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
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Gravy, again proving you know less that you claim.
Only the people who criticize Martinez and don’t know what they’re talking about talk about “blitzing.”
BVG didn’t blitz any more or less than Martinez. In fact, I think he actually blitzed LESS.
The difference is, BVG knew when to blitz. BVG also knew how to make snap, in-game adjustments.
Martinez knows none of this.
As Mark said in his AWESOME blog about how inept Martinez truly is:
When the defense broke down when BVG was the DC, the other team scored field goals.
When the defense breaks down under Martinez (about three to four times a year, now), the defense gives up 40 points.
The difference is COACHING.
Not only what happens during the games but what happens during PRACTICE.
Martinez is MOLDING his players the same BVG molded his. He’s not COACHING them as well.
THAT’S the difference.
Not “blitzing.”
JV
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
How hurt is Norwood? Or how hurt does he appear to be?
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
Incomplete! when was the last time that happened?
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
The falcon defense hasn’t got a clue about reading a screen pass.
Eric C.
August 29th, 2009
9:24 pm
8 and 8…maybe.
Wabe
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
Grimes/Jackson.
Houston shouldn’t be a lock to start at CB, he’s not as good as advertised to be. Give Jackson a look – he’s bigger + I like what I saw out of him last season. I don’t think we can rely on 2 corners that are both under 6′0 to get us stops vs receivers that are much bigger. I like Grimes > Houston. It should be Grimes/Jackson.
Right now, it’s mismatches all day…
MT
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
Wouldn’t be a bad idea, Mark.
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:25 pm
I’ve seen enough!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
too….damned…easy
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
Touchdown on a slant. Grimes beaten. That’s the second-string quarterback doing this, folks.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
They’re reviewing the play. Floyd’s knee was down, I think, before he broke the plane with the ball.
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:26 pm
If Houston is supposed to be our top coverman, we are in for a long season. This is painful to watch. Grimes just got burned AGAIN!!!!!
La Jolla Dawg
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
I was really excited that I was going to actually be able to watch a Falcons preseason game on t.v., now, not so excited. I hope they pick up some help for the secondary, if they don’t, we are not going to have back-to-back winning seasons.
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Jamie , me too.
Dawgs2009
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Earlier this year I had to move to South Georgia and sell my tickets for the 2009 season. I hope my Mother-in law has a good time watching us get murdered week in and week out.
This is disgusting!!!!!!!! i had such high hopes for the season, but it is just more of the same.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
So Mark… are you going to ask TD why he decided Foxworth wasn’t worth a matching contract when the team is UNDER the cap?
Like I said… the ONLY mistake the guy has made, but it is a HUGE mistake.
Sad Falcon
August 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Pete
August 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Falcons are helpless against the pass
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
The D is so invisible, are we SURE they are playing with 11? Seems like no more than 9
Keith Brooking
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
I love Chris Houston. Nothing better than making lots of tackles three yards beyond the sticks!!
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
There is no mistaking a couple of things here…the Chargers offense is really, really good. So is Atlanta’s. And the Atlanta defense has some major questions to answer.
This was supposed to be a dress rehearsal…and the defense showed up in Girl Scout uniforms.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
Touchdown stands. It’s 21-10.
CONCERNED-NOW
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
We are gonna face alot of talented quarterback’s this year, TD get on the phone , make some deal’s and get us help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SRF
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
OUCH ! they need some pass rush or pass defense from somebody !
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
The Chargers are running through this defense like they stole something
Like I said, it’s pretty easy to win with the benefit of the 9th easiest schedule. Well folks it’s time to play with the big boys.
This is an example of how you keep and opposing offense off the field, so I don’t care how many Michael Turners, Roddy Whites, or Tony Gonzalez on the team – they can’t score if they don’t have the ball.
Even the backup is looking like a pro bowl qb…..
PATHETTIC!!!! PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!! PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Is Lawyer Milloy still available?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
I laughed at that line, TradeMark.
Falcon 3107
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins are licking their chops.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
Dawgs2009… PRESEASON.
And I’m sorry, but the Falcons will play maybe 4 teams that have as much talent as San Diego this year.
Patriots. Eagles. Giants. Saints. Maybe Carolina.
That’s it. That’s 6 games against teams with this kind of offensive talent.
Most people have said 10-6.
There you go.
Last year, Detroit went 4-0 in the preseason.
sanantoniofalconsfan
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
wow! the defense looks horrible! It’s like San Diego’s offense is playing against a bunch of high school guys. We lost way too much talent in the off season. We may have a good offense, but if the other team’s offense stays on the field all day, you don’t get a chance to use it. We face too many great offenses this year to play this bad on offense.
just horrible.
Smitty
August 29th, 2009
9:30 pm
The falcons have a serious problem on Defense. the good news is that they are improved on RUN defense but this is bad news as well since teams will throw more vs.a Pass Def that is terrible. There is one cover CB, Grimes, but he is too small to get to alot of balls. They still have only one stud pass rusher, and scheming is not going to do it vs. all the good QBs on their schedule. What to do?
SRF
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
By the way – all of you Brooking haters – need a new person to blame
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
I don’t believe Mr. Milloy has signed with a team. Though he might get a call from the 404 area code at halftime.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
I like your “signing guys at the half” comment, Mark. It would be really funny if it wasn’s so true!
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:32 pm
Oh crap. The best hope at corner is down.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:32 pm
OHHHH UGLY!!!! looks like his ankle bent backward OOOOUUUCHHH!!!! how is that guy walking off the field?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Chris Owens took a long time getting up after Thomas Brown’s kickoff return. Great. An injury to a CB.
Jamie
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Call the NFL Network. Rod Woodson still has game!
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Ryan to Booker. Falcons past midfield. And then to Booker again.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Matty Ice with a LASER!!!
chemdawg
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
In 20003, Vick broke his leg on a sack around his feet, not a scramble.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
And then to Roddy White. Falcons moving nicely.
TradeMark
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
You learn more by failure than you learn by success, but there IS a time limit, the Falcons window for success is open for business right now, and a struggling defense is enough to slam it shut. I think we’re going to see just how good a coach Mike Smith and Co. really is. And I suspect they are very, very good.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
The moving part isn’t what’s at issue, though. It’s the stopping-people part of the game.
ALTA man
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
Can the Falcons sign some AAAAA Atlanta area high school DBs? There are some decent athletes in N Fulton where I live (altho I’m in Philly area now)
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
Mark,
You know Deion is watching this game.
You KNOW Deion is thinking… I could really end it where I began it.
Hahaha.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Ryan had White open at the flag but didn’t get him the ball soon enough. Jammer breakup.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Bad News calm down a bit . . .although there are starters out there . . it still is only Pre-Season. I wish the D looked better today – but this game (as far as a W or L goes) will have no bearing. I know you are really just enjoying yourself dumping on Falcs more than anything eles. But remember – Lions were 4 – 0 in Pre-Season last year.
Bad News
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Noodle arm almost got a pick 6
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
9:36 pm
Cooper breaks up a slant to Gonzalez. Field goal now.