EXCLUSIVE: Matt Ryan notches biggest win of young career
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes in the first quarter against the Saints. Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — The victory over the Saints has to be the biggest of Matt Ryan’s young career.
In 2008, he had the big win at home over the Chicago Bears, when the team pulled it out in the final 12 seconds. There was also the big win at Green Bay his rookie season.
Last season, the Falcons beat the New York Jets on the road. They went on to reach the AFC championship game.
In an AJC exclusive, Ryan talked about some of the key plays and how he was going to sleep well, dreaming about that 19-play drive:
MATT RYAN, quarterback
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE TEAM: “I definitely speaks to the character of the guys on our football team. We continue to fight and play hard. But that’s kind of been our M.O. for the last couple of years. We continue to battle regardless of what is going on out there. When you do that, it gives yourself a chance.”
ON GONZALEZ AND RODDY: “Just reading it out. That’s the biggest thing. Early on, the ball kind of found Tony and he was huge on the first touchdown drive. Later on, Roddy started to get some catches. We kind of spread the ball around to the backs as well. I thought we did a good job offensively of taking what they gave us all day and we were able to put some points in doing that.”
ON THE 19-PLAY DRIVE: “That was a great drive and it ate up a lot of clock in the second quarter. 10:38. With that said, I’m going to sleep pretty good tonight as a result of the 19 play drive.”
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317 comments Add your comment
Oregon Falcon
September 27th, 2010
9:53 am
I’ll take this win, every Sunday.
Great teams make their own luck and great season often have a ball bounce their way once or twice. Saints missed the field goal? That’s football. Look at the immaculate reception by the Steelers, or the call in favor of Brady and the Patriots: both sparked historic teams.
The Falcons are a solid, solid squad good everywhere and great in a couple of places. We have ourselves a defense my friends, and Matt Ryan played high level quarterback the last two weeks.
Roddy is at the top of his game, and the O’ line is giving Turner some holes.
I say we stomp the 49′ers, putting up another 40 points or so and we hold them under 20 points.
We are on a roll……….. Fun stuff.
suwaneefalcon
September 27th, 2010
9:55 am
seenthisb4, how do we know you are not a saints bandwagon fan? Were you there with them in their turbulent seasons or hopped on when Payton and Brees came to town? You lost because the Falcons made opportunities happen and took advantage of your errors. You want to say we got lucky? In the standings this morning it says we are in first place and states nothing about luck. Enjoy your sh*t sandwich that you will be eating all week. Wash it down with a Coke.
Nawlins
September 27th, 2010
9:56 am
Looks like Bush screwed NO again….
truth
September 27th, 2010
9:56 am
Ya’ll stop picking on SeenThisLoserB4, he doesn’t know any better. After all he is a aints fan. Seen aren’t you the one who said a W is a W no matter how you get it? Dang boy you must like crow because you keep coming back for it. You are making yourself look real STUPID, have some pride boy!!!
mikeDW
September 27th, 2010
9:57 am
Nice to see all the negativity dissipated, hopefully for good.
I think a lot of us were really demoralized after the brutal loss against the Steelers; but it is now obvious that the Steeler’s are no joke, and the loss is easier to swallow.
Now we can all take back our bellows of “Mike Smith doesn’t play to win”.
I believe even Mularkey has earned a reprieve, after these 2 wins.
Most of us never doubted Matt Ryan (just some of the leadership), but hopefully these past 2 games will silence all of those who did.
suwaneefalcon
September 27th, 2010
9:58 am
Truth, I think most saints fans have pride. That is what makes me think Seen B4 is a bandwagon fan. A real fan would know that success can be fleeting and choose their words carefully.
truth
September 27th, 2010
9:59 am
sh*t sandwich….thanks suwanee I just spewed coffee all over the companies computer. Oh well that was funny!! LOL!!!! I wonder if he eats it on white or rye?
truth
September 27th, 2010
10:00 am
True, he must be a bandwagoner.
