Atlanta Falcons: So what if Matt Ryan is no Tom Brady at QB?
We heard NBC’s Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth go on and on about what a great QB Chicago’s Jay Cutler is Sunday night.
We listened to Collinsworth say, straight up, in his pre-game comments about the Falcons, “I just don’t think they’re that good.”
We keep hearing about how Falcons QB Matt Ryan is no Tom Brady or Peyton Manning at his position.
We say only this: The Falcons at this point are 4-1. Sunday night, Matt Ryan’s team won the football game. Jay Cutler’s team didn’t.
YOU TELL US: Are you Team Matt or Team Ain’t All That? State your case why you’re pro-MR2 or not sold yet on the kid.
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230 comments Add your comment
JIm
October 20th, 2009
12:04 pm
Anybody who believes what Collinsworth says must have been dropped oon their head at childbirth!!!
SECya
October 20th, 2009
12:06 pm
Cris Collinsworth is a joke. He is one of those offensive guys who’s impressed with Cutler’s big arm. That same big arm will be the end of him. He can’t efficiently do his job by just throwing deep. Matt Ryan is much more well rounded half way through his second season. As for Collinsworth he has proven in every game that NBC has covered that he has ignorant preconceived notions about both teams. Ideally he should be in the studio, not in the booth. If they want to make a splash they should go after Charles Davis, he is much more informed and well spoken. GO BIRDS!!!
Burger Brian
October 20th, 2009
12:06 pm
Compared to what Peyton achieved his first year and to this point in his second year, I would say that Matt is ahead of him. If Matt stays healthy, he will most certainly earn a place in Canton somewhere between those guys!
JWS
October 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
Matt Ryan has accomplished more in his first 1.5 years in the NFL then Tom Brady and Peyton Manning combined.
BobStevens
October 20th, 2009
12:14 pm
Most people wont say what was on their minds regarding the Bears game. I will shoot it straight with everyone. Ok gang. You may not believe this, but truthfully, the Falcons defense is what saved them this past sunday evening. The Falcons defense played hard-nosed solid football and put themselves in a position to win the game. When you play hard, solid defense you also sometimes get good breaks and bounces. The ball bounced right for the Falcons on Sunday when Matt Ryan fell on a loose ball and recovered a fumble. The Falcons were fortunate and I still feel they outplayed the Bears. The statistics may not bear that out but I feel like the Falcons were a little off their game. Ryan missed a few open receivers and ended up throwing the ball away on several occasions. The routes were not there consistently all afternoon and the receivers were not open because of the Bears good defense. Bottom Line: The Falcons won the game because they played hard AND they put themselves in position to win by not giving the ball away too much. The Falcons played like a playoff team and therefore deserved to win the football game. Were they lucky? Yes. The Falcons did get some favorable luck but they made their breaks by attempting to strip the football and they were successful. It was a good game because the Falcons were not sharp in that Bears game and in the New England game. Had the Falcons been on their game all year they would now sit undefeated at 5-0. However, 4-1 is not too shabby and the Falcons should be proud of where they are. They should also correct their mistakes and build upon this success. Getting back to Matt Ryans skills. The BEST compliment to Matt Ryan’s skills that I have heard so far was from a hall of fame quarterback named Steve Young. I heard Young say last year when Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record that Matt Ryan played like a hall of fame quarterback in his rookie season. THAT FOLKS SAYS IT ALL ABOUT MATT RYAN. THE RYAN EXPRESS IS ON TRACK AND WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL ON. MATTY ICE IS ABOUT THE BEST QUARTERBACK TO COME INTO THE ASSOCIATION IN QUITE SOME TIME. THE LAST QUARTERBACK THAT I CAN REMEMBER WITH ICE’S SKILLS WAS PEYTON MANNING and we all know how good Peyton Manning is.
john moon
October 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
Ryan is not overrated and who ever thinks that does not have a glue
Maybe some Vick fan now he was overrated most by fans.
Dan
October 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
Chris Collinsworth is a moron. I agree with Bob that the defense won the game, but Matt Ryan and the Falcons deserve more credit than they get from that idiot. I hope he continues to down us. I enjoy ever time we make him wrong. I was at the game and the Bears were terrible. Their backs couldn’t hold on to the ball, their receivers could’t catch herpes, let alone the ball, and Cutler was all over the place. Keep putting us down Chris. Show your intelligence.
Glynn
October 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
Matt Ryan IS the next Peyton Manning
FalconFanForLife
October 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
Collinsworth is typical of most national pundits, if it’s not the Patriots, Steelers or Giants then the team is just not worthy. Granted those are the teams that won superbowls the last 5 years, but it might behove the color analyast to work a little and find out about a team he is broadcasting. Al Micheals is a pro, but Collingsworth is another gas bag with nothing useful to say and always pointing out the obvious. Sorry for interupting your busy schedule Chris, enjoy next weeks game, boy that will be fun.
