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
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
A story of a Man’s struggle and redemption isn’t a good story for our youth?
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
VICK is a ROLE MODEL for everyone! #7 JERSEYS SUN NIGHT!
Axetrip
September 15th, 2011
2:27 pm
Vick returns to make us look like chumps again in our own house in front of a sea of 7 jerseys -
steve fisher
September 15th, 2011
2:27 pm
The falcons will win Sunday. I guarantee that, week 1 was just a wake up call. First game at home rockin crowd, Falcons go 1-1. Everyone is gonna step up
Vick is a Joke
September 15th, 2011
2:28 pm
I am hoping for two things Sunday night
- A Falcon’s Win
- Vick to be taken out of the game
After the way Vick embarrassed this franchise, how can anyone real Falcon Fan support him? It has nothing to do with race or color. But to support a guy that hurt this franchise shows nothing but Ignorance!!!
Ravenlicious
September 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
Sorry Steve Fisher, there is nothing rocking about that home crowd. Dumpy Dome…and poor fans….homefield disadvantage…Atlanta fans are the worst…bar none…by far…not even close.
Eyes Wide Open
September 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
Matt Ryan has cost the Falcons Both of the playoff games he has been in…They BOTH REST ON HIS SHOULDERS!!!!
Philadephia » Michael Vick, New Philadelphia Eagles Man… – ThyBlackMan
September 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
Hi Ravenlicious, I have been to almost half the NFL stadiums and while the ATL fans are indeed a little on the lathargic side the worst, surprising, are the Patriots! There fans sit there with no emotion expecting a win week in and week out. The Rams fans were pretty slow last season but I’ll cut them slack as they didn’t have much to cheer for..
We’ll have an outside stadium soon!!!
Stick
September 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
Ravenlicious is right. Those Falcon fans will quit in the 3rd quarter and walk out when the mighty # 7 leads this romp on their own turf. Green Bay made em squeal like pigs in their own slop yard. What a great day to see Vick again. He came back and came back strong. All can learn from Vick’s redemption. Philly 35 Atlanta 10 It is just a game bro
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:38 pm
RISE UP MR. VICK!! THE ATL LOVES U!! VICK OWNS THE DOME!
Michael M.
September 15th, 2011
2:39 pm
Lots of posts today, thats good. Wish people quit comparing Matt Ryan to Harrington, thats a bunch of Nonsense! If Falcons had of won last weekend they would have all been saying SuperBowl here we come! You know its Da Truth!
Falcons played the Ravens on a nfl network Thursday night game last year and odds didnt have em picked to win and I even thought they was going to lose but they Won !
They will be 1-1 after Sunday night event! You don’t lose forever to the same team! They going to take Green Bay when they play em too in a few weeks. Its Destiny ! Its etched in Stone !
I know I am going to hear some static on this but I am like the Birds, I can take the Heat and Rise Up above it !
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
2:39 pm
Mr. Vick? The only person to call him that was the judge!
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:42 pm
Falcons Fans always focus on negativity instead of rising up like Mr. Vick.
Matt
September 15th, 2011
2:44 pm
Cmon Falcons fans, leave your Vick jerseys at home. Whether you like him or not, his contract is still hurting our current salary cap. We have a new QB. We have a new QB in town, support him and to hell w/ Vick.
Ravenlicious
September 15th, 2011
2:46 pm
CT Falconsfan, I have been to 3 games at dome…as u can tell by screen name was there to cheer for Ravens. I have been to many places on road and Atl is one of my least favorite. The dome stinks. I hope you get an outdoor stadium soon….the game is meant to be played outdoors.
OVERRATED RYAN SUCKS
September 15th, 2011
2:47 pm
Vick is garbage……..Abraham will put him in a body bag sunday night. Stop with your racist bull#$%# overrated Ryan. The reason he had problems is because he was in an illegal dog fighting ring, not because he is black. Besides, Blank has already announced refusal to let any falcons fans in the dome wearing a Vick jersey.
