This one is on Matt Ryan, and Falcons may be in trouble
Everything went right for Matt Ryan in year one. Notsomuch now.
CHARLOTTE — There’s a problem with setting the bar so high in year one. When you run face first into the bar in year two, everybody notices.
Matt Ryan hasn’t necessarily been a spectacular crash this season. But he certainly hasn’t been the quarterback that most expected after a first season that saw him lead a seemingly flat-lined franchise to the playoffs. And yes — any doubts about whether something was wrong just ended.
The Falcons lost to the Carolina Sunday, 28-19. We can rationalize several reasons why this may have happened. Kicker Jason Elam botched a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter. The defense crumbled yet again. Aliens abducted John Abraham.
But put this one on Ryan. He threw two interceptions — dreadful interceptions. The first came in the second quarter after the Falcons had closed to 14-10. It led to a Panthers’ touchdown drive just before the half that made it 21-10. The second was a game-killer — with 3:45 left from the Carolina 49, and the Falcons trailing, 21-19.
Both came on the opening plays of drives. Both sailed high over a wide receiver, Michael Jenkins, who has long arms and stands 6-foot-4. Both were mistakes many of us were deluded into believing Ryan would not, could not commit with a game on the line.
This is a troubling transition. The franchise centerpiece just went from a quarterback who lately has struggled to win games to one who just lost one.
“There’s going to be things you have to learn along the way,” Ryan said later when asked about his drop in accuracy. “There’s a lot of tough teams you’re going against. I feel like I’m learning a bunch and continuing to get better. But I’ve just made some mistakes, and that’s gonna happen.
“I just made some throws that weren’t on point.”
Learning curves are normal for young quarterbacks. But could we have anticipated this curve would turn 180 degrees?
Ryan’s first four games: 66.7 percent completion percentage, seven touchdowns, two interceptions.
Ryan’s last five games: 54.9, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions.
Why? That answer isn’t clear. If Ryan knows, he’s not saying.
“Different things come up week in and week out,” he said. “I’m young. I’ve got a long way to go, a lot of improving to do, and a lot of things to learn. And I feel you do learn things in your second year that you don’t learn in your first. I’m trying to soak up everything I can.”
Soak this up: The Falcons are in trouble. They’re 5-4. That record certainly doesn’t scream they’re walking the Green Mile. But this is a team that goes as the offense goes. It’s not a roster built for 13-10 wins.
But now look: Running back Michael Turner is out with an ankle sprain, which was significant enough to keep him out the last two and a half quarters Sunday. Ryan, the other key member of the offense, looks average (maybe). If he stays average, the offense is dead and the Falcons’ playoff hopes will sleep with it.
Coach Mike Smith declined to let offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey or quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave speak to the media. Smith and players came to Ryan’s defense. Everybody accepted blame, as you would expect.
Smith: “I thought Matt’s play was just like the rest of the football team. We didn’t sustain the level of play we needed to be successful.”
Wide receiver Roddy White also said, “We didn’t lose this game because of Matt. We all just gave it away.”
But he offered one solid theory as to why Ryan’s production has fallen off.
“Teams have seen him now on tape for a whole year,” he said. “They’re playing to his strengths and weaknesses, and they’re doing a good job.”
If this is an aberration, we’re about to find out. Three of the next four games come against the New York Giants, Philadelphia and New Orleans. The season will be either saved or buried. And now we have to wonder if the bar for Ryan was set too high.
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532 comments Add your comment
Jimmy
November 15th, 2009
10:20 pm
Ryan is getting tons of pressure this year from very GOOD defenses.
Teams have adjusted to his game and they are treating him like the young QB he is.
Turner was not himself for the first six games of the season so the run game has just started to take off.
And how many drops has Jenkins had? How many routes has he blown?
Ryan’s interceptions have not all been on his either How many times have receivers tipped passes?
Has Ryan been as accurate this year? No. He did make some very accurate and tough throws today. He put the ball where only his receiver could get it. There are a lot of things going on during every play that affects what the QB does. It is no excuse…but it is reality.
