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
•
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
405 comments Add your comment
KBP
September 15th, 2011
11:45 am
This should be a big game because the Falcons do not need to start 0-2 with 2 conference losses. I think Matt is a heck of a QB and set the bar so high his rookie year that now most expect him to be an all-time great. Maybe he will be, maybe he will not be. I am a 39 year Falcons fan and am glad we have him. With all that being said, I am a Vick fan and would love to see him put up Brady’s numbers from Monday night and lose by 1. I love wathcing him play especially since last year as he has grown tremendously as a QB. I do not know him personally, but it has been good to see how he has rebuilt his life and I am very happy for him. I also long for the day when we will stop blaming him for the Falcons demise in 2007 and blame McKay for not having a better back up. Would we blame Vick for the demise if he had a career ending injury in training camp of 2007? I know, he chose to be involved in an illegal enterprise and no one chooses a career ending injury but the results to the team would have been the same because they traded Schaub. Come on people, let’s enjoy who the Falcons are now and if you don’t hate Vick, let’s enjoy what he is doing now. I hope he wins a SB but only after Ryan.
JSS
September 15th, 2011
11:45 am
You got love the “thug” caricature bloggers. They never understand why the so-called “thugs” loved Fralic, Kenn, and Curry but just can’t snuggle up to your anointed versions of who we should like… Just keep scratching your head, it is dandruff by the way…
Pete
September 15th, 2011
11:49 am
Andy Reid is a masterful coach. They will watch the film on the pitiful Falcon O-line and blitz Ryan unmercifully, sacking him like a rag doll. Ugly.
It will be an embarrassment for Falcon fans.
By monday morning the national sports media will add the Falcons to their list of over rated, overblown, below average NFL teams.
All it takes is the “Limelight” on national TV for the Falcons to completely fizzle.
Some things NEVER change.
Mike is Back
September 15th, 2011
11:56 am
Dang Schultz, you was on a roll…geeeeeeeez!lol
Ivan
September 15th, 2011
11:56 am
Preydawg @ 11:41am
“Also, folk that never go to another Falcons game show up at the dome and boo our own team. I HATE Vick week.”
GIVE ME A BREAK @ 11:45am
“Go to the game and cheer for Vick so the world can see how backwards Atlanta really is.”
—–
I’m glad there are some folks that see it the same way. I was appalled and disgusted to the point of nausea when I heard the GA Dome CHEERING for the OTHER team. Nobody else does that.
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:08 pm
Ivan
September 15th, 2011
11:56 am
“I was appalled and disgusted to the point of nausea when I heard the GA Dome CHEERING for the OTHER team. Nobody else does that.”
Ha ha, there are people in Cincinnati, Arizona, and Cleveland laughing at you…
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 15th, 2011
12:09 pm
Being at HOME is supposed to be an advantage. The Falcons may end up wishing that this game had been in Philly.
The Curse Of Atlanta
September 15th, 2011
12:12 pm
Beware, City of Atlanta: You defiled my spirit by laying your city upon my final resting place; for this you shall be cursed! I shall cast upon you three demons from hell, who shall haunt you and your citizens for all your days. They shall be called William T. Sherman, Jim Leyritz and Michael Vick. Long shall you suffer at the hands of these three evil fiends, and the powers of darkness shall rejoice in your anguish! So be it.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 15th, 2011
12:14 pm
The Falcons are one of the most upstanding teams in the league. They finally cleaned out the thugs and showboats. Atlanta should be proud of this team and cheer them on instead of trying to embarrass them on national TV.
Steve-O
September 15th, 2011
12:19 pm
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?
________________________________________________________________________
Check your facts, JSS. Schaub’s health had nothing to do with him being number 2 behind Vick; he was never hurt during his time with the Falcons. He was hurt his first season with Texas, so that is what you are mistaking for “could have stayed healthy”. Vick’s contract and his ability to both make spectacular plays and sell merchandise/advertising/tickets kept Schaub at the 2 spot. Schaub was at the end of his first contract, and the Falcons made a business decision to not give big money to a clipboard carrier; MV7 recieved a 7.5MM signing bonus (right before he was indicted by a grand jury) and that counted 100% against the Falcons cap, so they had that to contend with.