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:47 pm
SUPPORT #7!! The ATL at least owes this man that!
mike
September 15th, 2011
2:48 pm
I see folks still have Vick on the brain. Nice try to cover up for the shortcomings of the supposedly superbowel bound falcons. It is interesting how Mr Vick has moved on with his life and career and the local sports yokels are blaming him for a team that should have been. Maybe if the falcons would try playing some football they might win a few games. Stop with the excuses and blaming someone else. BTW there will always be a fan base here in Atlanta for Vick so get over it. It is something you just don’t understand and it is a person’s choice who they like.
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:50 pm
WEAR FALCONS VICK JERSEY SUN NIGHT!! We love u Mike! Always our QB!!
UROverrated!!
September 15th, 2011
2:50 pm
Hey Overrated , Is that a name your girlfriend gave you? STHU and go Blog in the Philly Paper. #annoyed
ASHCAN.
September 15th, 2011
2:51 pm
@Micheal M,if don’t count (saying if the falcons would have won)Wear your vick jersey sunday night,both green and white and red and black!
OVERRATED RYAN SUCKS
September 15th, 2011
2:51 pm
Atlanta doesn’t owe Vick anything. Vick owes Atlanta the $18 million over the last 3 seasons against the teams salary cap for signing the “so called quarterback” to one of the worst contracts in professional sports.
Wear your #2 Jerseys w/ pride Sunday night!
Dilla
September 15th, 2011
2:51 pm
We will lose if we Ryan can’t throw it pass 10yards. Philly has an explosive offensive and at times will score quick. If Mularkey has the same game plan we had against Bears it will be another loss.
D man
September 15th, 2011
2:52 pm
Ok, now that I have had 4 days to think about it, All is not so bad. Yes we looked terrible but we could not recover one of 5 fumbles or two possible interceptions. If half of those would have gone our way, That would have changed the complexion of the game and result of the score. If the Falcons can rebound this Sunday night with a win, things don’t seem too bad any longer. Then we go to Tampa and Seatle and take care of business and things will look great for the remainder of the season.
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
2:54 pm
I wish we could get a large contingent of fans to greet Mr. Vick when he arrives to town! Show him we didn’t turn our backs on our leader!
ASHCAN.
September 15th, 2011
2:56 pm
@UROVERRATED,this is a sports blog.Ask jeff,he the one who hates vick so much,he create a blog so people can bash him.He (jeff) the one who mention vick would play arena football and wouldn’t make it back to the nfl,wrong.He(jeff) also said if he(vick) do he would be a WR or PR,wrong.So all he do now is create blogs of vick and bring up his past so people could negatively retaliate.
OVERRATED RYAN SUCKS
September 15th, 2011
2:56 pm
I wish we could get a large contingent of falcons fans to find Overrated Ryan, send him on a one-way ticket to Philly with the rest of the garbage,and leave his girlfriend in Atlanta to show her what a real man is like.
Michael M.
September 15th, 2011
2:57 pm
I Don’t see Vick coming in our House and running for those big yards this week, Noooo Way ! The defense had its problems too last week but they going to go after him like they would gravy on the biscuits ! Hes in for a long night if he makes it through the entire game!
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
2:58 pm
Ravenlicious
September 15th, 2011
2:46 pm
CT Falconsfan, I have been to 3 games at dome…as u can tell by screen name was there to cheer for Ravens. I have been to many places on road and Atl is one of my least favorite. The dome stinks. I hope you get an outdoor stadium soon….the game is meant to be played outdoors.
——————
Agree on the outdoor stadium…
If you really want to experience the best of the GA Dome go to the ATL/Aints game… GOOD TIMES!!
Big Play Ray
September 15th, 2011
2:58 pm
Who was that said the Falcons never had a shut down corner???
ASHCAN.
September 15th, 2011
3:00 pm
Watch jeff,we have 15 more regular season games,so lets see how many vick blogs he create.Yall vick haters should be getting on jeff schultz,he the one who put vicks name in the falcons blog when he(vick) play for the eagles.
Michael M.
September 15th, 2011
3:03 pm
Don’t think they hate him just believe they think hes overrated and got that 100 million contract and not showed the football world hes worth the money.
Ravenlicious
September 15th, 2011
3:04 pm
ct falconsfan – I’m sure y’all have a good time in the Saints games…but I have seasons tickets to Ravens and one of the greatest spectacles on earth are the tailgates and gameday crowd during our rival steeler/ravens matchup…it been called by Phil Simms the craziest thing you have ever seen.
