After 26 NFL starts, how does Ryan compare to Vick?
Matt Ryan hasn’t had the sunniest of sophomore seasons. His team is 5-5. He threw 10 interceptions in a five-game span. His team has lost four of its past five. But with all the dissection we’ve done, here’s one thing we haven’t tried: We haven’t yet compared/contrasted the Falcons’ newest franchise quarterback with their previous franchise quarterback. Here goes:
• After 26 regular-season starts, Ryan is 16-10. After 26 regular-season starts, Michael Vick was 16-9-1. (Note: Owing to his apprenticeship behind Chris Chandler in 2001 and his broken leg in 2003, Vick needed four seasons to make 26 starts.)
• Ryan’s passer rating in his second season as a pro is 80.0. Vick’s passer rating in his second season as a pro was 81.6. Ryan’s career passer rating is 84.3. Vick’s career passer rating is 75.6.
• Ryan’s completion percentage in his second NFL season is 59.3. Vick’s completion percentage in his second NFL season was 54.9. Ryan’s career completion percentage is 60.3. Vick’s career completion percentage is 53.7.
• Ryan has thrown 12 interceptions through 10 games of his second NFL season. Vick threw eight in his second NFL season. Ryan has thrown 16 touchdown passes in those same 10 games. Vick threw 16 touchdown passes in 15 games in his second NFL season.
• Ryan has fumbled three times in his second NFL season, his team losing two. Vick fumbled nine times in his second NFL season, his team losing six.
• Ryan has accounted for 2,324 yards (passing and rushing) through 10 games of his second NFL season — an average of 232.4 yards per game. Vick accounted for 3,713 yards in his second NFL season — an average of 247.5 per game.
• Ryan’s team lost his first playoff start, which came in Phoenix in his first NFL season. Vick’s team won his first playoff start, which came in Green Bay in his second NFL season.
Loading ...Even though the styles were dissimilar, there’s not a lot of difference between the raw numbers at this point in the two careers. But it’s worth noting that we’re rating Ryan at a personal low — though he did have a big second half in Giants Stadium on Sunday — and Vick after 26 NFL starts was among the most feared players in the league.
That 26th start came in Week 5 of the 2004 regular season. The Falcons would finish 11-5 and beat the Rams in a playoff game and reach the NFC title game. But that was the end of Vick as a winning quarterback. He was 15-15 over his final 30 games as a Falcon, and his last NFL start came Dec. 31, 2006. This year he has accounted for 67 yards, more than half of them coming on one run against the Bears on Sunday night.
We can compare/contrast Ryan to Vick as young players, and you can make the case that Vick was slightly better. (Though not as a rookie; he started only two games in 2001.) But we cannot compare the Ryan of 2009 to the Vick of 2009 because there’s no comparison. One is the starting quarterback. The other is a backup.
Note: I’m posting this now, but I’m not opening it for comments just yet. I’m flying back from Newark, and I know from the hour I spent over dinner with D. Orlando Ledbetter last night how quickly matters can deteriorate on here. So I want to be able to monitor the comments. If you’d like to leave one, check back early in the afternoon. In the interim, feel free to vote in our poll.
In-flight update: Delta flight 2011 has wireless available — a free trial! — and I will open this for commenting. Since I’m at 30,000 feet, I’ve got nowhere to go. But let’s keep it clean, shall we?
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706 comments Add your comment
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
12:04 pm
I wonder what the CHOKE supporters will say when the Falcons draft a qb in the 1st round in the 2010 draft.
V.Vance
November 23rd, 2009
12:05 pm
Betcha Matt Ryan does not have any illegal operations going on the side especially dog killing. What an insult to even compare Ryan to Vick.
Fair and Balanced
November 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
Who were the starting running back and wide receivers in 2002?
gdg73
November 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
And Contrary to popular belief, Michael Vick has had winning seasons for the Falcons in 4 straight years. 2002 (9-6-1), 2003 (3-1), 2004 (11-5), 2005 (8-7), Matt Schaub lost the N.E. game that year.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
12:07 pm
It will very intersting in a couple of weeks
IRONY CHECK:
- Falcons made the CHOKE the “New Face” Franchise qb
- Falcons cut Vick
- Eagles sign Vick
- Falcons struggling
- Eagles in driving seat both division & wildcard in sight
- Falcons vs Eagles to determine Falcons season
Just think of the irony. That run by Vick of 35 yards was so fast, I didn’t think it was even 35 yards until the announcers stated it.