Also, you say that Schaub couldn’t take the Texans to the playoffs…he threw for 4770 and 4370 yards and 29 and 24 TD’s in the last two seasons. There are two problems he had to overcome: Peyton Manning/Indianapolis Colts and the Texans’ 30th ranked defense in the NFL last year. A quarterback cannot make a defense better, other than keeping the ball for a dominant time of possession so your D is not exposed, but with the “two true weapons” you mentioned, the Texans scored often and quickly so that was not an option. Lastly, please note what the Texans did to Indy in week one.
There are 22 players wearing jocks each week, and it is tiresome hearing what a single player has NOT done to get the other 21 over the top.
Uncle Rico
September 15th, 2011
12:19 pm
If the Falcons lose to the Eagles, it will be because of the secondary. The Falcons have never had a “lights-out” cornerback in their history, and having said that, Dunta Robinson is a liability IMHO.
JASon
September 15th, 2011
12:22 pm
I think the real story is will our offensive line be able to protect matt ryan. The falcons have long been an organization of bringing in big names on offense, but slacking in most other departments. Case in point: we lost harvey dahl and michael keonen. Our offense looks like a run-first offense, still. And our defense looked pretty bad in the first game. So the real question is, is this organization the same ole same ole falcons or are they trying to do something different? After game one, it certianly looks like the same organization.
Steve-O
September 15th, 2011
12:22 pm
Rico, ever heard of a guy named Deion? How long have you been a “fan”?
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:24 pm
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 15th, 2011
12:14 pm
“The Falcons are one of the most upstanding teams in the league. They finally cleaned out the thugs and showboats. Atlanta should be proud of this team and cheer them on instead of trying to embarrass them on national TV.”
Myth…
Ask Jonathan Babineaux, William Moore, and Christopher Owens about being such upstanding citizens? How’s Baby-daddy Bierman doing on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” upcoming season? Will he be changing diapers between the cat fights?
Skee#9
September 15th, 2011
12:24 pm
I don’t think this game is just about beating Micheal Vick, it’s about beating the EAGLES period! The Falcons are 0-2 against Philly with Ryan starting. Everyone wants the Falcons to change their idenity from last year by just airing the ball out. If my short term memory serves me right the Atlanta Falcons were the #1 seed entering the playoffs last year by pounding and physically wearing down teams. BEING A BALANCED ATTACKING OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL TEAM! Despite being man handled last week, a total team effort will be need this week and I’ll think Matt Ryan and the Falcons can finally get in the win column. The DEFENSE (SECONDARY) and special teams need to get on the ball and get the job DONE. LET’S GO FALCONS!!!
This sounds awfully similar to....
September 15th, 2011
12:25 pm
Rico
Ever heard of the saying, “water covers three quarters of the earth and Deion covers the rest”
You must become informed before you post commentary
Uncle Rico
September 15th, 2011
12:25 pm
I’ve been a fan since the Bob Berry days (remember him?). Deion Sanders could’ve been that “lights-out” corner except that he was afraid to hit anybody. Intimidation means alot when receivers go out for a pass.
P Rose
September 15th, 2011
12:26 pm
Football games are won or lost on the front lines. The Falcons have neither a good offensive or defensive line. Last year, the O-line finally came together, so the team had a good season, going 13-3. But the D-line could not put any pressure on Aaron Rogers, so the team was dismantled by the Packers in the postseason. Ray Edwards may help the D-line have a slightly better season this year, but now the O-line is decimated by the losses of Dahl and McClure. The Falcons will be beaten soundly by the Eagles Sunday night, and the anti-Falcon Vick lovers will have their day in the spotlight, much to the delight of the national media. It will be extremely ugly for the Falcons, their fans and the City of Atlanta. I can’t watch it.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
12:26 pm
“Falcons have never had a “lights-out” cornerback in their history”
Who was Deion Sanders??? ^^^^^^^^^^^ A QB???? LOL
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
12:29 pm
I don’t see it as Ryan v Vick game but I know the media likes to advertise it that way.
