Beating Vick would be biggest win of Matt Ryan’s career
Matt Ryan has accomplished a lot but a win over Michael Vick would be the biggest of his career. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
It may sound strange considering Matt Ryan won 33 games in his first three seasons, won games that got the Falcons into the playoffs, won games in the fourth quarter and has beaten Green Bay (twice), New Orleans (twice) Baltimore and the New York Jets, among others.
But a win Sunday would be the biggest of Ryan’s career.
The Falcons play Philadelphia, a potential Super Bowl team. More importantly, the game is the first meeting between Ryan and Michael Vick as starters. (Ryan was injured during the first meeting between the teams with Vick coming off the bench; Ryan started the second meeting but Vick was injured.)
Regardless of who wins this game, there still will be Ryan fans and Vick fans, Falcons fans and anti-Falcons fans. But this will be Ryan’s first chance to win a game over Vick, who at his peak probably had a bigger hold on this city than any athlete in history.
Vick’s post-prison rebirth has been an amazing story, and the fact he is playing for one of the NFL’s premier teams makes it even bigger. For those who’ve held a grudge against Vick since he was instrumental in trainwrecking the Falcons franchise, that has been difficult to take.
There is no question the Falcons made the right call on Vick. He had inflicted too much damage on the franchise, betrayed trusts and burned bridges. Beyond the fact that there were no guarantees he ever would be a premier player again – and the odds certainly were against it — the team couldn’t wait around for two or three years without a starting quarterback. Going after Ryan was the absolute correct move.
But Vick hangover still exists, and this is Ryan’s opportunity to ease that.
It’s only the second game of the season. But if the Falcons win, Ryan won’t have a bigger one on his resume.
By Jeff Schultz
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405 comments Add your comment
Ted M
September 15th, 2011
10:40 am
Jeff said “biggest WIN of his career” Ryan lost his playoff games.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
September 15th, 2011
10:40 am
Football is, perhaps, the ultimate team game. The defenses play totally affects how Ryan has to paly QB. That is reality. If we get down early the run game will have to go by the wayside.
Jeff, you are right, it is billed as Ryan vs. Vick, but it’s team vs. team, and the QB’s will get all the praise or blame.
Dang shame it’s that way. If our D comes out and dominates, we win and can run the O we want to run.
C from Marietta
September 15th, 2011
10:43 am
71,000 asshol*s filling the dome to get off on their man crush they have on oversized pin head rock heads. I think I will spend time and will my family. Time tp stop wasting time on overpaid millionaries playing a game. Football players have low intelligence. Fans intelligence is even lower.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:43 am
Coach Smith how do you want that SWISS Cheese secondary carved up?
elvis
September 15th, 2011
10:43 am
Jeff…Vick never had the hold that say….Dominique had. All things considered I like the falcons chances this weekend for the following reasons: Under Mike Smith the falcons have had very few poor performances in their 33-15 regular season record. When they have had sub-par performances Smitty coaches them up in the next game. Also, Philly did not look real strong agains the run, lets use, Turner, Snelling and Rodgers to grind it. For all you that want the long ball thrown please consider this, when you pass the ball 3 things can happen and 2 of them are bad.
DC
September 15th, 2011
10:45 am
Matt “Choke” Ryan, what is your other screen name on the AJC? Seems you only show up if something involves matt ryan…which makes me believe you have another alias when its on other topics…
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:45 am
He did what? “PICK SIX” again……………………….?
Die Hard Falcon
September 15th, 2011
10:46 am
BET
Regarding my post about MR2 being the best QB in Falcons history, I also said “when it’s all said and done”. Meaning in my opinion, he will be, he hasn’t done enought to earn the best ever yet. I do know that he has the best win % in a 3 year span of any Falcons QB in history and it’s my opinion that he’ll do more and win playoff games, I believe in our future, we finally have a reason to have expectations of a superbowl, even if we’re not there just yet. Like Larry said, I pulled for Vick when he was our QB, even though by his own admission he wasn’t giving it his all (no study), but this is a new era and I don’t think Matt Ryan will ever destroy us like Vick did. I became a Falcon fan when Prime Time was here, when he left, I still loved him and cheered for him, but not against my Falcons, team first. Race shouldn’t be an issue or factor either, that’s just archaic and senseless
the Boss
September 15th, 2011
10:47 am
“Choke”, your such a sad and bitter moron. But remind me, are you just a Falcon Hater because WAH WAH…your boy MV was released due to his own poor decision making? Or are you a Ravens fan? Eagles fan? Help me follow and see thru the hate.
