Backup plan

Vick's injury doesn't mean Atlanta's season is over

Before I get to Browns coach Butch Davis' gutsy -- but logical -- move of picking Kelly Holcomb over Tim Couch as his starting quarterback, let's discuss the biggest news of this preseason -- Michael Vick's injury.

First of all, I'm not writing off the Atlanta Falcons. Not at all.

There are several reasons why I still believe in the Falcons. Vick is expected to miss only one quarter of the season because of a broken right fibula. That's the first reason. And the Atlanta backfield of Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett can still carry more than a third of the offensive load, as they did last year. That's another. And, as Falcons coach Dan Reeves told me over the phone late Sunday afternoon: "Nothing's happened to our special teams, and nothing's happened to our defense, and we feel like both of those units are pretty good. I've been involved in this game a long time, and it's not often that losing one person for a few games costs a team its season." That's another reason: Players don't like it when one guy on their team is set apart as the total reason why they win. Hearing that about Vick has chafed some of his Falcons teammates. Not that they don't like Mike. They love him. Great team guy, gutsy teammate every Sunday. But other Falcons get a little tired of hearing that the flashy QB is the whole team, and I can guarantee you that they're going to work particularly hard to prove they can win without him.

The other reason I think the Falcons still have a chance has something to do with the tone of Vick's replacement, Doug Johnson, whom I spoke with Sunday morning. Atlanta's new starting QB was bold. Confident. Sure of himself. Has no doubts about whether he can do the job. Thirteen hours after he walked into the huddle and took over for The Man for the next six to eight weeks, I asked him if he'd had any trouble sleeping now that he had the fate of a playoff contender in his hands for the first time.

"Nah," Johnson said, speaking from his home in suburban Atlanta. "I mean, we've got some family over at the house, and so there's kids running around, but I usually get up the same time every week. No different today."

That's how Johnson is taking this. No difference.

"I've never considered myself a backup quarterback," he said. "I consider myself a quarterback. When you're a quarterback, and you're in my position of being behind a great quarterback, you still have to prepare every week like you're going to take the biggest test in your life -- and you really have no idea if you're going to get to take it. But you still have to prepare. You have to stay ready. Our quarterback coach says, 'Stay ready so you never have to get ready.' That's the way I take this now. Now I'm finally going to take that test."

When the Falcons talk about Johnson, they speak of a guy who plays with inordinate confidence for someone whose professional resume isn't that thick. Johnson has had a pretty interesting career so far. His amateur resume is pretty good. He grew up in Gainesville, Fla., in the shadow of Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators program, and earned high-school All-America honors as a senior. But he was a better baseball player. As a senior infielder/pitcher in 1996, he batted .407 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs, while going 7-1 with an 0.98 ERA. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays took him in the second round of the June 1996 draft. Johnson worked out a deal in which he played baseball in the Rays' minor league system in the summer before going to the major league Gators (just kidding ... sort of) in the fall. He once batted against former Cy Young winner David Cone in a spring game.

The baseball experiment lasted two years. It ended, Johnson said, "because my heart and soul was into being the quarterback at Florida. It's funny, because I always thought I'd be a baseball player. But it was pretty tough. Baseball's a game of failure. If you fail seven out of 10 times at the plate, you're considered a good player. But it was hard for me to make outs. If I have a bad at-bat, I'm pissed off."

As a quarterback, Johnson had a passable arm, not much mobility, and just OK accuracy (55.6 percent during his four years at Florida). But the lessons he learned under Spurrier will be with him forever, he says. "Even thought I wasn't drafted coming out of college, I felt I came out ahead of everyone in my draft class mentally because of what you go through as a quarterback under Coach Spurrier. He's a passing-game genius. He challenges you to be better every single day. The big thing I learned at Florida is to go into every game with confidence that you'll succeed."