Daniel Bell
October 20th, 2009
12:24 pm
You see a lot of this lately, but most sports-talk people are aware of how good Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense is. That said, I don’t mind the Falcons being out of the national media eye for the most part. It’s a better story to be an unexpected rise than a shocking collapse.
JP
October 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
He’s sure as heck no Drew Brees. Geaux Saints!
Frank Wren
October 20th, 2009
12:34 pm
Tony Dungy said Matt Ryan is a young Peyton Manning. They even showed comparisons of some of the pre snap things Ryan does just like Manning.
Thats good enough for me.
just the facts
October 20th, 2009
12:36 pm
if you look at their numbers of this past game Matt Ryan is not as good as Jay Cutler. But I’d still take Matt because Jay is such a whiner crybaby.
Blue Fender
October 20th, 2009
12:37 pm
Collinsworth is a douche. I’m sick of his big jackass grin and his “analysis” of teams. He’s the biggest band wagon jumper-oner of any announcer out there. He’ll be saying how good a team is and how he always knew how good they would be after that team is in the playoffs or wins the SB. Effem.
J williams
October 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
Peyton and Brady have become the standard because of their consistent play…Matty has only one year, so to compare him to those guys is not fair.
When was it they the “talking heads” realized that Peyton and Brady were the standard? Shouldn’t Matty be given a few years to develop into what we hope he becomes?
The Falcons’ offense didn’t impress on Sunday, but I the Bears had an extra week of rest and preparation. The only thing that counts are the wins.
JewellNelson
October 20th, 2009
12:48 pm
History Lession: Like I said yesterday, right now there are many doubting thomases and skeptical fans who dont really know how good the Falcons are so far, thats cool. They will understand in time. When they find out how good the Falcons are they will breathe a sigh of relief. The national media are used to making a mockery of the Falcons. Even going back to the days of the late Howard Cosell from Monday Night Football. Cosell used to always include the Falcons when discussing the playoffs even when he knew there was no chance the Falcons would make it. I remember back then in those years, many years after 12 games the Falcons record would be 4-8; so Cosell would say “yeah, the Falcons are mathematically still alive, but in order for them to get into the playoffs all the teams above them would have to LOSE ALL OF THEIR GAMES, while the Falcons would have to WIN ALL OF THEIR GAMES rendering the task virtually impossible. And he used to joke about it over and over again. “Then after saying that, Cosel would quip, “So in other words in terms of Falcons making the playoffs, ‘FORGET THEM’. It still hurts because I remember it like it was yesterday. Oh how times have changed. In my BLOG yesterday I said that I feel it in my gut that the Falcons are one of the top 5 teams in the league. We dont know yet because it hasnt been proven. After the Falcons play the Eagles, Saints and Cowboys, EVERYONE will know where the Falcons rank in the power ranknings. I also feel that the Falcons match up well with New Orleans and will beat them provided the Falcons score 90 points in that game. Again, here is how I rank the five best teams in the league. #1:New Orleans; #2:Indianapolis; #3:New England; #4:Minnesota; and #5:Atlanta. THOSE ARE MY POWER RANKINGS FOR NOW. Forget Denver at 5-0, they are lucky and havent played anyone.
Singletary
October 20th, 2009
12:52 pm
The commentators rarely like us, but it was really awful against the Pats. I’m not usually into conspiracy theories, but it did seem like the refs and the commentators had a confab beforehand and said “Birds are going down,” and then they both called it that way. (How else do you explain Matt Light constantly “pantsing” or giving wedgies to John Abraham and never throwing a flag?)
If Cris Collingsworth never called another game, I’d be happier. If you think he hates us, imagine how bad it is when he calls Browns games. The spouse is a Browns fan, and he is even more venomous and disparaging against them.
Great reason to work hard to win the SB so that we can then make a YouTube video montage of all his jerk comments to send to NBC. (BTW, why doesn’t NBC ever deign to hire an African American to work in the night booth? Don’t want to start a discrimination rant on this blog, but to this Caucasian, that is just idiocy when there are talented former players like Sterling Sharp who would add immeasurably to the discussion & fun.)
MLB
October 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
The key word in Collinsworth’s comment was “think”; that should have been a clue that something dumb would follow. The Falcons have been among defensive league leaders in points allowed and touchdowns allowed. Their offensive line is among the league leaders in sacks allowed, if not leading the league. This is a solid, well-coached, highly-motivated, very athletic football team that is capable of going very far. Throw in Matt Ryan, and the sky’s the limit! They don’t have to depend on one player or phase of their game to win. They learned how good they can be with the loss at New England, a game they could very well have won. Chris Collinsworth is a “homer” who roots for the Bengals every week, and a hack who reveals his professional laziness by his ill-preparedness. I’ll close with a freebie: the Dophins upset the Saints on Sunday, setting up a Monday night showdown between the Falcons & Saints for the NFC South lead!