And by the way, there is damn good QB in Texas that used to be on the Falcons roster, but was deemed expendable because of the franchises SUPPORT of MV. For you to NOT see how MV screwed the Falcons on every level is just a conviction of the ignorance you show. So if anyone should be angry its the real Falcons fans. Not haters with an agenda such as yourself.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:47 am
Joey Harrington Jr is a good guy.. That’s a positive spin?
DavidFalcon
September 15th, 2011
10:48 am
Yes, I agree with Jeff Schultz. If the Falcons, led by the face of their organization, Matt Ryan, don’t beat the Eagles Sunday night, Matt Ryan will NEVER “own the dome” in Atlanta unless he wins a Super Bowl. The city will never be his unless he: 1. Beats the Eagles and MV, 2. Wins a playoff game, 3. Win a Super Bowl. Welcome to the high pressure, high production “or else” NFL. Matt chose this career path. I’m sure he’s smart enough to know he MUST step up his game. So does the whole team and coaching staff.
JSS
September 15th, 2011
10:48 am
The Falcons defense has only dominated only two teams over the period of 16 months: Arizona and the Clausen led Panthers. Don’t believe me, go look for yourself… It is not in their DNA, Falcons need to come to some realities about this team, it makes you no less of a fan…
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:49 am
If Bust Blank had a pair he would of set Vic straight!!
There’s more to the story why Blanks wife just walked away?
techfan
September 15th, 2011
10:51 am
The second game of the regular season can never go down as the biggest win of anyone’s career. Regardless of who the QB’s or teams are. We have no idea if Philly is actually a Super Bowl contender.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:52 am
all buster had to do was show him the .9 and the walter ppk on each side of the belt buckle and say Im your DADDY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
DJ Sniper
September 15th, 2011
10:55 am
Chandler, I already said that Mora went 11-5 in his first season. After that, it was all downhill.
Falcons > Eagles
September 15th, 2011
10:57 am
that loss to the bears was a fluke! the falcons were just flat and overconfident expecting an easy win. Against the Eagles, Ryan’s game will explode for big yards and points. Falcons win easy: 30-20!!!!
Jimmy Crack
September 15th, 2011
10:58 am
JSS, absolutely right. We are still a young team in the back seven, but there should have been some improvement in the defense by now.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
10:59 am
“If Michael Vick had been white (or if Matt Ryan had been black) I believe most folks would have moved on and accepted the direction the Falcons have taken; as it is, truth be told, they may NEVER be able to do enough to win the respect or regain the allegiance of those folks, even with a Superbowl win. ”
And if Bush jr were black he would have been called incompetent after 9-11. Especially in these “Red States”..Truth be told??
joewhite
September 15th, 2011
11:04 am
This is a dump article, now this will be a good win cause atlanta has not beat philly in about four years. However matty biggest win will be a post season win.
BMont
September 15th, 2011
11:04 am
LAZY JOURNALISM SCHULTZ. Also, that’s not even true. It’s the 2nd game of the season and you’re saying it’s Ryan’s most important game of his career?? Are you out of your effing mind? More important than the last 2 playoff games???? WTF?? Everyone needs to let the Vick story go. He plays for the Eagles.
Steve-O
September 15th, 2011
11:04 am
The Boss said:
And by the way, there is damn good QB in Texas that used to be on the Falcons roster, but was deemed expendable because of the franchises SUPPORT of MV. For you to NOT see how MV screwed the Falcons on every level is just a conviction of the ignorance you show. So if anyone should be angry its the real Falcons fans. Not haters with an agenda such as yourself.
________________________________________________________________________
Preach on Boss! I have been screaming this for years. Blank made Vick the highest paid player in the NFL (at that time)and then Schaub was traded because the Falcons mistakenly thought they were set at QB for years to come. After the Vick debacle, we had to invest ANOTHER top 3 pick in ANOTHER QB to replace the one that was soon to be sitting in federal prison for his crimes. NO ONE EVER holds Vick accountaable for screwing the city, his teammates, the fans, the team, and his owner. WE HAD TO USE OUR #1 (THAT WE TRADED UP FOR TO USE ON VICK) AND #3 PICK ON QUARTERBACKS FROM 2001 TO 2008. Schaub was a starter in waiting and look at his numbers in Texas for an average team. We got screwed, and there is nothing but love for Vick from many. Care to explain that, Choke or Chandler or JSS?
JSS
September 15th, 2011
11:07 am
Every other team that was young defensively has made the leap except the Falcons and the Rams. The Packers just make you yearn for the understanding to sink in for the Falcons…
Falcons73
September 15th, 2011
11:09 am
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan – I’m not quite sure what you have against Matt Ryan, but it’s disingenuous at best to keep hammering him for nothing that he has created. Right now, Ryan is a very solid QB that works within the confines of his coaching. He has never hyped himself to be anything but a hard working, no-nonsense, type of player. HE IS NOT MIKE VICK…as a matter of fact, THERE IS ONLY ONE MIKE VICK. Stop the comparisons for the sake of stirring up controversy. We as Falcons fans, have no choice but to accept the qb we have now and support him to the fullest (as we did when we had Mike Vick).
