Live from the Dome: It’s a Matty Ice anniversary!
Matt Ryan delivers against the Titans one year ago. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It was a year ago that the course of the Falcons changed. It was the third exhibition of the 2008 preseason that told the new administration what it had suspected since the April draft: That it could go with a rookie quarterback as its starter and get away with it.
We forget now, in the light of a rookie of the year award and a 11-5 season of the highest giddiness and even a playoff turn, how bold that decision was. The Falcons had drafted Michael Vick No. 1 overall in 2001, and he hadn’t started as a rookie. But this was a different time, a different rookie.
We look back and we see it as a no-brainer: You have Matt Ryan and you have Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley — who else are you going to start? But we forget how perilous the state of the Good Ship Falcon was in August 2008. They were widely projected as the NFL’s worst team, and they were coming off the most depressing season in the history of North American team sports. (Quarterback in jail, coach in the Ozarks, et cetera.)
It took guts just to draft Ryan No. 3 overall — the consensus, local and otherwise, held that Glenn Dorsey was the better choice — but it took more to say, “He’s our starter in Week 1 of Year 1.” NFL teams had all but gotten away from that, preferring to nurture, preferring to cover their assets in case a big-name draftee flopped. (Tim Couch, Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, et alia.) But that’s why Matt Ryan wasn’t just a good pick: He was the perfect pick at the absolute proper moment.
We on the periphery looked on the Falcons’ unassuming offensive line — considered the NFL’s worst by some observers, lest we forget — and said knowingly, “Putting a rookie quarterback behind those blockers is just one more indication why the Falcons are bush league.” But the new Falcons had seen two things in mini-camp and then in summer drills that we outsiders couldn’t quite grasp.
1. That Matt Ryan was a different sort of rookie.
2. That this offensive line, under the tutelage of Paul Boudreau, could hold up its end.
We should never underrate the second part. Indeed, on the way into the Dome on the night of that third exhibition last year, Thomas Dimitroff told a reporter that the key to starting Ryan would be the Falcons first having convinced themselves internally they could protect him. The first two exhibitions had given them an indication, and the third — a 17-3 victory over Tennessee — was the clincher. Ryan threw 21 passes, completing 15. (Here’s my column from that night, if you’re so inclined.)
The Falcons named Ryan the starter the next day. He threw a touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins on his first delivery of the regular season. He took a frightful beating in the second week in Tampa Bay but played better in the second half than the first, and that was when the Falcons knew beyond all doubt they’d made the proper choice. The kid was a keeper. The kid was a kid by no measure other than age.
We forget now how major that decision was: Say the line had broken down and Ryan had thrown 32 interceptions — Peyton Manning did as a rookie — and the season after going 4-12 the Falcons had gone 3-13 and their No. 1 draft pick had been a first-year bust. Would we Atlantans have washed our hands of NFL football altogether?
We’ll never know. All we know is this: On Saturday night the Falcons were to play another third exhibition of another preseason, and there’s no reason to feel bad about them or their future or their brain trust. Or their quarterback.
(OK, folks. I’ll be here all night, chatting and cracking semi-wise. If you’d care to join me, I’d be obliged. It’d get mighty lonely in the big ol’ Dome without you.)
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511 comments Add your comment
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Uh-Oh. BVG’s D just got caught blitzing on a deep pass and then a soft zone inside the ten? No he’s BVG that doesn’t happen. Where are the hot head Martinez bashers?
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Here comes the idiot Vick fans.
Hey moron, go haunt the message boards at the Philly Inquirer.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:24 pm
Michael Turner with a quick 10. Think San Diego would let him leave today?
Slick
August 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
Bad News – I could have sworn Matty Ice and his lollipops handled the “big boy” Chargers last year.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
Here come the idiot Martinez Backers (idiots because they actually BACK Martinez)
Hey moron, one has a YOUNG defense, one has a VETERAN defense.
One’s defense will get better as the year goes on.
One’s defense has no chance from day one because HE is the coordinator.
It’s amazing that there are actually people who, like Richt, have the gall to defend the indefensible.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
One of those lollipops just resulted in a first down. To Gonzo again. Gonzo will catch 80 balls this season, easy.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
nice run by norwood
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
It all comes down to player execution. BVG can dial up all the agressive plays he wants, but the players have to execute.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Another lollipop, this one to Roddy White. Falcons inside the 20.
Tweezy
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Roddy Whites goin to be worth every penny.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Uh-oh, BadNews…
We just saw Matt Ryan make a throw based on a progression of his reads!!!
Don’t remember YOUR guy ever doing that, not even once!
Hahaha.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:28 pm
Coaches always talk about finishing off runs. Michael Turner finishes his off.
Dan
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Mark – for all who idolize Matty Ice (Ryan is Tom Brady is the most over the top example, but there is lot of that around here) have I got a story for you!
“Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons is playing in only his second NFL season but he’s already the league’s top quarterback in at least one category: handsomeness.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574378733451557884.html
A modest proposal – How about Ryan wins something before we bronze him for Canton
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
You are no Bulldog. You are a play station all american band wagon fan. Go actually coach a group of kids or play the real game and get back to me.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
TD fin fin
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
One thing I always wondered . . . . ..last year I kept reading conflicting reports . . . . posters would say Matt Ryan was weak-armed . . .then I’d hear a Commentator say he has a cannon. I saw pretty much every game he played at BC as an alum, I thought his decision making and guts were he top points . . .but also thought he had a great arm . . . if not a Marino like cannon.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Gravy, the NEXT time you hear BVG ever blame his players will be the FIRST time.