FalcFan
October 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
At this point in his career Ryan is no Brady. Personally I prefer the Manning comparison, but I the guy is only in his second season. Already being compared to those two is enough to tell me Ryan is a franchise guy. Also, it seems clear to me that the coaches are not going to completely unleash him for 4 quarters like the Colts do Manning. However, if you look at how effective he is when he is running the show (the no huddle) you know he is going to be great. As a side note, Chris Collinsworth completely ruins Sunday night football. He said that the reason Grimes was starting was because of his size and run support. Anyone can tell you that Grimes is one o the smallest guys on the field and the two biggest weaknesses are size and tackling ability. Collinsworth is just horrible. It could be argued that he is worse than the Falcons that played when Vick went to jail and Petrino left.
RoryWhistler
October 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
What’s amazing about Cris Collingsworth and some of the other announcers is they are ALWAYS ROOTING AGAINST THE FALCONS and they dont want the Falcons to win the games. Whats more is that in all the games so far, I think the Falcons were the underdog in most of them, yet the Falcons record is a rousing 4-1. 4-1 is impressive and most sports media should be acknowledging the Falcons success so far. If you pro rate 4-1 for 15 games the record would be 12-3 with a possible 13-3 record at the end: NOT BAD! iS THAT GOOD OR WHAT! Why are the nnational media calling the Falcons the underdog when they are domininating most of the teams they play. The Falcons crushed San Francisco 45-10 and still didnt get any credit for that game.
RodneyRichards
October 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
FalcFan: you are wrong!!! Truth be told:Ryan is BETTER than Peyton and Manning combined at this time when both were in their second season. In other words Ryans second year is better than both mannings and bradys second year. thats a fact. Ryan will be an ABSOLUTE CERTAIN HALL OF FAMER by the time his career is over.
Singletary
October 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
FalcFan has an excellent point. There’s every reason to believe he will develop.
I also think our (excellent) coaching staff may be playing the season strategically. Specifically, they probably wouldn’t have pulled out the no huddle except to win the game. While all of them are important, a home loss would have been devastating. While they want players to focus only on this week’s game, they are probably holding some plays back for tricky or finesse situations.
BTW, “the GQ Don’t hit me Brady doll” is probably just ticked off that the WSJ concluded that MR2 was the best looking QB in the league (as per some face point metrics measurement.)
CJJunior
October 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
Matty Ice hasn’t even been in the league a full 2 yeas yet……of course he’s no Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, no real Falcons fan is asking him to be. But he is 15 – 7 (one playoff lose) with 25 TD’s and 15 Int. I’ll take that over a rocket arm and goofy school boy hair cut any day.
cutter
October 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
Why does anyone give a crap about what the commentators think or say. They have to say something that’s what they are paid to do. Win football games and let the wimps worry about what is being said. Is Matt Ryan a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning… not yet. Win a ring then we can compare.
GoldenVulture
October 20th, 2009
1:17 pm
I feel that Matty “Ice” Ryan is BETTER than Peyton Manning and Tom Brady is NOW! i MAY be the only person who believes that but that is what I see when I watch Ryan on Sundays. Some days some of his throws are off, but when he gets back on track he is throwing the ball now as good as ANYONE who has ever been great at qb: and I have seen them all: Bradshaw, Staubach, Unitas, Elway, Fouts, Namath, Manning, Brady. FOLKS, THIS MAY STUN YOU, but Matty Ice is better than all of them NOW.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
If you check out replays of Sunday night, Al Michaels was correcting CC’worth all broadcast. Michaels ended by acknowledging that a 4-1 record is legitimate proof for both a Division contender and a Conference contender; the LAST WORD. The San Francisco broadcast team just reinforced that there is a broadcaster bias with these games. Even though the Falcons were clearly kicking 49er ass, Syragusa on the sideline, and the booth annoouncers acted like they wre in shock the way the game was going. But hey, it’s better that the Falcons continue to fly under the radar. They will take the “experts” by surprise, if not the other teams!
HGN
October 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
I don’t think Matty Ice needs to be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. I will take a very good Matty Ice any day..And that’s what Ryan is at this point in his career. Very good. He is learning to be a better quarterback , and make his reads faster and more accurate. That’s all anyone can ask. To just continue to get better and keep developing his game…By anyone’s standard I think he is doing just great.
Willie Coyote
October 20th, 2009
1:24 pm
People can debate whether he’s overrated, has a “noodle arm”, isn’t this, or isn’t that, but this team in 15-6 during the regular season with him. That says a lot about him and this team as a whole.
JessicaChevalier
October 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
For those people who simply cant wait for the Falcons/New Orleans contest at the New Orleans Superdome, I am predicting the Falcons will win that contest by a final score of 90-67. If that score happens MAYBE THE MEDIA WILL FINALLY SAY THE FALCONS MAY POSSIBLY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. WHO KNOWS. All I can tell you is that I believe the Falcons will be the Superbowl champions this year. I wont back down from that prediction.
