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According to those who follow the Falcons closely, head coach Jim Mora continues to maintain that Michael Vick will improve his completion percentage this year.

As the Sports Xchange noted earlier this month, Vick, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is often criticized for failing to become an accurate pocket passer. No one doubts Vick's arm strength, but many of his problems result from overthrowing targets or making hurried throws.

"He has an amazing arm, as you know, and he's going to be more accurate," Mora said. "Sometimes he throws so hard that the ball can get away from him. He wants to be a more consistent downfield passer."

Some say Vick, arguably the most dangerous running quarterback in league history, gives in too easily to the temptation of tucking the ball and taking off. If he uses more of the field, however, and looks to hit quick outs to receivers or short patterns to running backs, another world could open up.

"Look at Steve Young's progress early in his career," Mora said. "How long did it take him to become an accurate passer? As he learned and became more mature, he became more accurate. Mike's the same way.

"His accuracy improved from 52 percent to 56 percent and it's going to get more as he learns to take advantage of his checkdowns. ..."

Brian Finneran also expects more. Not just from Vick, but from the entire passing game. The veteran wideout advised reporters earlier this month that Atlanta will not have the NFL's 30th-ranked passing attack, as it did last season.

"I hope we throw the ball more," he said. "We're going to keep the same game plan as far as the running game goes. We led the league in rushing last season. [Vick] will continue to check down on the receivers and if the play is not there then he'll go with our running backs.

"That's what the West Coast offense is all about. If it looks like the deep ball is open, we'll go after it."

Of course, there will be no improvement whatsoever unless Vick remains upright throughout the season.

And as Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Steve Wyche suggested last Sunday, keeping his star signal caller healthy will be a priority this preseason with Mora all but certain to just as guarded with Vick as he was last year -- although he could play more than a few snaps in the exhibition opener against the Indianapolis Colts in Tokyo.

It's probably worth noting at this point that -- despite undergoing an MRI on June 28 -- all indications are Vick has not been bothered ongoing problems with the throwing shoulder he injured against Carolina on Dec. 18.

Wyche went on to remind readers that Atlanta had the NFL's top rushing offense last season, but they have to improve in the passing game to remain among the league's elite. Vick said incorporating the wide receivers more into the offense is vital and it is up to him to make things happen. He has put more pressure on himself to produce.

"I can't even explain how big a difference it is this year from last year as far as understanding the game in this offense," Vick told Wyche. "[That includes] where I have to go with my reads, what guys are going to be in this spot or are supposed to be in that spot. I've spent a lot of time this offseason working, putting time in the [playbook].

"When I step on the field, there's not much doubt where I'm going with the ball now. You'll never be perfect -- no one is -- but you can always make sure you try to be the best you can. ..."

Meanwhile. ... In an article published Monday, Associated Press sports writer Charles Odum reported that it's official: When Vick stood behind center for the first snap of team drills Monday, Michael Jenkins and Dez White were the first-team receivers.

Peerless Price and Finneran worked together as the second group of receivers. Roddy White, this year's first-round pick, has not yet signed.

Jenkins said he was told "a couple of days ago" that he would open camp as the starter.

"That's what we're going with so far," Jenkins said. "It's early right now. We'll see how it goes.

"I just want to come out here and continue to work and keep learning from the best and try to help this team as much as possible."

Jenkins did not have his first catch in his rookie season until Week 8 and he finished with only seven receptions for 119 yards. But according to Odum, the 6-foot-4, 217-pounder made a big impression on the coaching staff both with his audition at receiver and his work on special teams as a rookie.

"One of the reasons Michael Jenkins is getting the look he is getting is he demonstrated to us on special teams he is a tough guy and he will play aggressively and he will fight people," said Mora.

At least one teammate openly agreed with Mora's assessment.

Former Falcons first-round pick DeAngelo Hall has reportedly told some within the organization that Jenkins is going to surprise people this season with his speed, strength, toughness and production. Hall believes Jenkins is just waiting to explode.

Price on the other hand, has been criticized for his lack of aggressiveness and his shortage of big plays in his two seasons in Atlanta.

Odum went on to remind readers how the Falcons traded a first-round draft pick in 2003 to Buffalo for Price, who then signed a seven-year, $42 million contract. Price caught 64 passes, including only three for touchdowns, in 2003 and was second on the team with 45 receptions for 575 yards and three touchdowns last year.

"I feel like I missed a lot of opportunities to make plays last year," Price admitted.