It should be REID V SMITH and Andy has unfortunately had Mike and the Atlanta Falcons number for quite sometime.
It would be nice to break out of this losing cycle with the Eagles but to do that the offense needs to stretch the field plus the D needs to press instead sitting back in their nice soft zones.
If we are going to lose at least go down swinging unlike at CHI when we rolled over and played dead halfway through the 3rd..
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
12:30 pm
Hey JSS who was the pretty good Falcon O linemen several yrs ago who supposedly woke up to find a dead girl in his house?
Never heard another cent out that story.. HHHMMMMMMM
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:30 pm
Steve-O…
No, check your facts, it’s been a problem since he left Atlanta and that is how I phrased it… I see a prepositional phrase is a dangerous thing around you! you forget what team they both were playing for, that offensive line much like the present one could not their QB upright! I never said he was hurt all the time, “If” means just that!
dtruth
September 15th, 2011
12:31 pm
This is a great game on paper, for the fans, sports writers and football junkies in general. It is nothing more and nothing less! Let’s just watch, enjoy and see what happens. Either way it’s just a game and Vick & Ryan will not be worried about any of you emotional wrecks that are waaayyy too invested into this game in the end. Hopefully it will be a great game……RELAX and enjoy the ride!!!!
Uncle Rico
September 15th, 2011
12:32 pm
Chandler….see above. Yeah, Deion was super-damn fast, but a “lights-out” cornerback? Hell NO. He didn’t intimidate anybody. Opposing QBs would throw in front of Sanders knowing that he wouldn’t come up and knock the sh!% out of the receiver. Tell me that wasn’t the case!
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:33 pm
D-lineman Patrick Kerney, it was rape by the way… CGD, that brings up some ugly stuff, better to leave that alone since it predates the so-called purge of the organization…
Ivan
September 15th, 2011
12:33 pm
ctfalconsfan @ 12:29pm
“It should be REID V SMITH and Andy has unfortunately had Mike and the Atlanta Falcons number for quite sometime.”
—-
I posted the very same thing in the Ledbetter blog. This is more Smith Vs Reid, than anything to me. Seems like Reid could beat the Falcons with his practice squad.
Steve-O
September 15th, 2011
12:35 pm
JSS,
Here is your exact quote: “If Schaub could have stayed healthy and would have beat out Vick, then so be it… ” I don’t see how that speaks to his time with the Texans, and I consider myself a graduate of Reading is Fundamental.
jon
September 15th, 2011
12:37 pm
Jeff lets be real.. the biggest win for Matt Ryan would be a playoff win… at the end of the day, thats all that matters!
Ivan
September 15th, 2011
12:38 pm
Uncle Rico @ 12:19
“The Falcons have never had a “lights-out” cornerback in their history, and having said that, Dunta Robinson is a liability IMHO.”
—–
Actually, I think Robinson is “lights-out”. It’s the only explanation. The lights go out, and he slips and falls. Then gets up looking around to see if he got the guy when the lights come back on.
oh this just in, Robinson slipped in practice today.
GT
September 15th, 2011
12:38 pm
This is total hype. You don’t need the hype in the NFL, results drowned it out. If he beats Vick and loses like last week, the rest of the seaon, who the hell cares What the national audience thinks of us is zerro important. Look at the thought process with Cam Newton. As parity gets a grip on all football and sports the press and experts have less to contribute. They get about as many things wrong as right, a monkey throwing a dart can do as well.
DHD
September 15th, 2011
12:39 pm
You AJC guys are slobbering all over yourselves with an additional reason to write about your man crush, Vick. Can’t wait until this week is over so we can get back to only one Vick article a day instead of three.
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
12:39 pm
Hi Ivan I agree not sure why but Reid seems to call the perfect plays and right defenses throughout the game against us and basically has embarrassed us over the last several seasons..
