Smith shoots down report, says Ryan will play if ready
Matt Ryan likely sit out again with turf toe.
A blog on NFL.com suggests that Matt Ryan’s status for Sunday’s game against New Orleans hinges on more than just his health and readiness for the game. Specifically, the report referenced the Falcons’ banged up offensive line. An excerpt:
“The availability of RG Harvey Dahl (ankle) and LT Sam Baker (elbow) could be the final factor in determining if Ryan suits up for a make-or-break game against the NFC South champions at the Georgia Dome, a team source said. Both players, along with Ryan, sat out last Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.”
I was stunned when I read this. My first thought — and I’d imagine your first thought – was: If Ryan is healthy enough to play, he should play. I don’t care if five guys from the Waffle House are blocking. I don’t care if everybody thinks the playoff race is dead.
Mike Smith agrees. The Falcons’ coach didn’t know about the story. He immediately dismissed it, saying Ryan will play when he’s ready and reaffirmed that the line’s health is not a factor.
“If Matt is healthy and he’s at the level where we feel he can be effective, he will play,” Smith said. “Our decision will be based on that.”
For the record, Ryan doesn’t at all strike me as the kind of athlete who wants to sit out any game. I don’t say that about everybody. Normally, I wouldn’t even bring this subject up, but the NFL.com report prompted the question.
Now, all of that said, it would be stunning if Ryan’s turf toe has healed enough that he’ll be in the lineup Sunday. Smith wasn’t obliged to give an official injury report Thursday. Technically he doesn’t have to make the call until game time. But Ryan participated in only morning walk-throughs Wednesday and Thursday, which means he didn’t put significant weight on the injury. So expect Chris Redman for another week.
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129 comments Add your comment
DePlane
December 11th, 2009
7:23 am
Babs….what were you thinking? I can’t believe it. That’s what this team needs, eh?
I am so disappointed.
JTH
December 11th, 2009
7:27 am
The Falcons are in a good position to upset the Saints. After the lucky and emotional win for N.O. last week they may came out flat and the Falcons should be fired up after being embarrassed by Philly and Vick.
Got to pound the ball, control the clock and keep Brees and Co. off the field. Play with emotion and urgency, maybe throw in a trick play or two(off-sides kick when unexpected, flea flicker, anything). Keep the score relatively low.
Falcons 21-17.
JTH
December 11th, 2009
7:36 am
OMG! Babineaux! This is unreal. UNREAL! How much is enough?
Well $#!+%&#@$%^&
Fair and Balanced
December 11th, 2009
8:08 am
Well if that’s true about Babineaux then I can only expect for the Saints to put a beatdown on the Falcons since we’ve offically reached “implosion” status now.
JSS
December 11th, 2009
8:39 am
Just waking up and checking before I go out in the suddenly even colder L.A. foothills to get a 4 mile trail walk in before work.
@FalconUGAfan…
Amazing, the only way you can talk Falcons football is for them to make it about the product that they put on the field… And from I’m reading this morning, I guess that won’t be the case before Sunday… That is why I wanted for “Choke” to explain his position on Ryan. As I mentioned last night and this morning, this team has some amazing problems that are systemic… It was evient even last year to those who were not awash in the moment (the playoff berth). Unfortunately, those people were drown out as being negative or foolish. Let’s hope that Babineaux is the last of it all… In the best of all worlds, it should be, however until Arthur Blank steps up, not in a news conference like the sideshows that were Vick’s departure or Dimitroff’s entrance… Now, what will the AJC’s columnists do?
JSS
December 11th, 2009
8:41 am
“evident” before the grammar/spellcheck cop appears, I’m done…
TMoney
December 11th, 2009
8:50 am
The name is misspelled as Babineox, but one look at the picture tells it all. What a dumb move.
Full list of charges:
12/11/2009 1:01:00 AM|BABINEOUX|JONATHAN|JOEL|99313464|EXPIRED TAG
12/11/2009 1:01:00 AM|BABINEOUX|JONATHAN|JOEL|99313464|*NO DRIVERS LICENSE
12/11/2009 1:01:00 AM|BABINEOUX|JONATHAN|JOEL|99313464|*VGCSA POSS OF MARIJUANA W/INTENT TO DIS
12/11/2009 1:01:00 AM|BABINEOUX|JONATHAN|JOEL|99313464|MATERIALS ON WINDSHIELD/LIGHT
12/11/2009 1:01:00 AM|BABINEOUX|JONATHAN|JOEL|99313464|TAG LIGHT VISIBLE 50 FT.