With Buffalo, Price caught 16 scoring passes in the 2001-02 seasons, but in Atlanta he has had to adjust to a run-oriented offense with Vick, Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett.

Still, Mora says he wants more production from his receivers. He said earlier this summer the veteran Price would have to compete for a starting job and more motivation for Price came with the unveiling of the training camp depth chart.

Price insisted he sees this summer's challenge as no different from any other season.

"It's like that every year," he told Odum. "Every year you go into camp like that. I'm not one of those guys who feels like my job is secure ever.

"I feel good. I just want to go out there and make plays."

When asked what he believes he must do to retain the starting job, Jenkins said "Just make plays."

"When the ball comes my way, take advantage of it and get yards and help this team," Jenkins said. "Take advantage of the opportunity."

While Price has clearly come up short since his arrival in Atlanta, there are those who believe he doesn't deserve all the blame.

In an article published last Thursday, SportsLine.com senior writer Pete Prisco suggested there are some inside the Falcons building who think Price has been open more than his numbers indicate. They believe that Vick hasn't used him enough.

According to Prisco, the feeling is that Vick doesn't look to the receivers enough and instead uses tight end Alge Crumpler as his security blanket too much. That was something Price told Prisco late last season, although he didn't quite come out and blame Vick.

Instead, Price said to watch the tapes.

Word is those tapes show Price open and even though he appears to be down now, there are still those -- Prisco included -- who believe Price can and will turn things around.

I, however, already decided to cast my lot with Jenkins, having ranked him well ahead of Price in this year's Fantasy Football Pro Forecast magazine (and other FSP publications). The basic premise behind my assessment was and is simple.

For whatever reason (and the reason isn't really my concern), Price hasn't been able to deliver the big plays necessary to help Vick get on track. I believe Jenkins can.

He only caught seven passes last year, but three were good for 20 yards or better and one -- his first NFL reception -- went for 46 yards. I know what you're thinking: Three catches make for a pretty thin premise.

True enough; but given Price's failures as a Falcon, it's enough for me. ...

By the way. ... Jenkins might not be the only new starter on the outside in Atlanta.

Roddy White is currently listed as the No. 2 split end behind Dez White but after his impressive mini-camp and organized team activities this summer, some coaches said those roles could be reversed before the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against the visiting Eagles.

"The plan is for him to start," White's agent, Neil Schwartz, told Wyche early this month.

If that's the case, Atlanta would have one of the youngest starting receiving tandems in the league.

And in an article published July 21, NFL Network insider Adam Schefter added: "It also would be one of the most talented."

In fact, NFL.com staff writer Seth Polansky recently advised readers that Roddy White was one of the most electrifying players at the team's mini-camps. He is aiming to catch 60 passes this season and believes he can do it.

"I want to catch at least 60 passes this year and help out the offense any way I can," the newcomer told Polansky. "We want to get everything going on the outside so the inside can get even better. I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing. I want to strap my pads on and show everyone what I can really do."

I should point out that White's pre-season efforts didn't impress everybody.

According to Prisco -- again serving as the contrarian: "The word is that Roddy White didn't show as well as the Falcons say he did during the team's offseason work. In fact, some said he came across as a cocky player who needed to be taken down a peg. ..."

I'll also advise you that White was one of three Falcons draft picks holding out from Monday's season-opening practice after failing to reach contract terms by Sunday night.

And in an article published Monday, Wyche reported that general manager Rich McKay is none too pleased with the situation.

"In this system, there's absolutely no reason for a holdout," McKay said. "But I sit here [Sunday], after discussions and can't say I'm overly optimistic that the No. 1 [pick] will be in [today]. But that can change awfully quickly."

McKay said he did not foresee White staging a lengthy holdout but, "That potential is always there," he said.

I'll remind you, however, that even short holdouts can have a negative impact on young receivers. As Mora suggested Monday, "I think every day [Roddy White] misses is a day he can't get back. He missed 20 or 30 repetitions today he's never going to get back, 20 to 30 opportunities to learn."

I'll reserve judgement on the newcomer until he hits the field and shows his stuff. Either way, the Falcons have enough veteran talent on hand to negate his current absence and its possible long-term impact. ...

In a semi-related item. ... Regarding recent talk radio and Internet-fueled speculation that Atlanta would send a first-round pick to Philadelphia for disgruntled superstar Terrell Owens, one high-ranking member of the Falcons' front office scoffed.

"Yeah, and I guess they have us offering a $20 million signing bonus, too?" joked the official, who spoke with the Xchange on the condition of anonymity. "While we're at it, we might as well get him and do the same thing with Green Bay and acquire Javon Walker. Jeez."

