which to base an opinion of Vick as an NFL QB. He is very talented, with superior mobility and arm strength, but his decision making skills are suspect. For example, last season against the Bears, Chandler left with an injury, and Vick took over the offense. The Bears blitzed the young QB and he couldn't keep up. He was calling plays and formations that didn't exist in the play book. He was just overwhelmed with the play calling, reading the defense and keeping track of the personnel on his own side of the ball. As a result, he took 6 sacks and lost 2 fumbles, throwing for a mediocre 186 yards. Another example may be the Falcons loss to the Dolphins. Vick went 11 for 20 passing for 214 yards and a TD; and rushed 4 times for 58 yards. However, he accounted for three (3) turnovers - two INT's and 1 lost fumble. In limited play this pre-season, he has looked slightly better. He has completed 15 of 27 passes for 123 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT, for a passer rating of 76.6. He has only run three times for 30 yards. He is clearly trying to sit in the pocket and make plays with his arm rather than his legs. Unfortunately, this may lead to more sacks or more INTs, as Vick waits in the pocket or forces a throw. Even worse, those who like Vick for the extra points his rushing yards and TDs may bring may be disappointed, as ultra-conservative Dan Reeves tries to make Vick into a pocket passer. In a league that does not penalize you for INTs or fumbles, Vick may be a solid QB with potential if he is allowed to run more freely and rack up rushing yards. If your league deducts for INTs, fumbles or sacks taken, avoid Vick. Backup Quarterback(s): Doug Johnson is firmly entrenched as the backup, and may be more of the passer that you would expect Dan Reeves to prefer. However, he is a former Gator, and for all of Spurrier's college successes, he has trained precious few quality NFL QB's. Johnson has about as much NFL experience as Vick, and would probably have very little fantasy value if Vick went down. Kurt Kittner is a rookie. Running Backs Starter - Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett Backups - Maurice Smith, Bob Christian Starting Running Back: This is an area where the Falcons' player personnel moves have to make you scratch your head. First, they go all out to land Warrick Dunn as a free agent and take T.J. Duckett with their first pick. Duckett is a monster, bruising back, who can run both inside and off-tackle, but is hampered by his limited, some would say poor, pass-catching ability. Dunn has always been a decent pass-catching back, but underutilized as a feature back, some say due to his diminutive size. Together, they may make a good team for the Falcons, and spell trouble for fantasy fans. In the first preseason game, Duckett carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards, with 25 of that coming on one play. Duckett showed his explosiveness and his ability to turn the corner. He is quite fast for a 250+ pounder. He played poorly in the second game, gaining a measly 8 yards on 6 carries. In more limited action, Dunn has been wholly unimpressive, collecting only 29 yards on 13 rushes, and 14 yards on 3 receptions. Dunn has also returned punts in practice, and for those leagues that award individual players points for return TDs, this may increase Dunn's value. Unfortunately, all signs point to Duckett playing on first and second downs, and short yardage situations, with Dunn returning punts and playing the role of third down back. Reeves likes to run the ball, but it appears that this is the dreaded RBBC. Backup Running Back(s): Last season, quite a few sharks grabbed Maurice Smith off the waivers, and he performed well in the first half of the season. Unfortunately, if anything happens to Duckett or Dunn, he will likely be thrust into the same RBBC situation, limiting his fantasy value. Bob Christian has little fantasy value. