Bucs/NFL

Scouting report

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published September 17, 2006

THE BASICS: Everyone seems to be asking about the new Michael Vick, the quarterback who appears more cautious with the football, more deliberate in his decision-making and more mature as a player.

So how 'bout it, Mike?

"There's no new Michael Vick," he said. "It's the same Mike Vick from the past couple of years. There's nothing different about me."

Maybe he is right. It's more than Vick that's different. The Falcons, in general, look like a team on the same page.

"I think it's more than just Michael," coach Jim Mora said. "I think it is the offense as a whole growing together in our system, understanding our concepts better, getting more repetitions at them; building that chemistry that is so important between the offensive line and the runners and the quarterback and the receivers.

"So just as a group, they are more settled and they are more confident in their ability to execute what we ask them to execute."

And execute Atlanta did last week, rolling up 385 yards of offense in a 20-6 victory at Carolina. No more questions about Warrick Dunn's ability to be a featured back without T.J. Duckett (now in Washington). Carrying 29 times for 132 yards should be enough proof for any critics.

Dunn's consistency and the contribution of reserve Jerious Norwood (10 carries, 66 yards against Carolina) allow the Falcons to be more conservative. Though they had that ability before, they rarely were consistent because Vick was sure to freelance whenever he got the urge. If Week 1 is any indication, he appears able to resist that urge.

And at those times when he must move around in the pocket and make things happen, receiver Michael Jenkins has been there to turn short routes into big gains. The graduate of Leto High in Tampa did it with his 34-yard touchdown against the Panthers.

On defense, the ability to pressure Chris Simms will have a lot to say about the outcome. That's bad news for the Falcons with ends John Abraham and Patrick Kerney spending most of the week tending to injuries.

Abraham, acquired from the Jets in one of the offseason's biggest trades, had two sacks and two forced fumbles in Week 1 before leaving with a groin injury.

BUC-BEATER: Jenkins had nine catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the two games last season.

SERIES: The Bucs lead the all-time series 15-10, but they've been quite solid of late. Tampa Bay is 9-2 in its past 11, including 2-0 in 2005.

KEEP IN MIND: Atlanta has started 2-0 only five times in its 41-year history. It wasn't one of the preseason's trendy picks to start fast, and it is using the slight at motivation.

"You've barely heard about Atlanta all offseason," Abraham said. "And I think that's good for us."

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Vick vs. Brooks: Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks could write a book on how to contain Michael Vick because he seems to be one of the few players who has done so. Brooks takes playing Vick as a personal challenge, and Vick knows what he's up against, too. A fumble forced by Brooks led to a last-minute Bucs victory in November.

Abraham vs. Davis: If John Abraham can go, he'll be licking his chops after seeing Simms' poor performance a week ago. It's up to left tackle Anthony Davis, above, to slow him down. Davis said he learned a lot from playing against Abraham in the Bucs' loss to the Jets last season. Abraham finished that game with just one tackle and no sacks.

Crumpler vs. Nece: Tight end Alge Crumpler had nine catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in two games against the Bucs last season. As the strongside linebacker, Ryan Nece again will be responsible for covering him.

Falcon INJURIES: Doubtful - Linebacker Edgerton Hartwell (knee); Questionable - Defensive end John Abraham (groin); Probable - Defensive end Patrick Kerney (triceps), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (thigh).

[Last modified September 17, 2006, 01:09:00]