Ben Ben Right
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
Blown this b4 is crying lucky win? After all the smack he spews? On up to it Wanker. You’ll be getting it the rest of the season. One and Done for the void of class Aints fans
Paddy O
September 27th, 2010
10:03 am
B4- we got lucky to win, yes – but we pushed the Saints all over the field. Our Offense dominated your D – our special teams stunk, and we had a fluke punt turn-over – that was lucky for the saints to put you into OT – B4- you got your butt whooped pretty solidly. this was our first game where our special teams looked really, really lost. There was also a couple phantom calls, and couple lost (Shockey was definately holding on that TD catch/run play)
FalconUGAFan
September 27th, 2010
10:06 am
Ok back to football….I’m stuck down in South Fla visiting Mom so didn’t get to see the game…but looking at the stats. I really like what I see. It was a really balanced attack between run and pass. We clearly dominated TOP and first downs were almost dead even between run and pass.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
10:07 am
suwanee: How do I know you aren’t a johnny-come-lately falcant fan? But, to answer your foolish question, I have been a Saints fan all my life. And always will be. Born, raised and still live here in New Orleans, by choice, not necessity, as most of the transient atlanta falcant fans are.
truth: I am not one of your “boys”. On the other hand, you must be one of the so-called Rev Long’s boys though, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were true.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
10:10 am
Matt ryan aint BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!! he don’t get the credit for this win the run game and the saints kicker do.He gets credited the win for handing the ball off? I think the turdy birds had something like 50 carries and he gets the credit,PLEEEEEEEEESE!!!
dean
September 27th, 2010
10:13 am
SEENTHISB4. Read this and then talk smack
1)Rushing: ATL 202. NO 43 (That’s forty-three yards)
2)Passing ATL 215. NO 355 (80 yards on 1 catch)
2)TOP: ATL 45:50 NO 27:15
3) 2 special teams gaffes by our KO/PR teams gave you 2 gifts for starting field position
4) A LUCKY bounce off a punt-team players heel gave you a gift for starting field position. (I give your guys credit, though, for their heads-up play on that one.)
Don’t give us that “You got lucky” business. “Luck” happens in just about every NFL game.
Just bone up and say it: The Saints are lucky they didn’t lose by 14 to 10 points.
dean
September 27th, 2010
10:14 am
that should have read “…by 14 to 20 points.”
suwaneefalcon
September 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Seen B4, I will take you at your word. I go back to my original comment, you need to relax your tone as it is a long season. I have spoken with friends in New Orleans this morning and the phrase, “you got lucky” never got mentioned. They did say we played a solid game and took advantage of their mistakes. Those are saints fans with pride,give it a try.
FalconUGAFan
September 27th, 2010
10:23 am
Elvis…aren’t you dead or something….
Ryan stats…Not elite but good enough for the “W”. I prefer “W” over elite anyday.
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING
19/30 228 7.6 2 0 108.8
Agreed suwanee..its one game…
G
September 27th, 2010
10:29 am
Hilarious that B4 would discredit a win bc of luck. I guess we will have to discredit their whole 09 season. That punt where the ball bounced off of Decoud was as much luck as the missed FG in OT. So STFU you sore loser. And Ryan did outplay Brees in his own house.
G
September 27th, 2010
10:29 am
Hilarious that B4 would discredit a win bc of luck. I guess we will have to discredit their whole 09 season. That punt where the ball bounced off of Decoud was as much luck as the missed FG in OT. So STFU you sore loser. And Ryan did outplay Brees in his own house.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
10:32 am
suwaneefalcon: My point is that most of the edentulous falcant fans here, in particular FrontRow and truth, discounted the Saints accomplishments last year by dismissing them as lucky and one-hit wonders.
Yesterday, the falcants get lucky, and all of a sudden they change their tune and acclaim themselves to be the team they thought they were.
They are praising Ryan as if he is a hall of famer, as if he did something yesterday, same for Turner and Snelling. Puleeze, the only falcant I was impressed with was your TE. ONLY ONE.
THE FACT IS RYAN GOT out played by Brees who had a horrible game yesterday, one of the worst performances he has had as a Saint, throwing two poorly thrown picks, and having his receivers drop several others. Yet Brees outplayed Ryan. Fact.
And these bozos think the Saints are now an also-ran. Got news for you and them, that is not the case, and they will be back to prove it.
As for your friends in New Orleans: They are your friends in New Orleans, what would you expect them to do? Plain ole Southern hospitality.
