According to Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, it's no accident that Falcons coach Dan Reeves has found room for an incredible young talent to bloom at quarterback.
"He uses his quarterback very well," said Nolan, who spent six seasons in Denver and four with the Giants working for Reeves. "Michael Vick is very much like John Elway was when he came into the league. His talent was evident early, he was very mobile and had a great arm, all the great things that Vick has. Vick is probably more mobile than John ever was. Vick's exceptional in that area."
Nolan's years with Reeves were fine preparation for joining Brian Billick's staff.
"If I had to take anything from Brian, it would be his competitiveness, and it's the same with Dan," Nolan said. "A lot of guys can do the X's-and-O's stuff. Sometimes it's how hard a team plays for a coach that makes the difference. Look at Dan. His teams typically overachieve."
Newsome's input
Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' senior vice president of football operations, said he's looking forward to serving on a new NFL committee that will attempt to ensure more hiring opportunities for African-Americans in coaching and the front office.
"I'm pleased that I've been invited to sit on the committee. It's a unique opportunity to have a voice and make an impact," Newsome said. "We are not just going to be looking for qualified minority candidates for jobs, but all qualified candidates."
Two-thirds of the players in the NFL are black, but a large majority of management and coaching staffs is white. Asked his assessment of the data on the NFL's hiring practices, Newsome said the numbers "are what they are."
Under dome
In their first five seasons, the Ravens played four games in a domed stadium. Tomorrow they'll play under cover for the second time in four games. They lost to Indianapolis, 22-20, on Oct. 13. That dropped the Ravens' dome record to 1-4, but the lone win came in Atlanta on Oct. 3, 1999, when they beat the Falcons, 19-13, in overtime.
"It's different, because we're used to playing outside," defensive tackle Kelly Gregg said. "It's not that difficult for the defense, because the crowd is going to be quiet then, but I'm sure the crowd [in Indianapolis] gave our offense some problems."
Trapp fined $15,000
Ravens nickel back James Trapp was fined $15,000 by the league for Sunday's fight with Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress, but he avoided a suspension. Trapp, who also serves as the Ravens' player representative, did not know whether he was going to appeal.
"It's a situation that happened. It's in the past, and let's move forward," Trapp said. "But I'm backing the league because they've got to police it."
End zone
Falcons safety Keion Carpenter was a wishbone quarterback at Woodlawn High in Baltimore County during the mid-1990s. Carpenter, who played at Virginia Tech, is a fourth-year pro who started the two previous seasons for Buffalo. ... Ray Lewis, Michael McCrary and Chris Redman again sat out practice, but none planned to play in Atlanta anyway. ... Despite the shoulder injury that has caused him to miss the previous three games, Lewis joined Jonathan Ogden and Chris McAlister on Pro Football Weekly's midseason All-Pro team.
Sun staff writer Jamison Hensley contributed to this article.