Only a dummy or a person with an agenda doesn’t take all the variables into account when criticizing.
Oh and one more thing…Ryan is only a second year player. Some of his critics act as if he has been in the league ten years. That is just stupid.
WW
November 15th, 2009
10:28 pm
I think the fans deserve to know who called the down-the-field pass at the end of the game. If Ryan called it, then he blew the game, if someone else called it, then Ryan is off the hook. Jeff, please use your super powers to get us this information. We will all be waiting patiently here on your blog for the information.
Peion Deion
November 15th, 2009
10:28 pm
Who is Mike Vick??? Da Eagles havent even seen him so let it Die! MV7 is a ghost in the ATL, Ryan is a real QB & will be the franchise in a few years with experience so let Mike die in peace in maybe Buffalo where hes gonna be freezing his arse off! LMAO Mike Vick, puuuleeze let it go!
Boog
November 15th, 2009
10:29 pm
po ole falcons
Samuel
November 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
I’m officially off the bandwagon this team is going no where fast. Matt Ryan is not playing at a high level and the mistakes seem to be mounting from game to game. I like to see Jason Elam gone he can’t make a field goal when it seems to matter. Can we say New Orleans. I don’t like our defense they never play the whole game consistently. Although Muhammad push Tye Hill to get seperation early in the game. I don’t know if Tye Hill is the answer. John Abraham can’t seem to get to the quarterback and the beerman is an average player at best. They will miss Turner badly, he had got his mojo back. Jason Snelling played well he was the only bright spot. Sometimes I think our offensive coordinator puts the ball in Matt’s hands when he should call a running play. Vangorder can’t get the defense up to play from game to game. They were horrible that first half. I thought Svetek did a good job on Julius Peppers. If you are a Falcons fan get ready for a learning curve when it comes to Matty Ice. THis team is falling apart at the seems. The whole coaching staff stunk it up when it came to this game.
About panthers, falcons, injury, delhomme, yards | Find me About
November 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
[...] CHARLOTTE — There’s a problem with setting the bar so high in year one. When you run face first into the bar in year two, everybody notices. Matt Ryan hasn’t necessarily been a spectacular crash this season. But he certainly hasn’t been the quarterback …Read Original Story: This one is on Matt Ryan, and Falcons may be in trouble – Atlanta Journal… [...]
Garza
November 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
Whats wrong with Ryan fans not liking Vick? I will never like Ryan not matter what he does, as one poster said before me at least im honest.
Pete
November 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
Vick was garbage his last 2 years in the league. How come our receivers magically started cathcing balls after Vick left? Like I said before Vick Supporter will not vote Mary Norwood and am willing to bet any amount of money he voted Obama. Blacks can do nothing wrong in his eyes. He does not care if they commit felonies because he is a “brother”. I will admit Ryan has sucked the last 5 weeks. Saying that, he will have a much better career than Vick. Vick will never again be a factor in this league. He can’t even get on the field anymore. On the year he is 2-6 for 6 yards with 1 rush for 7 yards. Nice. The blacks will support him no matter what.
georgia tech breakin neckz
November 15th, 2009
10:38 pm
and on defense put davis and babineaux in the middle with biermann and abraham send wire up for blitz support keep peterson and lofton for for the pass keep four back for the deep pass and you will see some thing different with our defense and let grimes start he may be small but he is a good tackler and he has heart somthing houston or hil dont have
Lash La Rue
November 15th, 2009
10:38 pm
Ryan didn’t lose the damn game. The Falcons lost as a TEAM=all the players screwed it up, just look at the ‘D” and other mistakes etc. it takes 11 to get the job done not just one.