I wish we had a better OC than Mularkey. Regarding BVD I think he does the best with the VERY LIMTED TALENT we have on that side of the ball.
I hope we can hang tight throughout the game and have a chance for the win.
I saw the point spread is 2.5 for Philly which, to me, is VERY low.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
12:40 pm
@jon I totally agree!
Legends are made in the playoffs!!
33 regular season wins means Jack nothing if your getting bitch slapped around on the National Stage…
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:41 pm
Funny, I guess the 21 other Colts are feeling SB bound with the great Kerry Collins leading them… Still, he’s a world beater too… Maybe he can share war stories with Ryan when they meet up later this season about how it feels to be the anointed one like he was in Carolina… Well, Matt might not be able to relate since Collins won 4 playoff games!
FalconsPHAN
September 15th, 2011
12:41 pm
It’s only RYAN vs. VICK because the media is making it out to be that way.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
12:42 pm
Thanks for the record JSS! You are the Man!!!!
Uncle Rico
September 15th, 2011
12:42 pm
Definition of a “Lights-Out” Cornerback: Opposing QBs do not throw to said “Lights-Out” Cornerback’s side of the field because: (1) they think the pass will be deflected or picked off, or (2) they think the corner will knock the crap out of the receiver after the catch and get a turnover from the ensuing fumble.
Techbuzz
September 15th, 2011
12:42 pm
Again, you people KILL ME!!!!! One freakin’ game and EVERYONE seems to be jumping ship on the Falcons and Matty Ice!!!! And you guys call yourselves “Falcon’s Fans”…whatever!
Mr. Schultz is correcting saying that the perception IS reality with this game and that is exactly how the media is spinning it. That aside, it’s sounding like, “Oh man, the Falcons suck and they are horrible. Ryan sucks..blah, blah, blah, blah!!!” The old saying is true that, “your only as good as your last game IS true”; however, with that being said, you guys are jumping ship on a team that won 12 of 13 games last year with a mediocre defense (at best) and BEAT, G.B. (unfortunately, not when it counted), Baltimore, N.O., Chicago, and took Pittsburgh to OT in the season opener.
Need I remind everyone too, that if you go back and watch that game Sunday against the bears, Ryan had NO TIME in the pocket to look down field and he was flushed out of the pocket most of the game. The back-up center just stood there five times watching everyone after the snap while Ryan was getting killed behind him AND, not to mention, Sam baker allowed at least two sacks HIMSELF. Players like him, that are injury prone anyway, should bear the blame, NOT Ryan.
We ALL know how deadly Ryan can be when he HAS TIME in the pocket to dissect a defense. Need I remind you of the last 40 seconds-minute of the Baltimore game last year???? Ryan took his team 80 yards for the winning TD score.
So everyone just freakin’ chill out. That’s why there are 16 games in a season. I can’t wait until Cutler has is few game meltdowns (and he will) and then everyone will jumping off HIS bandwagon. Football seasons are marathons, not sprints. You have to account for injuries, bad calls, and all the other intangibles that happen during a game/season.
Justin
September 15th, 2011
12:54 pm
@Techbuzz
Ok dude don’t blow a gasket over the comments. It’s just a blog for opinions man.
Falcon Red
September 15th, 2011
12:57 pm
In some wierd way, doesn’t Vick OWE Arthur Blank? I mean, shouldn’t he at least play a sub-par game? ….Please??
JSS
September 15th, 2011
12:58 pm
Steve-O…
It wasn’t “fundamental” for you it seems… Go use a on-line dictionary and look at what a supposition means… We have a history post the time Matt Schaub has been in Atlanta. For all of you who decry Vick’s health problems, which are actually way better than he is given credit for here with the exception of 2003 with the broken leg. He only missed 1 game in each of the seasons of 2002, 2004, and 2005. He played the full 16 in 2006. Schaub missed 10 games of 32 between the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Those are the seasons that you would have needed him to be your QB…
Greg Mendel
September 15th, 2011
1:00 pm
The Eagles are always tough. I can only hope they base their game plan on the Falcons-Bears game. I think Coach Smith is “fixing” quite a bit this week. He was taking a ream of notes during last week’s game.