Gamer
December 11th, 2009
9:00 am
IF COACH SMITH PLAYS RYAN OR TURNER AND THEIR INJURIES ARE RE-AGGRAVATED CAUSING AGITATION IN THEIR PLAY NEXT SEASON THEN COACH SMITH SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!
THE BEST THING THE FALCONS COACHES CAN DO FOR RYAN AT THIS STAGE OF HIS CAREER IS STRENGTHEN HIS THROWING ARM!!
RYAN INTELLIGENTLY PLAYS THE QUARTERBACK POSITION LIKE A PEYTON MANNING AND JOE MONTANA BUT HE STRUGGLE TO GET THE BALL TO HIS RECEIVERS BY NOT HAVING ANY ZIP ON HIS PASSES BEYOND 20-YARDS.
MARK MY WORDS, NEXT SEASON RYAN WILL NEED A STRONGER ARM TO COMPETE AGAINST MUCH SMARTER AND FASTER DEFENDERS!!!!
ESPECIALLY, THOSE WHO HAVE PLAYED AGAINST RYAN AND CONTINUE TO STUDY HIS PASSING TENDENCIES..
THIS SHOULD BE THE COACHES CONCERN ABOUT RYAN NOT PLAYING FOR PRIDE OF A WINNING SEASON!!!
FalconUGAFan
December 11th, 2009
9:17 am
@Gamer
Agree to a point. They shouldn’t play but the reality is this is a “what have you done for me TODAY” league. Too many losses and Smitty and TD will be gone. Wholeheartedly agree that Ryan needs some zip.
SAINTS_RULE_OVER_FALCONS
December 11th, 2009
9:54 am
Saints will beat you sparrows no matter who you start….we already did it and we had several of our starters out…this time will be worse though…42-10 SAINTS…start saying this now so you will get used to it: New Orleans Saints SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
10:12 am
Ryan won’t play even if he’s healthy because his O-line is dinged up? LMAO!!!
What a f’ing pu…
And you people call this guy you franchise QB? McNabb played on a broken ankle…hell Matt Stafford played 2 games with a seperated shoulder, yet Ryan is being protected,lmao.
What a loser franchise and what a loser, WEAK QB you people have.
“Vick wil shine again”—WHOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!! He just did last week against the Falcons, LMAO.
“We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!! We Want Vick!! ” LMAO!!!! lololololoollol
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 11th, 2009
10:19 am
JSS
No problem. Oh that LITTLE MAN Bugkiller and Midnite are probably leading a rally somewhere.
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
10:22 am
Mike Smith: Matty Ice, we need you to play this week….please!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan: Not unless my entire O-Line is healthy…..with my injured toe, I really can’t throw the football very far or hard…not that I could anyway. I have an image to protect…
Mike Smith: Yes Matty Ice, whatever you think is best sir.
Mike Smith: (Under his breath) Damn I wish I had Mike Vick on my team…..Redman!!!! Get you f’ing ass out there and PLEASE throw the ball over the lineman this time.
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
10:23 am
And you people call Matt Ryan a “leader”,lol.
He’s leading alright….straight to the hot tub for his toe,lol
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 11th, 2009
10:42 am
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
10:22 am
Mike Smith: Matty Ice, we need you to play this week….please!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan: Not unless my entire O-Line is healthy…..with my injured toe, I really can’t throw the football very far or hard…not that I could anyway. I have an image to protect…
Mike Smith: Yes Matty Ice, whatever you think is best sir.
Mike Smith: (Under his breath) Damn I wish I had Mike Vick on my team…..Redman!!!! Get you f’ing ass out there and PLEASE throw the ball over the lineman this time.
“MAN THAT’S COLD”
You know that PUNK is FAKING
An Observation
December 11th, 2009
11:03 am
What is interesting about the biased reporting about the chants for Vick in the GA Dome last Sunday is that when that happened (towards the end of the game)…the majority (and I mean thousands) of Falcons’ fans had already exited and headed for home. I am also sick and tired of people making the assumption that ALL Black people in Atlanta and elsewhere cheered for Vick’s return on last Sunday. At best, he is an average NFL QB..great athlete, but average NFL level QB who won’t be in Philly next year and it’s going to be interesting to see if any other team wants to take on Vick and all his baggage next year no matter how bad they might need a QB.