Its easy to blame Ryan like everyone did on blog today. Hell Blame Bush ,Obama,are Palin its just as easy. TEAM, TEAM at least Coach Smith knows that. Always put the blame on QB but he can’t do it by himself. IF< IF <IF<IF<IF Thats a big word to have 2 letters. IF
Navigator
November 15th, 2009
10:43 pm
Ryan don’t call his plays (I doubt if he could do worse), he doesn’t block, run routes or play defense. Yeah he’s getting happy feet, and the more pressure he gets, the happier feet he will have. Until people realize that the Falcons are a mediocre team, the quicker we stop saying stupid things about how one player cause a loss. The whole bleeping team is responsible for this loss, starting with the sorry play calling from Mullarky.
Kris G
November 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
For all those who make the “you criticize Ryan because you’re racists” comment… LET IT GO. There has been ONE black starting QB for the Falcons. ONE. He happens to have the best winning percentage of all Falcons QB’s, despite his obvious and well documented flaws. Essentially, you’re a team up by six touchdowns complaining that the refs are biased against you because of a suspect pass interference call. Same also applies to all other Glenn Beck inspired twisted views on race relations. First of all, Vick is gone by his own choices, and irrelevant. Second of all, Ryan is the QB, and absolutely deserves criticism right now. I’m actually glad to hear criticism. Criticism after a loss is about losing, and human nature is to place blame on SOMEthing. Last thing I want is to think that Falcons fans are as racist in their support of Ryan as a few were in their early opposition to the last guy.
georgia tech breakin neckz
November 15th, 2009
10:48 pm
oh and pete mike vick is good in his own right and matt ryan in his but the one thing thats going to make this team better is matt ryan going to the short game like last year he need to go shorter on his throws and stop throwing in to double and triple coverage to get his confidence back and the falcons need to trust more to the run and get those boys on the o-line to make better block especially on the inside do some 2 and 3 step drops and roll outs for matt and he will get better but run the crap out of michael turner and get norwood back healthy and dont playm the race card you too vick supporters not healthy both are good at what they do
Vick Supporter
November 15th, 2009
10:49 pm
@Pete
You’re hilarious,lol. Your dumb ass post cracked me up,lol
Pete
November 15th, 2009
10:52 pm
Vick supporter, such a coward he will not post his name. Funny thing is, I understand the Ryan criticism he is getting. But Vick was terrible his last 2 years and had the same weapons at receiver than Ryan has.
PMC
November 15th, 2009
10:59 pm
All you Jerks… bring back Bartkowski… Brink back Chris Miller. Bring back..Billie Joe Tolliver..Chris Chandler…revisionist history.
These things aren’t even worth reading anymore.
GoGaBulldawgs
November 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
I’m not a fair weather fan! Go FALCONS!
scfalc
November 15th, 2009
11:10 pm
2 and 1 is a free play to take a shot down field. How have we never had an OC that thought that way? Are we ever going to throw vertical again?
Mike
November 15th, 2009
11:14 pm
Every qb Atlanta has ever had sucked but Vick. He took them to 11-5 when in a year that the 3rd best team in the NFC was 9-7 and 2 8-8 teams made the playoffs. No QB has ever gotten them that far. He went to Green Bay in his second year, was spotted 14 points by his D and Special Teams, and deserves ALL the credit for that win. He does not deserve the blame for being sacked more per pass attempt than any other QB in the NFL his last year. Or the being third in fumbles among NFL QB’s. He does not deserve the blame in a pivotal Tampa gamethey were leading by 7 with less than four minutes to go and 2 turnovers by MV7 let Tampa steal the game. He never turned a 5 yard sack into an 18 yard loss. He never took himself out of a Dallas gane that was on the line. He never took a 14 point spot by Dunn in a Giants game and let sacks and turnovers give the game away. The Falcons ALMOST had back to back winning seasons under Vick. Vick is the reason I did not go stir crazy over Matt Ryans success last year. Today watching Ryan I felt like I did watching Vick in his last two seasons. I cursed him and called him names just like I did Vick. Atleast I can say these things about Ryan and not be a racist.
Lash La Rue
November 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
Glenn Beck inspired twisted views on race relations, said Kris G.