Johnson signed with Atlanta as an free agent in 2000 because he saw an opportunity there. Vick wasn't with the team yet. Even after the No. 1 pick of the 2001 draft arrived, Johnson's stock rose. He beat the Giants in a must-win game last year when Vick was sidelined. And when Johnson's contract expired after last season, the Falcons had a choice. Because Johnson was a free agent, they could offer him the minimum salary and he could sign with any team, with Atlanta receiving no compensation in return. Or the Falcons could offer him a contract tender of $1.35 million and, if another team signed him, they would get a first-round pick in return. Obviously, no one was going to pay a first-round pick for Doug Johnson, but the price shows how much the Falcons valued him -- and how much the club thought it needed a backup who knew the system and the talent around him. It may not seem very important to the outside world, but because Vick risks serious injury in every game, Atlanta had darned well better have a good backup in place in the event of ... well, in the event of a night like Saturday, when the football lights went out in Georgia.

"I've been here four years now," Johnson said, "and I know this offense. I know what needs to be done. We'll still be a contender. I don't feel any different today than I did yesterday. I was a leader on this team before this happened and I'm going to be a leader now."

Last point: Johnson was a 65-percent passer last year. I think he'll be efficient enough to go 3-1 in September and keep the seat nice and warm for Vick.

... New England's new pass-rusher Rosevelt Colvin, an offseason free-agent acquisition who will likely be an every-down player on a defense that will thrive on free substitution. He's slated to play right outside linebacker in the regular defense, and right end in nickel and dime situations.

MMQB: It sounds like the Patriots will move you around to take advantage of your quickness. How do you feel about switching positions?

Colvin: I just play where they tell me. They tell me to sweep the floors, and I'll get the broom. Tedy Bruschi lines up at three sports, [Dan] Klecko's playing five, I think. Whatever it takes is fine with us.

MMQB: You seem confident you'll have a great year. Are you?

Colvin: Regardless of what scheme they put me or where they play me, I feel I'll have a big years. One of the reasons I came here is because it's such a great defense to play in.

MMQB: How does it feel to join an established defense with good players and fit right in?

Colvin: They've got names for days here. What I like is how everyone here is focused on playing well, whatever their role. The thing that coach [Bill] Belichick has done is assemble so many players who can do so many different things. It's fun to see how we're all going to fit together.

One night during the offseason, Jon Bon Jovi played Dallas. Bill Parcells went to the show. Parcells and his former defensive coordinator with the Giants, Bill Belichick, have always been big Bon Jovi fans. Bon Jovi, who grew up in New Jersey, bleeds Giant blue. (Quick side story: Parcells created some ill will by letting Bon Jovi into the Patriots' walkthrough practice the day before coaching the Pats against Green Bay in the Super Bowl a few years ago, while not allowing a bigwig banker friend of Bob Kraft's into the same practice.) Anyway, before the Bon Jovi concert in Dallas, Parcells brought a couple of Cowboys shirts backstage to give to some of the guys in the band.

I hear Bon Jovi was uncomfortable with the offer.

I hear he told Parcells: "Bill, I can't do it."

A Giants' guy just can't bring himself to wear Cowboy stuff. Ever.

From far and wide, about topics hither and yon. Time to log on and opine.

WELL, NOW YOU'VE REALLY ARRIVED. From Floyd Jefferson of Tempe, Ariz.: Enjoyed meeting you, and thanks for signing my towel. I have it hanging in my den on the wall next to some other sports memorabilia (baseballs, footballs and a Richard Petty-signed racing tire).

Me and King Richard. Wow.

YOU ARE, HOWEVER, IGNORANT ABOUT THE WASHINGTON SECONDARY. From Kyle of Los Angeles: Fred Smoot better than Champ Bailey last year? That may just be the most ridiculous thing you've ever written. I mean, did you even watch the Skins play last year?

Yes. Twice. I think Smoot sticks to the receiver better, and I love his feistiness. And come on! I wrote a year ago that fantasy players should take Danny Wuerffel as their quarterback. That's a lot more ridiculous than than saying Smoot had a better year than Bailey.

ORLANDO PACE NEEDS TO HAVE HIS HEAD EXAMINED. From Jim Hacking of St. Louis: I take issue with you saying that Duce Staley is engaged in the dumbest holdout. I believe that award should go to Orlando Pace. Everyone in St. Louis likes to blame this on Carl Poston (Pace's idiot agent), but in my book, the responsibility rests solely on Orlando. He's just being greedy. Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Kurt Warner and Isaac Bruce all took a little bit less money to keep the offensive nucleus together. The Rams have made a similar offer to Pace, but he wants crazy money.