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
3:05 pm
Is it just me or Matt Ryan looks like OPIE? #7 is #1 is most Falcons Fans hearts!
ASHCAN.
September 15th, 2011
3:07 pm
@choke,your the man.These falcon fans hate you for telling the truth.For all the falcon fans,here comes that philly ban wagon if you want to jump on,its not too late.All that speed the eagles have i hope the falcons don’t blitz.If they do, there in for a looooong day.Pick your poison(Falcons)you play zone vick get yards easy,you blitz jackson and crew fly past your sorry CB’s.
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
3:11 pm
Raven…, I’ve been to the Inner Harbor and your stadium, not bad I’ll admit..
I have been to a few ATL/Steeler games up in PItt and those fans and live and breath Steeler football as you know.. ATL fans just aren’t that crazy…
WC_FALCONS_WC
September 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
This is NOT Ryan’s biggest win! The biggest win in his Career will be the Super Bowl! Not against the Eagles(Vick)!
FedUp
September 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
If there is ANY true Falcon fan that wears a Vick jersey and cheers for Vick, they SHOULD NOT come back to the Dome for the next home game and cheer for the Falcons. Enough of this MV7 stuff. Get behind the Falcons or cheer for Vick and the Eagles all year long. I swear Vick has been gone 5 years, 2 of which spent in prison, and people can’t get over it. This whole thing is about a black QB that screwed up and screwed over a team and city, and a white QB that has had 3 consecutive winning seaons. That’s it. Be a Falcon fan, or be an Eagle and Vick fan. Just don’t be two faced and act like you can be both. You can’t when the teams go against each other, period.! If you can’t afford another jersey than you 5, 6 7 or 8 year old Vick jersey, then get a $1 red tshirt at Wal Mart and wear it.
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
3:14 pm
Philly bandwagon…lol
The Eagles are like the Vikings of the 70’s and the Bill’s of the 90’s…
Close but no cigar!!
MV7 Inmate
September 15th, 2011
3:16 pm
No MV7 ,otherwise none as Federal inmate # 33765-183 2, is only in the heart of the select few of Atlanta. I guess the it’s the white man’s fault he was a dumb idiot. He can’t even vote because he has a federal offense against him. What a guy.
Michael M.
September 15th, 2011
3:16 pm
Gonna be fun watching Opie let the Birds free out of the cage and throwing touchdowns to Andy, Goober, Otis and even Aunt Bee and putting a clothepin on those Eagle Beaks !
ctfalconsfan
September 15th, 2011
3:18 pm
Mr. Blank should step up and end this right now.
He should advertise that anyone who brings in or wears an old MV7 Falcons jersey can exchange it for free and receive a free Matt Ryan one.
The old Vick jersey’s would be given to homeless in the community so people all over the area will just see and think of MV7 and bums sleeping on the sidewalk…
Let’s go Mr Blank!
MV7 Inmate
September 15th, 2011
3:21 pm
Look at who wears the MV7 Falcon jerseys. They may not be the bums sleeping on the sidewalk, but I guarantee they have children they have no idea about, or don’t support.
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
3:22 pm
FIRE BUSTER BLANK! Yawn…
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
3:25 pm
Greenbay massive beat down on the National stage is 10x > 33 regular season wins….Yawn…
Sunday night will be surreal…
Andy Reid is drooling right about now after watching film all week on them dirty birds…
Chandler going Deep....
September 15th, 2011
3:27 pm
MV7 is going drop back in the pocket and carve up that Swiss Cheese secondary….Brutal….
Big Play Ray
September 15th, 2011
3:29 pm
Why don’t nobody wear my No 34 in the stands is what I want to know? I was the only shut down corner the Falcons ever had.
ScottBravesFan
September 15th, 2011
3:29 pm
Matt Ryan better be worrying about his offensive line not protecting him or he won’t be around much longer anyway. The O line was awful in Chicago and it’s barely getting any play from the ATL media.
Overrated RYAN
September 15th, 2011
3:30 pm
WEAR FALCONS VICK JERSEY SUN NIGHT!!