ATL
October 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
Who cares what anyone else thinks. We’re 4-1, and still haven’t hit our peak!
GO FALCONS!
Ryan2atl
October 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
Ryan has started 22 games and the Falcons have won 15 or close to 70%. Geez, he’s not perfect. I’ll take 70%. Lets see how things go. He needn’t be annointed nor trashed just yet but he most assuredly should be enjoyed. Think of other scenarios which could have played out with the Falcons. If you don’t have a smile on your face you ain’t livin’.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Ditto FalcFan & Singletary: MR is way ahead of Manning & Brady at this point in their careers. And, when you consider the teams & circumstances they all came in under, MR is just absolutely amazing. Not to give away my age, but I was here for the FIRST Falcons team in ‘66. I’ve followed every incarnation since then, and folks, there ain’t never been nothin’ close to this guy in all those years! And on top of that, the Falcons have the most stable, enlightened ownership, management, & coaching EVER! Remember Rankin Smith, Jerry Glanville, the prima donna Jim Mora, etc etc etc…
MO Zack
October 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
Thank goodness collinsworth doesn’t like the Falcons!
Jim H.
October 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
Did he really say that? I always mute Collinsworth so I didnt hear it (he’s the football version of Joe Morgan)……. I guesss I would ask, who the he!! cares what that dipstick thinks?
kurula
October 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
it’s good that john elway won a couple of rings at the end of his career. otherwise he wouldn’t have been thought of as a great quarterback. too bad dan marino didn’t win any. but, i guess he wasn’t a great quarterback. he was no where near as good as jeff hostetler or brad johnson. those guys won a ring and marino did not. since that is obviously how we judge quarterback success, i guess marino was down right terrible. just think….all those years playing football…and nothing to show for it. too bad football isn’t a team sport. maybe someone could have helped poor marino win one and maybe have gotten a couple more for john elway. maybe if jim kelly was a better quarterback, buffalo might have won one of those superbowls. the rest of his team had nothing to do with the losses. peyton manning won one finally. too bad he was terrible last year and lost in the first round. his brother eli already won one. way earlier in his career than peyton. i guess he’s the better quarterback. i guess you had better win a ring, drew brees, or forever be thought of as less of a passer than doug williams or trent dilfer. those guys won a ring. because of that, they better than you.
Matt
October 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Who is Tom Brady and Peyton Manning? Matt Ryan all the WAY baby
Corey
October 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
Still not sure why so many so-called experts are so in love with Cutler: He has talent, but at least so far, all he has shown is that he can’t always be counted on when he is on the field and that off the field he is selfish and immature. And although they are obviously at opposite ends of their careers, Matt Ryan definitely has two things in common with Brady: they are both class acts and know how to win a football game when it counts. As far as the lack of respect for the Falcons, we shouldn’t worry about it because this team is finally going to be a winner for many years to come.
Neil
October 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
I’m reminded of a poster from SI I had as a child that said, “Reggie Jackson superstar (not yet)” Well, MR will be a superstar and amoung the all-time elite quarterbacks in the league. The only announcer who is more of an idiot than Collingsworth is Troy Aikman.
BigEasy830
October 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
Brees>Ryan. Enough said.
Saints 16-0 win superbowl
Falcons 4-12 back to reality
kurula
October 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
falcons 4-12? nah. they have at least 4 guaranteed wins left. 2 with tampa and one against carolina and one against the redskins. bigeasy, don’t hate AND get greedy. it’s just tacky.
SOUTH GA BIRD FAN
October 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
GO FALCONS !!!!!!!!!!!
MR is the best long term investment at QB in years to come into the league and most “Experts” are just mad because they predicted him to struggle , what if he is struggling now man what happens when he figures it all out !!!!!
GO FALCONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cutter
October 20th, 2009
2:16 pm
It’s always the guys who had average football careers that are hard on the elite players. Chris Collinsworth has to sit there year end and year out and listen to guys be compared to Hall of Fame caliber players and watch as former players are inducted or at least mentioned for possible induction into the Hall of Fame. His name will never be mentioned and he will never be compared to any Hall of Fame type players and I’m sure that hurts. He and Mark Schlereth are haters.
Jeff M.
October 20th, 2009
2:16 pm
Colinsworth said on ‘Inside The NFL’ a couple weeks ago that he anticipates Matt Ryan will have the best career of any young QB in the league including Jay Cutler. He was probably just playing provocative for the camera in talking down the Birds.
bfred
October 20th, 2009
2:19 pm
In the same vein, I was astonished by the amount of love the Giants were getting before the NO game. The Giants had not played anyone, yet were #1 in the power rankings while NO was destroying every team that came near them.
Sports media is no different from any other variety – they don’t report facts, the spout opinion with no repurcussions for being consistently wrong. The average man on the street could pick games as well as the “experts” – just look at their track records.