One other point, I was and am a HUGE Mike Vick fan, I just can’t root against MY Falcons in support of him on Sunday. So once and for all, stop bashing the player and concentrate on the Falcons real problem…coaching.
Steve-O
September 15th, 2011
11:10 am
Chandler going Deep….
September 15th, 2011
10:59 am
“If Michael Vick had been white (or if Matt Ryan had been black) I believe most folks would have moved on and accepted the direction the Falcons have taken; as it is, truth be told, they may NEVER be able to do enough to win the respect or regain the allegiance of those folks, even with a Superbowl win. ”
And if Bush jr were black he would have been called incompetent after 9-11. Especially in these “Red States”..Truth be told??
________________________________________________________________________
Chandler, take your political vitriol elsewhere. This is a football blog. If you REALLY want to talk politics, please give us your opinion of the $528MM Solyndra loan pushed by the present administration.
5 Time National Champs Nebraska
September 15th, 2011
11:12 am
Jeff Schultz
September 15th, 2011
8:57 am
MatthewH — Quarterbacks vs. defenses might be reality, but perceptually it’s Ryan vs. Vick.
______________________________________________________________________________
Only because media types like you make it that way. I think most of us by now have moved on from the Vick years. I know I have. Why not do the majority and get over it.
5 Time National Champs Nebraska
September 15th, 2011
11:13 am
Jeff Schultz
September 15th, 2011
8:57 am
MatthewH — Quarterbacks vs. defenses might be reality, but perceptually it’s Ryan vs. Vick.
______________________________________________________________________________
Only because media types like you make it that way. I think most of us by now have moved on from the Vick years. I know I have. Why not do the majority a favor and get over it.
Andy
September 15th, 2011
11:13 am
Thank you for stating concrete facts when discussing Vick and not playing make believe like Mark Bradley did yesterday.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
11:14 am
Another loan is a bad idea Steve-O. Previous admin spent 5.8 trillion into debt..Present one will spend more..Outta control…
tmc
September 15th, 2011
11:19 am
It’s Super Bowl week for the AJC…
get as many race-baiting articles out as you can cause MV7 is coming to town!
Whew! what a week.
Sambo
September 15th, 2011
11:22 am
We don’t need any Vick fans at the dome Sunday night. We need REAL falcons fans. Vick is not a falcon therefore I hope he gets his butt kicked Sunday night.
Gatorzone
September 15th, 2011
11:24 am
ONe thing is for sure…
The Dome fans will be a huge embarassment on national Tv Sunday night…
watch and see
Sambo
September 15th, 2011
11:26 am
I was one of the biggest Vick supporters. But the fact is he screwed us. BREAK HIS LEGS AND FEED HIM TO THE DOGS FALCONS D!!!
Megan
September 15th, 2011
11:26 am
“Perceptually its Vick vs. Ryan?” Are you idiots at the AJC paid to bash the home teams? It will be a good win for Matt Ryan, as any win would be…as far as his biggest, I bet a Super Bowl would be that, not a second week Sunday night game. And Shultz, Vick can pass for 300yds and 2 touchdowns while Ryan can pass for 200yds and 3 touchdowns. Perceptually who wins that one you moron!
JSS
September 15th, 2011
11:27 am
“After the Vick debacle, we had to invest ANOTHER top 3 pick in ANOTHER QB to replace the one that was soon to be sitting in federal prison for his crimes. NO ONE EVER holds Vick accountaable for screwing the city, his teammates, the fans, the team, and his owner. WE HAD TO USE OUR #1 (THAT WE TRADED UP FOR TO USE ON VICK) AND #3 PICK ON QUARTERBACKS FROM 2001 TO 2008. Schaub was a starter in waiting and look at his numbers in Texas for an average team. We got screwed, and there is nothing but love for Vick from many. Care to explain that, Choke or Chandler or JSS?”
Where to begin…
Vick, Pearless Price, Matt Ryan, Dunta Robinson have this in common, Arthur Blank has always overpaid for talent. Blame the paymaster not the payee, he is anti Mike Brown. He made Vick the highest paid QB and promptly came back 3 years later and signed Ryan for $72 million with a $42 million in guaranteed money. Tell me where your owner learned his lesson? That is why I have been a huge critic of how the Ryan pick was handled. See the difference, Baltimore which was in just as dire need of a QB did not panic, they spent far less money and have gotten a greater return… YOU GUYS KEEP MAKING my dislike of Ryan racial, nope my dislike is because he never won a big game when it counted, and he was an interception machine in crunch situations in big games.
