Ryan leads Falcons and finally takes center stage over Vick
Matt Ryan threw four touchdown passes and led the Falcons to one of their biggest wins with him as their starting quarterback -- over Michael Vick and the Eagles. (Jason Getz/AJC)
When Matt Ryan became a Falcon on draft day in 2008, Michael Vick was sitting in a prison cell at Leavenworth. So there was no ceremonial passing of the torch. Maybe just an easing of Arthur Blank’s headache.
To Ryan, Vick has been only a shadow, a ghost, a name he hears in press conferences. But the reminders have been constant, particularly with Vick’s remarkable rebirth in Philadelphia, and the biggest question going into Sunday night was how Ryan would handle his predecessor’s return.
“To me, having not been here and having not played with him and understanding how difficult it is to play regardless of what the circumstances are in this league, I wouldn’t allow myself to get caught up in it,” Ryan said late Sunday night.
Was it really that easy? Or is this just one of those things where we’ll never really know how much it has bothered him? No matter. Even if Vick’s first start against the Falcons — and against Ryan — stirred fans and maybe some members of the organization (Blank?) into a far greater frenzy than Ryan, this much is certain: The exorcism is complete. The Falcons didn’t just beat Philadelphia, 35-31. They beat Vick.
Ryan beat Vick.
Yes, we are reminded constantly it’s all about team. Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and so many others certainly played key roles in this game. But Ryan is the face of this team. A team that used to be Vick’s, in a city that used to be Vick’s, in a league that used to Vick’s 24/7 — and recently it seems like it is all over again.
If the Falcons had lost, Ryan’s face would’ve been targeted for most of the pies. That’s just the way it works in football, and certainly in Atlanta, given the backdrop.
It wasn’t nearly the best game of Ryan’s career. But in some ways, it might’ve been the most impressive. The Falcons had flat-lined. Ryan had two interceptions. The air had gone out of the offense and the building. Ryan was getting hammered behind an ever-collapsing offensive line. Philadelphia had turned a 21-10 deficit into a 31-21 lead. Even with Vick now on the sideline and looking woozy, the game appeared over late in the third quarter. Vick would win again, just as he did as a backup in the Georgia Dome in 2009, when he ran for a touchdown and threw another in a 34-7 Philly win
Ryan was injured that night. But he watched. He saw. He knew what it meant.
On Sunday night, with the Falcons losing by 10 points, Ryan showed his greatest strength. He didn’t change.
“In the huddle, he just said ‘Let’s go down and score. We’ve got this,’” wide receiver Harry Douglas recalled.
And the Falcons did. Twice.
Through nearly three quarters, Ryan completed only 8 of 17 passes for 102 yards. But he came out firing in a no-huddle offense. On first down, he completed a 17-yarder to Roddy White (”You want to get that first big play to get you moving,” he said.) Then came a 13-yarder to Gonzalez, a 14-yarder to Julio Jones, a 15-yarder to Douglas. He went 7 for 9 on the drive, the last being a one-yard touchdown flip to fullback Ovie Mughelli to close to 31-28.
It was like Ryan suddenly plugged the team into a light socket. He even called his own plays in the no-huddle.
“He was going up to the line, calling the plays that he likes to call, and he was getting the ball in good positions for us,” White said.
The winning touchdown drive was mostly about Turner, who broke off a 61-yard run on first-and-17 from the Falcons’ 13. But Ryan hit Douglas and Gonzalez on consecutive passes, the latter coming on third down to set up Turner’s go-ahead touchdown.
“I thought our quarterback really showed his toughness,” coach Mike Smith said. “He took a number of shots and he kept going. When you’ve got guys like that, you’ve got a chance to be successful. He’s a tough Irishman.”
In the end, it was Ryan who brought his team back, rebounding from a poor opener in Chicago. It was Ryan who threw a career-high four touchdown passes and won the game, while Vick was sitting in the locker room with a concussion, a sore neck and three turnovers (two led to Falcons’ touchdowns).
Ryan downplayed the significance of this night.
“We have a big game against Tampa Bay next week,” he said, as if reading from a cue card.
Something tells me it means more than he will ever admit. It certainly did for others.
