When he was a junior at the University of Hawai'i, wide receiver Ashley Lelie had an uncanny ability to make a lot out of a little.

Given the slightest seam in the defense, a half-step on a defender or the most meager of footholds in the end zone. Lelie had a talent to turn them into big payoffs.

Now his career depends on doing it again in Atlanta.

Finally granted the trade from the Denver Broncos yesterday he had been demanding since the spring, it is up to the 26-year old Lelie to turn what looks like a costly fit of pique into a shrewd business move in a matter of months with the Falcons.

It is incumbent to make a splash in this the final year of his contract in order to cash in on his status as an unrestricted free agent for next season — and beyond.

At first glance, going from the despised role of No. 3 receiver in Denver to No. 3 in Atlanta doesn't look like much of a trade up. Especially if Lelie ends up paying handsomely for the change of scenery.

The Rocky Mountain News said Denver is "believed to have made the trade contingent upon an agreement from Lelie to pay the team just over $1 million — which would cover the fines Lelie has been assessed for missing the team's three-day mandatory mini-camp as well as training camp to this point and a portion of Lelie's original $3.3 million signing bonus."

If that holds up and he is unable to get the Falcons to rework the contract that follows him to Atlanta in exchange for conditional drafts picks, Lelie will be playing for a salary of $600,000 after walking away from $1.1 million in fines and forfeited bonuses.

That should be plenty of inspiration to prove his worth in Atlanta. A place where he must not only live up to the potential that made him a No. 1 pick in 2002 and status as the NFL's best in yards per catch the last two seasons but quickly dispel the "disgruntled" and "petulant" tags that have followed his acrimonious Denver holdout.

Now, in his new surroundings, there can be no carping about his place on the depth chart. Only a resolve to make the kind of plays that improve it. There can be no bemoaning not being fully involved in the offense. Only a determination to prove by deed that it is in the team's best interests to make him the key player in it.

The first time quarterback Michael Vick tucks the ball in and runs when Lelie is open, he's going to have to hold his tongue. If the coaches go conservative and don't dial deep, Lelie has to work within what he's given.

Once again, the ball is in Lelie's hands and this time making the big play is in his best interests as never before.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.