Ryan shows rust in return but leads victory in the end
Matt Ryan completed only 16 of 34 passes for 152 yards in his return, but went 6 for 9 in the Falcons' winning drive. (AP photo)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After a week punctuated by more news of players and their mind-altering substances, the forecast of a blizzard for their upcoming road trip and then life-support finally being pulled on their playoff hopes, the Falcons didn’t project for a real uplifting finish to this season.
Fortunately, they had two things going for them Sunday: 1) They were playing the New York Jets, opponent of opportunity (they botched three field goals); 2) Matt Ryan kind of has something to prove.
Ryan was not good for most of Sunday. One reason was the wind, which often turned passes into knuckleballs. The other reason was nearly three weeks of inactivity, which helped turn an already struggling quarterback into a pedestrian one. (Ryan’s numbers before the Falcons’ final possession: 10 for 25, 115 yards.)
But you can tell a lot about a guy by how he finishes when misery is all around him — and what we see from the Falcons and Ryan in these final three games will go a long way toward what we think about the team and their franchise centerpiece going into the offseason.
Ryan provided a memory Sunday. How long had it been?
He completed five of his first six passes in the final drive and later drilled a fourth-down, six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez with 1:38 left in the game, giving the Falcons a 10-7 win over the Jets in the Meadowlands.
Is it cause for a parade? No.
Does it make up for the losses at Carolina or Dallas or the Giants, or certainly that comatose showing at home against Philadelphia? Hardly.
But how much would you be wondering about Ryan and the Falcons right now if they looked as anemic on that last drive as they did for most of Sunday?
Tony Gonzalez was ecstatic after the Jets' defense left him some room in the end zone for the winning touchdown. (AP photo)
“You can tell a lot from a game like today about a guy’s character,” center Todd McClure said. “When you’re not playing for the playoffs, it’s easy to just mail it in. Nobody did that today.”
That wasn’t an option, not for the Falcons (who at 7-7 still have a shot at a second straight winning season) and certainly not Ryan. He missed the last two games with turf toe. He took only 25 percent of the snaps in practice last week. Factor in the lingering effects of the injury (he wore a walking boot again after the game), the weather and the Jets’ defense (ranked No. 1 in yardage and points allowed), and Ryan at times Sunday was giving Falcons’ fans Joey Harrington-flashbacks.
But he wasn’t Harrington in the end. On fourth-and-goal from the six, Ryan ignored a thrown snowball that fell just to his left and fired a laser to the open Gonzalez. The Jets inexplicably were in soft zone coverage near the goal line, giving the Falcons’ obvious No. 1 receiving option way too much cushion.
Gonzalez’s reaction to the defensive call: “Oh my God.”
It’s the ending Ryan wanted, and needed.
Coach Mike Smith decided after warm-ups that Ryan would start. “You could tell Matt was pumped,” McClure said. “He started head-butting everybody.”
Ryan said, “It’s tough when you’re out for a couple of weeks. There’s nothing like playing a game.”
Smith said he thought his quarterback looked “rusty.” But he expected that.
Ryan didn’t use that word. “Not too bad,” he said of his performance. “There were some throws I would’ve liked to have made better. But that’s every game. My rhythm felt good. My timing felt good.”
Actually, timing on the field looked like it could have been better, although the wind played havoc in the passing game. The timing in the big picture was perfect. The Falcons had lost four out of their last five to drop to 6-7. Jonathan Babineaux’s embarrassing arrest report for felony marijuana possession, and Eric Weems’ DUI arrest report, both became public during the week. Then Dallas upset New Orleans Saturday night, ending a long-shot playoff scenario.
McClure: “The one time we need the Saints to win, they lose.”
And how’s this for a drought? Ryan hadn’t started and finished a win since Nov. 8 against Washington. No wonder it seemed like a while.
Ryan and the Falcons finish up with Buffalo and Tampa Bay. The shot at a 9-7 record and at least some sense of accomplishment is real. It’s not nearly at the level anybody expected. But things looked a whole lot worse before that last pass.
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235 comments Add your comment
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
9:05 pm
Joe Flacco,
How many playoff games have you won?
Yeah…that’s what I thought.
You win some, you lose some.
When was the last time you played defense?
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Your D doesn’t have Keith Brooking does it?
Ryder
December 20th, 2009
9:07 pm
2-2, Jim Harbaugh? Funny, I thought you were coaching Stanford.
Flacco, please come back to the blog after losing at Pittsburgh next week and at Oakland to miss the playoffs.
