2001 FALCONS
	Jamal Anderson runs like his old Dirty Bird-self again.
	Head coach: Dan Reeves (5th year). 2000 record: 4-12. NFC West finish: 5th. 2001 preseason: 2-1. Season opener: Sept. 9 at 49ers. Schedule | Depth chart

For a team that put together a 9-23 record the past two seasons, the Falcons sure aren't panicking.

Sure, they pulled the trigger on the trade with San Diego that landed the draft's No. 1 overall pick and tapped Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick.Then, within days -- and with the Falcons' fan base dreaming aloud about Vick taking over and leading this oft-woebegone franchise out of darkness -- head coach Dan Reeves stated unequivocally that 35-year-old Chris Chandler is his starting quarterback.

It was the Falcons' signature non-move of the offseason. Other than the draft, which may have gleaned one potential rookie starter, perhaps two, Atlanta hardly did a thing to reshape a team that lost 11 of its final 13 games last season.

Wide receiver Tony Martin, whom the Falcons cut early in 1999, may regain his starting job while earning the veteran's minimum salary. Other than that, the only free-agent additions became backups from the moment they arrived. And while offensive line, defensive end and wide receiver were thought to be the team's greatest needs entering the draft, the only rookie who looks to start at one of these positions is right guard Kynan Forney -- a seventh-round selection from Hawaii.

So what has convinced Reeves and the Falcons' brass they can contend for a division title? Changes made not to the playing personnel, but rather to the coaching staff.

Offensive line coach Art Shell and defensive coordinator Rich Brooks, a pair of former NFL head coaches who grew sour when they didn't get second shots following Atlanta's appearance in the Super Bowl three years ago, resigned. Defensive line coach Bill Kollar jumped ship and moved to St. Louis. Quarterback coach Jerry Rhome retired. Enter offensive line coach Pete Mangurian, who worked with Reeves in Denver and with the Giants, and linebacker coach-turned-defensive coordinator Don Blackmon. They have their units breathing fire so far, at least compared to the cold fish that masqueraded in Falcons uniforms the final two-thirds of last year.

"Actually, this year, this training camp, I've seen (Reeves) rejuvenated," said team president Taylor Smith. "I think he's excited that the coaching staff is re-energized."

Chandler, who has been a model citizen, workout warrior and team leader since he was lectured by Reeves in the wake of his miserable 2000 season, is buying into all of it. "I think having Tony (Martin) back is really going to help our offense, our line is going to be in a lot better shape," Chandler said. "We don't have to be a whole lot better to win games. At this level, it's such a fine line."

If the Falcons have a fine line this season, they figure to be a better team than last season.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Chandler has been solid in the preseason. If he gets better protection and stays healthy -- two big ifs -- Atlanta is deep here. Vick will play in specific spots as a rookie, but the question is when. Seven-year veteran Eric Zeier and second-year pro Doug Johnson give the Falcons more options than they've had in years. "Chris has such a great grasp of what we want to do," Reeves said. "I'm really happy with our quarterback position."
Grade: B.

Running backs: Jamal Anderson has looked a lot much more comfortable, quicker and stronger than in 2000, when he was coming off major surgery to his right knee. Venerable fullback Bob Christian, the addition of former Titans running back Rodney Thomas and special-teams ace Travis Jervey and the maturation of Maurice Smith make this position secure.
Grade: B-plus.

Receivers: Tight end Reggie Kelly has had a good preseason, yet second-round draft choice Alge Crumpler is not far behind him. Reeves favors two-tight end sets when he has the personnel. Now, he does. Versatile lunchpail H-back/tight end/fullback Brian Kozlowski is fighting to hold off Dallas Neil, a younger version of himself. Wide receiver Terance Mathis works as hard as anybody but has been erratic in the preseason. Martin may beat out Shawn Jefferson, but all three of their top wideouts will play a bunch. They're old, though. Martin will be 36 in a few weeks, Mathis is 34, and Jefferson is 32, and none of them are big. "I hope it stays this way right up until the season, and nobody thinks we can do nothing," Mathis said. "Then, the 'Geritol Kids' will show what we got. We're the 'Viagra Three.' " Some believe Eugene Baker and Brian Finneran just need opportunities to prove how good they can really be.
Grade: C-plus.

		Michael Vick is the key for Atlanta. Is he going to thrive or survive? You know he will be in the game in one capacity or another during the season, whether it's as little as a third-down threat or as a starter late in the year. Dan Reeves' history with rookie quarterbacks (see John Elway in 1983) is well known. Will Vick be handled carefully and cultivated like Steve McNair was? Or will he be thrown in like Donovan McNabb, which may mean midway through the season? If the Falcons destroy his confidence, he will be useless to the team this year, and who knows about beyond that. When Vick plays, he will have the weapons around him. The Falcons are happy with the receiver corps. They may be a little ready for the AARP, but it's decent. Jamal Anderson seems to be running as effectively as he has since coming back from the injury.

Offensive linemen: There's been some juggling and one surprise cut, as starting right guard Calvin Collins was demoted after two preseason games and then whacked in favor of Forney. Mangurian favors lighter, quicker linemen, and Collins, who started 53 games in four seasons at center, left guard and right guard, was neither. There's no doubt, however, that left tackle Bob Whitfield, left guard Bob Hallen, center Todd McClure, Forney and right tackle candidates Travis Claridge and Michael Thompson are playing more cohesively under Mangurian.
Grade: C-plus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: The balance sheet reads the same as it did entering training camp. The Falcons' lack of an outside pass rush is worrisome but their depth inside is admirable. Starting ends Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith have done little to distinguish themselves other than work hard. The good news is that defensive tackle Shane Dronett, who missed 13 games with a torn ACL last season, is healthy enough to regain his starting position, and defensive tackle Travis Hall has had a very solid camp and preseason. Ed Jasper gives the Falcons a much better-than-average rotation in the trenches. It's the flanks that have team officials worried, although they're loathe to admit it.
Grade: C-plus.

Linebackers: If he stays healthy this season, weak-side starter Keith Brooking may become one of the best in the business. Coaches are counting on it, since Brooking is not only the player most likely to lead the Falcons in tackles, but also in sacks. He's the team's best cover linebacker, too. Middle linebacker Jessie Tuggle, 36, missed a lot of action with a thumb injury and was cut, this coming after missing the second half of last season with a knee injury, the first time in his 15-year career he went on injured reserve. Depth is not an issue here but trying to figure out who to cut is, as youngsters Mark Simoneau, Jeff Kelly and rookie Matt Stewart all have upsides, as do veterans Chris Draft, Henri Crockett, Antony Jordan and Artie Ulmer.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: This may have been the Falcons' most sound unit last season, and it's done nothing but get better. Starting cornerbacks Ray Buchanan and Ashley Ambrose, one of the best tandems in the NFL, have been joined by former Giants cornerback Conrad Hamilton, who has had perhaps the best camp and preseason of any defender. Hamilton, who was out of football in 2000, has easily won the nickel job from Elijah Williams and has absolutely shut down opposing slot receivers. Free safety Ronnie Bradford and strong safety Marty Carter are steady. Reserve cornerbacks Darrien Gordon and Darrick Vaughn and safeties Gerald McBurrows and Chris Hudson lend depth.
Grade: B-plus.

Special teams
Jake Arians and Jay Feely continue to compete for the kicking job. Former Buffalo punter Chris Mohr has locked up his spot, as have kick returner Vaughn (who led the NFL last season with three kickoff returns for touchdowns) and punt returner Gordon.
Grade: B.

Matt Winkeljohn covers the Falcons for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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