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
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
11:59 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.
you need to slow down on the meds you are popping. you are really pinning the hopes of a franchise on a rookie 
.
———-
a very good receiver
close? ask the pats if they were happy with their close game yesterday?
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:00 pm
GoTech,
Yes, the team is out of sync because of all those injuries.
Elam’s problem, though, is not timing as he seemed to indicate.
He has kicked poorly all year.
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
Go Tech61 – well said:
I agree:
“Arthur Blank is stupid for building a team around a guy who is never going to be great. Ryan will never get to a superbowl. It is 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 Vick are hypocrites because Vick was the team in Atlanta and he couldn’t do it by himself. This team is built around Ryan. “The team will go if Ryan goes” in Jeff Schultz’s rationale. Sorry but it’s true. Ryan can’t play in a system like this one, because it involves thinking and patience and an all around passing ability which Ryan definitely does not have the arm strength or talent for. He just floats everything which is why thinking and patience aren’t the only thing. It also takes talent.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
Jimmy of course it is.
Most people who criticize Ryan on this board are/were Vick fans and he was asked to carry the team so naturally his fans are holding Ryan to that same standard, when in fact it’s a completely different situation.
It doesn’t take a fool to realize the Falcon’s problems are deeper than Ryan, who by the way is a second year and people are expecting the world of him but that’s another issue.
Bill
November 16th, 2009
12:04 pm
I am hesitant to make negative comments about Matt Ryan or the team at this point. Most importantly, what we’re able to see so far this season are areas where the Falcons need to improve. There is a need for another offensive blocking, lineman; a couple of ‘larger’ defensive backs and two or three talented defensive linemen, especially a pass rusher.
What Atlanta did last season is a wash! As to be expected, teams around the league have adjusted to the Falcons and are playing them much better than in 2008. 2009 will be a year to furhter analize the teams weakness and strengths. A time to determine what positions needed to be improved to make the team a Super Bowl contender in 2011!
I will say this about Sunday’s game. It’s the first game in two years that I felt the coaching staff screwed up. Why on the Falcons first two possessions they ran the ball with such great success and then suddenly turned to a passing game when they got into Carolina territory? And why they didn’t control the ball in the final three minutes instead of throwing a long pass that was intercepted?
The coaching staff most likely has these same questions themselves!
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
12:06 pm
And you Goose are an idiot and that too doens’t take a fool to see. If you think the Falcons are building a team around Ryan you are crazy. That’s why they went after Baker in the first round. They went after a hall of fame tight end. They got receivers. They got a D line man. They are trying to pick up corners.
Your an idiot. If they were building a team around Ryan, they would have paid him 135 million dollars and got crap personel, and even worse team mates. Sound familiar?
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
12:07 pm
Bill, why do you think Smith would let Mularkey talk yesterday? The coaching staff screwed up on play calling with 3 minutes left. They went against everything in the hand book, and they paid for it. So now they are trying to do damage control.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:10 pm
I disagree that Vick was asked to carry the team. We had a pretty good running game while Vick was here. We didn’t have a good passing game because Vick couldn’t pass. Vick had a different kind of happy feet. He relied on his scrambling to make plays. When done too often, that creates problems for receivers and blockers. Vick’s running was his gift and he wanted to use it…to the detriment of the team.
I also disagree with those who say Vick took the team to levels it had not been before.
That is just stupid. We went to the Superbowl before we had Vick.
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
12:13 pm
Jimmy,
“I also disagree with those who say Vick took the team to levels it had not been before.
That is just stupid. We went to the Superbowl before we had Vick.”
You hit the nail on the head here. People hold on to Vick’s one play off win, but someone before got us to the big dance.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
“No reason to jump off a bridge because of a few games that have him in a slump.”
—–
you say it is a slump and we keep waiting every week for him to overcome this slump yet it is now becoming a habit, which is scary.
—-
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
And you Go Tech610 are an idiot and that too doens’t take a fool to see. The Falcons ARE building a team around Ryan. You are crazy. That’s why they went after Turner and Gonzalez first. They went after a hall of fame tight end. They got receivers. They did not go after a D line man or corners until after they THOUGHT the offense was squared away. Yep, they were just gonna outscore everybody with Matty Ice (gotta laugh at that).
