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
lmfao
November 16th, 2009
9:55 am
RICKY:
Perhaps you should listen to the announcers or at least watch the game… For your info, Koenan did not try to kick the field goal;
and I quote YOU:
“Elam’s nasty look @ Koenen for Koenen missing that field goal”.
So, until you can get the action right, as in, who did what; I suggest you STFU.. The F does not stand for fat…..LMFAO at an idiot.
David
November 16th, 2009
9:55 am
People: It’s been two years. Peyton Manning threw two picks last night, and he’s the best quarterback in football. Sometimes a defense plays you well. Matt Ryan hasn’t played in many games… look up Joe Flacco’s numbers, and see what he’s done in some of Baltimore’s losses. Look at Mark Sanchez. There’s a learning curve. No reason to jump off a bridge because of a few games that have him in a slump.
Bill from Jax
November 16th, 2009
10:01 am
I don’t understand the call. With over 3 minutes to go in the game and down by 2 why not just try to move to ball into field goal range, why go for the home run. Even though Elam missed the field goal earlier, if you look at the replays you could see that his timing was thrown off because of the snapper and holder, giving him a shot to win the game would be better than hitting the long strike and giving the ball back to the Panthers. Bad call, bad throw (not pass). This could even be a bigger loss if Turner is not available for some time.
ERich42
November 16th, 2009
10:08 am
Looks like ole Matty Ice is about to melt. Face it people the true Matt Ryan has shown up but no reason to be surprise. This is who he was in college but you people were in such a rush to get rid of Vick and put him out of misery you overlooked the obvious, which is Matt Ryan is average at best and we are stuck with him for the next 5 years.
ERich42
November 16th, 2009
10:11 am
David the difference is that Matt Ryan was made a superstar before he proved himself. Last year he got all the praise when it should have went to Michael Turner. The facts are Ryan has been the reason we have lost more than he has been the reason we won. The blue eyed smart always prepared QB who study’s hard needs to understand that you need skills to go along with preparation…
ERich42
November 16th, 2009
10:14 am
ryan2atl you are the same dude that could catch your wife in bed with another man and tell your self it wasn’t her. Face ithe facts he has been terrible for the last 5 weeks.
Ricky
November 16th, 2009
10:14 am
lmfao:
That was the point moron, Elam was trying to blame Koenen for the miss.
You’re not to bright my challenged friend.
Falcon57
November 16th, 2009
10:18 am
I have said for the last couple of weeks that the problem with Matt Ryan comes from a truely hard blow he took in the Dallas game. He was hit square in the chest by a bull rushing tackle, almost giving him whiplash and then buried on his back. He has not been the same since. He’s playing scared and hurrying his throws, throwing off balance and ducking his head. Matty, if you’re reading this you have to realize all quarterbacks take hard hits, you’re paid plenty for the discomfort. But you have to get your ‘head’ back in the game and stop playing scared. The team needs you.
Bubba's Tanning Salon
November 16th, 2009
10:18 am
I thought Matt Ryan had won me over, but I must’ve been sniffing glue! He looked horrible yesterday, and last game, its gonna take alot to get me back to sniffing a sharpie otherwise we are slowly going down hill this season!
Bubba's Tanning Salon
November 16th, 2009
10:19 am
Enter your comments here
Webster
November 16th, 2009
10:21 am
Ricky… Your not too bright yourself, ahaaha.. “Your not to bright my challenged friend!” Not TOO bright, not “to bright”, did you take grammar in school my man?
lmfao
November 16th, 2009
10:30 am
No, the point is that you made a dumb-azz mistake and are trying to make up for it. I can give further examples of your ignorance.
Once again I quote you: “Did you not know that Ryan can actually throw further than the wildcat specialist sitting on the bench in Philly…..?
No one in their right mind thinks that Ryan can throw further or harder than MV7. Even the most blind kool-aid drinking Ryan apologist knows that arm strength is not Ms. Ryans forte.