Old Dawg
October 20th, 2009
2:25 pm
Matt Ryan is a second year quarterback playing within a system that is allowing him to develop in the pro game. Thank goodness has has a good running game and talented receivers. Every offensive system is different, but the Falcons’ is suited to a quarterback who can manage games and take shots down the field when they’re required.
What we’re seeing now is the beginning of what should be an outstanding career.
kurula
October 20th, 2009
2:26 pm
it’s easier and easier to ignore the ‘experts’ these days. atlanta wins 45-10 against san francisco on the road…oh, well, looks like the 49ers are overrated. atlanta wins 21-14 in a hard fought, close game at home against the bears…oh, well the bears out gained atlanta and if not for bad luck, should have beaten an overrated atlanta team. there are no style points in the NFL……….right?……………..right?!
MLB
October 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
Aikman sustained multiple concussions behind the Cowboys’ O-line, at least that’s his defense for being dumb as a bag of rocks. He was part of that broadcast team for the blowout 49ers game. Back in ‘79, ‘80 it was suspected that Montana was a bust with the 49ers. In ‘80, the Falcons went 12-4, won their division, were favorites to go all the way, and lost to the underdog Cowboys in Divisional playoff. The next season, the Falcons went in the toilet, and the 49ers, Montana, Walsh & Co went on to make history. It can turn around in one season in the NFL, usually while the experts are obsessed with the big names…the Falcons are on the way! They have everything in place for a nice long run!
Matt Ryan
October 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
This is only my second year and the only thing ya’ll can compare me to is the two best qb’s which makes me the third best, and I been doing push-ups so you can forget the Noodle Arm and I’m bringing a super bowl trophy to Atlanta before it’s said and done, and Collinsworth is upset cause his wifey been trying to get at me on the low,” THIS IS WHY I’m HOTT”
Steve C
October 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
BigEasy830, what an idiotic statement.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
Ain’ts…I mean Saints…16 an oh! Cough cough gag gag…Superbowl…plastic or paper? If you’re a Saints fan, you know what that means…
Whoo-hooo!
October 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
The last too seasons have been as great as any for all of us in Birdland. Who cares what the talking heads are saying, They stick to their scripted talking points regardless of what is going on the field. The lack of respect by the media was a great motivator the last couple of games, we should give CC a game ball. If he keeps talking we may wind up 15-1, (and we still wouldn’t get
any respect!). If the media starts to promote the birds we should be worried, right now we are not suppose to win, we are playing like we have nothing to lose, so this is fun. Pile on the expectations and start counting wins before the game is played and it will be a different story. If we stumble against TB or WA it will be tough on the ego.
Smitty has the right attitude, in just wanting to win the next game and nothing else exists. Right now the Dallas game on the road is the only game on the schedule. Go Birds!
DownGoesFrazier
October 20th, 2009
2:36 pm
Where’s that fool, Reality Check? I miss that slogan, what was it… “Back to life , Back to reality”? I know… He’s probably scratching off his $5 worth of losing lottery tickets, and then getting in line to buy $5 more. And FALCONS SORRY, NOW YOU KNOW THAT AURTHUR IS YOUR BIG DIDDY AND MATT RYAN IS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. REPINT FROM YOUR EVIL VICKED WAYS AND REJOICE IN ALL OUR FALCONSGLORYNESS!
What's Important
October 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
Chris Collinsworth is like so many announcers. They get so caught up in numbers, arm strength, speed, etc. that they don’t pay attention to how the games are playing out. They are announcing on what they think will, or should happen, rather than what is happening on the field. Jay Cutler may have a better arm, but he doesn’t have the judgment making capabilities of Matt Ryan, and Jay Cutler has been in the league longer. Matt Ryan has been in the league less than two years, no reasonable person expects him to be as good as Brady or Peyton Manning. He will mature just as they did and, I believe will, become as good if not better than both of them. Also, a quarterback’s merits should not be limited to on field only. Matt Ryan, after only a year is a leader in the locker room and on the field and appears to be well liked by his teammates. Jay Cutler does not appear to have those qualities. These announcers latch on to the latest thing and just big deal the hell out of it. They also bear personal grudges. Jamie Dukes on NFL Network has never has a good word to say about Matt Ryan, I suppose because of his relationship with a previous quarterback. In any case, I don’t think Matt Ryan will be affected at all by whatever Chris Collinsworth or any other media person says about him, he is too grounded and confident for that. I choose to believe what Tony Gonzales, Roddy White, his other Falcon team mates who voted him captain and his coaches have to say, rather than some self-absorbed, ego driven talking head.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
2:40 pm
The Falcons first qb was a talented guy named Randy Johnson who had the misfortune of coming into the NFL with an expansion team back when the headslap, clothesline & crackback block were not only legal, but coached. He got beat to death playing behind an O-line that resembled Swiss cheese! MR’s biggest asset is the Falcons’ commitment to protecting him. He doesn’t have to run for his life every game. He has a good chance of staying healthy, which is job #1 for the staff!