Your an idiot. They ARE building a team around Ryan, they PAID HIM MORE THAN TOM BRADY. They would have paid him 135 million dollars and got crap personel with the leftovers. Sound familiar?
Kane337
November 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
How bout those Hawks!!!
MaximillionSchaefer
November 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
I am shocked and appauled how Vicks name continues to surface and be mentioned in these blogs. This is supposed to be an article about Matt Ryan and somehow, someway, mysteriously Vicks name keeps creeping up into the conversations. Vick is basically a qb who is in the league to be a gimmick for the Eagles. Vick is used primarily as a DECOY, NON-FACTOR who does nothing more than carry the clipboard for Donavan McNabb and collect his paycheck every pay period. Thats all the heavy lifting that Vick does is CARRYING A CLIPBOARD. Thats all hes been relegated to and suddenly Vicks (Vampire) name enters these blogs and conversations like a bat out of hell. Look if Ryan continues to slide, maybe we’ll contact the Eagles and try to get Vick back. But until then, please keep Vick out of the conversations because he is thousands of miles away from Atlanta and there is a good chance he will never play in the nfl ever again.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
Ryan is indeed in a slump. But we can’t judge the duration and severity of the slump because this is a different team playing a much tougher schedule than last year. If we had the same team as last year, with the addition of a couple of line backers and TG, I think Ryan would have a better chance of coming out of this during the season. As it is, it is hard to tell how much of this is Ryan and how much is the better competition and lack of a better O Line and better D.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
“I also disagree with those who say Vick took the team to levels it had not been before.
That is just stupid. We went to the Superbowl before we had Vick.”
You hit the nail on the head here. People hold on to Vick’s one play off win, but someone before got us to the big dance.
——-
it all depends on your definition of “level”
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
Max,
I wish all talk of Vick would be banned.
Morons criticize Ryan using Vick as the measuring stick.
I know…like I said, they are morons.
That is why Vick is talked about.
I agree, he is gone. I wish Vick Suckers would just crawl back into the hole they crawled out of.
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:24 pm
Max- go have a coke and a smile and stfu.
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:25 pm
Jimmy = ditto.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:26 pm
Dogfighter,
True. Vick did take us to levels we had never been before…lower levels.
We learned there is indeed a level lower than the gutter.
KyleRichards
November 16th, 2009
12:28 pm
Those idiots who continue clammoring for Vick are forgetting that Vick was basically a running back (at the quarterback position). It would be the same if Michael Turner tried to play quarterback for the Falcons. Turner would be out of position if he did that. Vick was simply a running back, or a scat back hoisting throws from the qb position like you would toss bricks into a dumpster or throw mud on a wall. Vick is yesterdays news but people want to go into a time machine and relive the glory years of Vick, hoping that he will miraculously return to the Falcons. Folks you are wasting your precious time.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 16th, 2009
12:29 pm
I am shocked and appauled how Vicks name continues to surface and be mentioned in these blogs.
———–
It appears that you are in the river in Egypt (denial), quoting Jack Nicholson “You can’t handle the truth.”
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
Jimmy: Let’s put things in perspective. Yes there is a lower level. Your president Bush took us there. It’s called Iraq.
Kane337
November 16th, 2009
12:34 pm
Good for the Goose, way to mix politics with sports. They don’t mix and you are obviously an idiot.
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:37 pm
Kane337 : It’s all politics. If you don’t know that then you’re the obvious idiot.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
Good for the Goose,
My president huh?
Open your window.
You will hear me laughing from the next state.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
12:40 pm
Go Tech610
November 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Lets try this again…. I have no beef with Matt Ryan. I have no “longing” for MV7….My point remains, You guys can blame Jenkins, or Play calling or whatever, but Carolina had him DOUBLE COVERED!!! There was a LB in front of him and the Corner played over the top. The pass was 3 or 4 over teh receivers head ( which is why the DB was able to catch it on the fly. Jenkins would have had to have a 60 inch vertical in order to even tip that pass. Ryan misread the coverage and made a awful throw. The game was on the line after a strong return and he made a choice that cost the Birds the game. This is problem with fans in this town…. Our QB has pissed the bed in the last couple of weeks and folks would rather continue to dump on the old QB than call out the current one. What Vick did is neither here nor there… Ryan is hurting this team now and regardless of how much some people try to push it off on others, that is all his. What wrong with making him earn it????