How many times have Richt and YOUR BOY thrown their players under the bus?
Go away. Your arguments are not based in logic and fact, just on the insane belief that Martinez must be awesome because he’s Richt’s choice.
Guess what, genius, Martinez IS Jeff Bowden.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:29 pm
Ryan finds Finneran, who was in the slot. Touchdown. Nice drive.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:31 pm
I would describe Ryan’s arm as NFL-caliber. Not Stafford-strong, but certainly up to requirements. Which I believe was the case with a Mr. Montana.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:31 pm
Gravy, come on down to Athens, and I’ll buy you a Guiness at Gencos (they pour the best), and we can talk about how I’m not a Bulldog and how you’re a complete, blindly loyal moron…
… how about that?
Tweezy
August 29th, 2009
8:32 pm
WOW. I actually feel guilty for laughing at the J Bowden comparison.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:32 pm
where is the special teams?
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Someone put a laso on Sproles. Man is quick!
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Correction: Lasso
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Let’s see some D this time.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
Darren Sproles makes people miss, Toccoa. Good thing the sideline — and Koenen, sort of — caught him.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:35 pm
Speaking of Sproles: Lofton chases him down after a 14-yard gain on a screen.
Gravy Train
August 29th, 2009
8:35 pm
The next time I hear BVG tell the truth and keep his commitments will be the first time. Why is it a pass for BVG that he has to count on inexperienced DB’s and not for Martinez? You’re a know-nothing hypocrite who needs to study the game. BVG left right as the foundation of his D left also…how convenient.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
Finally some D. First Babineaux and then Coleman stop Hester for no gain. Third down coming up.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
You know what I like seeing?
The defense might take it’s lumps in the first half of the season.
But look at them SWARM to the ball!
Just like the Georgia Bulldogs USED to do!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
Kroy Biermann runs down Sproles — another screen — two yards short of a first down. Chargers punt.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
This defense is quick, BugKiller. That’s the upside.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:40 pm
Funny-looking play on third-and-1. Quick toss to Norwood loses two yards.
Quarter ends. Tied at 7. Falcons to punt.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
Funny and Bad looking play.
FalconUGAFan
August 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
Norwood and Ryan telegraphed that play.. too bad.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
nice special teams play that time.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Nice open-field tackle by Lofton on the punt. Starting MLB plays special teams.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Gravy… with every word you speak, you prove more and more how little you understand about football.
BVG left Georgia right as the foundation, as you say, was leaving?
You mean the foundation HE built? The players HE made stars?
Who the hell was David Pollack before BVG? A 3rd team FULLBACK.
We had talent, and BVG MOLDED the talent.
You’re one of those idiots who claim Martinez has no talent to work with, right? That’s not only wholly incorrect, it’s intellectually DISHONEST.
So you’re either a liar, or an idiot, or both.
Martinez has had just as much, if not MORE talent than BVG ever had.
What’s the difference? What’s happened to Georgia’s defense? Why aren’t guys getting drafted?
Seems to me that the difference is in the guy who’s teaching, the guy who’s coaching.
So, Gravy, we’ve proven that you’re not only stupid, but that you’re so blindly loyal, that you’re a liar who’ll go to great lengths to excuse MEDIOCRE COACHING.
And why? Why would you do this?
I actually want the Dawgs to be BETTER?
You want them to get WORSE.
You, like Mark Richt, like Bobby Bowden, want to let a coordinator the head coach has an emotional attachment to, to STAY and DESTROY what the head coach has built, instead of doing what’s best for the team.
You know little and you lie much, Gravy. I offered to buy you a beer and bury the differences, but you know what, I don’t drink with liars, or those who lie because they can’t think of a logical way out of an argument.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Almost a sack by Gilbert. Probably was grounding. No call, though.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:45 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong her but isn’t this a FALCONS blog and not a bugs vs Dawgs blog. SHUT UP or go to another blog already.
Bat Masterson
August 29th, 2009
8:46 pm
What a difference a year makes. I was one of those not sure about drafting Ryan and did not have much faith in the line. Its nice to have a professional group and not the carnival show we had become accustom to. Time to break the bird curse.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
OK, let the secondary griping commence in earnest. Eighteen-yard gain on third-and-15. Houston beaten.
toccoadawg
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Floyd caught the ball for a first but he paid a price for it.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Mark,
Was Peterson out of position (a la Brooking) on that long 3rd down completion? It didn’t look like there was any underneath coverage helping the corner on that play.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Too much time for Rivers on that throw, though. I want to see Sidbury.
And now Rivers gets called for grounding.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
If I told you I knew for sure about Peterson, I’d be lying.
Another long third-down completion. Houston again. Jackson again.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
I may have missed a previous post indicating this . . . but boy those Falcons secondary guys seem very, very small/short . . .
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Chris Houston is getting ABUSED.
Mark, I commented on an earlier blog that I believe that Dimitroff’s refusal to match the Ravens’ offer to Foxworth (considering the team is UNDER the cap) was the ONLY mistake he’s made in two years.
It seems as if, unfortunately, I was right.
Houston isn’t ready to be a 1, and Grimes is not a 2. Dimitroff should have resigned Foxworht
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Or the Chargers receivers are just plain big!
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
I think the Chargers are very pleased that they have Sproles, dude is hard to stop. I hope Mark Richt and Carlton Thomas are watching. I believe Sproles is even smaller than Thomas.