Gutsy win by this team. I would just tell Turner to call it a season, it’s obvious he needs to work on conditioning to avoid this from happening again in the future.
Other than that, I’m so proud of this team and hope they can finish the job. Go Falcons!
WW
December 20th, 2009
9:12 pm
Most of the experts say we need to replace the smurfs at CB, but our smurfs played really well today. I think we could use another OT, and maybe another DT or DE. I thought Mattie Rust Ice played pretty well today.
The experts also said that Turner should not be out there. That was dumb.
Jim Harbaugh
December 20th, 2009
9:13 pm
Fair and Balanced
December 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
welike….notice how Mr Charlie had to throw in “healthcare” all of a sudden…..LOL…its so predictable.
A LOSER would be proud of a LOSER.
WW
December 20th, 2009
9:14 pm
“The Grinch”
Good one:)
MRI Lab
December 20th, 2009
9:16 pm
Matt your lab results came back negative. You were cleared to play 3 weeks ago.
1990_Champs_GT
December 20th, 2009
9:16 pm
Breaking the streak has to happen this year. There are two sorry teams left on the schedule and if they lose to either, it will be almost as embarassing as what happened on Dec. 6.
Almost.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
9:19 pm
WW,
Yes, we need to replace the smurfs.
They are OK in the dime, but their size is, pardon the pun, a huge liability.
We do need a DE, LEFT OT, a safety, and of course, DB’s.
Don’t forget we could use a linebacker, too.
A tall, fast receiver would be nice.
We could also use a back up RB with speed who can avoid injury for two games in a row.
I believe the most pressing is DE, DB and Left OT.
Keith Brooking
December 20th, 2009
9:22 pm
Hey Mr Peterson, how are you liking playing linebacker for the Falcons? I know when Dante Culpepper beat you to the corner in the preseason, that I was going to the playoffs, and you were not. I will send you a post card.
trade bait
December 20th, 2009
9:26 pm
MV7 just put bengay on his thigh….great….no wonder there is racism in this city as long as the local newspaper fuels it….reason i cancelled my hard copy subscription
Frank Wren
December 20th, 2009
9:31 pm
Look up overrated in the dictionary and you will see a picture of ….
Keith Brooking
godless heathen
December 20th, 2009
9:31 pm
Where was Dick Stockton today? I mean besides being a NYJ homer? He didn’t know the score or who was playing. I think he said “First penalty of the day” about three times. On the final drive when Snelling ran to the NYJ 7 yard line, Stockton said, “The Falcons are out of field goal range.”
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
9:36 pm
heathen,
I caught the “out of field goal range” remark too.
What the heck was he talking about?
chnstrp
December 20th, 2009
9:37 pm
the falcon’s of old would have figured out a way to lose this game.good win ,finish the season on high hopes,working toward next year,
sue D Nym
December 20th, 2009
9:38 pm
Eric Berry should would look good in our secondary next year. Hopefully our top two picks from this year can stay on the field and contribute next year. We really need upgrades on D Line.
TMoney
December 20th, 2009
9:41 pm
Stockton was a joke. My favorite was, with the scoreboard readin 9-7, He said the Falcons we’re going to kick the extra point for the tie. We were risking losing 2 points on the try? And then of course, after making the try, He said “And now it’s a 10-10 ball game. Dick, you’re watching on TV, there are scoreboards all over the stadium, and there is someone talking in your ear. How do you get the score wrong so many times?
Oh and did anyone else hear him refer to both the Jets and Falcons as the Eagles?
TMoney
December 20th, 2009
9:44 pm
If the season ended right now, the Falcons would get the #17 pick. There should be some good players around when we step up to the podium.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
9:46 pm
One sure fire way to help your secondary is to generate a pass rush consistently.
We don’t do it and so we need a good DE.
A close second need is couple of taller, physical DB’s.
Of course, our O Line needs a starter or two. Move Baker to the right side and get a real LT.
Frankly, I don’t have much hope that Baker is going to stay healthy long enough to have a decent career.
Tommy
December 20th, 2009
9:46 pm
What a win–the Glanville/Reeves/Mora Falcons would have folded
Tommy
December 20th, 2009
9:49 pm
Everyone, stop worrying about draft picks. A bunch of draft nerds just put out a study saying picks 25-60 are the most important. The Colts have been picking below 25 since about 1967 and they’re 14-0
Tommy
December 20th, 2009
9:52 pm
And Stockton IS a horrible announcer. But who on Fox is actually good? Joe Buck? Kenny Albert? They’re all horrible. The only analyst who seems halfway competent is Darrell Johnston, but to the Falcons he is like a black cat carrying a broken mirror–we’re doomed every time he is in the booth
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
10:01 pm
Why is Brooking overrated? He has proven that he is good enough to start at LB for the Dallas Cowboys, a team most likely heading the playoffs. What has Mike Peterson done? I know when Dante Culpepper turned the corner on him in the pre-season they made a mistake.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
10:05 pm
Mr. Charlie,
He starts on a team with a solid D.