Good for the Goose
November 16th, 2009
12:41 pm
Good to hear Jimmy. Maybe there is hope for you yet.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
Good for the Goose,
Don’t close that window yet.
I’m still laughing.
Call an ambulance…my sides are splitting.
Open Mind…
You need to open your eyes too.
RodneyRichards
November 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
VICKS LEGACY WILL BE THAT HE CAME ALONG PRIMARILY TO BREAK THE RUSHING RECORD FOR QUARTERBACKS. THAT WAS THE ONE AND ONLY THING HE DID IN THE NFL. VICK WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR DOING THAT AND ALSO BEING THE FIRST QB TO WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS AT LAMBEAU FIELD IN GREEN BAY. THESE ARE VICKS HIGHLITS AND LEGACIES AND PROBABLY WILL ALSO BE REMEMBERED FOR SPEARHEADING, FIGHTING AND CHAMPIONING THE MOST COMPELLING DOGFIGHTING RING KNOWN TO MANKING.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
My eyes are open…And because I am not a rabid fan, I can see clearly whet the issues are. The D did a poor job of stoping the run. Elam missed a chippy, and Turner got hurt. All of those things, and you where down 2 with 4 minutes left and the ball on the 50. He could have taken the dump down pass and gained 6 or 7 yards. He could have scrambled up the middle and gained 3 to 5 yds. Hell, he could have thrown the ball away…. This is the NFL. its the ultimate team game…But at some point, the main guy on a team has to rise up and will his team to a victory. You need examples? Eli did it when the Pats scored with 1:37 left in the SuperBowl. Big Ben did it when the Cardnials took the lead in the Superbowl. I know this was just a regular season game, but when your team needs you to make the play he did not do it, and that is on him….
Tom
November 16th, 2009
1:04 pm
What’s with Ryan and his Happy feet the last few weeks? He’s ran right into sacks and thrown costly interceptions. Plain and simple, if the Falcons are going to make the playoffs he has to play better the rest of the year. He is still a young and his future is bright, but the Happy feet are concerning.
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
1:09 pm
Open mind…
Maybe you failed to see the game.
There was enough blame to go around.
Jenkins did not play the ball correctly. Period.
Jenkins didn’t even put himself in position to break up the interception.
The defenders were maybe ten yards apart with Jenkins in between.
Jenkins jumped about six inches off the ground after he misplayed the ball.
Matt Ryan should NEVER have thrown it.
But don’t say it is all on him.
Receivers have to get open.
They have to play the ball.
O Lines need to block.
They couldn’t block a three man rush in this game.
Sad. Definitely not all on Ryan.
This is a team sport.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
1:21 pm
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
1:09 pm
Go back and look at the play…
What you are saying, is that Mike Jenkins did not do enough to cover for the Ryan error. The receiver was bracketed with over and under coverage. The DB over the top was easily 7 yd behind Jenkins. The pass was woefully overthrown. Ryan failed to properly read the defense And he sailed the throw. Try as you may, this pass, and by extension this game is layed at the “Happy” feet on Matt Ryan…
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
1:35 pm
Open mind…
You should change your screen name to “Open mind…Open eyes” because both statements are equally false. Yes, Jenkins was bracketed, but the distance was much less than you say when the ball was intercepted. We’ll agree to disagree on that.
But you can’t say that play cost them the game.
Ryan didn’t miss the field goal that would give them the lead.
Ryan didn’t give up the touchdown that put them nine points down.
Ryan didn’t call for the two point conversion that put them in that position.
This is a team sport.
Ryan doesn’t block for himself.
Our O Line (Baker in particular) does not show very much pass blocking ability.
Ryan has had happy feet. If that doesn’t change, he will be a bust.