My buddy Howard Balzer made a great and similar point about Pace in USA Today Sports Weekly last week. You're right. In order to keep a great offense together, every member has to take a little bit less than he could score on the open market. Pace wants to fight that principle. I know the Rams are fed up with him right now, but there's not a lot they can do except hold the line and know he won't miss a paycheck; he'll give in before the opener at the Giants three weeks from now.

THIS FELLOW IS A LITTLE COOKED IN THE HEAD. From Dean Rohwer of Mesa, Ariz.: I hate to tell you this, but it is hot at Sun Devil Stadium in October and November, too. Try sitting on the metal bleachers after bringing your sunblock, hat and personal mistmaker. You also have to stay away from the dehydrating beer and soda. I've heard national reporters bash Cardinals fans for the empty stadium. There may not be a lot of season-ticket holders (such as myself), but what we lack in quantity, we make up for in quality. It takes a special fan to sit in that hot stadium for four hours and root for that team. You know, the type of person you would likely find in a mental hospital.

Dean, I have to say I respect you and your fellow fanatics. You made some noise last week, and someday you'll have a real stadium you can take some pride in. You know what I thought was sad, by the way, at that game? When I walked by a souvenir stand before the game, there were two authentic jerseys for sale -- No. 11 and No. 22, with "BLAKE" and "E.SMITH" on the back. Sad that the state of your team is that two largely ignored free agents step in and become your marquee players, almost by default.

YOU ARE INCONSISTENT, AND I THINK YOU MIGHT BE REALLY WRONG. From Mark Freeman of Framingham, Mass.: Could the following two statements come from the same person? You wrote, regarding the Chad Morton arbitration case, 'This stinks because, even if arbitrator Richard Bloch is as fair and honest and noble as Mother Teresa, there is no way on God's green earth that he should be adjudicating a case involving a team to which he has obvious ties.' And you wrote, regarding NFL officials not being allowed to gamble, 'I must be naive. I don't see it being that much of a danger.' If there is no way a highly respected arbitrator can make a ruling based on the fact that he has season tickets, how can you take officials' gambling so lightly? I just find it funny that a season ticket would corrupt someone where money wouldn't.

A little apple-and-orangish, Mark. I ask you two questions: If you went to court over a piece of disputed property, and you found the opposing counsel and the judge were quasi-pals who had kids on the same Little League team, would you want him adjudicating your case? And if you were in Las Vegas, and met an NFL head linesman at the Luxor's dinner buffet, would you worry about NFL games being tainted? I believe the answers are no and no. Even if Richard Bloch were the fairest man on the planet -- and I'm sure he is one of them -- I wouldn't want him deciding a case if one of the teams involved were a team he apparently has quite a rooting interest in.

I BEG YOU. WE'RE ON A BEARS ISLAND OUT HERE, AND YOU'RE IGNORING THEM. WRITE ABOUT THE BEARS! From Patrick Allen of Menlo Park, Calif.: Do you ever plan on covering the Bears? And I mean the Chicago Bears, not the Montclair Bears. You have zero coverage of them.

Sorry, Patrick. You're right. In training camp, I tend to write most about the teams I've seen, and I haven't seen the Bears. My assignments this year have been focused on doing six NFL preview stories about teams other than the Bears for Sports Illustrated's 2003 NFL preview issue, which hits newstands Aug. 28th., and then I was called to do Emmitt Smith and Bill Parcells stories in the meantime, plus another longer story for the preview. In order to do all those, I can't get to all the camps that I'd like to see. But I will give my two opinions on the Bears right now: One, they will regret letting Rosevelt Colvin go to New England in free agency -- just look at the trouble they're having getting a replacement to even stay on the field. Two, I do not like what I hear about the right tackle spot. Aaron Gibson? Kordell Stewart had better be ready to ramble.

1. I think this is my take on Holcomb-Couch: Nice job, Butch. Really nice job. Davis said he picked Kelly Holcomb over Tim Couch because of a gut feeling. What I like about the decision is Davis could have copped out and chosen the money guy, but he knew he'd be doing a disservice to himself, his team and his players because he couldn't in any way justify saying Couch was the best guy after he had a lousy preseason while Holcomb was coming off a rip-roaring end of last season and summer. I saw it. The players saw it. The fans saw it. Couch is a hell of a guy and a good teammate and a nice player. But you know it and I know it: He has played too mechanically, and Holcomb has played like a football player. Great call.

