Vick ready to contribute

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Michael Vick tossed a perfect spiral about 50 yards toward the corner of the end zone, where Peerless Price outran a defender to catch the ball just as he tumbled into the end zone.

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It was a spectacular play - even if it came Wednesday on the first day of training camp - and clearly showed that the Atlanta Falcons' variation of the West Coast offense won't strictly be short passes over the middle.

"I think he is the right guy," Falcons quarterback coach Mike Johnson said of Vick. "Will he ever be a straight drop-back guy where you thrown the ball 25 times in the pocket? That's not him. You're taking away from his strengths if you do that."

Vick spent the off-season studying video and learning the new playbook, and he attended most of the voluntary workouts. He got to know new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who installed a similar offense to the one he used with the San Francisco 49ers the past three years.

So far, Vick appears to be having fun, and he's heard plenty of good things about this style of play from cousin Aaron Brooks, the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

"A lot of guys enjoy playing in this system," Vick said. "I talked to my cousin, and he's enjoyed playing in it. I'm excited about being one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and I'm just trying to get into a system where I can do that."

For the first time, Vick also likely has the supporting cast to help him reach his goal. Price moved back to flanker after the Falcons signed free agent Dez White as their other wide receiver, and the shift should help Price get closer to the career-high 94 catches he had in 2002 with Buffalo. Last season, his first with Atlanta, Price had only 64 receptions and three touchdowns, his lowest total since 2000.

"It's more of a comfort level thing," Price said. "That's where I played my whole career, except for last year. It's just more freedom. It's easier to get off the line and do things."

Vick and Price never got much of a chance to bond on the field in 2003, since Vick broke his leg in the preseason and missed nearly 12 games. Now they get a chance to learn each other's moves all over again.

"I actually played this offense before, during my third year in Buffalo," Price said. "I put up decent numbers and I wasn't even the featured guy, that was (Eric) Moulds.

"But now that I'm that guy, I think it's going to be great. This offense fits all of us."