TALE OF THE TAPE: Matt Ryan vs. Michael Vick I
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a higher winning percentage -- .687 to .601 -- than Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick. And as Uncle Herm says, "You play to win the game!" Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons have played in the Eagles in each of the past two years, but Matt Ryan and Michael Vick have not been on the field at the same time.
In the 2009 meeting, Ryan missed the game with a turf toe injury. Vick, was in his first season back in the league after serving his sentence in the notorious his federal
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) is stopped by Atlanta Falcons' Kroy Biermann, and Jamaal Anderson after rushing for a short gain in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
dogfighting case. He came on late in the 34-7 Eagles victory to score on a 5-yard run and throw a 5-yard pass to Brent Celek.
Last season, Vick was injured and never showed up on the sidelines for the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles gave some bizarre reasoning that didn’t matter much after they’d won 31-17.
On Sunday, Vick and Ryan are expected to meet in their first showdown: past vs. the future, old franchise quarterback vs. the new franchise quarterback.
Here’s the tale of the tape:
Matt Ryan Category Michael Vick
6-4 Height 6-0
217 Weight 215
Boston College College Virginia Tech
3rd overall, 2008 Draft 1st, 2001
26 Age 31
33-15 (.687) Record 47-31-1 (.601)
0-2 Playoff record 2-3
1,550 Attempts 2,147
947 Completions 1,197
.610 Comp. Percentage .557
10,699 Passing yards 15,383
66 Passing TDS 97
35 Interceptions 58
86.6 *Passer rating 80.2
275 Rushing yards 4,825
2 Rushing TDs 32
47 (all starts) Games played 98 (80 starts)
1 Pro Bowls 4
* Passer rating doesn’t include Game 1 of 2011 season.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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116 comments Add your comment
Muffin
September 13th, 2011
10:34 am
da vic will get his jock slapped off this week.
RUDEDAWG
September 13th, 2011
10:56 am
Really?
RUDEDAWG
September 13th, 2011
10:57 am
That’s all that got posted…really?
AtlSouthside
September 13th, 2011
10:58 am
Sling Shot…………………Arm Strength……………..Rocket Launcher
AtlSouthside
September 13th, 2011
11:01 am
I’d rather lose in the first round with Matt Ryan every year for all eternity than win 1 game with that lazy, narcissistic thug as my QB.
……………
You’d rather lose than win?
RUDEDAWG
September 13th, 2011
11:01 am
@2>7…define THUG…
Narcissistic? Narcissisus died happy…and we are still talking about him…even today…I’m just saying…well-behaved people rarely make history. Football is about heart, skill, and talent. These words are synonymous with our former QB; our current QB…I just…I just…I just don’t see any of that him. SMH. It’s unfortunate, for these, @2>7…these attributes are the tenets of football. They are what win the game. Ryan’s a great guy…for another team. He’s not strong enough to lead The Falcons! Post it!
RUDEDAWG
September 13th, 2011
11:09 am
@AtlSouthside…good comment, homie! Keep ‘em coming! We got some GOB on here today! Throwing rocks and then hiding their hands! Where they do that at?
RUDEDAWG
September 13th, 2011
11:11 am
*Narcissus was his name…my bad…the “ig” is contagious…still SMH @ the covert Jim Crow-ness…
goodgod
September 13th, 2011
11:14 am
melty matt ryan needs to have a team physical. get his eyes check so he can see open wide reciever downfield, with all those short passes he threw, check his arm strenght, to see if he can get it down field and check his gut to see if he can handle pressure in the pocket. and lastly maybe a overall check to see how much ice is left from melting so much.
nateslice
September 13th, 2011
11:39 am
i agree with jt wth guys its one game yes the secondary looked bad but i think that if we would have to advantage of the bad passes by cuttler that we droped it would have been a hole diff.. game on the road momentum is the key to winning game and atl didnt have it. grow up learn to keep your head up fellas. were not in denver.
Chandler going Deep..
September 13th, 2011
12:07 pm
I may have to ban myself from this blog full of neanderthals…
Chandler going Deep..
September 13th, 2011
12:11 pm
DLED your Blog is sinking.. Go take a look at Jeff’s Blog..Quality comments over there…
Fresh
September 13th, 2011
12:17 pm
@Rudedawg, I agree with you. Just from their football skills alone, and everything else is equal-these “GOB’S” would pick QB#7 over Ryan, if they wanted to win.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
September 13th, 2011
12:22 pm
From (seemingly) your 1 TRUE fan…
…Go Falcons!!!
james
September 13th, 2011
12:46 pm
This game will tell you alot about Matt Ryan. If he is able to play well at home in a hostile enviroment, when alot of home fans will be rooting for the other quaterback then he is better than you guys give him credit. If not he will feel the pressure even more, because fans will become even more vocal about missing number 7. Because as long as the Falcons are winning it will keep the fans of number 7 somewhat quiet. The ball is in “Matty Ice’s” hand and it is up to him to see how is remembered as a Falcon.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 13th, 2011
12:54 pm
“I’d rather lose in the first round with Matt Ryan every year for all eternity than win 1 game with that lazy, narcissistic thug as my QB.”