By Jeff Schultz
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766 comments Add your comment
Keeping it Real
September 19th, 2011
9:23 am
@ Dr. Phil: I don;t know what game you were watching but MV7 was injured standing in the pocket.
@ Richard Dawson: It’s great to see someone on this blog with common sense.
@ All the MV7 Haters: Get over it and move on, MV7 has on with another $100M contract. Be happy with your $35k per year. I bet 90% of your are ignorant UGA fans.
NATE SLICE
September 19th, 2011
9:25 am
(REAL TALK) VICK 1 CONVICTION RYAN 0 CONVICTIONS
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
September 19th, 2011
9:26 am
Great win for the Falcons last night. Hopefully now all of the hype between Ryan and Vick can be put to rest for awhile.
I agree with those on this blog who have stated that “SAM BAKER IS A HUGE LIABILITY ON THE O-LINE”. He stunk up the field in Chicago and he did again last night at the dome.
I also agree with the comments about Mularkey’s play calling and how the team seemed to get into a rhythm with Ryan calling the plays in the no huddle.
Garth
September 19th, 2011
9:26 am
The Falcons wouild have one with Vick still in there. Let’s face it, all the guy can really do is run the ball. When it comes down to major games he’s a dud, because he isn’t a leader–sho’nuff.
Browncoat
September 19th, 2011
9:27 am
Mike Mularkey, you’re killing me (and Matt Ryan).
PMC
September 19th, 2011
9:27 am
I disagree with you a bit on this Jeff, I think Thomas Dimitroff get’s the biggest pies if they lose this one. Matt Bosher needs to be cut and replaced unless something drastic happens and he becomes an NFL punter. I guess we’re waiting on Drew Butler next year I don’t know. The guy the Eagles had Chaz Henry was a UDFA from Florida and he was better.
Dunta Robinson is a total disaster. He has been horribly spent money. The hole at cornerback on his side is still glaring Sam Baker CANNOT Play left tackle in the NFL. He’s remarkably bad, yet they won’t fix this problem.
The way the team plays is as much on what Thomas Dimitroff HASN’T done than what he has.
I’m very happy today that the Falcons won, but there are still tons of holes to fix and they do not resmemble a playoff team right now in a lot of ways.
This said, it’s not my intent to be negative. I’m very happy today. A lot of the draft picks are finally starting to play. Spoon was terrific. CHris Owens made a great 3rd down tackle. Jerry made an awesome play on the fumble and Ray Edwards scoop was great too.
I wish the defense could play opportunistic like that every week.
Read This
September 19th, 2011
9:29 am
“It was like Ryan suddenly plugged the team into a light socket. He even called his own plays in the no-huddle.”
Let Ryan call his own plays. Our OC is a IDIOT. We all know it. Let Ryan CALL HIS OWN PLAYS!
Season Ticker Holder
September 19th, 2011
9:29 am
The credit for this victory must be given to Atlanta’s defense. When you look at the game stats, you would thing Philly won this game. The difference in this game is the Falcons defense stopped Philly in the Red Zone and force them to settle for a field goal. The margin of victory is a field goal verses a touchdown. While the Falcons defense gave up a lot of yards, they were tough in the Red Zone.
ramguy68
September 19th, 2011
9:29 am
Amazing how often people positions change when it’s convenient for their argument (including the author of this article). When MV7 was RUNNING around in Atlanta and WINNING PLAYOFF GAMES, you whined about his QB rating. Vanilla Ice did not outplay MV7 last night, just look at the numbers.
I think you left out the Vick turnovers which led to Falcon points. You also left out that Con-Vick couldn’t finish the game but was trying to remember his ABC’s….that is if he already knew them. Vick lost…man up and admit it. I think you’re the one that’s doing the whining.
Birdthethird
September 19th, 2011
9:29 am
@Falconi, Could it be that Ryan is in his element when he is calling plays or is it that Mularkey is just not calling plays. Ryan did take shots down the field but his accuracy on deep throws is still a problem. And yes Sam Baker is a bust. Atlanta has a history of first round busts so maybe not having a first rounder won’t hurt us as bad as we thought.
Read This
September 19th, 2011
9:30 am
Again, LET RYAN CALL HIS OWN PLAYS!