Secondly, you are making my point about fanatical Vick haters. Why are you even comparing Vick’s arm strength to Ryans? Vick is gone. I did not speak of Vick’s competance or incompetance. All I said in reference to Vick was that he was brought up on this blog first and foremost by Vick Haters, not Vick Lovers. Then, off you go, comparing their arm strength and quoting irrelevant Vick statistics.
Can’t your quarterback stand on his own without comparing him to an x-quarterback?
No, he obviosly cannot. Game, set, match.
LMFAO.
Maestro
November 16th, 2009
10:31 am
Bad call, and an even worse throw. Less than 4 minutes left and you’re on the 50.It is time to kill clock and move into FG range. We had a chance to steal one the road even after losing our best player in the process. This game will come back to haunt the falcons at the end of the year: guaranteed. Ryan’s lack or accuracy is not the only cause for concern. When was the last time he looked the defense off? It’s like watching MV7 all over again looking for Crumpler running the seam route and an one else. Smitty, we don’t need a “players coach”. The last one we had got on national radio and said he wished he was coaching another team. Take the players to task for their ineptitude. “Our QB sucked. He got such happy feet I thought he was busting a river dance move.” “Our kicker choked big time on us today,if he doesn’t get his act together I’m gonna run his a$$ outa town!!” You can do it Smitty. Start practicing on the water and equipment guys till you get the hang of it.
John House
November 16th, 2009
10:34 am
If a coach called for the downfield pass with 3:58 left then he should have his head examined and certainly the head coach should have a conference with him. A weekend warrior in his easy chair at home knows better than call that play. Run down the clock and kick the field goal. Shades of “Bart”. Matt is getting ‘happy feet’ and thus the high throws.
Ricky
November 16th, 2009
10:35 am
The Falcons had a very good 2008 season with many key players having a great year. Matt Ryan had a 87.7 QB rating in his first year in the NFL. You don’t get that by not playing well. Peyton Manning’s 2008 QB rating was 95.0. And just to compare, Super Bowl winner Pittsburgh’s Ben Rothlisberger had an 80.1 last year. Matt Ryan is not going to take us to the promised land all by himself. Turner and Ryan each helped each other have a good year with defenses having to play against both the run and the pass. I just don’t recall Turner getting bashed in the blogs as hard as Matt Ryan when Turner was not motoring well earlier this season. And if you want to bash Ryan think about our chances with either Redman or Wilson taking the snaps……….omg I just had a stroke………..!!!!
Gerald
November 16th, 2009
10:37 am
Falcons just re-group and go to N Y and play hard forget last sunday you still Atlanta an Ga. Team(GO FALCONS)
Ricky
November 16th, 2009
10:43 am
Webster:
Is that as good as you’ve got…………??? Jeez…………….
lmfao:
Only honest thing you have said, x-quarterback is sooooo correct………!!!!
Panther_fan
November 16th, 2009
10:45 am
HAHAHAHAHA!
lmfao
November 16th, 2009
10:46 am
RICKY:
Sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a stroke. I want you to get out of that trailor park and seek medical attention right away.
Ricky
November 16th, 2009
10:50 am
lmfao
yeah, you stroked me, just last night………..night sweetie!!!
lmfao
November 16th, 2009
10:52 am
LMFAO – Do you even realize what you just said???????
LMFAO
lmfao
November 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Ricky- I will defend your right to be gay, but I will not participate in your fantasies.
Keith Mercer
November 16th, 2009
11:00 am
Something must be done. The offense should score more points and the defense should allow fewere points to be scored, then the Falcons will win.
A Rod
November 16th, 2009
11:00 am
It’s over. losses to the giants, saints and eagles/jets will prevent the 2 winning seasons in a row curse from being lifted. Ryan has an average arm (at best) and in the nfl they will expose your weaknesses. he cant throw deep so they play the run and short passes
What the hell
November 16th, 2009
11:06 am
Matt is a scrubb. Period. With out Turner and Norwood youll see that he has no talent. Its back to oblivion for the Fal cons.
