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
FloridaFalconFan
September 19th, 2011
11:21 am
I feel bad for Matt Ryan. The offensive line will wake up. My concern is with the defense. It seems that they are solid on first and second down, they get to third and long situations and they just kinda are ho hum. Third and short they seem more stout, third and long unless the receiver drops the ball consider it a first down. COME ON BVG! Bring the heat man!
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:22 am
Anyone that doesn’t think this game last night wasn’t a Statement Game is sadly mistaken because in this league, the Games you are picked to lose and win are the games you are remembered for and last nights victory is not only a Statement to the rest of the Teams in the NFL but a Hurdle that this team needed to climb over to find theirselves again.
This Team will only improve and get better in the weeks ahead and hopefully they can keep putting the Wins in the W column and make it to the playoffs again this year.
FACTS
September 19th, 2011
11:22 am
Correction
Fluke plays are a part of the game…the Falcons got lucky he hit his neck on his own teammate, no defender just blasted him & took him out of the game…..Matty Ice caught a lucky break as well his knee almost got blown up on fluke play….Falcons are doing the same as last season catching a few good breaks to win, they are not a dominant team & never will be with that defense
In the last 3 games including the Green Bay rout, Falcons defense has given up 109 pts — which averages out to 36.3 pts a game…. now tell what Super bowl teams has had a 3 game stretch like that against playoff caliber teams
kerryb
September 19th, 2011
11:24 am
The defense is going to give up points. If you look at all the defenses in the league they are all giving up yardage and points. That is what the NFL has created with all the rules limiting defenses. They want an offensive league and they have gotten it. Tom Brady has already thrown for nearly 1,000 yards in 2 weeks.
Dr. Bombay
September 19th, 2011
11:24 am
“What has happened to Pro Football? The hit by Robinson would have been celebrated 10 years ago as a great hit. Now he is a thug and told to get out of town.”
—-
The new rules are a PR move by NFL Inc. really. The NFL would actually like for it to be brutal, with the old rules, but there’s been a lot of media attention recently on ex-NFL players going wacky, killing themselves, and having their brains falling apart. They know full well that all the publicity didn’t “look good” and made them look like money-grubbing violence peddlers, which is what they are.
Read This
September 19th, 2011
11:26 am
Tim? Break his leg? Dude, get help.
Really?Bandwagons?
September 19th, 2011
11:26 am
HEY JEFF: ONE QUESTION>
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TEAM OR TEAMS IT WAS THAT RYAN LOSS TO IN DA DOME????
JUST CURIOUS………………..
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:26 am
If Vick had stayed in, his 3 more turnovers would have led to Falcons 21 points…would have been a blow out.
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:26 am
Tom Brady gets alot of protection from his line also and that helps him alot
Read This
September 19th, 2011
11:26 am
Break his leg Tim? Dude, get help.
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:27 am
Vick is too dainty for this league.
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:28 am
Everyone in Atlanta should be fired up..we just beat the team that is trying to buy the superbowl!
Really?Bandwagons?
September 19th, 2011
11:28 am
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:19 am
FACTS…lol..you crack me up. What good is a QB rating if you can’t even make it to the end of the game? Last I looked…tests only count if you FINISH them…to bad Vick can NEVER finish any of his tests!
~~~~So if those facts are in fact true,,imagine if Vick had actually finished the game!
Read This
September 19th, 2011
11:29 am
Jeff, what do you think? I feel Ryan does better calling his own plays, playing up tempo and rolling to his right or left.
FACTS
September 19th, 2011
11:29 am
Swiss cheese defense!!!!
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:29 am
Perhaps the Eagles can use this game as a moral victory!
extremus
September 19th, 2011
11:30 am
The offense seems so much more efficient and in sync when using the no-huddle as opposed to other times, I find it amazing that the Falcons don’t use it more often if not 100 percent of the time. They actually had the Bears’ defense on their heels early on until the Urlacher interception, then all of a sudden somebody decided to go “conservative”…and the rest is history. Yes, mistakes and turnovers will happen sometimes in ANY offense, but when one play makes you change your entire approach mid-stream it seems to speak to a very shaky confidence on someone’s part (I would have to guess if it wasn’t Ryan’s decision it had to be Mularkey’s or Smith’s).
