Offense
Why is it that we are giving Michael Vick so many chances? Yes, he is fast. Yes, he has a big arm. Yes, he is the most explosive player in the game. But no, he is not a good quarterback. He does not manage the game well and makes too many mistakes.
Vick came out recently and stated that he was going to start taking his job "more seriously." Does that mean that he took being the highest paid player in the NFL casually? That is blatant disrespect from Vick.
I would like to know the Falcons true feelings about him. There has to be a reason why they would not deal backup QB Matt Schaub for a speculated first round pick. That sounds like a team that has plans for its backup quarterback. I believe that if Vick does not make strides as a leader and a passer this season then they will turn to Schaub and attempt to trade Vick. But for now, this is still Michael Vick's show.
Warrick Dunn still puts up impressive numbers in the running game even though he is small and getting older. T.J. Duckett has not been able to supplant Dunn when everyone expected he would by now. He lacks burst and has a low YPC average. That is not the problem with Dunn, who will still get the majority of the carries.
At WR, youngsters Michael Jenkins and Roddy White have huge potential. White was good in his rookie campaign and showed explosive, big play ability. Jenkins' development has been slower but is a good possession guy for now.
Defense
The offseason has been headlined by the arrivals of sackmaster DE John Abraham and S Lawyer Milloy to a defense that has been improving. Abraham has been a monster the past couple of years for the New York Jets. With Abraham lining up next to DT Rod Coleman and DE Patrick Kerney we could be looking at one of the best, most disruptive lines in football.
The linebackers look good too, with the reliable Keith Brooking leading the charge. Also, a healthy Ed Hartwell will be a bonus. He was injured after a couple of games last year. If he can make the kind of impact that he did in Baltimore it will be a pleasant surprise. Next to them will be Demorrio Williams. He is small but fast and the perfect compliment to Brooking.
The secondary star is DeAngelo Hall. Some have already tabbed him as the NFL's best cover corner. He is only in his third season and if there is room to improve there could be no doubt that he is the league's supreme shutdown corner.
They took a chance on second-round rookie Jimmy Williams who slipped due to heavy character concerns. He was considered a potential top-10 pick months before the draft. If he matures he could form a great tandem with Hall. But that is unlikely this season. Milloy may be past his prime, but he is the steadying influence that someone like Jimmy Williams needs. And he can still play a bit, too.
Synopsis
All eyes are on Vick. Will this be the year that he puts it all together? I assume it will be more of the same. Not that that is all bad. I am looking at a 9-7 or perhaps 10-6 season. Still not enough, though, to catch or pass a more stable Panthers squad.