Tony
September 15th, 2011
1:02 pm
You know what it is a game. Heck if you are 4 and 3 the season really hasn’t started or 3 and 4. Like th earlier post said it really don’t start happening until December. I think most true fans know that this is not the year. The defense needs work and the play calling is terrible. You or I am not going to change that only the front office will. Patience is costing the franchise money. I just want to compete but I know we are not really that close yet. I have been watching the birds forever. 2 plays off tackle, 3rd and 4 pass, incomplete punt. Third and 8, gain 17. True falcons fans know what the next play is going to look like. Happens to many times. A good team (not great)with talent but we are not there yet. To inconsistant for me to believe management knows how to move their checkers.
JSS
September 15th, 2011
1:04 pm
That same sucking offensive line that couldn’t keep Checkdown Joey upright, The one that got Byron Leftwich knocked out of his one and only start in Tampa. The one that nearly got Chris Redman killed. Yeah, they were the world beaters that were going to keep Schaub healthy… Please!!!!
JSS
September 15th, 2011
1:11 pm
Who is on a Cutler bandwagon? That is why people are worried, it was Meltdown Cutler! He stinks!!!
Eric C.
September 15th, 2011
1:15 pm
This game proves a playoff system would not mess up the importance of “regular” season games in div 1 CFB. How much excitement can you remember in the 2nd game of the NFL regular season?
No doubt this is HUGE for both QBs. Let’s hope this follows a script like the Ravens game last year…a primetime matchup on a national stage (if you consider the NFL network national) when it was the Flacco vs Ryan bout. You have to give the talent/coaching edge to the Eagles, but it all boils down to which team is going to support their QB the most…and I’m sure the Falcons want this one pretty bad.
In any case, the Falcons are way overdue to give the Eagles some payback in what has become a lopsided rivalry. It is hard to imagine the Falcons taking this one, especially in any sort of convincing fashion…but I’m hoping for a suprise.
DawgDad
September 15th, 2011
1:16 pm
Big, yes. Biggest? No, not at this time. I might go back to Chicago in his rookie season, maybe his first game against the Lions. Now, if the Falcons beat Philly and go on a march to the Super Bowl then it COULD be his viewed as his biggest win, up to the first playoff game (win), which would be bigger, and the NFC Championship, bigger still. But it’s still just a regular season game, and would a win be bigger than that Chicago win was? I don’t think so.
5150 UOAD
September 15th, 2011
1:16 pm
WHERE is the COUNT? We need the COUNT and a pic or two of Hot Chicks and the weeks picks.
INDIAN BIRD
September 15th, 2011
1:16 pm
wow! one guy tore the falcons down while another has built them back up and the fans are trying to let the first guy tear them down again ( but this time it’s not him it’s his name). The truth is ryan may have 3 to 4 bad games a year and several good ones. But I am amazed at how short fans memories are. #7’s last 2 years here 8-8 and 7-9. Ryan’s 11-5 ,9-7 and 13-3. And don’t give me no BS about supporting cast because are pass defense in the last three years is as bad as i have seen. If it wasn’t for ryan’s ability to keep the defense off the field this would have had 4 straight losing seasons even with #7. Does any one remember all the fumbles and 20 yard loses. I used to love watching #7 but hte last year he was here i couldn’t take it any more. And here we are today a top 10 team in the nfl year in and year out mostly because of one man, matty ice.
OC/DC Dinosaurs
September 15th, 2011
1:19 pm
This is a big game for our Offensive Coordinator who does not know what an “aggressive” offense is according to his interview. We were the only team of the 32 teams not to score an offensive touchdown last week. He is what he and always has been. Google “Mularkey play calling Buffalo and Miami” and you will see the real facts. He was relieved of his calling plays in Miami.