Kris, Glenn don’t give a damn what color race you are he tells it like it is. If the glove fits wear it. Everyone is on race. Race don’t matter if your right good if you wrong bad. F the color crap. I’m a Ryan Fan, I was a Vick fan, I didn’t see Bk are wh but two good QB’s. Give it a break.
Steve
November 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Keeping it real, but do not count the Tampa wins because they are playing well as of late and without Turner, the falcons could get BBQed by the Bucs.
On another note, I know you guys are praising Ryan about his ability to move the team in scoring position which he does well; however, the problem is he like the gun to squeeze the ball in tight windows which is cruical in the red zone. I tried to warn Blank about this Ryan and his ability to make the tight throw because he does have the strongest arm in the NFL.
I know someone try to say his arm is not noodle, but did you see that last int. Ryan put everything he had in that throw and it may have travel 30 yards. The top NFL QBs in the NFL would have put that last pass on a throw and not float the ball in the air like that.
Arthur, I told you I wanted to be the GM of this team and after this failure, please call me. Right now, I would keep coach Smith and send Ryan packing. Her is an Idea, you may have to use a two QB system. Ryan is the QB up to you get to the red zone and Redman is the red zone QB.
Finally, you people was warned by all the sport writers tha Ryan was too much like Joey Harrington, but y’all wanted to get after folks for saying that. Scouting reporter are more right than wrong especially when he comes to a players phyical limitations.
Mike
November 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
it almost slipped my mind it was someone elses fault in 06 that Atlanta lost to Detroit and Cleveland down the stretch, but no way, no how was it Vick’s.
Kevrock/Smarty Jones
November 15th, 2009
11:21 pm
IF Elam (who should be cut..he’s done) made the FG. We could be just talking about how well we hung in the game and won. That miss FG hurt a lot. Like a missed extra point. Cost us the chance of winning the game.
aswingruber
November 15th, 2009
11:28 pm
Are folks really blaming this on the play calling? Just because the play is called does not mean that the QB has to force a throw into double coverage. There are several options on any given play, and Ryan, as has been the trend, was dead set on forcing the ball. Plenty of blame to go around but the ball is ultimately in the QB’s hands to make a play and he made the wrong one, again.
plussizemodel
November 15th, 2009
11:30 pm
As I’ve said before: Matty would do well to learn how to throw on the run. I understand chucking the ball out of bounds beats a turnover, but on the other hand you’re not a top notch QB until you can make something happen on the run. With Ryan, it’s sailing out of bounds every time. Work on this, please.
danny c
November 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Maybe Coach Smith should follow Paul Johnson and go for it on 4th down rather than trying field goals.If you can’t gain one yard, you not gonna win.
Jeff Schultz
November 15th, 2009
11:53 pm
Smitty’s the man — don’t know who called the play but I know Ryan took blame for making the throw.
Zach
November 15th, 2009
11:56 pm
ok guys, we can bash Matty all you want, but how in the world do you pay a kicker $3.4 million to miss game changing 34 yard field goals. It’s just inexcuseable and shouldn’t be tolerated. I suggest that the falcons start looking for a new kicker that they can pay $3 million less who can make kicks when the game is on the line.
In all honesty, I have made 34 yard field goals, easily, and there is NO EXCUSE for Jason Elam’s miss.
smitty
November 15th, 2009
11:57 pm
negative analysis way over the top here……so ryan had a bad game, it happens (see sanchez) …….make mistakes and learn…….one thing at a time……there are only a few elite QB’s in the NFL and everyone else; i’ll take ryan over most of the rest of them…….. and now, about losing turner……with no ground game that could be a real problem for ryan…..as for ryan’s passing, he needs to not abandon the pocket too quickly, and instead step up and just throw the ball……
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2009
12:01 am
Greg, you said, “Who’s the better QB right now? It isn’t even close. Schaub.” Seriously? If you polled 32 GMs, how many do you think would take Schaub over Ryan?
