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
dub366
September 13th, 2011
9:35 pm
well 2> 7 YOU WANT be winning you need some thugs.
LT
September 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
2 > 7, When the Creator Created the Human Mind why did you step out of the Line… Just like a Red State Fan get over your racist attitude.. can we win one because we the best mix of players, and the chemistry is just right… there will be no ALL WHITE TEAM ANYMORE, and yes there maybe a few THUGS White , Black, Yellow and Green to win it the BIG ONE
d.carter
September 13th, 2011
10:55 pm
I listen to the radio and read this hate filled blog all i hear is excuse after excuse for Matt ryan, hell must we forget that THE DEFENSE SCORED A TOUCHDOWN! THE OFFENSE COULDNT SCRATCH, HARD TO BE EXSPLOSIVE WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO IGNITE THE EXPLOSION WITH!
Proper Statements
September 13th, 2011
11:26 pm
These comments are funny… My best friend lives in Atlanta (I don’t) and he’s constantly telling me about the unknowledgeable, fair weather fans there. These comments surely don’t reflect all the fans, but I am getting a sense of what he means. One game, and lots of fans are panicking… I think I read someone even say “the season is over”. LOL… I see people here clamoring for Matt Ryan to throw deep more… Against the Eagles? They have 2 Pro Bowl DE’s, and one of the best pass rushing DT’s in the game (Cullen Jenkins). Not to mention the best secondary money can buy… The strategy here should be to run the ball against a weak run D to set up a manageable down and distance, then take advantage of their sub-par LB’s with the short to medium range passing game. Throwing deep will walk right into what the Eagles D is built to defend… Anyone disagree?
Honor
September 13th, 2011
11:28 pm
0……. most liked by fans in Atlanta……. 5 million
Honor
September 13th, 2011
11:29 pm
0….. has a clue on how to win…… better than Ryan
Honor
September 13th, 2011
11:30 pm
0(no clue)……. Idea on who’s a better President, Bush, Reagan, or Obama…… 1 million percent knows!
Honor
September 13th, 2011
11:31 pm
White people are just stupid, jealous, ignorant, your adjective…
Jimmy
September 13th, 2011
11:39 pm
Proper Statements:
I totally agree with you about the run game. However, we do have the speed to match up with the Eagles DB’s man to man…if we soften their deep coverage with play action. There is no way we throw deep without first establishing the run.
As for some of the “fans” on this particular blog…they are just trolls…morons who come here only to inflame people because it makes them feel like they have a life. Don’t judge Atlanta fans by what these idiots say.
TCCB
September 14th, 2011
12:18 am
MATT RYAN PUT THE BALL ON THE GROUND AND LAID DOWN LIKE THE TRUE CHICKEN THAT HE IS!!!!! 72 MILLION DOLLOR DEAD BEAT. HOW SAD
Sterling
September 14th, 2011
2:07 am
Thank you Jimmy finally some common sense. And all these racist comments can stop now. Grow up and start acting like men and not little boys. Stop judging people by there culture or color.
falcons
September 14th, 2011
8:39 am
Wonder why Arthur Blank wife left him?
ATL Observer
September 14th, 2011
10:44 am
Proper Statements, Jimmy, I kinda of agree and disagree.
As stated above, if the Falcons get the ball first, I think they should go deep early and risk the interceptions. If they fall behind by two scores…get into the running, but go at their strength first, try to keep them from stacking the box. Then when they’re on their toes that Roddy & Julio aren’t afraid of the big, bad DBs, you run it down their throat.
Despite my prediction that Philly will win, I do think the Falcons strength will be that ANY defensive line, much less Philly’s, will be a “slowdown” compared to facing the Bears. There’s no Julius Peppers on the Eagles (and for what it’s worth, none of the linebackers behind them are Urlacher either). They have to first keep the Eagles on their toes, then say “look, we’ll keep you honest if you neglect to pay proper heed to our receiving core…now prepare for us to run it down your throat.”
ATL Observer
September 14th, 2011
10:47 am
I should also point out that even if Atlanta strategizes properly offensive, our own backfield is just a mess and if they weren’t ready for Chicago’s receiving core, I shudder to think of how they plan to contain DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin.
Decatur Falcon
September 14th, 2011
1:27 pm
Dled- Does D.Robinson have a twitter account? If So can you check on him – I watched the game again last night- and after watching it – I am worried he may have slipped getting on the charter plane or may have lost it in coverage! – Please let me – He probably has Owens with him-
RNew
September 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
I love our quarterback, but the kid is clumsy. He can’t slide. He runs and fumbles without contact. And he falls when trying to do a 180. He’s a great talent that will get better the more he plays, but he’s clumsy. Our troubles aren’t at the QB position, but at the OC position. Get rid of Mularkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please.