Ron Borges

Coach Jim Mora has to have his team ready to play in mid-season form by the opening game, because the Falcons face three straight divisional opponents, with two of those games on the road to open their schedule.

Because of the way last season devolved into an 8-8 disappointment in which quarterback Michael Vick became as much a problem as a solution, the Falcons cannot afford a slow start. If they struggle in those three games ,the lingering effect of Vick's lack of leadership last year could explode the locker room and end their season before it really begins.

Atlanta lost six of its final eight games last season and Vick began to play in a way that reminded observers more of Kordell Stewart than a revolutionary figure in the evolution of the quarterback position. Mora spent the offseason trying to improve the defense, believing that it has to be stingier to take some pressure off Vick, who already seems to think he has to win every game himself. If the defense can limit opposing running attacks, which it could not do a year ago, and increase the pressure on opposing quarterbacks, it will lesson the load on Vick and allow his many talents to flow.

Vick has scored 19 rushing touchdowns in his career and averaged 6.9 yards per carry in his 406 career rushes. His presence means Atlanta will always have a potent running game, even if timeless Warrick Dunn (career high 1,416 rushing yards in 2005) shows some wear and tear one of these days. But Vick is supposed to be a passer first and therein lies some of the frustrations, both Vick's and the team's.

Vick is one of the most talented players in football, but he might not be one of its best quarterbacks. He was expected to make great leaps last season, but injury and impatience seemed to retard his progress and his frustration became evident. Vick completed only 55.3 percent of his throws — two failed quarterbacks, Joey Harrington in Detroit and Kyle Boller in Baltimore, were more accurate throwers than Vick, and they lost their jobs. Vick needs to develop more patience and a lot more accuracy when he throws. If he does, the Falcons will be improved, even if nothing else improves.

Defensively, Atlanta brought in pass rushing specialist John Abraham at the cost of a first-round pick and guaranteed him over $15 million in the hopes his skills will lift the entire defense to a new level. With Carolina and Tampa, two of the best defenses in the NFC, to compete with in the division, Atlanta needed to do something to bolster a unit that slipped 22nd in total defense and 26th against the run last season.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos

Abraham's arrival should bolster the pass rush. The signings of new safeties Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker and the surprise selection of cornerback Jimmy Williams, who slid to the Falcons in the second round of the draft, were all designed to improve the run defense while also allowing Atlanta to drop more men into coverage to improve the pass defense. Abraham's teaming with fellow defensive end Patrick Kerney and defensive tackle Rod Coleman (38 1/2 sacks from the inside in four years) should enhance the rush and give the defense flexibility. If Williams can play, even in the nickel, it's a bonus because DeAngelo Hall is one of the best young corners in the league and Jason Webster is a reliable sidekick if he's healthy, which he often isn't.

The return of middle linebackder Ed Hartwell, who missed 11 games with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, plus the addition of the slowing but still hard-nosed Milloy will bolster the run defense considerably. Hartwell's return allows five-time Pro Bowler Keith Brooking to return to weakside linebacker, his natural position and the one that best helps the Falcons' defense.

Hot seat
Warrick Dunn. The decision to trade power back T.J. Duckett to acquire a deep threat receiver from Denver, Ashley Lelie, finally gives Dunn what he's always wanted. The ball all of the time.

Atlanta led the league in total rushing last year, with Duckett doing a good portion of the bruising inside rushing. Now Dunn will get the ball more often with Jerious Norwood spelling him but not as often as Duckett did.

Can his body take that pounding and still be effective as he was a year ago seeing more limited action?

Overheard
Although Lelie insisted on being the No. 1 receiver by acclamation in Denver and held out when he was denied that, he came to Atlanta willing to play behind Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. Perhaps that's because he understood he'll be the deep threat in the passing game with ample chances to improve on his 18 yards-per-catch average if Vick settles down and uses his powerful arm for what it was designed to do: throw footballs deep.

Outlook
If the run defense improves even to the middle of the league's pack and Abraham has the impact Atlanta expects on the pass rush, the Falcons will be formidable opponents. That assumes Vick and Mora see eye-to-eye on the future, which they didn't always appear to in 2005. Vick favors a return to the days when he rushed for over 900 yards, as he did in 2004. Mora is more concerned that his 55.3 compeletion percentage be improved significantly so that the passing game will not again wallow at 27th in the league, as it did last year. Mora would rather see Vick healthy rather than happily on the run until the instant he gets a leg broken or a knee destroyed. If he can convince Vick he can pass more, run less and still play his game, the Falcons will be in the hunt for a playoff spot once again.

Prediction
Second.

NFL TRAINING CAMP PREVIEWS Click for the latest on your favorite teams (teams listed in predicted order of finish) AFC EAST Patriots Dolphins Jets Bills NFC EAST Cowboys Giants Redskins Eagles AFC NORTH Bengals Steelers Ravens Browns NFC NORTH Bears Vikings Lions Packers AFC SOUTH Colts Jaguars Texans Titans NFC SOUTH Panthers Falcons Bucs Saints AFC WEST Broncos Chiefs Chargers Raiders NFC WEST Seahawks Cardinals Rams 49ers