I know the Falcons employ the run a lot and that is an “eat up the clock” approach, while the no-huddle is made to move downfield quickly and score often. The running game is huge for the Falcons, but if it detracts from helping this team achieve its ends of truly becoming explosive and running up the score against tough opponents, then I for one would recommend a shift in priorities. The no-huddle could make the difference between a winning or playoff-type record and a Superbowl championship for Atlanta.
kerryb
September 19th, 2011
11:30 am
What the NFL has created with all this limiting how defenders can hit they might as well be playing flag football. You hit an offensive player wrong and they throw a flag, you breath on a receiver and they call interference. Offenses are taking advantage of that. They throw the ball long knowing that if it’s not complete there will probably be an interference call. Receivers are no longer afraid to go across the middle because they know if they get hit there will be a 15 yard penalty and a fine. If they hit a QB wrong they are going to get flagged and fined. Defenses don’t have much of a chance in this league anymore. It is becoming a league where you have to out score your opponent to win. It’s becoming like the NBA.
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:30 am
Defense caused 3 turnovers and held at the end of the game…against the “best team money can buy”
Gatorzone
September 19th, 2011
11:31 am
Baker, Owens, Robinson, Decoud, and the punter can all take a hike…
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:31 am
Andy Reid was at a loss for words in his post game interview ! Hes not use to this From an Atlanta Game ! I am still laughing hard !
Tuggle58
September 19th, 2011
11:32 am
The hit by Dunta changed the game. It was a hard, punishing, fair hit.
If you don’t believe me, stand up, bend over a bit, and run into a wall. The first thing to get there will be your head.
It’s a violent sport. That’s why I love it.
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:33 am
Really? Imagine that you live in a land of lollipops and gum drops. Imagine if we had world peace…on brother! I will leave imagining to those that lose!
ATL Fan
September 19th, 2011
11:33 am
A win is a win. However ugly. It was too bad that Vick got injured. The ironic part is that that he was injured in the pocket.
The fumble he had brought back flashbacks to the heartbreaks he gave me will he started for Atlanta.
Matt Ryan did a great job in the 4th quarter, but had me cussing up til then.
I don’t understand why there was no help for Baker. Wheter he is not good enough to start or if he just was having a bad game, why no help? This is a team sport. If Baker needs help…help him, don’t hang him out like that.
My take on the Michael Vick saga is that he is the epitome of self-loathing resulting in self-destruction. For example, he knows not to carry the ball out away from his body, yet he still does it. Then, the inevitible fumble happens.
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:34 am
FACTS,
Ok, the 2009 New Orleans Saints. Gave up almost 22 points per game. Ranked 20th in points and 25th in yards allowed.
2009 first three games for the Super Bowl Champion Saints:
27 points to the NY Giants
34 points to the Miami Dolphins (yes they made the playoffs)
27 points to the Falcons (didn’t make the playoffs although 9-7 for the year)
Average 29.33 points per game the first three games. Oh and guess what, they won all three.
oh brother!
September 19th, 2011
11:34 am
Vick is too dainty for the league.
Swamp People
September 19th, 2011
11:34 am
WHO DAT! GEUAX SAINTS! GRIS GRIS
GACheesehead
September 19th, 2011
11:34 am
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
10:53 am
Atlanta will beat the Pack in a few weeks, another upset pick coming! wait n see !
Michael Moore(?) Don’t you have some anti-american movie to go make in Canada?
True Atlantan
September 19th, 2011
11:37 am
@Lesa – to part of your comment, ” I don’t wish him any ill, and was glad to see him get another chance in the NFL, but he really needs to grow up. If you think he has really changed, what do you make of his pointing to the the scoreboard when he headed to the locker room? I found it immature and totally class-less”
Suck an Egg …. what about the immature and totally CLASSLESS fans booing Vick when he’s leaving the game injured …. you were probably one of them!
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:38 am
To Cheese between Ears Atlanta will beat the Pack, wait n see
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:40 am
Really going to get a big laugh after that one in three weeks ! Revenge is sweet !
kerryb
September 19th, 2011
11:41 am
True Atlantan, yea it kind of reminded me when he was walking off the field back in 2006 and he flipped the fans off who were booing him. All of these Vick lovers forget that in his last year in Atlanta we were losing and fans were booing him.
buckhead benny
September 19th, 2011
11:41 am
Is there any reason our kicker can’t routinely kick it in the end zone like every other kicker in the NFL on each kickoff? to me that is very troubling- we have a 5 yard spot from last year and you don’t want people returning kicks if you don’t have to- Has anybody thought to ask this?
Michael M.
September 19th, 2011
11:41 am
In the Dome too !
FalconsSuck
September 19th, 2011
11:42 am
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:34 am
FACTS,
Ok, the 2009 New Orleans Saints. Gave up almost 22 points per game. Ranked 20th in points and 25th in yards allowed.