Warrick Dunn did more in the ATL for minorities with a whole lot less resources than Vick ever did so I’m not drinking the Vick kool-aid. In fact, Dunn’s charities are still making a positive impact in Atlanta. Vick made Blank a lot of money but did very little within the community at-large with all his millions. His foundation was a joke. It’s a known fact and even the woman that was in charge of his foundation (his mother was also a salaried officer) admitted that they did very little in terms of successfully completing any outreach programs of any magnitude.
JYD
December 11th, 2009
11:33 am
I agree with some people here on the blog that there’s nopoint in playing anybody whose hurting right now just to lose again. Even in the games when the Birds were full strength the offense was still so so not at all efficient and the defense from preseason needs nothing to be said. TD & Smitty let’s see you guys earn you’re paychecks with better drafting not often injured guys from College& please, please, other teams rebuild thru free agency ie Saints, Dallas, Giants, Philly. As for Barbs just like Boley this could be his ticket out of town which will haunt us next season since TD& AB don’t seem to be in a forgiving mood due to the guy who burned them last weekend.
Manny
December 11th, 2009
1:17 pm
I don’t think if the decision was made that Ryan wouldn’t come back unless the O-line is healthier, it was Ryan’s decision. I think that Ryan really want to be out there, but I think him staying off the field is a business decision- if that decision was indeed true.
I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but even though I don’t think highly of Ryan’s skills right now, I think he’ll get better… eventually. But I would like to give him some time to develop- even if that means for the Falcons to be average-to-bad for the short-term.
In other words, I would like to extend the time for Matt Ryan to develop, and get better pieces surrounding him. That really wasn’t given to Mike Vick while he was here. They gave him an undersized line. They gave him either over-the-hill or too young receivers. They gave him Jim Mora Jr, and Gregg Knapp to run the show for him- with no ability to audible out of terrible offensive plays (and if you thought that coaching staff wasn’t bad, take a gander at the 2009 Seattle Seahawks. Gregg Knapp is an offensive genius. Even the GM ran away from that team.)
Hopefully, Matt Ryan can get better support than Vick. If not, hope for the best,but expect the worst.
SC Dave
December 11th, 2009
1:54 pm
Michael Vick is not coming back to be an Atlanta Falcon. It’s not going to happen. If those of us who have moved on are supposed to get over the fact that the man was electrocuting dogs, then get over the fact that he will not be your Falcon’s quarterback.
When it’s all said and done Matt Ryan will probably have had a good career as an NFL quarterback.
“Choke” your conspiracies belong in your crystal meth diary… not here.
Get over it.
GO DAWGS
December 11th, 2009
2:36 pm
Hey Vick supporter you better say nice things about VICK THE CONVICTED FELON
GO DAWGS
December 11th, 2009
2:38 pm
Make Vick mad he may slam your kid to the ground and crack his skull.
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
3:26 pm
“We Want Vick!!! We Want Vick!!! We Want Vick!!! We Want Vick!!! ”
lmao. Damn that was great to hear
Jeff Schultz
December 11th, 2009
5:49 pm
Go Dawgs — I unapproved a comment because it was a blanket statement on a race. You’re right on the ban/don’t ban borderline. Take a step back.
Rocky Mountian Falcon
December 11th, 2009
7:16 pm
Coach Smith, Mr.Ryan, Mr. Turner, and the rest of the Falcons:
All I want for Christmas is..9 wins. The heck with the playoffs, just give me nine. Lets get this back-to-back winning seasons monkey off our backs. Playoffs will be for next year. Lets just get this frickin monkey off our backs.
bigeasy830
December 11th, 2009
10:12 pm
D. Ellis
My Steelers are done. We won championships playing with a certain signature style, hard hitting great intense defense and smash mouth offense. We do not play that type of football now. We need a big bruising running back and the lost of our all world safety showed the weaknesses we have on defense. Last nights lost was…I can’t even explain it. When you realize your team just don’t have it after a 6-2 start and being the defending Champs man, what a disappointment. But oh well, I know Mike Tomlin will turn it around next year.