MDub913
October 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
Matt Ryan’s winning percentage speaks for itself. He’s not always the most accurate passer, but he makes the key throws more often than not and does a great job at leading his team.
JP
October 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
MLB…congrats on the most unique, ingenious name ever to be used against a Saints fan… “Ain’ts…I mean Saints…” how many hours did that one take you to come up with? That’s the sign of a 150+ IQ right there…”Aint’s”…hold on, let me write that one down!
GEAUX SAINTS!
derek roberson
October 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Matt does have at least one attribute like the Mannings,Bradys,he knows how to win games!!!
MLB
October 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
Write it down JP…or in your case, being a Saints fan…get someone else to write it down for you…wouldn’t want to challenge you beyond your capability…
but back to business, you have a very good-for-the moment qb who has not been hit…yet. They beat an overrated Giants team Sunday with a depleted secondary. As I suggested to another Saints fan…paper or plastic? You’ll need sharp scissors to make the nose & eye holes…be careful…don’t cut your self…
Steve C
October 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
About as unique and original as “Geaux Saints”.
DeeFalcon
October 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
Honestly, who takes what Collingworth(less) has to say seriously? The arrogant jerk is the most single-sided announcer I’ve ever seen. If a QBs name isn’t Brady, Farve or Big Ben, he doesn’t have anything positive to say about them. If you haven’t noticed the jerk always has a favorite team before the game even starts and he doesn’t bother to hide that fact. He makes excuses for mistakes made by the team that he wants to win and makes very rude comments about the team he wants to lose. Whoever hired him at NBC needs to be fired along with him.
Jake
October 20th, 2009
3:02 pm
Falcon fans you are all upset about basically nothing. No one likes saying bad things about their kids. Get with it –we are talking about the media here– probably the most biased group of simi professionals on the planet. Example- look at the coverage of Obama by the media. The Pope doesn’t do that well. –Overlooked by almost everyone in what I have read about the Bears game is the pass deflection off Jenkins hands at about the five yd line that turned out to be an interception. Jenks catches that ball–which he should of– and we win by two TD’s. We are going to lose a few more–probably not ready for the Super Bowl this year–but if Ryan stays healthy start saving your money cause we will be going regularly
David Smith
October 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
The only thing that matters is 1.How many Super Bowl trophies Matt leads us to and 2.How many winning seasons he leads us to. Matt Ryan is quickly becoming one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and the more people overlook him the better he will be so he won’t have the pressure of living up to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Before it’s all said and done we will have had one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. GO FALCONS!!!
MLB
October 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
The only commentary that mattered Sunday night was Tony Dungy’s; he was thrilled with MR. Made pointed comparisons w/PManning, and his praise was unrestricted. Hey, the ATL is set for a long time with Ryan, Smitty, Dimitroff & Co. Let’s just cool out & enjoy the ride!
PS to JP…Saints fans coined “Ain’ts”, as if you didn’t know…truly a result of on-field inspiration. Hope they continue to do well this year…I’d love to see Matt beat ‘em in the NFC championship game!
Bill R
October 20th, 2009
3:20 pm
You can’t compare Ryan to those guys. He’s only played 21 regular season games. He’s coming along fine for a second year QB and his team is winning most of it’s games. What more can you ask for?
Pete
October 20th, 2009
3:24 pm
People forget……….Ryan is only in his 2nd year in the NFL………22 games total. For that number of games experience he is absolutely BRILLIANT.
No if’s and’s or but’s.
midnite
October 20th, 2009
3:28 pm
@BigEasy830
So you say the falcons are going 0-11 the rest of the way? You are still as clueless as ever. Why don’t we revisit some of the other junk you talked in the preseason? Is that why you don’t come to the big boy blogs anymore? You let your mouth write checks that your a$$ couldn’t cover.
ICMIII
October 20th, 2009
3:28 pm
There’s a lot more to being a good NFL quaterback than having a cannon for an arm. It takes a leader with a cool head, good field vision and an understanding of what the defense is trying to do. Ryan has all three. I’ll take him over any of the other “young” quarterbacks, especially Cutler.
BOOOOM SHAKALAKA
October 20th, 2009
3:30 pm
I thought they were complimenting Ryan myself.
David
October 20th, 2009
3:31 pm
If you payed a bit more attention to the game you would have heard Cris Collinsworth call Matt Ryan as a “Young Peyton Manning” and praise several of his nice plays, which were plentiful in last night’s game. Calm down, everyone appreciates this young star in Matt ryan
Tdawg
October 20th, 2009
3:35 pm
C. collinsworthless is a -ickhead and a jerk, always has been always will be!. He thinks he was better than any receiver that has ever or will ever play, when in fact he was just an average reciever in the league. As far as someone saying that M Ryan is not T Brady or P Manning, Ryan is only in his 2nd year in the NFL. Give him about another year to year and a half and see what he becomes.