Does anybody have Vicks Phone number?
Kevin Johnson
November 16th, 2009
11:07 am
I will keep my comments short and sweet! I know everyone likes to compare Matt Ryan with Peyton Manning when the Falcons are (4-1) and then they lose 3 of 4 and now what are we going to do.
Well I will keep the comaprisons going and remind you that over the first five seasons Manning threw 100 interceptions, 20 a year. We have to remember the Falcons have also had a few injuries this year as well that have hurt, the top pick is out for the year, there corner back is out for the year, there is a significant drop off in talent after gonzo, white, and turner. I think the Falcons showed go deep early in the game like they did last year. Think about Ryans first career completion. I think stretch the defense early. Early in the year Turner struggled as well. Now he is coming around, hopefully recovers from injury. The Falcons have a tough schedule coming up. In addition when the Falcons have played their opponents out of the 9 games, 6 of them had winning records, two of the three that didn’t were carolina. And lets face it Carolina is a good ball club. Two dynamic running backs two good receivers. Im not giving up on Ryan yet, not so fast. He’s a smart QB with a great work ethic, is team believes in him, and they will turn it around. ALso first year as QB for Manning team went 3-13, three years it look like he had things turned around and went 10-6 , in year four he went 6-10. A QB takes a little time, just a little lets give it to him!!! I know ATL fans are patient and want it now, I lived in ATL 28 years the ARMY took me to El Paso, and its hard out here, just recently went to Dallas game in my Matt Ryan jersey !!! Go FALCONS!!!!
A Rod
November 16th, 2009
11:10 am
hell I’d take Kolb over Ryan. Cheaper and a bigger arm. But seriously cut Elam.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
11:13 am
Open Mind….
November 16th, 2009
8:36 am
Greg @ 7:32
Last year he was labled the best rookie QB ever…. Yeah he is not Brady or Manning, But Neither is her Big Ben who went started 13-0 in his rookie year and won the Super Bowl in year 2!!! BTW Brady won it all in year two as well….
————
Ryan wasn’t simply “labeled” the best rookie. His stats were arguably the best ever as a rookie.
Brady and Big Ben has MUCH, MUCH better teams around them also.
What!
November 16th, 2009
11:13 am
Ever since Gonzo told Matt he likes the ball thrown to him high, Matt has been throwing that way to eveyone. Gonzo……has he helped or hurt this team. That’s what we all need to look into. To be honest, I don’t know. Seems like the QB and coaching staff are in a sophmore slump.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Would somebody keep A. Blank off the field until the game is over… (unless he is willing to suit up and kick field goals).
—–
are you kidding me? that’s the main reason he bought the team and hires newbies. That’s his time to come down and prance for the city.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:20 am
You people on here crack me up! Jumping off the bandwagon so quickly. Jesus people.
It doesn’t take an idiot to see that the injuries are just absolutely killing the Falcons.
1. Harry Douglas is gone so we have Michael “I can’t catch a short pass” Jenkins to rely on
2. Peria Jerry gone, so now we have a free agent to cover up what Jerry was doing excellently
3. Norwood gone, there goes our screen pass and pass out of the flat
4. Williams is gone, now we got no corner support what so ever
5. Turner is now out, we only have one freaking running back
6. Finneran is gone so there goes our third down short pass catcher
Do you even know how bad this hurts a football team? God in the NFL it’s always about the QB when a team loses, that’s why I despise the NFL sometimes. Peyton Manning threw 2 INT’s last night, but you know what, as the Falcon’s team members said and Mike Smith, the rest of the team didn’t do their part. The defense could stop anybody and good TEAMS can. Ryan can’t do it on his own and that does not make or break a QB in my opinion. A QB is not going to win a superbowl. A team will win the superbowl.