I’d rather see my team employ a roster full of convicts and win than see a choir boy lose. I don’t pay good money ($118 for this Sunday’s game, to be exact) to go see people be role models. I pay to see them perform at a higher level than the other team. If Matt Ryan wanted to be a role model he should have taken his talents to the public school system and become a teacher.
But I guess that’s a difference of opinion that is never going to be resolved.
Season Ticker Holder
September 13th, 2011
1:01 pm
Hands down, Mike Vick is a better QB than Matt Ryan. However, the Eagles have a weak offensive line which means Vick will be running for his life. If the Falcons can contain Vick’s running, the Falcons will win!. Prediction: 21-17 Falcons
dustymac
September 13th, 2011
1:42 pm
I still LOVE the Falcons, It’s good to have an early ( Wake Up Call) might be just what they needed. How quickly you people forget, with Mike Vick we got completely demolished by the Chiefs (50 somehting points). And they rebounded great after that one. I’m going all out, The FALCONS will beat Philly this sunday, and let the party begin. I’m not a, on again off again Falcon fan I’m all the time Falcon Fan, til death do us part. Falcon and the Pats. Win or lose, they will always be My NFC and AFC teams. GO FALCONS !!!!!
FALCON and GT fan
September 13th, 2011
1:58 pm
Below average………………Awareness………………above average
27.7 …………………………QBR week 1………………………..68.4
(As slow as his name Matty ice)5.9 ……………………………40 yard dash………………………4.33
NONE ………………………playoff wins……………………………….2
Below average………………Accuracy( Deep Passes)…………………………above average
O Matt Ryan …………………Reaction…………………………………! WOW MICHAEL VICK
No…………………………………Play-maker……………………………………………YES
NO ……………………………..It factor ………………………………………………..YES
OVERRATED…………………RATING………………………………… UNDERRATED
NO………………………………..Mobile…………………………………….. YES
BORING……………………….EXPERIENCE………………………….AMAZINGLY OUT OF THIS WORLD
Matt Ryan gets too much credit. Michael Turner has been carrying the team or the running game. Matt just throws short safety passes when Michael Turner gets close enough for Matt to throw to the end zone. Short passes to Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez won’t cut it anymore. Throw the ball down field. O forgot ur not that accurate throwing deep balls. There was no point in getting Julio Jones because Matt won’t throw it down the field. But Julio Jones is a good blocker. READ THESE WORDS IF MATT RYAN DOES NOT MAKE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS THEY WILL NOT RESIGN HIM WHEN HIS CONTRACT ENDS. Cam Newton is a better QB than him.
T in Chicago
September 13th, 2011
2:04 pm
Did anyone think that the reason Matt R is checking down out of “explosive Plays’ is because the receivers can’t get open? It may not just be the play calling and “bad” quarterback…. It’s a complex game folks… receivers have to read the same defense after the play is called and adjust their routes. If everyone doesn’t see the same thing or doesn’t run the right route or worse, just can’t get open… then you have checkdowns, incompletions or sacks…
By the way… the funniest thing about these Blogs is how easily people get emotionally hijacked…. it’s really funny… it’s like waving a treat in front of a dog….
John
September 13th, 2011
2:16 pm
It goes to show, this game Sunday isn’t about football. Most Falcon fans would readily accept a lost, but not by Vick….and that makes the worst in them come out. A lost to Vick is the realization to most fans that the Falcons aren’t better without Vick and Matty Ice isn’t the answer.
Steve-O
September 13th, 2011
2:30 pm
Ledbetter, you were just begging for all of the polarized posts on this topic today, weren’t you?
Mr. Swamp People
September 13th, 2011
2:33 pm
0…………..SuperBowl………….0
DREW BREES! GEAUX SAINTS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
tidog
September 13th, 2011
2:43 pm
Tough to see downfield when you on your back or running for dear life. Matt don’t run for dear life like Micheal though.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 13th, 2011
2:55 pm
Steve-O — I’m about to delete all of the nonsense. Hoping for civilized discussion.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 13th, 2011
2:56 pm
Chandler — Bout to delete all of the nonsense.