His deteriorating skills are not as much a liability there.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
10:06 pm
And no one says Mike Peterson is necessarily a big upgrade.
agent7g
December 20th, 2009
10:10 pm
There is no way that’s the real “Choke”.
enz
December 20th, 2009
10:16 pm
Good job Falcons…We must go after a pass rusher or a shutdown corner…Problem is, there aren’t really going to be any Revis/Asomugha type corners in this draft…
So let’s go get Derrick Morgan!!!
Is that the real “Choke” or someone posing as him!?
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
10:18 pm
Jimmy,
There are 11 players on the team, Brooking would not be one of them if he was not good enough, and the fact that his skills deteriotated, and he is still a starter for a good team, speaks of the ability he had to begin with. He has caught a lot of flack, but his accomplishments speak for themselves.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
10:19 pm
If Brooking was the master of the downfield tackle, Peterson it the master of jumping up and down and high fiving the other players who make the tackle, and talk about slow.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
10:34 pm
Mr Charlie,
He was good. But the mere fact that he plays on a good D means nothing.
His pass coverage skills are what deteriorated.
They have not improved with Dallas.
If they don’t have to rely on him for pass D, then he is servicable.
On a good D, they have others who can cover.
And the fact that he is a starter does not necessarily speak to his ability.
We have some players starting for the Falcons that probably wouldn’t start for too many other teams.
It could also speak to the Cowboys ineptitude or desperation.
Your argument is not logical.
Jimmy
December 20th, 2009
10:43 pm
agent7g
December 20th, 2009
10:10 pm
There is no way that’s the real “Choke”.
Really? What…was he too positive?
Did he actually admit he was wrong?
Was he less of a jerk than normal?
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
10:59 pm
Jimmy, so being a starter, being able to beat out all comers, to be able to man your postion good enough to have your defense be among the better in the league, does not speak of ones ability?
I don’t care how good the players around him are, if he cannot pull his weight, he would not be there. Now you argument is, he does not have to be the player he once was for what he is asked to do, well, that only speaks of what his ability was.
Regardless, Brooking is still alive for the playoffs, the Falcons are not. And in the NFL, that is all that matters.
woodie
December 20th, 2009
11:01 pm
The Falcons should be playing to lose now that the playoffs are out….we need a high defensive draft choice !!
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
11:01 pm
People talk about Vick and how he is with the Eagles, and how the Eagles are going to the playoffs when Vick does not even get meaningful reps, but Brooking is a starter for Cowboys, how are also likley to be going to the playoffs, and all you can say is “his skills are deterioated”.
How about Vick, are his stills deterioated too?
woodie
December 20th, 2009
11:02 pm
I like Brooking. It’s looks like he will get the last laugh.
CAP
December 20th, 2009
11:05 pm
Mr Charlie, Brooking is a pretty good cheer leader. Peterson made more impact plays in one game earlier this year than Brooking in his last three here.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
11:13 pm
CAP, now now, Brook is going to the Playoffs, Peterson is watching from home. Case Closed.
Mr Charlie
December 20th, 2009
11:14 pm
If Vick was a starter on a team, and they were going to the playoffs, could you imagine the bragging and trash talking that would take place? C’mon, give Brooking his due, obviously he had some gas left, he was ran out of town because of, well, we all know.
Steve from Fayetteville
December 20th, 2009
11:18 pm
This excerpt from the NY Post says a lot about what wrong with the Falcons’ offense (they’re not fooling anybody) … “The game-winning TD, the first TD the Jets defense had allowed in 34 possessions, had Jets Coach Rex Ryan apoplectic because he said the Jets knew the exact play the Falcons were going to run and they had the perfect defense called for it and they still couldn’t stop it.
“I was pretty shocked,’’ Ryan said. “We knew the exact play that was coming; we just never defended it, never executed it. There’s no way they should be able to complete that ball in that coverage.’’
CAP
December 20th, 2009
11:20 pm
Mr Charlie, you and Cowboys go ahead and count your chickens. Those eggs could be rotten by Jan 9.