Between the injuries to offense and defense, the defense being all but depleted and short tiny corners, and now we got one running back, it ain’t gonna happen this year. But it’s not to say that Ryan is completely to blame for this one. Jeff Schultz, I think you have written a knee jerk response to the loss without thinking correctly. What it’s Ryan’s fault that the defense gave up 28 points to Carolina. The Colts defense overcame Manning’s mistakes, and the Falcon’s didn’t have the parts in place to do the same. That’s what makes a good team. “The team goes when the offense goes” isn’t a good philosophy and it will not win championships. The offense gave the defense a chance in my opinion this game, because the defense didn’t come to play again, but they aren’t entirely to blame because hell any talent they had on defense is on the sideline in crutches. Pure, plain, and simple.
GO FALCONS!
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:23 am
“The Patriot’s loss proves that ultimately it’s the coach who wins or loses.”
—-
It proves bellicheat is garbage without his tapes.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:26 am
Turner was not hurt he is just tired of doing all the work and watching matt ryan throw 3 yard touchdown passes so he checked himself out to make a point.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
11:28 am
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:20 am
Be honest…. After some of the losses in teh Vick / Mora era, were you defending #7 that strongly? There is some validity to what you posted, but Last year everything went right for the Falcons and Ryan was given all of the credit…This year they beat San Fran without Frank Gore, and excuses were not accepted by SF fans… Injuries are a part of the game, but If Ryan wants to be one of the greats, he has to find a way to win a game when all is not well…
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
11:31 am
Ryan’s second pick was as much Jenkins’ fault as it was his. Jenkins did not play the ball correctly. I’ve seen the video over and over and Jenkins could have at least saved the interception.
Should Ryan have passed it to Jenkins in that situation? NO. He should have known Jenkins wouldn’t climb the ladder. Ryan put that ball in a place that if the receiver had ran under it…there would be no pick. Had the receiver jump just 12 inches off the ground (any NFL receiver can do it) he would have had a chance at that ball. Jenkins is just TERRIBLE. Ryan should not have trusted him.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:34 am
Dogfighter,
I believe that was as far as Matt Ryan could have thrown that pass since, you know, he was at the three yard line. Use some sense.
Further, who said QB’s have to chuck the ball down the field 50 yards every game to be considered great? Deep balls are a product of a system. The Falcons offense is predicated on more short passes out of the backfield to the talented guys we HAD, like Norwood and Douglas who are quick and can make moves with their feet, as well as Gonzalez who is short pass guy as well.
The only threat on the longer balls is Roddy White, but between double coverage and poor route running and inability to extent the route for when Ryan is pressured it’s getting to be a tough task.
Michael Jenkins you cannot trust for anything, it’s a jump ball for him.
Ryan has had plenty of downfield passing, but it’s not really what the system is predicated on.
Injuries have choked this team and when everyone is back next year, you will all realize that free agents aren’t going to replace top draft choices in the NFL. We went after them for a reason.
Chris Broe
November 16th, 2009
11:39 am
The big news is that Falcon’s coach Mike Smith didn’t get in a scuffle this week! He did give the waterboy the stink eye at halftime, though, and there’s a report that he was rude to a cheerleader in the fourth quarter. Sore loser? Or maybe he’s setting up the flag-waving for next week’s game. (Genius).
Irish-Heel
November 16th, 2009
11:40 am
New nickname Matty Melt. GO PANTHERS
Don Gill
November 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Give Ryan a break. He’s doing fine. In the immortal words of Norm Van Brocklin as uttered to Fran Tarkington, “You’re gonna have bad games. Maybe even a bad year.” As was pointed out The Mannings didn’t start all that great.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Open mind,
I am not even going there. This is a new team, Vick is gone. If Vick was here I would defend him, of course I would. Jim Mora was stupid for building a team around a guy who was never going to be great. Vick would have never gotten a superbowl. It was set up for disaster. That’s why I said a QB will never win a super bowl on his own. Vick couldn’t and the people on here bashing on Ryan are hypocrites because Vick was the team in Atlanta and he couldn’t do it. The team was built around him. “The team went if Vick went” in Jeff Schultz’s rationale. Sorry but it’s true. Vick couldn’t play in a system like this one, because it involves thinking and patience and a short passing ability which Vick definitely did not have the touch for. He just rockets everything which is why arm strength isn’t the only thing.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
11:43 am
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:20 am
Great post. This is a team game.
