Start with [Michael Vick]. One of this preseason's great debates is whether Vick will prosper in the West Coast offense installed by the Falcons' new braintrust -- head coach Jim Mora Jr. and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.

Mora and Knapp, in fact, may liberate Vick. Among quarterbacks attempting at least 500 passes during the last three seasons, Vick ranks last in completion percentage at 52.2, a rate that should improve markedly with the West Coast's short- and mid-range throws.

Across the Bay from San Francisco in Oakland toils [Ronald Curry], forever linked to Vick from their high school days, Curry at Hampton, Vick at Ferguson and Warwick. Curry was the better quarterback, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise, but injury, bad luck, poor coaching and his stubborn devotion to basketball derailed his football career.