Mink
October 20th, 2009
3:36 pm
I think Collinsworth is really good, but when you’re a national guy, there’s only so much you can know about certain teams until you see them. He’s usually spot on in his assessments of offenses. The Falcons’ bend but don’t break approach turns people away, but once you watch it for a whole game, you start to get it.
Collinsworth gave credit to the Falcons offense where it was due, but I would like to have heard him rebute his statement about the D by the end of the game. I didn’t..
Wesley Wallace
October 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
If the Falcons go to the playoffs two years in a row, they will get their due respect. The only teams that can beat us, not coming off a bye are the undefeated teams, and possibly the Giants. We could still win the whole thing this year.
misterwax
October 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
When the Atlanta defense has long term consistent stars like Seau and Bruscchi who force turnovers and place the offense in a quick strike score, then Ryan will have a team like Brady used to have and they will achieve similar reults.
misterwax
October 20th, 2009
3:37 pm
sorry, typo error on Bruschi (?)
Vince Burchfield
October 20th, 2009
3:39 pm
The Falcons have a lot to prove. Never back to back winners. The record with Matty Ice is 15 wins 6 losses. There have been many poor throws. A few picks, some from catchable balls. BUT…he looks cool under pressure. He has advanced skills, good feet, great arm, perfect work ethic, a razor commercial, made male love in the media, and is the perfect posterboy for the team and city. I real happy and hopeful about MY FALCONS. Roll Tide too!
Dean
October 20th, 2009
3:40 pm
DeeFalcon, tell Collinsworth to take Keith Olbermann with him.
Vince Burchfield
October 20th, 2009
3:42 pm
typo…mad male love from media, I’m rel happy
PMC
October 20th, 2009
3:43 pm
Who cares. Just keep winning… the more you win and the more you win in prime time the more time national people devote to your team. Nationally almost nothing is known of this team because they aren’t on prime time much because they aren’t a draw nationally. They did much much better sunday night than the national Fox crews… who seem to roll out of bed and go to the games.
The only thing that really matters is that Matt Ryan is facilitating the offense expertly. When the inside running lanes are shut down Matt is finding the open man and getting the ball to the right guy. Names are made in the playoffs. That can’t come until later. We’re focused on Dallas this week.
Milledgeville Dawg
October 20th, 2009
3:47 pm
Let’s all remember CC is a GATOR and an ignorant one at that. Matt Ryan is a great young QB that will only get better. There is a dynasty building in Atlanta.
FALCONS SORRY
October 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
MV7…
just kidding folks. GO FALCONS!!!! GO MR2!!!!!!
Nativebird
October 20th, 2009
3:50 pm
Ryan has all the makings of a potential great Quarterback. But, to the national media, he nor the Falcons will EVER get credit until they actually WIN a Superbowl. Unfortunately the long, long, undistinguished history of this losing franchise is just TOO much baggage for anyone (less us true Falcon fans) to go out on a limb and get on an Atlanta bandwagon, including Ryan. It’s sad, and unwarranted but Matty and the new birds as a whole, are paying the price for the sins of their predecessors, and will continue to pay it until they win it all.
james adams
October 20th, 2009
3:52 pm
I’m a HUGE Falcon fan. What Collinsworth said , though, was that the DEFENSE ‘just wasn’t very good.’ Not the team. Going into the game they were 25th against the pass and 22nd against the run. He had some valid points. I WANT Collinsworth to announce A LOT of Falcons games, because that means they are on national television and are, as Larry David would say…’ Prettyyyy…Prettty….prettyyy good.’
TB
October 20th, 2009
3:52 pm
Yeah, Jay Cutler is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. Maybe a very elite quarterback. What’s that….Falcons defense picked him off multiple times, oh yeah. What’s that…..Denver didn’t want him anymore and traded him for Kyle Orten and now the Broncos have never looked this good and are undefeated. What’s that….Jay Cutler lost the game Sunday and now the Falcons have a better record than the Bears. What’s that….Matt Ryan’s completion percentage and quarterback rating are up over last year when he won Rookie of the year. Give me Ryan over Cutler any day. There is a reason that Denver didn’t want him, probably has something to do with his attitude.
Michael
October 20th, 2009
3:53 pm
How in the world is he over rated? He was a very good starting QB in his rookie year 99 % of QB’s coming out of college cant say that. He is 4-1 in year 2. You sports people kill me.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
3:53 pm
To V Burchfield: Thanks for clearing that up…had me worried for a sec!
The Falcons will win or lose like every good team does, by putting together solid starters, back-ups, and special teams. Ryan is phenomenal, but the real strength of the team is in evaluating talent & putting it on the field. Every SB winner & perennial winner has nameless athletes who contribute every time out. You can only get a few real stars on the field, and then surround them with a lot of solid performers that will never make it to Canton.