But in this case, the loss is not on him alone.
There are poor plays that cost a team a game.
It is just not always black and white as to whose fault it was.
New England coach called a pass on 4th and 2 on their own 28.
Pass was made, catch was made but was short.
Whose fault was that? It involved a coach, QB and receiver. And don’t forget that even defenders get some credit for good plays.
In this game, there was not one single Ryan play that can be called a game loser.
It is hard to pin the loss on him alone.
Ackshun
November 16th, 2009
1:36 pm
I think somewhere along the way this season (maybe in Dallas) Ryan took a serious hit and came face to face with his own mortality.
Since then he has been skittish in the pocket. If you look at the interceptions thrown yesterday they look as though they were cause by poor mechanics. If you don’t set up properly and plant your feet the ball is going to sail on you and in this league you WILL get intercepted. Matt’s lost his composure a bit and is rushing his mechanics. He needs to take the day off and do some intensive film study of the Matt that won the Chicago game last year. And they need to turn the defense loose on him at flowery branch. Lord knows they could use the practice our pass rush yesterday was horrible.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
1:47 pm
Jimmy
November 16th, 2009
1:35 pm
Ok Jimmy, I understand your point…. Please try to understand mine. All players are not equal… While one has to be exceptional to become a NFL QB there is a difference between the average, the above average, and the great. In order to be great, or in order for your team to be great individual players must go above and beyond when the time comes. In my previos post, I gave you examples of young QBs that rose above issues, ( Eli got away from a sure sack and made a perfect throw) to make the play …even when others on the team came up short. On yesterday Ryan was handed the ball on the 50 yard line with 3 minutes to go and down 2 points. Those are the times that the best QBs separate themselves. In this case he did not….Again, that is on him
Friend
November 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
Don’t look now but he is one interception away from Delhomme status..Oouch
Bruce
November 16th, 2009
1:52 pm
**Terrence Moore wrote better columns than this junk. You know about as much about football as my 5-year-old daughter. I’d rather read Mr. College Football than this poorly written crap.**
Joseph
November 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
The falcons have a VERY tough schedule this year and its about to get worse. pray for 8-8 because worse is around the corner…
SashaStevens
November 16th, 2009
2:39 pm
Its ridiculous for people to say that the absence of Michael Turner, after he got injured, is what cost us the game yesterday against the Panthers. Thats nonsense. Ryan was off of his game a little, but when the Falcons started from the Panthers 49 yard line trailing by only two points after Elam missed a chip shot field goal, the Falcons should have taken the lead on that drive. Ryan tried to get down field on one play and was intercepted trying to force a pass over a defensers head and it sailed on him over the open receiver. The Falcons only needed about 20 yards to get into Elams range; SO WHY DIDNT THE FALCONS METHODICALLY MARCH DOWN THE FIELD USING SOME OF THEIR OFFENSIVE WEAPONS; RODDY WHITE, SNELLING, JENKINS, GONZALES. All those guys were playing yesterday and I’m sure they could have marched down the field 20 yards to get into Elams range. Ryan “choked” and “panicked” and tried to get all the yards at once, making an errant throw. They began the drive on the Panthers 49 and COULDNT MOVE THE BALL DOWN FIELD 20 YARDS. To me, that is what is pathetic about yesterdays game. Peyton Manning had a similar situation against the Patriots and made it look so easy. The Falcons had enough weapons to move down the field 20 yards to get into Elams range. However, Elam might have missed the field goal attempt anyway since he had already missed a chip shot yesterday; so the Falcons now have more problems than they are willing to admit. The Falcons should bring aboard Morten Anderson, because Morten would have made a 34 yard field goal. The Falcons were acting as though they didnt want to win the game yesterday. The Falcons made NO REAL EFFORT TO WIN THE GAME.
JaredCarter
November 16th, 2009
2:53 pm
Bob from Winder: You are exactly right. I saw Matt Ryan throw the ball out of bounds four or five times and Ryan was lucky he wasnt called on four intentional grounding penaltis. That would have made it even worse. Ryan looks mediocre, confused and hopeless out there right now. I hope he improves, but as of now he looks lost.