Zach
November 16th, 2009
12:01 am
here is my real question, and its something Moose Johnson was hitting on during the broadcast, why in the world are the are the wrs not more open when turner has 111 yards on 9 carries. I just don’t get it. Matt is always having to make a tight through because no one is ever open enough for him to make an easy throw. Tony is always making tough catches with defenders draped all over him. Roddy is only uncovered when he catches the ball at the line of scrimmage.
I’m not trying to make excuses for the two picks, because they were bad, but make some better play calls, get some wr open, make you FREAKING FIELD GOALS (JASON ELAM!!!!), and play defense!
Garza
November 16th, 2009
12:05 am
Ok lets look at the facts Vicks first year did not play unitl late in the season beat a very good Miami team on the road. Ryan first year lead team to playoffs and lost. Second year Vick (full time starter) lead team to playoff win in Green bay. Ryans second year in progress. Vicks third year hurt in prseason game VS Ravens. Vick comes back late in season leads team to win over Panthers Dan Reeves is fired. Fourth year Vick leads team to NFC Title game Eagles win. Vicks fifth year team goes 7 and 9. Let me hear from you when Ryan wins a playoff game (which will not be this year.) Until then its no contest. Stats don’t matter wins do…Good luck Mary Ice…..the G-MEN are rested and ready 5 and 5 Ryan fans.
E43
November 16th, 2009
12:08 am
one word… DEFENSE. the equation to a young quarterbacks success is defense. name a quarterback in the NFL in his rookie/first year that is successful with a defense worse than the falcons who by the way came into the game ranked 31 against the pass at one time.
Mike
November 16th, 2009
12:12 am
Why do we pay a QB 76 mill to throw a ball game away. Elam missing the field goals that he has this year is unacceptable. I can accept the picks Ryan threy against New Orleans. The one that was clearly interference, the tipped ball, and the Hail Mary. But his last three 1 against Wash and the two against Carolina were horrible passes, and the decisions to throw them have been even worse. Jeff I would take Schaub over Ryan.
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2009
12:14 am
Jeff: On Larry Johnson. Do I think he’ll be discussed? Yes. Do I think it will/or should happen? No. 1) I’m really not sure he has anything left; 2) Given the organization’s intent to keep off-field issues to a minimum, obviously, can you see Arthur Blank giving L.J. a contract? I can’t.
Sophomore Slump
November 16th, 2009
12:22 am
Injuries not withstanding, the Falcon’s biggest problems are Ryan’s poor reads and decision making. His two interceptions at Carolina were the result of passes that should have never been attempted. An occasional errant throws is to be expected, but beginning with the fourteenth game last year, Ryan has too often thrown to receivers blanketed by zone coverage that would make completions dubious at best even if the balls were throw perfectly. And Ryan is lucky to escape with only two interceptions today. A third was narrowly avoided when a pass intended for Gonzalez was dropped by a defender surprised by being hit squarely in the chest with Ryan’s misguided delivery.
If Ryan’s unforced errors continue, back-to-back winning seasons will have to wait at least two more years.
Zoomie
November 16th, 2009
12:23 am
Terrible game. This was the same team that showed up for the New England game earlier in the season. They never played as if they believed they could win.
The Falcons defensive line is non-existent. We’ve passed the halfway mark of the season, and it’s evident: defensive line is the Falcons’ weakest link; they get handled every week. They are very consistent at getting no pressure on an opposing quarterback. We’re way past the point where we should see some improvement; unfortunately, there is none.
Speaking of no improvement: at this point in the season, one should expect to see the franchise quarterback settle in to the offense and provide consistent play. Without a doubt, Matt Ryan’s performance is deteriorating more every week. He played a dreadful game today. For the last four games, he’s been out of sync and throwing errant, mostly high, passes. Wrong thing to say, Ryan: regardless of your youth, playing against tough teams, and your learning curve, you are NOT getting better — you’re most assuredly getting worse. Who are you trying to convince, us or yourself?