Johnny Walker Red
September 13th, 2011
2:57 pm
Post was eaten, so here goes again….
The Egales’ offensive line is suspect, and hasn’t provided Vick the necessary protection. Last week, they had him on the move pretty much for every pass play to avoid the rush.
If the Falcons can get some pressure up front, the spy, that I’m sure they will have on Vick, should get a lot of tackles.
KBACE
September 13th, 2011
3:15 pm
The game is football.
The only thing that matters is who wins the games.
This isn’t a popularity contest.
Who cares if you like the players or not? Who cares why?
These two guys are already in the game.
Here’s the only thing that counts -
WINS THIS FOOTBALL SEASON
Ryan – 0 Vick – 1
WHO DAT BLACK
September 13th, 2011
3:38 pm
For what its worth, I hope they both lose this year. But if I had to choose, I choose Vick. I have seen Vick win playoff games by himself (running, of course). And ATL fans tend to forget, Roddy White was on his way out if he didn’t get better and help out Matt Ryan. The Falcons were known for dropped passes while Vick was a Falcon. There is an article by USA Today that proves it.
WHO DAT BLACK
September 13th, 2011
3:43 pm
DOL,
I am still reading all of the nonsense. Help please!! I don’t want my children to read this!!
Joey M
September 13th, 2011
3:58 pm
Had the Falcons played anybody else besides the hot Green Bay Packers last season in the playoffs Matt Ryan would have at least 1 playoff win. The other playoff loss was to an Arizona Cardinals team that marched all the way to the NFC Championship game. I believe the Falcons will start slow but finish strong this season in the same fashion the Chargers do. The argument of “Ryan vs Vick” is really a waste of time. The fact is Matt Ryan is a better QB than Vick ever was, but Vick is a bigger game changer than Ryan will ever be. Now if I could put Vick’s legs on Matt Ryan’s torso we would have the best QB in the league.
ATL Observer
September 13th, 2011
4:02 pm
While it’s always tempting to go to the QB “tale of the tape” (ESPECIALLY for a game with this type of QB backstory), the truth is this: I take Philly in this game. You could switch the QBs and I still take Philly. Replace with Vick with Young, I still take Philly. Replace Vick with Young and switch with Ryan, then replace Young with Vick again, and I *still* take Philly.
You get the idea.
I’ll even go one further: I’d take away most of Philly’s free-agent acquistions and switch QBs back-and-forth as many ways as you’d like and I’d *still* take Philly.
Bottom line is: the Falcons just stink against Philadelphia. They’ve lost 8 out of the last 9 times vs. the Eagles. They didn’t match up well against them at ALL last year and that was with Kolb at QB instead of Vick (whatever your feelings about Kolb, how many would say Kolb -> Vick is a downgrade?) and the Eagles backfield (while good) wasn’t nearly as loaded as this year. Odd are maybe a LITTLE better playing at the Dome vs. Philly, but not by much.
One potential upside is that Philly’s D-line play isn’t up to Chicago’s standard, so in some ways, I think that element of the game might be a bit “slowed down.” Philly will be going for coverage sacks, I think (well, I think they’ll be going for coverage sacks vs. EVERYONE they play this year), so I think the best thing to do is risk some early interceptions (when it’s still anyone’s game) and get the receivers involved early. Get Roddy & Julio to keep the backfield honest and then open the pathways for Turner and Gonzalez. I know a lot of fans don’t want to hear that, but this is the best path to victory: keep the backfield honest and then run over their line.
Honestly, while starting 0-2 isn’t ideal, this is otherwise a house’s money game, IMO. Philly is going to be expected to win so a loss won’t be catastrophic. (Even if it’s a blowout, the story will become “wow, how good are these dream team Eagles???”). On the other hand, if the Falcons win, the psychological uplift will be significant. There’s a lot more to gain than there is to lose in this one.
But if my prediction comes true, just take 2 of 3 from Tampa, Seattle & Green Bay (the former two games are very winnable, I think), get it together during the bye week and you’ll be in good shape.
Ed
September 13th, 2011
4:40 pm
You can hope for a honest discussion but unfortunately this subject will never allow that in Atlanta. I have been a season ticket holder for 21 years and I have nothing against Mike Vick or his second chance. But he did real damage to this organization due to his personal issues. He then has the nerve to go on TV and say that it was somehow the organizations fault that he was in trouble. Now I have to go to a game on Sunday night where fake falcons fans will be wearing their Mike Vick jerseys pulling for the other team. It was sad last time he was here and it will be even sadder now. All Matt Ryan has done since he was drafted is work hard, study, and keep his nose clean not to embarrass the organization. But apparently for many people (not fans) in Atlanta, they can’t bring themselves to believe that Mike Vicks issues were all caused by Mike Vick and not the Atlanta Falcons. He cheated Atlanta not the other way around.