Chris
November 16th, 2009
2:58 pm
Vick Supporter = Typical Thug.
GooseWilson
November 16th, 2009
3:05 pm
Ryan currently is experiencing what is known as the SOPHMORE SLUMP. Ryan will come out of it and MOST ASSUREDLY regain his hall of fame stature and form. Despite the fact that although the ICE has currently melted and Ryan is experiencing the worst meltdown of his life, you can rest assured that Matty “Ice” Ryan WONT BECOME ANOTHER RYAN LEAF BUST.
Open Mind....
November 16th, 2009
3:10 pm
Chris
November 16th, 2009
2:58 pm
Vick Supporter = Typical Thug
_________________________
Chris, I used to be a huge Vick Fan….
I have a MBA in International Finance and am currently a Regional Director for a large Multi-National..
Please tell me, What is Typical Thug about that???
Michael
November 16th, 2009
3:30 pm
The birds should have eaten more of the clock and kick the field goal. The play calling has been bad. The birds need to know how to win on the road.
Michael
hiramsaint
November 16th, 2009
3:36 pm
goosewilson………….. hall of fame stature? are ya’ kidding me? the dudes in his second year! he’s an average qb so lets keep it somewhat real
Big JC
November 16th, 2009
3:41 pm
Keepin It Real – While I liked Chandler, and a lot, the best QB that Atlanta EVER had was Bartkowski. Had he the weapons around him that Chandler had, we win 2-3 superbowls.
With that being said, the most PHYSICALLY talented QB we’ve ever had on the roster was Jeff George. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but that guy is 48 and can still throw a 50 yd out on a frozen rope.
Last, but not least, the greatest QB ever on our roster is currently leading his team toward a Super Bowl victory, wears #4, and does Wrangler commercials. Need I say more?
Thanks Jerry Glanville, for even now, 20 years later, your piss poor decisions are reminding us Falcons fans every day how badly we’ve squandered the great talents we’ve had over the years. It’s no wonder we can’t put together back to back winning seasons.
To Matt Ryan, I will say this. We understand that the NFL is hard. There are minds way more brilliant than ours out there 80 hours a week watching films of you take teams apart last year, and make big plays, like the Chicago game. That was one of the most brilliant throws I’ve ever seen. Back on topic, opposing coaches get paid way less money than you, Matty, and like nothing more than to see their lineman pound you into the ground. So, wake up, study harder, learn faster, and get in the gym and put on a little mass, and strength, because if you don’t, there’s a kid in Arkansas that looks REAL good to me. I watched him throw for almost 500 yds on my dawgs earlier this year, and he’s learning way faster than anyone expected. If you don’t pick yourself up and start performing better, you may be in Tampa in 2011.
QueenElizabeth
November 16th, 2009
3:49 pm
Its truly a shame that Ryan didnt get a chance to develop under the steady and watchful tutilage of Bobby Petrino. Petrino BOLTED before we had a chance to extract his infinite wisdom. Matt Ryan has all the ingredients of a certain first ballot hall of famer, and those talents certainly would have been showcased and developed under the magnificent leadership and coaching of Bobby Petrino. Oh well Pig suey!
Nativebird
November 16th, 2009
3:57 pm
It’s clear Matty is having the Rookie season he never had…but IT IS TIME for the VETS on this team to step and MAKE A PLAY for your quaterback! Michael Jenkins needs to get his Head out of his a$$ and make a stinking play! I guarantee you Steve Smith goes up and gets those balls. He REFUSES to not make that catch. THATS the kind of players we need.
Falcon Fan
November 16th, 2009
4:02 pm
I wish that I had DVR’d the game because what I saw on the final interception was Jenkins stopping early and trying to jump up for the ball instead of finishing his route — which would have put him and the ball in the same place (and yup, a db who would have rung his bell, but isn’t that his job?). I see guys posting that Ryan should be more like Favre and others, but isn’t squeezing the ball into tight spots what the best do and isn’t that what Ryan was doing on that last play? Jenkins came open in my opinion and needed to have manned up and continued his route.