Read This
September 19th, 2011
9:31 am
Last time:
LET RYAN CALL HIS OWN PLAYS! Our offensive coordinator doesn’t know football.
True Falcon Fan
September 19th, 2011
9:31 am
For those that don’t get it – great teams that have great coaching staffs – when playing the game against each other, there are two things that happen.
1) Usually one breaks down either on offense or defense – they lose the game
2) They both “Battle it out” – usually not a pretty game – some call it “Ugly” – Some call it “Sloppy” – Then you have a over time, tie or a “WINNER/FALCONS”!
Folks, this was an ole fashion A$$ whoopin game for both teams. Vick was playing very well; Ryan was frustrated through 3 quarters. However Ryan never gave up, he picked himself up several times. I for one was very impressed with Ryan’s resolve, no quit attitude, very impressed with his poise and leadership!
The critics can say all they want about Ryan’s: Ability to throw the deep ball? — I will take that high percentage Bill Walsh style any day of the week! Let’s just state the facts “YOU ARE JEALOUS”……..
Go Falcons – Bucs Next
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
9:32 am
The only bad thing with the football game last night was those stupid commercials. I think they need to cut to the cheerleaders and let us watch them instead of cutting away to those stupid rerun commercials we all sick and tired of !
willdave
September 19th, 2011
9:33 am
I wholeheartedly thank the Falcons for stepping up and winning this game. I have gotten so tired of hearing from the Vick apologists over these past five years. I have especially taken offense at the cheap shots they have taken at young Matt Ryan, an extremely talented quarterback and a model citizen who had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Vick’s downfall.
I’m so happy for Matt. Yes, he OUTPLAYED Vick last night. Yes, he took the blows from the Philly defense, but he stayed in the game and did what he had to do to put it in the win column. Believe me, there is an astronomical difference between 1-1 and 0-2.
Anyway, for all you Vick lovers, here’s a fact that you cannot change: In head-to-head competition, the scorecard now reads Matt Ryan 1, Mike ConVick 0. Period. No excuses.
Go Falcons! Go Matt Ryan!
Jeff
September 19th, 2011
9:33 am
I used to be the biggest Vick fan. I hope people didn’t think about me the things I now think about current Vick defenders. They just seem so ignorant. “you only lost b/c Vick was hurt.” Who cares? He fumbled twice, threw an INT that his coach stupidly didn’t challenge. He can’t read a blitz. Too dangerous if he leaves the pocket, might get hurt, but too fragile to stay in the pocket, hence he did get hurt. He is the QB on my fantasy team, so I hope he posts stats, but Kafka looked like the Pro QB out there for the Eagles in my opinion.
Banned Poster
September 19th, 2011
9:35 am
Keeping it Real seems to be taking his arse whooping a little too seriously. To say Vick outplayed Ryan is to say you watched the game through Vick colored glasses. The man was pressured all night and took shots. He got his usual happy hands and was careless with the football and the Falcons made him pay. Ryan was the star as he took more shots from Philly’s defense and kept chugging along and led to, not 1, but 2 4Q TD passes. Vick didn’t do that as he was wondering which state he was in.
Face it loser, the better QB won last night. The tougher QB won last night. Also know that Vick will never be the QB you want him to be. Oooohhh 2 playoff wins. One against a Packer team that had no defense and the other against an 8-8 Rams team. Big Whoop! Whenever Vick went up against a real team in the playoffs, he wet the bed. Also, that 2005 and 2006 season he quit on the team in the second half both times and his carelessness with the football cost the Falcons games. Deal with it, Vick will never be an “Elite” QB in the mold of Manning, Brady, or even McNabb. Those guys win games like last night.
ramguy68
September 19th, 2011
9:35 am
If you do not like Vick you are a racist and an ignorant UGA fan! He has served his time and paid restitution to the girl he gave a disease too so we need to immediatley deify this thug again!
I know you meant that with tongue in cheek but for those who really believed that I would just tell that when Vick was here I pulled for him and wanted him to live up to his potential. The way he left leaving this team in a shambles.I no longer cheered for him. When he got out of prison and admitted that he didn’t try his best down here, he became public enemy #1. I would feel the same about Matt Ryan if he were in Vick’s shoes.