Ryan didn’t get “all the credit” for last year.
Lots of people gave Turner and Smith a lot of credit too.
The pub we got lost year and that helped Ryan win rookie of the year…that pub was extra compelling because of where the Falcons were the year before. It was a phenomenal turn around.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:46 am
Go Tech610
———-
“injuries have choked this team and when everyone is back next year, you will all realize that free agents aren’t going to replace top draft choices in the NFL. We went after them for a reason.”
—-
this is what losing franchises say every year. the good teams plug players in and coach them up.
—
I am glad my previous post elicited a dissertation from you.
C Moody
November 16th, 2009
11:47 am
It is What is!!!
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:51 am
Jimmy,
it’s true. To blame losses on Ryan completely is foolish. It is very obvious that injuries, lack of defense, and really, really stupid play calling are also factors. It looked to me that the 30 yard pass yesterday was a play call not so much a decision by Ryan.
Here’s my thing on that. Why pass at all on first down why even call the play? Your on the 50, after a great punt return, 3 minutes left in the game, run the ball, kill the clock, kick a field goal, win. Right? I can understand a pass on say a 3rd and 5 if the run game was unsuccessful. Also, why dial up a post route? if any thing do a hook route, or slide Snelling into the flat and set up a screen. I just didn’t get the play call. Ryan’s pass also wasn’t a bad pass. Jenkins jumped for it way too soon. He could have gotten two more steps and made the catch.
The Falcons are just not playing as a team and that is the factor, but they really can’t do much about it because like I said the real talent is sidelined and in crutches.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
11:52 am
Roark:
Abraham has lost a step, it seems.
He is held on just about every play…but that is beside the point.
He used to escape holding linemen.
This is one reason I HATE refs. They call the Falcons for drive ending holding plays but do not consistently call holding against Abraham.
We all need to realize that this team has a lot of holes to fill. Unless we do it through free agency and trades, we are years away from being a consistent playoff team.
Ryan is not the problem. O Line, D Line, Receivers, linebackers, and DB’s are really our problems.
Oh, let us not forget that we need a kicker too.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:54 am
Dogfighter,
I am sorry, but if you lose a first round draft pick, a very good receiver, running back, those are skill positions. It’s hard to just coach them up in mid-season without expect some drop off. That’s all the Falcons’ are dealing with right now is just the drop off in the talent. They are still close in these games. They’ll hopefully come around to start winning again.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:54 am
“I believe that was as far as Matt Ryan could have thrown that pass since, you know, he was at the three yard line. Use some sense.”
——
you missed the entire purpose of my post. It’s not the length of the scoring pass that is the issue.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:55 am
Jimmy,
Once again the entire team is out of sync and that is the problem. The team couldn’t even get a field goal off in sync yesterday. It’s just a culmination of people on separate pages and the coaches need to fix it.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
11:57 am
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:51 am
I agree about the play call and about Jenkins.
Jenkins stopped running too soon. When he jumped…he barely got off the ground. Obviously, he misplayed the ball.
I thought Ryan’s ball was thrown to split those two recievers. It was an ill advised throw because if the receiver didn’t go up for it, it was going to be an interception.
Jenkins is too unreliable.
Yes, what the Ryan critics fail to mention is that this is a team game.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:59 am
Dogfigher,
If your talking about the playcalling inside the five, I agree with you. I hate watching teams pass the ball in that situation. If you have Turner, then use him there. In my opinion they should be running Turner at least twice inside the 10. But Carolina was being very stingy up the middle yesterday, so I can kind of agree with the pass call there. It was obvious the Panthers were looking to clog the middle on that 4 and 1 on the goal line.