Falcons Obit
December 20th, 2009
11:27 pm
Oh Mr Charlie so now you wanna give Vick his due with a playoff bound team because the same theory applies to Brooking?? LOL, my how the tables turn! LOL
Falcons Obit
December 20th, 2009
11:28 pm
Playoff picture is complete: Saints, Vikings, Eagles, Cardinals, Packers and Cowboys.
All others going home…moral victories are for little league teams that give out certificates to everyone at the end of the season for “participation”.
Ryan shows rust in return but leads victory in the end | Jeff Schultz | tampa dui lawyers | by health
December 20th, 2009
11:28 pm
[...] Read more from the original source: Ryan shows rust in return but leads victory in the end | Jeff Schultz [...]
Ron Roberts
December 20th, 2009
11:31 pm
Is that you, Joe? The SAME Joe Flacco that came into today with one LESS TD in two more games played than Ryan?
Hey, did JIM Harbough leave STANFORD to coach the Baltimore Ravens in place of his brother?
M-O-R-O-N-S abound.
Truth be told, the Ravens have won more than Atlanta because they have a stout defense and a DYNAMIC run-game that hasn’t had the injuries the Falcons have.
But Joe Flacco’s a pretty good QB; no arguing that. So is Matt Ryan, and over the long haul, the Falcons will be happy with their choice and the Ravens will, as well. Big deal.
The fact that the Falcons hung in with the Saints last week the way they did, then won on the road today says plenty about Coach Smith’s ability to lead.
Folks can come on here alll damn day and poke their sticks in the cage to upset the zoo; you don’t bother me or any other Falcons’ fan who knows the truth, and also is PATENTLY aware why you come here trying to question this team and every decision made about it. (Question, are “you” more than one person or just one really sad S.O.B. who logs on under many different names? HA! That’d be SO pathetic!!!)
Terrible Truth
December 20th, 2009
11:32 pm
Ol’ Rex Ryan just ain’t the genius he thinks he is.
Falcons Notes: Former quarterback Michael Vick had two carries for two yards and injured his thigh in Sunday’s game against the 49ers. After the game he was placed on the Underperforming List and will be electrocuted, drowned, hanged or shot at a date to be determined later.
Fanatic overboard
December 20th, 2009
11:46 pm
The Falcons will be sitting home watching the playoffs. Celebrating anything less is for losers.
DRumph
December 21st, 2009
12:12 am
Hey hey hey, I agree that Matty Ice was a little rusty, but you also have to look at the amount of dropped passes… I can give say at least 5… ALSO, THE MAN HAS “TURF TOE”, he looked a little iffy about stepping into a throw at times… but gritty win Falcons, Nice D all day!!!
James Adams
December 21st, 2009
12:15 am
The REAL story here is that the mainstream media refuses to acknowledge the monumental mistake that is Mark Sanchez. What a joke.
Sammy the Ball
December 21st, 2009
12:23 am
Falcon Fan for the last 20 years. Agree with those that mention Falcons teams of the past would not have won this game. But, to be objective, let’s focus on the following:
1 – We had an extremely tough time beating Tampa at home (last play of the game again)
2 – No impressive wins against quality teams (Jets, Dolphins are not quality)
3 – Matty Ice does bail more than I would like – his completion percentage is for crap
4 – We dont go downfield. We dink and dunk, and that just doesnt play well against real quality D
I too want this dreaded curse to be lifted (Back-2-Back), but we need to see major improvement in the offseason if we even think we can make it into the playoffs and actually win a game.
Happy Holidays to all.
JimmyO
December 21st, 2009
12:39 am
I guess “Choke beddytime is now. I live and breath E-A-G-L-E-S, I live in Atl. TRUST ME NO Eagles
fan wants ANYTHING to do with Vick. He is a sideshow freak that caused felonious acts against helpless creatures. I for one thinks he deserves a second chance.( Which now the Eagles are giving him.) But don’t think for one minute this guy was actually someone who could of brought Atl. a Superbowl. He regressed EVERY YEAR he was in the N.F.L. The Falcons had to change the West Coast Playbook every year because he could’nt grasp it.
So CHOKE either your a Falcons fan, or STFU!
the truth
December 21st, 2009
12:53 am
The truth is if this years draft was as sucessful as last years we would be in the playoffs again. Jerry and Moore and health issues before the draft and in hindsight we would been better off going in another direction, Just think if we would of drafted Patrick Willis instead of Jamaal Anderson 3 years ago, that still stings!