How Will the Atlanta Falcons Move Past Michael Vick's Indictment?

The Atlanta Falcons now know that Michael Vick is indefinitely suspended from the NFL. Odds are Vick has played his last game in Atlanta, with any future opportunity to play in the NFL coming from another team willing to take a chance on the guilty quarterback. The Falcons will not be charged his $6 million salary in 2007 and will go after recouping some of the signing bonus money from his bulging contract.

The $6 million in salary cap money in 2007 will do little in terms of free agents being added to the roster. The free agent period has ended, with most of the talent being signed to other teams. That money will help Atlanta sign extensions with current players and having the money count towards this year's cap, saving money in future seasons.

Many question the team's decision to trade Matt Schaub prior to the NFL draft, leaving the team with Michael Vick and a few unproven young players at quarterback. Now the reigns of the franchise are with underachieving Joey Harrington, at least for the 2007 season. Mammoth guard Justin Blalock was selected with Houston's second round pick in 2007 and Atlanta will have another 2nd round selection in 2008 in return for Schaub.

The 2007 season will be difficult for the Atlanta Falcons. They will be hearing about Michael Vick over and over, in addition to being a very young team on both sides of the football. Bobby Petrino is a rookie coach from the college ranks, which has a history of having a rough transition to the NFL. All these factors add up to tempered expectations for the 2007 Falcons, where they can build and develop players for 2008 and beyond, not fight for a playoff spot in the NFC. The team is also changing from a zone-blocking run scheme to a more traditional game plan. The Panthers and Saints are significantly better than Atlanta going into the season, making finishing higher than 3rd in the division very unlikely.

NFL personalities have estimated the Falcons winning between 2 and 8 games in 2007. It's hard for a team to win only 2 games, but you never know how a team will respond to a situation like this. An 8-8 season, one more win than 2006, would be a tremendous achievement for this team, considering they are starting the year with their back-up quarterback at the helm. Harrington is a better fit for the this passing offense and will likely produce more through the air than the often-erratic Michael Vick. Vick's versatility will missed in key situations and keeping the backside of the run defense honest. When Vick was hurt in the 2003 pre-season, Atlanta finished at 5-11. A poor finish in 2007 wouldn't be the worst thing for the franchise. A top-5 draft pick would give Atlanta a high first and second round pick and another high second round selection as Houston is expected to lose 10+ games this season. If young players Jerius Norwood, Chris Houston and their wide receivers progress in 2007 and they draft well in 2008, the Falcons can be on the road to consistently competing for a playoff spot in the NFC.