Also of interest in Atlanta this morning. ...

Lest we get too caught up in all the buzz surrounding the team's passing attack, I'll remind you that the Falcons are coming off a 2004 season in which the team outrushed the passing offense by more than 200 yards.

This after Atlanta runners combined for a league-leading 2,672 yards.

Dunn and Duckett combined for 1,617 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns last year and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp knows critics will always claim one of them is underused, but what makes the arrangement with Dunn and Duckett unique is a friendship they began as soon as they became teammates in 2002.

"I had the exact situation in San Francisco with [Kevan] Barlow and [Garrison] Hearst, but that was less than ideal because you couldn't keep both guys happy," Knapp explained. "Here, it's viewed as a blessing because Warrick and T.J. both understand their roles and execute their responsibilities. There's no hard feelings.

"The thing is every team needs two healthy backs because of injuries. Guys usually get hurt and that affects what you're trying to do."

As for how the rotation will work this year, McKay was less-than-committal when asked about the situation early in June:

"Well, it's hard to say that Duckett's going to get more carries because of how effective Warrick was and I'm a big Warrick Dunn guy. But I would say this -- T.J. had a nice year. He averaged five yards a carry; he was very effective when called upon, whether it was short yardage, whether it was goal line or whether it was to close out the game.

"And I think he's earned the right to have the ball more and the only problem is, you give him the ball more, you've got to give the ball less to Warrick, which is not something we're looking to do. So to me, it's a great problem to have.

"Let it solve itself the way it did last year, which is let's go through preseason, let's start the season, let's see how we have success running the ball and then we'll see where the carries fall.

"Let's not try and predict it right now."

Of course, I'm more willing to go out on a limb than McKay. And my money is on Dunn getting more work -- and production.

In case you missed it, Dunn started all 16 games for the first time as a Falcon and set career highs with nine rushing touchdowns and a career-high 265 carries. Even with a career-low 29 catches in 2004, Dunn still had 294 touches from scrimmage, his most ever.

Despite a slow start last fall, which he attributes to his 2003 foot injury, Dunn's 1,106 yards rushing fell just below his personal-best 1,133 with Tampa Bay in 2000.

Every year Dunn says he has to convince doubters that he's at his best with 20 or more carries. He points to three 1,000-yard seasons and the fact he's topped the 900-yard mark two other times as further evidence.

Still, Duckett scored eight touchdowns last year and there's reason to believe his role will grow this year. According to the Sporting News, Duckett was told to concentrate on running the ball and pass protection the last two years.

Position coach Ollie Wilson wanted Duckett to excel in these areas before taking on the responsibility of route running. Finally, late last season, Wilson removed a restriction that previously limited Duckett catching only screen passes. Although he only caught three passes, Duckett ran crisp routes and demonstrated the ability to separate from defenders, aided in part by his large size.

Anything that gets him more snaps, including receiving, obviously works in Duckett's favor. The coaching staff's desire to keep Vick from running as much as last year -- he racked up a whopping 902 yards on the ground (third all time for a quarterback in a single season) -- should also help.

But until I actually see Duckett make progress this summer, I'll continue to tout Dunn as the better overall Fantasy prospect. ...

And finally. ...

As the Xchange framed it Monday, "Mora's second season in Atlanta and 21st overall in the NFL is unlike any other." That's because Falcons owner Arthur Blank spent millions of dollars to add five buildings on the north side of the 50-acre complex.

Four of the buildings include condominiums that will accommodate four players, all of whom have individual bedrooms while sharing a small kitchen and two bathrooms. A fifth building houses a second cafeteria, a recreation room and a lounge replete with pool tables, televisions and other top-notch video technology.

"I'm ready for this," an impressed Crumpler understated.

Blank even added an outdoor pool to give players a respite from the oppressive heat and humidity, but what excites Mora is the on-site proximity of the club's year-round headquarters.

"Our facility is unparalleled. Anywhere you go, it's a step down," Mora said. "I know in the old days everyone said you needed to get away to build camaraderie, but we already have that. Our guys have been working together since we started our offseason conditioning program on, what, March 22? That's a long time.

"Now with our new dorms, we can take advantage of everything we're accustomed to during the season. The guys who run our film and video technology and our equipment guys and trainers no longer have to pack everything up and leave for three weeks.

"It's a huge advantage for us."

Hard to argue the point; it certainly won't hurt.