On the other hand, these posters here, truth, FrontRow, Kenneth, Section108, amongst others, are NOT MY FRIENDS. And I will not treat them as such. They are just lowlifes, lower than the excrement from the mudbugs in the swamp.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
10:34 am
G: Brees had a significantly higher QB rating than did Ryan. STFU yourself, tarball.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
dean
September 27th, 2010
10:36 am
Hey SEEN. Football is a TEAM game. Our team physically destroyed your team.
NOT A SAINTS FAN!
September 27th, 2010
10:37 am
I am glad everyone is all giddy about this win but this game was given to the Falcons because of a missed FG that even high schoolers can make. It was not taken by the Falcons. If you want a top tier NFL Team, you have to TAKE wins.
For reference, see the Pittsburgh game.
.
The Falcon Avenger
September 27th, 2010
10:39 am
SeenThisB4: I have waited soooooo long for this moment that I knew would come. We finally shut you upitty ‘Aints fans the hell up. Now I distinctly remeber you stating the same thing last year when we lost at the REAL dome not that crappy place yall play! Maaaaan thats a straight up punk @$$ move bruh
falkonfan
September 27th, 2010
10:42 am
SeenThisB4
September 24th, 2010
9:41 am
falkonfan: Yes, but I’m more of a warrior than a cheerleader.
Be careful when you go hunting in the Superdome, the Saints are extremely adept at bagging wild prey there too. And I think, we’re going to have some falcant gumbo Sunday afternoon.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
B4,
How’s that Smashmouth soup and Humble pie; remember a win is a win and right now we have just as many as your team!
Ben Ben Right
September 27th, 2010
10:43 am
Who would have thought the Saints could get beat by such a crappy team. It was just luck you say? Dayuuuummmmmmm.
Whats Important
September 27th, 2010
10:47 am
Samuel, since when is Brian Van Gorder responsible for coaching the offensive line.
dean
September 27th, 2010
10:49 am
Hey SEEN, this is what it says in YOUR newspaper:
Sure, the Saints would’ve stolen a game they hadn’t earned if Garrett Hartley had converted one of the chippiest of chip shots, a 29-yard field-goal attempt with 9:02 left in overtime. They’d have wriggled off the hook for the second consecutive game, following a 25-22 victory in San Francisco in which Hartley made the winning field goal as time expired.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
10:54 am
falkonfan: That’s right, it’s not over.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
10:56 am
dean: Get to the part that means anything whatsoever? What’s your point?
mo
September 27th, 2010
10:58 am
how bot them backside and mine boots
suwaneefalcon
September 27th, 2010
11:01 am
SeenB4, I really diagree with you about Brees outplaying Ryan. When you look at the yardage number, yes. But when you look at the all important turnover number a resounding HELL NO! You keep saying luck, well my friend luck is needed in the NFL to win big games. The good teams manufacture luck like the Saints had to a few times last year. Anything wrong with that, NO WAY! I believe the Saints had the best team last year and might this year but, it is to early to say. When you charge in to this blog like a bull in a china shop like a lot of Saints fans have done, you will be treated in kind. The Saints will win some games this year by manufacturing a little luck, are you going to admit that or insist that every win they will get will be because they are the best team in the NFL? To me a true fan knows the difference between pride and stupidity.
Mike
September 27th, 2010
11:03 am
D.Led. What’s the story with Ryan ripping Svitek a new one? Love the intensity!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:05 am
Ahhhh…..Seen look again. Ryan had a high QB rating sunday. Sorry Seen, Matt out played Brees. JUST CAN’T HANDLE THE WHOOPING YOUR TEAM TOOK!!! BWAA HA HA HA HA!!!!! By the way, I still mean it when I said your team is was and forever be a one hit wonder!!
One and done aint no fun is it Seen? BWAAA HA HA HA!!!!
Keith
September 27th, 2010
11:07 am
Re: Lanier
It means so much more than just the Saints missing a FG they should have made…so much more!
The Falcons played better on the line of scrimmage all day long. Their Defense was better. Ryan was better than Brees. Gonzo outplayed Shock. Turner/Snell outplayed their backs. Really, you take away the special teams (long punt return and the play off our player’s foot), and you might have seen us come away with a 10-to-14 point win!