Ryan wasn’t alone in poor performance against the Panthers. The whole team performed poorly.
Bad loss to one of the league’s basement teams. Doesn’t bode well for putting together a winning season — and the playoffs are an extreme long shot at this point.
Just another year as an Atlanta Falcons fan. Endless excuses for lack of production . . .
JP
November 16th, 2009
12:58 am
Everyone wants a simple answer to why Ryan is playing poorly of late, but the fact of the matter is, it’s complicated.
1) As they said, teams have seen him on film for over a year now and can gameplan better for him.
2) Guys go through slumps, and with it only being his second year, this isn’t the least bit unusual.
3) Our receivers are not that good, not even Roddy White. Yes, he gets paid like a top receiver in the league, but tell me the last time you saw him make a spectacular leaping/diving/whatever catch like Larry Fitzgerald or Vincent Jackson. He doesn’t. Roddy too often drops easy catches. He ends up with a lot of catches because he’s good at getting open, but he can’t make the tough catches in traffic like a top wideout should. Jenkins I don’t even have to elaborate on, he’s just not very good, period.
4. Ryan doesn’t have a “noodle arm,” but he doesn’t have a canon by any stretch of the imagination. We’re not throwing the ball downfield very often, not sure if that’s bad playcalling or if Ryan just doesn’t have the arm for it, so defenses aren’t as spread out as they are against certain QBs. I think that’s also why so many of his throws are sailing high. He has to put more into it to get it there, and when you do that, your accuracy suffers.
In the end I think Ryan will be a great quarterback, but this is just like a young hitter in MLB. They can have a great start, but once pitchers adjust, it’s on them to make the next move and make their own adjustments to succeed. Some do, and some don’t, as we saw with Jeff Francoeur. We’ll have to wait to see which type Ryan really is, but I think he’s too smart and too determined to not figure it out.
Sidney R. Hill, Jr.
November 16th, 2009
1:38 am
Or maybe last season was the aberration and this is a “flat lined” franchise?
TB
November 16th, 2009
1:52 am
Yeah, Matt is making a lot more mistakes lately. Sure it is worrysome. His teamates and coaches also talk a lot about the above average extra work he puts in each week to cotinually learn. This is after all just his 2nd year. Wasn’t Brett Farve sitting on the Falcon bench his 2nd year in the league? The other thing that really stands out as being different from the beginning of the season is the offensive line. They had only given up 2 sacks in the 1st 4 games. Ever since that Dallas game, our offensive has not protected Matt as well. He is getting hit left and right by people that aren’t even touched once. That has of course led to his poor decision making. If the offensive line plays better, he will play better. They do kind of need each other. That said, looking at the performance of the whole team (except for running backs) the quest to finally have back to back winning seasons will be much harder. We all are starting to have some doubt now. Even when we had lesser coaching staffs, we played hard at home and hit or miss on the road. But hey, Giants on the road next Sunday. Remember, the visiting team ALWAYS wins that matchup. Lets keep that stat going.
CASEY
November 16th, 2009
3:41 am
I dont understand why it has to be all Matts fault,I mean Elam Missed a critical feild goal,and we didnt have Mike T. for the second half.Snelling only ran for 61 yards in 18 carries,so for those who say they should have ran the ball…plain and simple they couldnt get much going there either.And mmy only question is why isnt Matt hitting Tony G. more often?…This was a TEAM loss not a MATT loss.And for the record…The big and bad Patriots Have the Same record as the Falcons,haha
JSS
November 16th, 2009
4:02 am
Big Ray…
Good to hear from you, even if it is on Jeff Schultz’s blog (holding my nose).