BigEasy830
October 20th, 2009
3:54 pm
Look if some of you really believe the hype about your boy Matt, go ahead and make fools of yourself and when he stinks it up against the Cowboys ya’ll will be screaming “WE SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED FLACCO.”
You bunch of stupid loosers! Ya’ll crackers crack me up!!!
j
October 20th, 2009
3:56 pm
tom brady has never won a superbowl by more than three points. All his superbowls were won when he knew what to expect.
peyton manning is a classic bedwetter. the year that he won the superbowl he almost giftwrapped the afc championship game to new england in the second half until marlon jackson and the colts defense bailed him out.
if keith brooking was still here you would have lost opening day and last week.
It appears no one misses that pile jumper.
AGTfan
October 20th, 2009
3:59 pm
I hope people keep on under-estimating the Falcons and Matt Ryan. I like watching other teams wandering around with that befuddled look and wondering How they lost to the Falcons. I’ve got a feeling that very few head coaches are under-estimating the Falcons and even fewer Defensive Coordinators are under-estimating Matty Ice.
TheManMike
October 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
The simple fact that Ryan is brought up in the same conversation as Manning and Brady is telling in it’s own right. This second year QB is talked about more and compared to those two more than pretty much any other QB in this league. There are 29 other starting QB’s in this league, most of which have been playing longer than 2 years, and have Super Bowl rings, who aren’t worthy of the conversation piece.
So, Collinsworth’s comparison is accurate, Ryan isn’t Manning or Brady – but who is after 2 seasons? – Manning and Brady in their first 2 or 3 or 4 seasons weren’t the Manning and Brady of today. It’s a rather mute point though, as neither of those guys took their respective teams to the big show last season.
Matt Ryan is Matt Ryan. I contend that Manning and Brady are no Ryan.
Go Falcons!
Sherfnot'inham
October 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
BgE830, they finish cleaning the sh– out of your cage you can crawl back in
Big B CH 99
October 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
I really don’t care what the media thinks of Ryan & the team. And who cares if Ryan is no Brady, Peyton, etc. I care about winning games, & Ryan is doing a pretty good job of that. I’m excited that we have a franchise QB to build around.
MLB
October 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
Prediction: MR2 & Falcons over Tony Romoverated & Cowboys Sunday…
DAVID
October 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
I hope people keep doubting the Falcons, PROVING THEM WRONG IS LIKE A PUNCH IN THE MOUTH. It reminds me of how I became a Falcon fan, the year we played Minnesota to go to the Super Bowl I was in college, all you heard that week is how the Vikings were gonna destroy us and look what happened… Our defense must continue to play with a chip on their shoulders, WE HAVE TO APPLY PRESSURE ON OUR OPPONENTS QB we dont have a lockdown corner back, if we can go 12-4 we should play for it all ONE GAME AT A TIME…
Bill
October 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
As I remember it, neither announcer made any comment about the Falcons going into the ‘no huddle offense’ until the start of the second half of the game. It was a move that changed the whole game. How could the two of them missed it?
On most television coverage of football today, the viewers are exposed too much ‘diarrhea of the mouth’ from an overcrowed announcers booth of sometimes three commentators. To make it worse much of the talk has nothing to do with the game or is so simpfied and stupid it would be better off not said.
BigEasy830
October 20th, 2009
4:07 pm
Truth bothering you Sherfnot’inham?
MLB
October 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
One of the few good announcers in recent MNF history was kicked off, and I only see himon NFL Networkk these days—Joe Theismann. Thank God they canned Tony Kornholer…I mean Kornheiser…
Driver 8
October 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
A couple of points:
1) I believe Collinsworth said he didn’t think the Falcons were particularly good-nothing about Matt Ryan.
2) Most media types have been very complimentary of Matt Ryan.
3) Sports analysis is like all other opinion driven media. They all can tell you why what just happened occurred, but few if any, can tell you with even a small degree of reliability, what is about to happen. They gravitate towards the familiar and away from the unproven. It is a BS business.
4) Give Collinsworth credit for making an unequivocal statement-he actually says what is on his mind. Refreshing. Doesn’t mean he is right.
5 Who cares? Nobody’s opinion will determine the success or failure of the Falcons – or any other team for that matter.
S
October 20th, 2009
4:11 pm
You can’t handle the truth! Jack Nicholson told me to type that to ya’. He also said you leave anymore sh– in your cage, you sleep in it next time
FalconsFan67
October 20th, 2009
4:11 pm
Matt Ryan is the next Matt Ryan. There’s no reason to compare Ryan to anyone else but himself. Each TEAM is in a different situation, Ryan is the type of QB that the Falcons need to win and they’ll keep winning as long as he stays healthy. That’s the true bottom line.
Sherfnot'inham
October 20th, 2009
4:14 pm
BIgGreasy830 saints best days was under manning not peyton just so you don’t get confused