Everything hinges on Jamal Anderson's comeback from the knee injury. So far his knee appears sound. But can he hold up in the running game and be a factor in the passing game? Anderson needs to be an integral part of the offense. Two years ago he was the all-time workhorse, setting the NFL record for rushing attempts in a season. It was no coincidence that the Falcons got to the Super Bowl.

For all the problems the 1999 season held, and they were numerous, the Falcons' greatest failures stemmed from their rushing offense (which slipped from sixth in the NFL in '98 to 30th) and rushing defense (which tumbled from second to 29th).

Add the league's worst turnover ratio, a slew of injuries and a loss of confidence, and you've got the recipe for a 5-11 season -- just one year after a Super Bowl appearance.

Consequently, there was more hitting in training camp than head coach Dan Reeves has employed in years.

"That's the only way I know to get better at blocking and tackling," Reeves said. "If we're going to be the team we think we can be, we've got to be better running it and stopping the run."

Obviously, the return to health of RB Jamal Anderson would be a huge step in the right direction, although a revamped offensive line may leave him wondering whom he's running behind.

In '98, the Falcons led the NFL with 44 takeaways. Last season they were last with 18. And the run defense? Argh! The big offseason move on defense was to add unrestricted free-agent CB Ashley Ambrose. The thinking is that he'll enable the defense to play man coverage on both sides of the field (Ambrose's buddy, Ray Buchanan, plays the other CB spot) and gamble more up front. The problem will come if the Falcons have to gamble all the time to generate a pass rush.

A change in attitude seems in place to date, as camp and a 3-0 preseason start picked up spirits, even though Anderson's surgically repaired right knee was not where he wanted it to be at presstime.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Anderson wasn't the only sore offensive star on the Falcons in '99. Chris Chandler missed four entire games, and parts of several others, and never got in sync. He's been a very happy camper so far this summer, pleased with the addition of free-agent wide receiver Shawn Jefferson. The 34-year-old Chandler never stopped throwing a nice deep ball; they just stopped getting caught. His 83.5 passer rating last year was quite respectable, but he had a hard time -- as is his wont -- staying upright. This season the Falcons seem better equipped to function if he's absent. Danny Kanell has grown into the offense after a dreadful start last year, and Tony Graziani seems to have picked up confidence playing in NFL Europe. They're competing for the No. 2 job, and the loser may get cut. Reeves loves rookie free agent Doug Johnson and likely will keep him as a developmental project.
Grade: B-

Running backs: Anderson missed the final 141½ games last year, and the Falcons missed him in a way words can't describe. While rushing for 1,846 yards in '98, Anderson enabled Atlanta to lead the NFL in time of possession, and he helped set up a deep passing game that was shockingly efficient. If Anderson and his partner in bashing, fullback Bob Christian, are healthy, the Falcons are going to be smiling. But Anderson's rehab has been frustrating at times, and Christian has had a litany of injuries in his NFL career. Atlanta is better equipped to go without Anderson, at least for a short while, with the addition of former Lion Ron Rivers and surprising rookie free agent Maurice Smith, a 6-0, 238-pounder with speed. Byron Hanspard, Ken Oxendine, Winslow Oliver and Gary Downs were competing for spots.
Grade: B-