I was willing to accept Ryan, but the myth that he was the leader and the most important aspect of the falcons offensive ability was a lie. It is not in his D-N-A to carry a team with his arm or legs. The thing that we have all been fed is that he can carry a team because of his cerebral abilities. But every team of any ‘quality” that has gotten a second look at him in season has stifled him. It is not even close… His great film study attributes have not overcome his inability to adjust when people take things away from him period!
just sayin'
September 15th, 2011
11:28 am
wow….Melt has gone from elite, to good and now to ’solid’. and where will he end up? serviceable?
Season Ticker Holder
September 15th, 2011
11:30 am
This game creates a conundrum for many Falcon fan. I like Vick and the energy he brings to the game. I am also a diehard Falcon fan since 1966. I want Vick to do well, but I want my Falcons to win.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 15th, 2011
11:30 am
Ryan is not a big enough thug for most of Atlanta. He’s a classy guy, great for the team and the locker room. Vick on the other hand is a convict, who should still be in jail.
honest_abe
September 15th, 2011
11:32 am
i’m just waiting for someone to finally point out that thomas dimitroff is the most overhyped personnel people in the game. he sucks.
honest_abe
September 15th, 2011
11:33 am
person/guru*
Milt Olsen
September 15th, 2011
11:34 am
Mularkey never said he would not throw the ball deep, he said he would not force a deep throw. This would be a breakout game for the Falcons so I think they will win 34-21.
JSS
September 15th, 2011
11:34 am
On Matt Schuab, I believe you always have two quality QBs, the problem is that the Falcons are afraid of controversy or competition. If Schaub could have stayed healthy and would have beat out Vick, then so be it… But Matt Schaub hasn’t shown he can carry a team with two of the true weapons in the NFL (Foster and Johnson) to the playoffs yet… So explain that?
Ivan
September 15th, 2011
11:39 am
” any case Matty “Ice” has got to show up or will drop in the power rankings on Espn.com”
/facepalm
BBIB
September 15th, 2011
11:39 am
“Jeff…Vick never had the hold that say….Dominique had”
Let’s not rewrite history. Vick put the Falcons on the map from a national perspective and he’s the reason why there are still so many season ticket holders today. So many casual fans became diehard Falcon fans during the Vick era
The Dome was never rocking like it was during the Vick era
Double Zero Eight
September 15th, 2011
11:41 am
Let’s hope the play calling is not too predictable.
Ryan needs the offensive line to do their job if
he is to be successful. Still waiting for Baker to
prove he is a legitimate first round draft pick.
Seems to me like Dahl was missed when we played the Bears.
Mularkey needs to reiterate to Ryan not to lock on to his
receivers. If he does, Samuels will kill us.
PreyDawg
September 15th, 2011
11:41 am
@ Schultz- You nailed this one. This is everything you describe in your article and then some. I dread these Vick homecomings. The national TV media always turns on Atlanta and tries to make it a race thing which is ludicrous. Also, folk that never go to another Falcons game show up at the dome and boo our own team. I HATE Vick week.
Nothing against Vick these days either. He paid his price. I wish him well. But he aint my QB.
Unfortunately we have no chance. Our offense was all hype. We can’t give Ryan enough time to even drop back much less thrown deep. Our o-line has been a liability for years. That is why we dink and dunk. We have no time for downfield plays to develop. I thought Jenkins was the problem but Julio and White still resulted in zero deep attempts. Why, because our QB has to constantly waggle or avoid pressure. Brady gets on average 4.5 seconds to throw. Ryan gets 2. The defense could be passable if we could score and sustain drives in the red zone. We can do neither and we will once again be humiliated on national TV.
Hey…It’s a Falcons tradition.
Brave Hokie
September 15th, 2011
11:41 am
Ryan, while extremely AVERAGE, he is NOT the Falcons’ critical problem…
It is and always will be the weak D which is trotted season after season.
Most teams would luv to have Ryan, ’cause even AVERAGE NFL QBs are difficult to find.
But you can’t ’smoke & mirror’ D, which is what the Falcons have been doing for the 20 yrs I have lived here…
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
11:42 am
Hey Mckay, Greyhound is ready for ya…..
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
11:44 am
I believe Coach Smith is the Real Problem. He is evolving into Jim Moron…Keep up the good work Mr. Smith…..
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 15th, 2011
11:45 am
Go to the game and cheer for Vick so the world can see how backwards Atlanta really is. Just like the Olympics. Try to show some class for a change.