Shawn Jefferson is the biggest name in the group, and he averaged about 40 catches during his first 11 seasons. The other starter is Brian Finneran, who was cut by two other teams.
The Falcons also have Trevor Gaylor, who has 31 catches during his three-year career and Darrin Chiaverini, traded by Cleveland and cut by Dallas before landing in Atlanta. The newest member of the group, Quentin McCord, was promoted this week from the practice squad.
``We know that people picked us to be the worst receiving corps in the league,'' Finneran said. ``We have no big-name receivers, for the most part, but we try to take it and use it to our advantage.''
Certainly, the Falcons (4-3) have no one who sends shivers through opposing defensive backs when Vick drops back to throw. As a group, they have combined for 41 catches this season. Sixteen other receivers in the league have that total all by themselves.
The numbers are a bit skewed because Willie Jackson, the team's third-leading receiver with 18 receptions, was cut on Monday.
Jackson was the Falcons' most prominent receiver, catching 81 passes for more than 1,000 yards in New Orleans last season. But he was unhappy with his role in the Falcons' offense, so they let him go rather than risk messing up the team's chemistry.
Atlanta has won three in a row and four of five to emerge as a serious playoff contender in the NFC.
``Willie was very dissatisfied with how much attention he was getting,'' coach Dan Reeves said Wednesday. ``When you've got a young quarterback who's learning the passing game, I'd rather him go through his reads and go through his progression rather than worry about trying to get someone the football.''
Having dumped Jackson, Reeves insists he is comfortable with the guys who are left. Especially Jefferson, an intense, vocal leader who has overachieved much of his career.
Having fought and clawed just to stay in the league, Jefferson isn't in this thing for personal glory. He has only 11 receptions but is averaging 19.1 yards each time he gets the ball.
``What matters to us more than anything is having more points than the other team at the end of the game,'' he said. ``We don't care who has the catches. Winning, that's what drives us.''
The 26-year-old Finneran wasn't drafted by anyone after being a star at Division I-AA Villanova. He was released by Seattle, spent a season in NFL Europe, then was cut by Philadelphia.
With the Falcons, Finneran began to emerge as a big-play performer last year, averaging 21.3 yards a catch. This season he's leading the team with 26 receptions, catching three of Atlanta's five touchdown passes.
Finneran doesn't have blazing speed, but he's got enviable size (6-foot-5) and jumping ability.
``Brian had a great year last year, and we felt like all he needed was an opportunity,'' Reeves said. ``He's just going to get better the more he plays.''
With the freewheeling Vick taking snaps, opponents often find themselves devoting as much attention to containing the quarterback at they do maintaining coverages.
Vick's speed and elusiveness helps compensate for his receivers' shortcomings.
``The way it is with Michael Vick, no one is going to catch 80 or 90 balls,'' cornerback Ray Buchanan said. ``They have to be shared. Right now, we need guys who are scavengers, guys who are willing to pick up the garbage.''
Also, Vick relies heavily on his running backs and tight ends to be an integral part of the passing game. Warrick Dunn is second on the team with 23 catches, and Alge Crumpler ranks fourth with 15 receptions.
In that environment, the Falcons believe they can get by with a no-name group of receivers.
``You've heard of guys coming out of the woodwork,'' Vick said. ``This is a chance for guys to step up and make a name for themselves.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/10/188301