For our defense to play the way it did, For our O-Line, our backs, For Ryan, For ATL. This game was huge!!
Did I mention it was @ the Superdome?
GO FALCONS!
dean
September 27th, 2010
11:08 am
SEEN. The point? Can you read? Your own sportswriter says the Saints would have stolen a win they had not earned.
What’s more to say? Read the T.P. The Wizard has been exposed. Y’all should get down on your knees and pray for Brees’ continued good health.
Keith
September 27th, 2010
11:09 am
Re: Not a saints fan
See my earlier post.
Oh, and the Steelers you say? With Big Ben back and the STeelers D, they are probably the BEST team in the AFC. So losing on the road at their place isn’t so bad.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
11:09 am
truth: Yeah, well at least we are a one hit wonder. You guys, ….never even got that, ….still waiting. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:10 am
Seen you freak’n cry baby and it aint over, we have another one to win in December. I’m sure after the whooping you’re taking today you wont stay around much longer. Mo matter what you say Seen every blog you put on this board will be ridiculas. WHY? BECAUSE YOUR TEAM LOST!!!! BWAA HA HA!!!!
GEAUX FALCONS!!!!
Remember Seen….one and done aint no fun.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
11:12 am
dean: And instead, YOUR TEAM STOLE THE WIN. And that’s how I looked at. You got lucky, and stole a win that belonged to the superior team.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:12 am
truth: Yeah, well at least we are a one hit wonder. You guys, ….never even got that, ….still waiting. Tsk, tsk, tsk
That was weak Seen. One and done aint NO FUN!!!!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:13 am
dean: And instead, YOUR TEAM STOLE THE WIN. And that’s how I looked at. You got lucky, and stole a win that belonged to the superior team.
Weak again Seen. One and done aint NO FUN!!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:14 am
BWAA HA HA HA!!!! Come on hiram save you boy he’s taken a whooping and don’t know when to stop.
Seen remember….one and done aint NO FUN!!!
G
September 27th, 2010
11:14 am
G: Brees had a significantly higher QB rating than did Ryan. STFU yourself, tarball??????
Atlanta C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING
Ryan 19/30 228 7.6 2 0 108.8
New Orleans C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING
Brees 30/38 365 9.6 3 2 111.1
Significantly higher?? You must be really bad at math bc 2.3 isn’t significant. Brees’ first touchdown was a gimme bc of bad punt coverage. His second was a blown coverage by Decoud for an 80 yrd pass. His third touchdown was a gift from the lucky punt play. Brees didn’t orchestrate one efficient touchdown drive on the Falcon’s defense. And he also threw 2 picks. So how is it a fact that Brees outplayed Ryan?
G
September 27th, 2010
11:14 am
G: Brees had a significantly higher QB rating than did Ryan. STFU yourself, tarball??????
Atlanta C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING
Ryan 19/30 228 7.6 2 0 108.8
New Orleans C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING
Brees 30/38 365 9.6 3 2 111.1
Significantly higher?? You must be really bad at math bc 2.3 isn’t significant. Brees’ first touchdown was a gimme bc of bad punt coverage. His second was a blown coverage by Decoud for an 80 yrd pass. His third touchdown was a gift from the lucky punt play. Brees didn’t orchestrate one efficient touchdown drive on the Falcon’s defense. And he also threw 2 picks. So how is it a fact that Brees outplayed Ryan?
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:16 am
Ok my bad I thought I read Ryan had the higher QB rating for the game. Sorry for the miss info. Oh well the rating that truly mattered is 27-24.
SeenThisB4
September 27th, 2010
11:17 am
truth: Remember: Having NONE, ever, isn’t anything to be proud of either.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:17 am
Hey Seen…..exit stage left.
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:20 am
truth: Remember: Having NONE, ever, isn’t anything to be proud of either.
Again weak Seen. If it wasn’t for LUCK your team wouldn’t have that. Now don’t get mad at me for using your argument. You and I and the world knows that ya’ll got lucky with the Vikes last year.
But really you know……ONE AND DINE AINT NO FUN!!!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
11:20 am
Opps……..ONE AND DONE AINT NO FUN!!!!