Keeping it Real
September 19th, 2011
9:37 am
@ Nate: Decent attempt. GM and owners hire people to play football, not be alter boys.
@Prick: Numbers don’t lie do they? Drop the emotion and move on. It’s just football people.
@ All the Animal Rights Folks: Let meet at University of South Carolina and protest everything about their sanctioned nickname, the Gamecocks. Yeah, I though so.
BYC
September 19th, 2011
9:39 am
First off, great win! If you are a real falcons fan you are a MATT RYAN fan.
Second, what the hell happened to the good things the Falcons were doing last year? We went from one of the least penalized teams to tons of costly penalties last week and this week. Also, I know we have a few rookies on the o-line, but Ryan has gone from 23 sacks all of last year, to 9 sacks through the first two games. I have no idea how he pulled out a win last night. If we can shore up these two problems, we may be looking at another 13-3 year.
thejama
September 19th, 2011
9:39 am
Nice article Shultzie….Big win for the Falcons. Glad the team won’t have to put up with the media aggravation if they had not won. See ya in Tampa…btw- “Buc Ball” is tougher to watch than a root canal….don”t fall asleep on them Falcs
PMC
September 19th, 2011
9:40 am
Ryan was ugly in this game but at the end of the day the Falcons were 5 for 5 scoring TD’s in the red zone they beat a team with more talent and Ryan had 4 TD passes.
I’m very pleased with Matt Ryan, the 4th quarter comeback with the no huddle is where he earns his pesos.
Gatorzone
September 19th, 2011
9:40 am
BAKER SUCKS!!!!! Why didn’t Malarky run a screen or two to the side of Sam Baker? At the very least it would have slowed that end down from his pancaking of Baker EVERY play!
Keeping it Real
September 19th, 2011
9:45 am
@ Banned: I was born, raised, and still live in Georgia. My team are the Falcons, Braves, Yellow Jackets (Alumni). Hell, I even pull for the bulldogs when they are not play Tech. Unlike you people (lol), I just don’t carry hate in my heart. We’ve all have made mistakes. It’s about how you respond once you get hemmed up. MV7 has responded well. Move on you people.
Packers Fan
September 19th, 2011
9:46 am
Hey Falcons fans, Beat GB, then talk!! LOL!!
Invincer
September 19th, 2011
9:47 am
In no way would I say the Vick “demons” were exorcised. Both QBs looked pretty bad; but seriously, if Vick isn’t hurt do you think the Eagles would not have scored in the last possession, or maybe the one before? Don’t forget the one int we had that was on the ground which they strangely didn’t review. And it was so pathetic watching Ryan and the offensive line the first three quarters. The scores during that time were from short fields and all thanks to Gonzo.
Now, that being said, Ryan was super impressive in the 4th quarter. But you just said it in your article, explained why the big difference I do believe. “He started calling his own plays in the huddle”…. and there you have it. Malarkey calling plays the first 3 quarters, and you can tell Ryan was not confident in them. The O-line looked like the shaving cream from the old commercial where shaving cream was trying to stop a football player from running through it. Ryan looked like he was “Private Ryan” in the movie trying to dodge and escape the shelling and the gunfire. And here’s the scary part, most of the time it was only a 4 man rush. O-line gets an F, Malarkey gets an F- (need to create a new grade for him the first 3 quarters were so bad), and Ryan gets a D for the first three quarters, but in a redo of his grade in the 4th an A+. Please, someone on the Falcons get rid of Malarkey, we will never win a Superbowl with him as the coordinator.
Mike
September 19th, 2011
9:48 am
Why does it seem that our receivers are never “wide” open while the other teams receivers are always “wide” open? I think it has something to do with our pass patterns which may be from the prehistoric age.
And please Coach Smith, consider leaving your backs in the backfield to block for Matt Ryan, especially when Philly’s ends are devasting our taclkes like for the whole night.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 19th, 2011
9:48 am
It was a big statement win for the Falcons, but the whole “Ryan beat Vick” storyline… meh. I was at the game, and it would have been nice if either Ryan had actually beat Vick or Vick had actually beat Ryan, for the sake of tying up loose ends in the storyline, but let’s face it, that’s not what happened. Instead we were left with this incomplete conclusion to that storyline with Vick leaving with a 10 point lead and Ryan rallying past Mike Kafka to win the game.
