2002 RECORD: 9-6-1 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (19th); Offense (14th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- WR Peerless Price (Falcons), S Cory Hall (Bengals), CB Tyrone Williams (Packers), LB Keith Newman (Bills), CB Tod McBride (Packers), LB Twan Russell (Dolphins), TE Lamont Hall (Saints), WR MarTay Jenkins (Cardinals), OL Kevin Dogins (Bears). Draft picks -- No first rounder. 2. SS Bryan Scott (Penn State); 4. Justin Griffith (Mississippi State); 5. WR Jon Olinger (Cincinnati); 6a. WR LaTarence Dunbar (Texas Christian); 6b. SS Waine Bacon (Alabama); 7. DE Demetrin Veal (Tennessee). SUBTRACTIONS: WR Shawn Jefferson (Lions), CB Ashley Ambrose (Saints), DT Shane Dronett (released), TE Reggie Kelly (Bengals), S Johndale Carty (Jaguars), LB Mark Simoneau (Eagles), OL Michael Thompson (Seahawks). Team news | Roster | More on Falcons draft

		Tue., July 1 Is Price the wideout threat they sorely needed or is the receiving corps still an issue? Certainly the re-making of the previously pedestrian Atlanta wide receiver corps begins with the addition of Price, a player the Falcons could have chosen in the second round of the 1999 lottery, but passed on in favor of now-departed tight end Reggie Kelly. It cost the team its first-round pick in this year's draft, and a phat contract that included a $10 million signing bonus, to rectify that grievous '99 draft faux pas. What is notable is that the Falcons, having secured Price in the deal with the Buffalo Bills, didn't stop there. They also signed the fleet MarTay Jenkins, whose career numbers are not particularly impressive, but who seems to be a nascent playmaker. In addition, a couple of young veteran receivers, Quentin McCord and Trevor Gaylor, are making nice strides. Sixth-round draft choice LaTarence Dunbar has done some nice things in spring workouts and the surprising Brian Finneran, who led the team with 56 catches in 2002, is a rangy receiver and proven possession guy. Sometimes overlooked is that the Falcons averaged 12.6 yards per catch in '02, third-best in the NFL, and Finneran's 15.0-yard average was ninth-best in the league among players with at least 50 catches. Those numbers aside, the Falcons still needed a vertical threat to stretch the field and to help create some creases in the inside running game and Price should be the player who provides that component to a passing game that is still in the developmental stages. The question he must answer is whether he can be as effective as a "lead" receiver as he was playing the complementary role to Eric Moulds during his Bills tenure.

Last season the Falcons offense featured Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick and the running back duo of Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett, who combined for 1,434 rushing yards. However, the team did not possess a top-notch receiver to balance the attack. In an effort to correct the downfall, Atlanta traded its first-round draft choice (23rd overall) to the Buffalo Bills for the missing piece: Peerless Price.

Price is known for his speed, good hands and ability to separate from defenders. He should shine individually, but also make everyone around him better. This includes second-string wide receiver Brian Finneran (56 receptions in 2002), tight end Alge Crumpler (36 receptions in 2002), as well as Dunn and Duckett.

What they've added?
With 94 receptions, 1,252 yards, and nine touchdowns, it is certain the Falcons added Price to be the team's top receiver. All signs point to Finneran as Atlanta's second receiver, but from there, who knows? This June, the Falcons entered passing camp with 11 wide receivers on the roster, a far cry the normal six or seven. Among these pass-catchers are free-agent pickup MarTay Jenkins, and rookie fifth- and sixth-round selections Jon Olinger and LaTarence Dunbar.

Jenkins, along with Quentin McCord are battling for the now vacant third receiver role. Dunbar brings another dimension to the squad as a special teams player in addition to his receiving duties and Olinger is the "flavor of the month now," according to offensive coordinator Pete Mangurian because of his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame that is similar to that of 49ers star Terrell Owens.