Vick Supporter
December 11th, 2009
10:46 pm
people…you have to check this out….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEq0m_6FrI
MV#777
December 12th, 2009
11:09 am
All during the week of practice, Andy Reid told Vick he would score two touchdowns against his former team in this emotional cauldron.
Vick played along. Why not? That would be fine with him.
“We’re always saying things about what we’re going to do and stuff,” said Vick, who didn’t have to add that much of the time those things don’t happen.
Everything happened yesterday, though. The crowd greeted him with a mixture of cheers and boos, even when he scored a touchdown on a quarterback draw on the first drive of the third quarter.
But as the game got out of hand, heading toward a 34-7 blowout win for the Eagles, the most rabid of Atlanta fans exited the building, leaving behind only Eagles fans and locals nostalgic for better days. That’s when the chant began.
“We want Vick. We want Vick.”
Even Reid, usually more phlegmatic than dramatic, couldn’t ignore the moment and Donovan McNabb came off the field after the first play of the Eagles’ first fourth-quarter drive. Vick came on and, as if he had written the script himself, drove the team to a touchdown, finishing it off with a pass to Brent Celek on a misdirection play.
“When I heard the chants, it made chills go down my spine. It let me know that people here do appreciate what I’ve done and what I’m able to do moving forward,” Vick said.
It was the first time Vick ran for a touchdown and threw for a touchdown in the same regular season game since September 2006. The cheers from that day in the Georgia Dome faded away long ago, replaced by the crashing sound that accompanied Vick’s long fall from grace.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what happens,” McNabb said, “and I think he’s relishing the moment right now.”
The Eagles are relishing their own moment, too. They have won three straight games and are positioned for a decent run in the playoffs. The offense has kept going despite the loss of Brian Westbrook and the jumbled nature of the offensive line.
As the games grow more important, it will be interesting to find out if Vick will be a regular contributor now, and not just the strange cameo player he has been. It could be that Reid planned to give Vick his day in Atlanta, maybe in reparation for his scant use elsewhere, or it could be that some invisible corner has been turned.
“We’ve got things in” the offense for Vick, Reid said. “It’s easier when you’ve got a little flow going in the offense. There’s not a set number of plays. We see how things go with a game. If we feel it’s the right time, we put him in there.”
This has been a strange trip for Vick, from Falcon to jailbird to Eagle. Anyone would be changed by it, although neither the most ardent supporter nor the most cynical critic can know for sure if Vick’s words now are sincere or contrived.
“I want this to be an inspiring story for a lot of kids – that things may happen, but you have to persevere, have to overcome adversity and continue to make strides day in, day out, week in, week out, year to year,” Vick said. “If you keep pressing forward, good things happen to you, but you have to believe in yourself. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
Well, that much we know is true. It has been a long time. Atlanta team owner Arthur Blank walked to the middle of the field during warm-ups yesterday for a very public embrace of Vick. Just over two years ago, Blank told the public that Vick lied to him and instructed the team’s lawyers to sue Vick in an attempt to recover almost $20 million in salary.
All of that seemed forgotten yesterday, and a cheering football stadium is a long way from solitary confinement. Vick’s time in Leavenworth was only the first stage of his purgatory. The second stage is this season, as he has endured the publicity that came with his return, and as he has waited for something good to happen on a football field.
He got all of that yesterday in a scenario made for him. A return to Atlanta, against a banged-up football team incapable of staying close. An opportunity for Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to make all the bother seem worthwhile.
“I’m proud of Mike. He’s had one coming to him,” Mornhinweg said.
Maybe so, maybe not. That view depends on the viewer. To some, his sins are forgiven. To some, his sins are unforgivable.
“Who cares about what happened in the past?” Vick said.
He was talking about the games earlier this season when he didn’t do much, but it is a question that covers a lot of ground for Vick. Does what happened in the past still matter for Michael Vick?
The real answer to that is for the future to decide. But this much is certainly true: It didn’t matter yesterday in Atlanta. Not even a little bit.!!!!!
GO DAWGS
December 12th, 2009
11:49 am
Sorry your right my apology.
Hawks Fan
December 12th, 2009
1:00 pm
Fellas Give up Falcons season is OVER they aren’t gonna win sunday againts Saints, how the hell ya gonna support losing team 6-6 not supporting hawks 16-6 thats shame on atlantans lets get out support the hawks. i’ll see ya at the game sunday. have a bless holiday.