Matt Ryan overrated
September 13th, 2011
5:20 pm
Garth
September 13th, 2011
8:41 am
Ryan is a better all around quarter back
This pure blue eyed B.S !!!
Matt Ryan overrated
September 13th, 2011
5:25 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
September 13th, 2011
12:54 pm
“I’d rather lose in the first round with Matt Ryan every year for all eternity than win 1 game with that lazy, narcissistic thug as my QB
What do you mean?
Josh in VA
September 13th, 2011
5:25 pm
0 ………………………………….. FELONIES ……………………………. 9
Matt Ryan overrated
September 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
Redeemed and new and improved Mike Vick
Rufus1
September 13th, 2011
5:43 pm
aaaa
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
September 13th, 2011
5:50 pm
Not concerned at all about this upcoming game or what happened last Sunday. It’s only one game out of 16. The Eagles can’t block, can’t tackle and can’t stop the run. Sure they beat up on the Rams last week but most of their damage was after Steven Jackson (whom they couldn’t stop) left the game with an injury. The Falcons played a bad game on Sunday vs. Chicago but I have no reason to believe it will carry over to Sunday Night Football. Two different teams, two different game plans.
And no matter what is said in public by both teams, this game is about revenge for the last three years of losing to the Eagles. It will be vindication for Arthur Blank (although he and Vick have mended fences) for MV7 lying to his face and cashing his checks without a conscience. WHEN the Falcons triumph over Philadelphia on Sunday night, please keep your “the sky is falling – oops, no it’s not” comments to yourselves.
Don't Feed Iggles Trolls (It Isn't 1960 Anymore)
September 13th, 2011
5:51 pm
OK, my comment didn’t show up again. Is it my browser?
Rufus1
September 13th, 2011
5:52 pm
All Pro Rec Roddy All Pro tightend Alge
RB Turner/Snelling RB Dunn/Duckett/Vick
Average Gonazles Average Jefferson
Rookie Julio Rookie Roddy
Vicks support cast was just as good as Ryan’s
lower case b
September 13th, 2011
6:33 pm
Matt has been a much better qb in the regular season, but Mike has won in the playoffs (including the first playoff win ever by any team in Green Bay) with a lot less talent @ OL, WR, Defense in general.
hymensaint
September 13th, 2011
6:41 pm
0………………………taken advantage of in prison…………………………..23 months
BVG BVD's
September 13th, 2011
6:56 pm
John A, [BTW great player, great game on Sunday] said not to worry, its just one loss, we lost the first game last year too.
Well, nice to think that, but last year’s first loss was in overtime to the eventual AFC super bowl team. This year’s loss was to the one of the worst whiner QB’s in the game on two screen passes. Fire-zone? Really BVG? Maybe “GET BURNED ZONE?” WHEN ARE WE NOT IN A “GET BURNED” ZONE?! EVERY DOWN EXCEPT THIRD AND LONG?!
Anyway, it was not the same kind of loss as last year. We made Chicago look like world beaters because we don’t have a legitimate defensive scheme and we probably believed PK and SI and thought they would hand it to us. Thanks to that article we have every bit a bullseye as GB, but we don’t have what it takes right now to handle it.
JSS
September 13th, 2011
7:19 pm
D. Orlando Ledbetter
September 13th, 2011
2:56 pm
“Chandler — Bout to delete all of the nonsense.”
Mr. Ledbetter, your nonsense meter seems to be broken…
Sterling
September 13th, 2011
7:21 pm
Are u guys falcons fans doubting your team or just on here 2 hate?
Eric C.
September 13th, 2011
7:30 pm
I still remember vividly Deion Sanders returning to the Ga Dome as a 49er and proudly proclaiming “this is my house” after another humiliating Falcons loss. Please, please, please Falcons, don’t let that happen again this week with Vick.
Falcon 34
September 13th, 2011
8:45 pm
0…………..Prison Sentences………..1
1…………College Degrees………….0
Yes……….Coherent English………Not Even Clos
0…………Flip Off Own Fans……….1
0………Busted w/ Marijuana on Plane……….1
0……..Tens of Millions of Dollars Lost……..130
(cursed) rott0n r0ddy white
September 13th, 2011
9:11 pm
cursed u see u all will see cursed u see u all will see
(cursed) rott0n r0ddy white
September 13th, 2011
9:18 pm
cursed U SEE U ALL WILL SEE the curse is upon this team.