It is like talking to a suicide bomber (talking to entrenched ideologues with an agenda), they refuse to accept the simple premise. Racism has many faces, South Africa faced up to their problem, and look at how they are poised to become the first African based superpower by the mid 21st century. That is if they can get a handle on their HIV/AIDS problem and the disintegration of their neighbor (Zimbabwe). Speaking of that nation, it is funny how the US and the former Rhodesia are the only two nations too prideful to do real soul searching; it is why we keep picking on the same scab and somehow expect for the wound to heal…
kc15aa
November 16th, 2009
4:29 am
First Matt throws have not been accurate, his receivers have made good plays on balls. He also seems to try to force throws into double and triple coverage as he locks on one receiver. In the case of the kicker (Elam), how many chip shots must he miss before we take another look at someone else. Our punter can kick field goals as he proved a few years back. He gets no pass here, he is consistently missing chip shots and he seems to get a pass.
harvardblue
November 16th, 2009
4:52 am
Time to call a spade a spade. Season is falling apart and everyone is acting like what we are seeing is not actually happeing. OK, Ryan is face of franchise and the perfect little golden boy and blah, blah, blah. Fact is, he’s playing terrible. Has been for a while. No one wants to admit it. Watch how Smith tears into the defense but won’t even look Ryan in the eye after he kills drive after drive. I wonder if the players have picked up on this favortism. I know they have cause the players are just like the rest of us. Then Smith won’t let OC or QB coach talk to media. What is that? Is he afraid the truth will be told.
And explain this: Why does it seem like when the Falcon’s offense is rolling good, with Ryan just handing off, the coaches feel that he must get the glory, so they call a play to kill the drive? Case in point: Falcon’s 1st drive, Turner carries twice to get us to the Panther’s 21. Then, 3 incompletions by Ryan. Why? STOP TRYING TO GET RYAN’S STATS UP AT THE EXPENSE OF WINS, DADGUMMIT! In other words, stop using the Mark Richt philosophy. You know: Sacrifice the success of the team so David Greene and Matt Stafford can look better than they really are. You know how he does it. Let his QBs throw and if the drive isn’t going good, let them hand off on 3rd and 10+ so he can blame the running game for the loss, eventhough his QBs are 25 for 50 for 85 yds and 2 INTs. And for those who don’t like that, well too bad cause Stafford NEVER won anything at UGA other than beating an overmatched and overrated Hawaii team. Oh, and Green has 1 SEC ring. Shockley has 2! Yeah, I said it!
falcon
November 16th, 2009
6:22 am
The Falcons are hurting at WR. Ryan has 2 options, Roddy White or Tony Gonzalez. Michael Jenkins is not talented enough to be a starter in the NFL. He drops too many passes. He gets no separation.
With that said, Matt Ryan is not the end all, cure all. If his primary receiver is not open, he has trouble keeping his composure and relocating a 2nd target. He has developed happy feet, which leads to his throws being off target.
Without Michael Turner, the Falcons will not break the curse. The schedule is just too tough.
falcon
November 16th, 2009
6:29 am
And one other thing Coach Smith…….drop Jason Elam like a wo’ out transmission! Dude is terrible. He has no confidence. Even extra points are not a lock with this guy. How many 34 yarders does he have to miss for you guys to see that Elam is no longer the kicker he once was? He is done.
jerry
November 16th, 2009
6:32 am
There is not one player on the defense worth a damn.
MR
November 16th, 2009
6:47 am
Why is everyone talking about the playoffs? This team has come a long way and won some games last year that they should not have won. They really were not a playoff team. Now we have a QB who is having a sophmore slump, is he different from last year, no. The Atlanta media and fans are the worst in the league. Lets get ride of Ryan because he is terrible and never will be a NFL QB. Start JPW, get Shockley back. thank goodness the leadership of this franchise do not panic. They will do what is necessary 2nd year QB and 2nd year headcoach have put this franchise on the move upward. Media and fans are working real hard to tear it down. As usual Jeff, you are an idiot.
MR
November 16th, 2009
6:53 am
Atlanta does not deserve a pro team. Mr. Blank, don’t build a new stadium. Take this team to a city who will appreciate them and support them.
DawginDC
November 16th, 2009
7:07 am
Stick a fork in em…matt ryan has been looking alot like joe cox lately…they need to sign larry johnson