2. I think I have one more thought on Holcomb-Couch. I keep hearing how it's going to be so hard for Couch to suppress his ego and come off the bench. Bullcrap! In the NFL, the best players play. Period. Holcomb was the best player, and he should play. If he stinks, Couch should play. End of story.

3. I think there are a couple of points I'd like to make after spending time with the Cowboys while writing last week's Sports Illustrated cover story on Bill Parcells:

a. It's so quiet on the sidelines at Cowboys training camp in San Antonio that you can hear almost everything Parcells says. "Ram-BO!!! Ram-BO!!! What's the play, Ram-BO?!!! What's the play?" Parcells yelled one afternoon a couple of weeks ago. Uh-oh. Ken-Yon Rambo, a receiver fighting for a roster spot, wasn't paying attention to what's being run on the field. Parcells caught him, and Rambo had no idea what the play was. "Everybody! Down to the end and back!" With that, Parcells dispatched 82 players to run 70 yards to the end zone, and 70 yards back. It kind of reminded me of high school practices, when one guy screwed up and everyone paid for it. Well, that's what Cowboys camp is like -- high school. As I wrote in SI, Parcells is teaching both the players and the coaches (only one of his 15 assistants has been on a Parcells staff before), and so for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, his is the only coaching voice you'll hear. And because it's so quiet here -- last year, there was a mascot riding all over the field, a loud scoreboard, an announcer and HBO's Hard Knocks cameras everywhere -- you can hear him designing plays, calling out situations, spilling code words ... coaching, in other words. Coaching his rear end off.

I've known Parcells for a long time, but I couldn't figure out why he kept looking over at me during one of the four practices I watched while I prepared to write the SI story. He didn't seem happy when he glanced my way. After this particular practice, he pulled me aside and said, "Now listen, you can't write those code words I was using out there, understand? That's strategy. I don't mind you writing about practice, but don't give away anything. I saw you out there."

Well, obviously I wasn't going to write the particular word he used to signal in a personnel group to prompt a particular play-call. Over the years, covering football, you learn that certain things are off limits, such as these code words that actually signal a specific play. It would be like covering a baseball team and writing what the third-base coach's signals mean. But this was a case of Parcells not wanting to leave things to chance.

b. I've seen this before with Parcells. Usually the word "micromanager" is a negative one when it's used in reference to a head coach. I thought Mike Holmgren got involved far too deeply in the Walter Jones talks last year, to the detriment of his preparation for training camp work. And Parcells is a micromanager, down to assigning who stands on the sidelines during games and who doesn't, down to assigning how cold (and uncomfortable) he wants the trainers' room kept, so it won't be a place for players to hang out. Until he gets everything just so in Dallas, he will rule over everything, and I mean everything.

c. People have asked me if this thing with Jerry Jones and Parcells will work. I can't say with certainty, but I think it will. I imagine there will be brushfires, lots of them, but I believe, as old Parcells friend Chuck Fairbanks told me here, that each man desperately needs the other. Parcells needs Jones because Jerry has the money (his deal is $17 million over four years, but I think Parcells will probably coach only three and still get all the dough) and the keys to a marquee franchise in need of fixing, an opportunity Parcells craves. Jones needs Parcells because he's trying to get stadium suites re-booked in the next three years, he's trying to get a new stadium built soon and won't be able to do it with public money if his team keeps going 5-11 every year. Plus, he's dying to win now.

I quoted Parcells in the SI story as saying he wants to leave Jones with something good whenever he does end his tenure in Dallas. Ladies and gentleman, that is the key to this entire exercise. Let's look at what has happened to each team in the wake of Parcells' departure. The Giants, Patriots and Jets were pretty poor teams when Parcells took over, obviously, but none have gone back to the poorhouse after the Tuna's departure. Maybe it's a coincidence, but check out the records of the three franchises A.P. (After Parcells):

Giants (12 years, four playoff appearances): 112-96-1.
Patriots (six years, three playoff appearances): 56-46.
Jets (three years, two playoff appearances): 29-22.

d. I think Jones is buying the longterm effect of Parcells. At least that's what he told me. Give me a fish, I eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I eat for a lifetime. Refresh the organization, teach the coaches and scouts how to win, and the Parcells effect should be felt around the Cowboys organization for many years.