2009 first three games for the Super Bowl Champion Saints:
27 points to the NY Giants
34 points to the Miami Dolphins (yes they made the playoffs)
27 points to the Falcons (didn’t make the playoffs although 9-7 for the year)
Average 29.33 points per game the first three games. Oh and guess what, they won all three.
RIGHT ON CORRECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FalconsSuck
September 19th, 2011
11:43 am
WHODAT?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Waffle House or Bust
September 19th, 2011
11:44 am
To Mike Vick – God works in mysterious ways and the fact he waited for you to return to Atlanta to get knocked the $%&# out shows he also has a great sense of humor.
J.J.M.
September 19th, 2011
11:44 am
can we please stop the ryan vs vick….vick was on top before he got hurt I mean come on lets keep real…anyways lets go falconsss
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:45 am
And if Facts wants to consider the LAST game of 2008 like he did the playoff loss by the Falcons to GB, the Saints 4 game stretch (last game of 2008 and first 3 games of 2009) the average points given up by the Saints increases to 30.25 since they lost their last game of 2008 to the Panthers 33-31.
FalconsSuck
September 19th, 2011
11:45 am
HEY JEFF: ONE QUESTION>
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TEAM OR TEAMS IT WAS THAT RYAN LOSS TO IN DA DOME????
JUST CURIOUS………………..
(((((((I THINK 2OR3 OF THOSE 4OR 5 LOSSES IN THE GEORGIA DOME WERE AGAINST……GUESS WHO~~~~THE SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:47 am
Falcons: They lost to the Denver Broncos in Matt’s rookie season of 2008 24-20.
Really?Bandwagons?
September 19th, 2011
11:48 am
J.J.M.
September 19th, 2011
11:44 am
can we please stop the ryan vs vick….vick was on top before he got hurt I mean come on lets keep real…anyways lets go falconsss
Finally someone with some common sense..#TeamKeepitReal
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:50 am
Falcons, The loss to the Saints in the Dome in 2009 Ryan wasn’t playing. The other loss by Ryan in the Dome was to the Saints last year. Then of course the GB loss.
PC Police
September 19th, 2011
11:51 am
Michael Vick, a fine gentleman in his heart, I’m sure, and his fellow friends from the city of brotherly love, must hate that football has to be so violent! It’s a shame that that Mr. Robinson had to make that unfair hit on that other gentleman with his helmet, although I’m sure it was just a mistake. I was also terribly saddened to see poor Mr. Vick get hit in the face by his own player and to spit out – gasp – blood! But these physical injuries must be nothing compared to the emotional injuries these gentlemen must feel when they read how insensitive some writers can be in these blogs. Please, people, I beg you, let’s remember to treat these gentlemen delicately! Leave cultural differences out of these sports discussions, please, so no more feelings get hurt. Let’s stop the emotional violence now. Let’s all join hands and sing: I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony…
Correction
September 19th, 2011
11:51 am
After last night win, Ryan’s Dome record is 20-2 in the regular season.
hamp
September 19th, 2011
11:51 am
Sam baker is garbage. He is not a left tackle it is pitiful how he was whipped time and time again. If we don’t get the line fixed it will be a long season and another early exit from the playoffs if we make it. Tampa will be ready and will give us all we can stand I hope we stand. Just not impressed with our play thus far.
kerryb
September 19th, 2011
11:52 am
Ryan has only lost 3 games in the Dome. Broncos, Saints, and Packers.
kerryb
September 19th, 2011
11:53 am
I bet Drew Brees’ record in his Dome over the last 3 years is not that good.
drmaryb .(*_*).
September 19th, 2011
11:54 am
Quote It!
Like a great coach once said when asked:
“What do you think about the EXECUTION of the offensive line? And, the coach replied: I’m all for it!”
I say take the entire line out back, give them a mayonnaise sandwich and just end it now! And, while we’re out back? Shoot that kicker in both his knees with a sawed-off shot gun. All in all, I’m the happiest woman in the world!
I LOVE this game! Great gutsy win side shows.
Chandler going Deep..
September 19th, 2011
11:55 am
Andy blew it! Should have challenged that MV7 pick that was not a pick. Ball touched the ground..That turnover would have been reversed! Shoot!. The TD that followed turned into a Fal-cons win rather than a loss…
Fal-cons defense is atrocious! 30+ points per game means an early playoff exit again..
Hey Joe Flaco aren’t you glad you play for Baltimore? lol