I hope they get to play each other again, in the playoffs, and hopefully this time both quarterbacks play all 60 minutes.
Elated
September 19th, 2011
9:49 am
Sam Baker is too heavy of a load for Matt Ryan to carry all the way into the playoffs. Baker just got manhandled last night. He was pitiful. And as for Donta Robinson, aside from the obvious league discipline that he will be facing, after last week’s debacle in Chicago the one improvement that I thought we would see this week would be out defense wrapping up the tackles – every tackle. Apparnetly Donta isn’t intelligent enough to get the message. Dimitrov has two holes to fill if we are to get to the big dance – Baker and Robinson must go.
St. Clarkston
September 19th, 2011
9:49 am
Ryan has strengths and weaknesses as a qb. But, he’s a winner, an intangible you can’t teach.
Golden Girl
September 19th, 2011
9:50 am
Glad someone (Ramguy) noticed the awful helmet to helmet shot to Ryan, yet, no call by the officials. Vick gets a head shot from his own man and out he goes. Shows what Ryan is made of. Glad the Falcons won, though, and no, Vick’s going out didn’t make us win — we did it ourselves. got to admit, though, I bet there are some really sore bodies on both sides this morning — pretty physical game.
Dimitroff is overrated
September 19th, 2011
9:51 am
Agree with the others here that question Dimitroff. He’s had way more misses than hits. And I disagree wholeheartedly that Weatherspoon played well last night- he didn’t show me much and hasn’t so far. Also think Lofton is overrated. Maybe its just the poor scheming from Van Goober, but our LB’s seem nonexistent on many plays and never seem to get tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Dunta Robinson is terrible.
Falcons Fan in VA
September 19th, 2011
9:51 am
@ Strange Murphy – I was on the egde about Collinsworth until last night. He was terrible and MUST have had money on the eagles. Got so tired of him talking about how the eagles were statistically dominating the game, over and over again. I also think he way over-reacted to the Robinson hit. So it’s official, worst NFL announcer and has trouble being objective.
T
September 19th, 2011
9:51 am
Why was Ryan constantly throwing to Jones in double coverage? Throwing to a rookie in double coverage against two of the best covers in the game instead of throwing to Roddy, one of the Top 3 receivers in the game? Looks like he was hell bent on forcing the ball to Jones and it led to stalled drives and turnovers.
flip
September 19th, 2011
9:56 am
I’m a big Ryan fan but wondered at one point if he was about to give up. Then on the series after Vick got hurt he was like a man on speed. I thought the play calling was terrible before that. Do we ever run screen plays? Rodgers could run those but let’s not for get Snelling. He’s a great receiver and knows how to take it to the house! I don’t know about Ryan versus Vick and who is better. Both are very good. Vick played well but I wondered how he would have played if he was going against his defense with our O-line.I think he would have played like Ryan did the first 3 quarters. It’s not just Sam Baker. They need to do something quick about the Oline. I like this new guy Edwards aslo! He made a lot of big tackles and picked up the fumble,. He is going to help this team.
The Truth
September 19th, 2011
9:57 am
Blah Blah Blah..It was a great game, but if Vick wasn’t hurt they woulda lost, point blank! I doubt the Falcons would win if they faced Philly again. The truth is the Falcons are overrated, and the Atlanta Fan Base is horrible! People down here only become fans when the team is winning..but as soon as the team starts losing they leave at third quarter. If the Falcons would of lost last night, the comments woulda been ” I’m burning my Ryan Jersey!” #Imjustspeakindatruth
Bob Berry to Cannonball Butler
September 19th, 2011
9:58 am
Don’t get all glassy eyed like UGA fans. We knocked dog-killa out of the game, and that’s the only way we won.
Dunta is a baller, and he hit somebody.
P.Jerry is a baller
Grimes is a baller.
But
We still can’t cover.
We can’t kick. Wha? Bosher? really?
and we might as well not have a LTackle, that’s embarrassing
GET REAL
September 19th, 2011
9:59 am
Keeping it real, the one stat you have not shown with Ryan and Vick comparisons is that RYAN WON.