Now, is it possible that Parcells has lost his touch? Sure. Is it conceivable that he won't be the controlling, autocratic presence who figures out a way to win in Dallas? Sure. Or is it imaginable that these players are so far below the NFL winning standard at positions like quarterback and running back and defensive end that it'll take a three- or four-year rebuilding job just to get the Cowboys back to .500? Sure.

But after watching this team for four practices, and given Parcells' track record, I doubt he has lost it. I would say he will have a harder time he thought going in building the offensive line, because Larry Allen is too old and too creaky, and I will say Parcells probably will reach the conclusion by November that he needs to go get himself a quarterback for 2004 and beyond. So I don't think Dallas will be very good this year. Maybe 6-10 if Parcells and special teams guru Bruce DeHaven can get can get the kicking game going. Bringing Parcells in is not, however, about this year. If you're a Cowboys fan, that's the thing you need to understand most. "If I do a good job as owner," Jones told me, "and utilize what Bill brings to the table, then I'll be able to maximize Bill's time here for the future of the Dallas Cowboys. I want to extend his effect on this franchise long after he leaves the Cowboys."

4. I think the Raiders have to be wild right now over the terrific play of rookie running back Justin Fargas. The USC product leads everyone in the NFL in rushing this preseason -- by a mile -- with 198 yards on 35 carries, and he has looked just as impressive running outside as he has banging his 220 pounds inside. In the Giants Stadium press box Friday night, I ran into Pat Kirwan, the former Jet scout and SI.com NFL peer, who is now with NFL.com. "You talk about strength," Kirwan said. "Last year, Justin played at 198 (pounds) at USC. I walked into the weight room at USC and saw a sign on the wall with bench press levels. Justin benched 475, more than twice his body weight. This is a strong, strong kid."

5. I think this is the most interesting view of Jeremy Shockey I heard this week, from a scout on a team that thought seriously about picking him in the 2002 draft: "I met him at the University of Miami, then met him at the combine, so I got to talk with him twice. Outstanding player. Tremendous competitiveness. Really, really wants to be good. Tremendous confidence. But he may be self-destructive in certain ways. You could tell by talking to him he was a loose cannon and emotionally immature. If you can channel that immaturity in the right direction and work on his life off the field, you'll have a good player for quite a while. That's what I thought. What he said about Parcells [calling him 'the homo' in a magazine article last week] is disgusting. Have some respect. You're living the lifestyle you're living right now in the greatest game in the world because guys like Bill Parcells and coaches and players before him paved the way for you."

6. I think the marriage of Marvin Lewis and Corey Dillon in Cincinnati might be on the rocks. And I think Lewis had better find a way to make that one work.

7. I think these are my quick-hit thoughts about the past weekend of NFL action:

a. Let me say this about Shockey's hold on Giants Nation: Walking from parking area 13-C at the Meadowlands Friday night (300 yards from the stadium) through the mass of Big Blue humanity, I would say I saw twice as many Shockey jerseys as every other Giants players jerseys combined. That place loves him.

b. Chris Weinke looked pretty good the other night. Sounds like Panthers coach John Fox has no use for him, however.

c. Jacksonville's David Garrard is an awfully interesting quarterback prospect. He's had a terrific camp, and is doing more than just carrying the clipboard for starter Mark Brunell. Friday night Garrard went 12-for-17 for 135 yards passing against Miami. Nice athlete, good arm, pretty fearless in the pocket. I wonder how Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio will handle things if Brunell struggles and he has to make a pitching change. I bet he gives first dibs to Garrard. And I bet someone will pay something for Garrard in the offseason, something pretty good.

d. Giants backup QB Jesse Palmer might be terrible. Jim Fassel's got to be nervous knowing he's only one snap away from turning to Palmer. The other night, on his first series, Palmer fell and was sacked by Carolina's Greg Favors. On the same series, on third-and-10, he threw a two-yard out route to well-covered tight end Darnell Dinkins. Incomplete. Sheesh. And this guy played for Spurrier?

