Vick missed last season after pleading guilty to funding a dogfighting ring and helping kill some of the dogs. His replacements at quarterback had their moments, but the Falcons finished 4-12.
With Vick serving a 23-month prison sentence, new coach Mike Smith said the Falcons need help at the position.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis today, Smith said, ``In this league, I think the teams that are successful have great quarterbacks. If you look at the playoff teams from this past season, the majority of them have outstanding quarterbacks. I think it's a quarterback-driven league. I think we have to look at all avenues in terms of free agency and the college draft. There are a number of young quarterbacks at the combine that we have a lot of interest in.''
Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich and Chris Redman filled in for Vick last year. Harrington has struggled in Detroit, Miami and Atlanta; Redman has ten career starts in five years; and the Falcons cut Leftwich this month.
With the third overall pick in the draft, the Falcons have the flexibility to wheel and deal or take a top prospect, perhaps at quarterback.
Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, widely considered the top quarterback prospect, says he wouldn't mind playing in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Smith said he was disappointed to hear reports that cornerback DeAngelo Hall no longer wants to play for the Falcons.
Hall told reporters at the combine yesterday that he doesn't want to stay in Atlanta after learning the Falcons might trade him.
Smith said, ``I'm really sorry that DeAngelo feels that way. It's our policy not to make comments on speculative roster moves, and that's a speculative roster move. I think he's an outstanding player.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/2/207293