Vick’s career QB raiting 80.5 (would have been in the low 70’s if not for 2010)
Career passing yard 15,000
Career TD’s passing 97
Fumbles 70 (55 with the Falcons)
Career Pass Comp 55.3
Best record as a Falcon 11-5 NEVER back to back winning seasons and 2005 and 2006 were wasted good starts and HE VICK’s lack of discipline and desires made us miss the playoffs both years.
Ryan
QB rating career 86.8
Yards 10,500
TD’s 70
Comp % 60.9%
Fumbles 16
Oh and a 34-14 record along with 21-2 at home. 3 back to back winning seasons and going on a 4th. Best 4th quarter comeback QB in Atlanta history. We let Turner run, we don’t need a 1000 yard runner in a QB, hence Turners 4000+ yards in 3 years.
I wouldn’t have VICK back leading this team for nothing. Last night, what you saw, was the Vick of 2005 and 2006.
GET REAL
September 19th, 2011
10:03 am
Chris Chandler is the greatest Falcon QB. He had 2 playoff wins too. LOL
Read This
September 19th, 2011
10:03 am
The Truth. You said it. I only add:
LET RYAN CALL HIS OWN PLAYS. Our OC is clueless. Completely clueless. You all agree.
Invincer
September 19th, 2011
10:04 am
Chris Chandler? You must be too young to remember Bartkowski…
Read This
September 19th, 2011
10:04 am
Other than The Truth and me, everyone on here is an idiot, like our OC. Again:
LET RYAN CALL HIS OWN PLAYS. Our OC is clueless. Completely clueless. You all agree.
Falcon Red
September 19th, 2011
10:07 am
First, congrats to the team on the win…but it wasn’t pretty!
Dunta – you are pathetic! You remind me of so many players that are more concerned about how they ‘look’ than how they perform! You must ‘have something’ (blackmail) on one of the coaches or exec’s to still be on the field every week. You don’t PLAY any better than some high school players I’ve seen!
Gatorzone
September 19th, 2011
10:07 am
Screen pass, extra Tight End, Keep a back in, roll coverage… Anything to counteract that defensive end that was bulldozing a clearly inferior Baker…
Where are the adjustments?
Elated
September 19th, 2011
10:13 am
Special teams are definitely a worry – when are we going to convince our punt return guys that they should field the ball on fair catches and not let it hit & roll within the 5 yd line. A real problem in Chicago and then did it again last night.
Chandler going Deep..
September 19th, 2011
10:13 am
Baker= Baked!
Fal-cons defense is getting torched!! 3 straight 30+ points giving up…No playoffs win with that wrenched defense!
That last pick by MV7 was a drop, point of ball touched the ground and Andy BLEW IT BIG TIME.. Would have won that challenge too..That cost them a win…Come on Andy??
Chandler going Deep..
September 19th, 2011
10:15 am
Ryan proved last night in the 3rd quarter that Mularkey is a major problem!
Ryan called a far superior game with the no huddle and turned a deficit into a lead!
Vick is Sick
September 19th, 2011
10:16 am
Great win for the Falcons, watching Vick leave the field spitting blood made it all the better. At least he refrained from a middle finger when leaving the field this time, but he still could not avoid acting like the tool that he is. Hopefully the losers that wear the red #7 jerseys will continue to fade away.
HGN
September 19th, 2011
10:17 am
I agree with you NFL O-Line………We miss Harvey Dahl. And I am sure Matt Ryan misses him too if he can get outta bed after the beating he took. Our O-Line has no attitude or mean streak like last year. The O-Line took it personal whenever Ryan was hit. But not this year. Its being accepted readily by our linemen now. Sam Baker was jacked-up all night long by Trent Cole and whoever else Philly wanted to play at RDE. It got to the point where Ryan begin to get happy feet way too early because he knew Baker was going to be falling in his lap , after being pushed back and man-handled by Cole , in one second. Sam Baker has got to improve significantly , and soon. Baker has to improve , be moved , or be benched. That was a pitiful performance by him last night.
dre
September 19th, 2011
10:17 am
did anyone else see the thousands of empty lower level seats with more than 5 minutes left in that close game? Some fans! probably in a hurry to make a call on one of them thar new-fangled cellphones. Embarrasing