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Starters - Brian Finneran, Willie Jackson, Shawn Jefferson Backups - James McKnight, Dedric Ward Starting Receiver(s): Some people LOVE Brian Finneran, and they always point to two things: his height (6' 5") and his amazing 21.3 yards per catch average from last season. He is currently listed ahead of Willie Jackson at the flanker spot, and across from veteran Shawn Jefferson. However, he has been a ghost in the pre-season, catching only one pass. even if he fends off the wily Jackson, it is doubtful he can duplicate his 2001 YPC numbers again just be being inserted into the starting lineup. For one thing, Finneran will face starting cornerbacks rather than backups. For another, Finneran's number were a product of his relationship with Chandler, a skilled passer who knew the offense inside and out. This year, he has a less efficient passer under the center. Willie Jackson was brought in as a high priced free agent, but is currently stuck behind Finneran as a starter. He will likely play slot in three-WR sets, and spell Finneran. He has also been a ghost in the pre-season, as the Falcons tend to work out the backups. However, he did catch a nice 27 yard TD from Vick against the Giants. Journeyman Shawn Jefferson is apparently holding on to his starting split end position, despite solid play by Whitted and some nagging injuries. Regardless, his fantasy value is diminished, as the majority of the Falcons passing offense will likely be aimed at Finneran, Crumpler and Dunn. Backup Receiver(s): Apparently, Jackson will be backing up Finneran, and playing a lot in three-WR sets. So, if Finneran goes down, Jackson's value will increase. It is unlikely that any of the current Falcons' backups will have any fantasy value, even in the deepest of leagues. Whitted has looked good in camp, and may outplay Jefferson for the starting split end position, but this is the same guy that was "dropped" by the Jags for his stone hands. Tight End(s): Alge Crumpler, Reggie Kelly, Brian Kozlowski The good news is that the Falcons coaching staff claims that it will rely heavily on the tight ends and the running backs to help relieve pressure on Vick. The bad news is that it the Falcons currently have Kelly as the #1 TE, despite Crumpler's superior pass-catching skills. Crumpler will end up as the best fantasy option among Falcons' TE's. In fact, in camp, the Falcons moved Crumpler all over the field, including the backfield. But don't get excited, he is typically the lead blocker from that position, and there don't appear to be any plans to hand him the ball. Crumpler is a solid TE who may be a steal in later rounds, especially if the young QB uses him as a crutch. However, I wouldn't want to rely on him as my main fantasy TE threat.. Backup Tight End(s): This a crew of workhorse blocking Tight Ends, who were drafted to make holes for Jamal Anderson. They'll still see the field a lot, but don't expect more than 200 combined yards out of them, even if Crumpler is injured. Place Kicker Jay Feely: Feely has a number of positives going for him. First, he plays in a dome, in a warm weather conference. Second, he plays on a team that might push it into the red zone a lot, but not the endzone, giving him plenty of scoring chances. He has been on fire in the pre-season, hitting from 19, 53, 40, 35 and 43 in the game against the Giants, and from 41, 29 and 30 in the game against the Jaguars. He has length and is accurate off the turf. He can be had fairly cheap, and should provide a solid kicking option. Defense Despite having hired Wade Phillips as the DC, the Falcons defense is fairly suspect. Phillips is overseeing a change to the 3-4 this season, but lack the personnel to get the job done. It is highly unlikely Phillips will lead a one-season turnaround with this crew. The Falcons have been decimated at LB so far, losing Thierry, Overstreet and Ulmer for various lengths of time. Brookings is a solid MLB, but without support, they'll struggle. The secondary is vulnerable, as it is prone to overplaying. All said and done, don't go near the Falcons when drafting a team defense. Coaching The change at DC should be a positive one, but the most telling problem with the Falcons remains Reeves' failure to hire an offensive coordinator. Lately, its looked like Reeves has let the game pass him by, and one must wonder if he can change his conservative style to bring out the best in his talented young QB. Intangibles One word: Blank. Seriously, the greatest intangible this team has is the new owner. His entire focus has been to create a winning attitude. By lowering ticket prices, he nearly doubled season ticket sales. The Falcons had two pre-season sellouts, and against the so-so Jaguars and Giants. The Falcons have long struggled under an apathetic fan base and Blank has added "spice" to the Dome, banners for the streets and plazas surrounding the Dome, better monitors, and accessibility for the fans, all with an eye to improving the game-day experience. It may not sound like much, but don't underestimate fan support, a little goes a long way. |