With the retirement of fullback Bob Christian, Justin Griffith, a fourth-round selection out of Mississippi State, aims to play substantial minutes during his rookie season. Mangurian believes Griffith (5-11, 232) is a triple threat in the backfield because of his ability to block, catch, and run out of a one-back set. While Griffith is in competition with second-year player George Layne for the starting spot, Mangurian thinks highly of his rookie's intellect.

"The key is that he makes adjustments," Mangurian said. "He has the toughness."

While the Falcons finished last season ranked 19th in yards per game allowed (333.4), the defense heavily relied on turnovers to keep the opposition off the scoreboard. The "Dirty Bird" D accrued 24 interceptions (3rd in NFL) and 47 sacks (tied for 4th in NFL) en route to allowing 19.6 points per game.

To boost the secondary, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips sought big, smart, fast, and active defensive backs to combat strong and tall NFL wide receivers. Among these physical speedsters, who are all between 5-11 and 6-1, are strong safety Cory Hall, cornerback Tyrone Williams, and second-round draft pick Bryan Scott. While Williams and Hall step into starting positions, Scott appears to be starting his rookie year backing up Williams.

At linebacker, free agent pass rusher, Keith Newman, reunites with former Bills coach Phillips. Newman displayed the ability to track down the quarterback in 2000 by posting eight sacks. Going into the season, it appears that Newman will get most of his opportunities during passing situations such as third down and second and long, but will also share time with incumbent Matt Stewart.

Fantasy Focus

Michael Vick is slipping to the third round in some expert drafts, but he's first-round material. Vick has the potential to be the first fantasy player in recent memory to score 400 points (based on traditional scoring systems). He averaged 25 points in his 10 best games last season and that projects to 400 over 16 games. For the remaining six, he averaged 15.5 in two games, missed one contest because of an injury, and struggled in two games vs. Tampa Bay's No. 1 defense and one against the Ravens. This season, Vick will make better decisions and be more consistent after gaining one full year of experience. He's been given a No. 1 wideout, Peerless Price, as well. Look for Vick's passing stats to jump this season and complement his amazing rushing stats. He'll be the top fantasy scorer in many weeks, propelling his owners to a win. It's not too early to take Vick with the overall sixth pick in the draft after LaDainian Tomlinson, Ricky Williams, Clinton Portis, Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

Outside of personnel, another addition was replacing the Georgia Dome's Astroturf surface for an artificial grass called FieldTurf. The new playing field costs $1.3 million for instillation, but feels more like grass than Astroturf because of its polyethylene blend, according to Georgia Dome public relations specialist John Julian. Similarly to Astroturf, FieldTurf is expected to benefit the Falcons because of their good team speed.

What they're missing?
Judging from last season's playoff run and this offseason's additions, it is clear the Falcons offense has speed and a diverse rushing and passing attack. What remains unproven is whether each member of the team learns his given role on the squad, according to Mangurian. Players must learn that everybody cannot always have the ball.

On defense, the Falcons were proficient at causing turnovers last season, but their 3-4 set was not successful at stopping the run, surrendering 127.9 yards per game (23rd in NFL). The defense has the tools necessary to improve this stat with inside linebackers Keith Brooking and Chris Draft, as well as defensive end Patrick Kerney, but it boils down to a matter of execution.

What it all means?
In terms of Vick, Mangurian believes that a NFL quarterback makes his biggest adjustments into the league during the second full year of play. The offense's success hinges on Vick's ability to trust his arm and increase his passing numbers.

Not to jump the gun, but the Falcons are contenders once again. Whether the addition of Price propels Atlanta to a Super Bowl is yet to be determined, but the squad has enough talent on both sides of the ball to challenge Tampa Bay for NFC South bragging rights.

Elliott A. Wiley, Jr. is an intern for ESPN.com and can be reached at Elliott.A.Wiley.-ND@espn3.com.