e. New England DT Ty Warren has two sacks in two games. The Patriots are starting to like all these disparate pieces they have running around on defense. Just watch -- Dan Klecko will have five sacks this year.

f. Nice game, Santana Moss. String a few of those together, and stay healthy, and we'll forget ol' whatshisname down in Washington.

g. I can't see the Redskins winning nine games.

h. I do see the Eagles winning 12 again.

i. I read this weekend where Duce Staley -- in an open letter posted on his Web site -- said he is holding out because he wants to see where he stands in 2004 with the Eagles. That is an embarrassment, really. Duce, I have one year left on my deal with HBO. I want to know where I stand with them in 2004. So you know what? I think, even though I have a contract for THIS year, I'm not going to show up when the show starts shooting in September. I'm going to hold out and force them to give me a new contract for 2004 and beyond. Let's see how that goes. I'll tell you how that would go, Duce. I'd be on the street, on my ear, and not only would I not be a free agent after this year, they'd rightfully prevent me from working anywhere in 2004, too. Just like the Eagles could do with you. The strange thing here is every player wants to be a free agent and see what he's worth, right? It looks to me like Staley doesn't. If he's so mad at the Eagles for not giving him a long-term deal, why not work through this year and hit the open market? Because, methinks, Staley knows no one out there is going to pay a 3.9-yard-per-carry guy big money. And he's right.

j. I think I put the Vikings defense on the pedestal too fast. Too liberal at Kansas City, fellas. Tighten up.

k. "I'm sick for him and sick for this team," said Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis after losing one of the five best players on his team, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, to a knee injury Saturday night in San Diego. He should also be sick for a league that plays too many meaningless August games no one cares about.

8. I think the continuing deification of Chester McGlockton puzzles me to no end. The latest example comes from Jets coach Herman Edwards. The Jets signed an overweight and out-of-shape McGlockton before training camp, and this is the extent of his contribution to the cause so far: two plays in three preseason games. Yet every quote I read about McGlockton in the New York papers is beyond laudatory. Edwards said in a story in Sunday's New York Times: "Last time I checked, no one can block him." Well, someone over the years must have blocked him. Let's do some math. McGlockton has played in 163 NFL games as, purportedly, a knifing and disruptive NFL defensive tackle. He has 50 sacks. Nice total. Not Canton-worthy, but nice. Let's just say for a moment that he has been on the field for an average of 20 pass plays per game in his career. I am probably being conservative there; I'm sure it's more. But let's call it 20. That means he has had 50 sacks on 3,260 pass plays. Herm, I'd say the big fella's been blocked a few times. Like 3,210 times.

9. I think we haven't heard the end of the Jeff Garcia injured-back story. Not by a long, long shot.

10. I think these are my non-football thoughts of the week:

a. I don't know where I'd be without NPR in the morning. It adds so much to my life.

b. Saw a stat this week that Ichiro is batting 78 points higher against lefties than righties. As a former left-handed stick, I must tell you what an amazing accomplishment that is.

c. After watching Tim Hudson two-hit the Red Sox last week (two infield hits, no Bostonian reached second, 98 pitches), I find it hard to believe there's a more deserving Cy Young candidate, regardless of the fact he has only 12 wins. He's 12-4, with a 2.48 ERA. "I can't count more than five pitches tonight that didn't do exactly what he wanted them to do," said Boston TV man Jerry Remy on NESN.

d. Are you ready for some field hockey? Get ready. Tomorrow starts two-a-days for the 2003 Montclair (N.J.) High Mounties field hockey team, captained by Mary Beth King and Chelsea Mullarney.

e. Coffeenerdness: Mea culpa. I stand corrected by many good readers who saw me rip Jake's for a bad latte last week. Indeed, a latte is supposed to be only espresso and steamed milk, with no foam. Starbucks adds a foamy cap, to which I've grown accustomed. You readers are right. I should have ripped Jake's for the quality of the latte -- very poor -- not for making the latte incorrectly by international standards.

f. Hey, Chris Mortensen! Wow, what happened? Get well! All the best to you, Mort. You've got to stick around to see a redshirt college season, and then four more good ones from your pride and joy. Really, be well.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to SI.com. Monday Morning Quarterback appears in this space every week. Click here to send him a comment.