The Eagles have handled Vick just right, easing him along, letting him get his legs back. Last night showed his legs are 90 percent back and in 2 weeks, they will be just where he wants to be.
Remember the Minnesota game in 2002?
Remember the Carolina game in 2004?
Interesting Irony……………..
The biggest Irony perhaps will be when he enters the game in the dome, and gets a standing ovation.
Who wants to bet that Andy Reid has promised Vick that he will give him a high dose of plays, because Reid understands how Vick was handled when he played here and the way he was cut.
It’s going to be very interesting…………….
PMC
November 23rd, 2009
12:07 pm
AISI… well done.
Fair and Balanced
November 23rd, 2009
12:08 pm
Thank you gdg73!
Mr. Atl
November 23rd, 2009
12:09 pm
Mike Vick Sold filled up the Dome…Matt Ryan is having trouble doing the same.
Don
November 23rd, 2009
12:09 pm
Matt Ryan appears to be learning from his mistakes. He misses Norwood
Chaz
November 23rd, 2009
12:10 pm
Running QBs don’t win in the NFL, at least not for long. At first, they’re young, fast and surprising but after the reels of gamefilms accumulate, defenses get wise and 300 lb. linemen start falling on them, breaking bones and tearing ligaments. Eventually they lose a step and revert to pocket passing and handing the ball off, like the smart QBs do.
Or maybe they’re just butt-stupid and get involved with dogfighting in their spare time. Either way, I’m happier with our present QB.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:10 pm
gdg73, that is the supidest comment I think I have ever heard. He was the 3rd pick and when you pick a QB that high he has to be the franchise player. I don’t remember anyone forcing him down my throat. I think he was the logical choice and has done a good job. Has he had a couple bad games….sure…hell he is still young and learning. The Falcon organization is now smarter than the average fan. They understand what it takes to win and will get this team where it needs to be. Matt Ryan is smart and a leader. He is not self centered and is a team player. He teammates repect him and will play hard with him. I don’t see how you exclude MB from your media comments since the AJC is the only media in town. MB is on his side one week and taking shots at him the next. After the Panthers game it was can Matty Ice be the answer. Get a grip. Winning football games is a process and the Falcons are in the hunt.
FalconUGAFan
November 23rd, 2009
12:11 pm
Vick was raw talent and excitement. I think if he stayed under Dan Reeves or possibly Petrino for an extended period he would’ve done wonderful things for this town. But he screwed up, so we will never know. Ryan appears to have the traditional skills wanted for a QB, but the jury is till out. My answer is that neither is better. The jury is still out on both of them. Their overall stats really aren’t that far off and the results aren’t dramatically different. It really is a matter of apples vs oranges. Some like apples, some like oranges. The result is still the same. You eat either of them, but you stiil are hungry for the steak (Super Bowl).
Mr. Atl
November 23rd, 2009
12:11 pm
Mike Vick filled up the dome with fans….Matt Ryan is having trouble doing the same.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
12:11 pm
gdg73
November 23rd, 2009
12:06 pm
And Contrary to popular belief, Michael Vick has had winning seasons for the Falcons in 4 straight years. 2002 (9-6-1), 2003 (3-1), 2004 (11-5), 2005 (8-7), Matt Schaub lost the N.E. game that year.
“Great point”
It would be interesting to find out what other quarterback in franchise history that has come close to 4 consecutive winning seasons.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:12 pm
One more thing, it is really nice to see the hip hop thug, bling culture that was part of MV’s world gone.
Matt Ryan Patty melt(not Ice)
November 23rd, 2009
12:13 pm
who had the best players to player with Matt or vick. vick had nothing to play with in atlanta. Matt has all the tool to work with and is still not getting it done. Offense line when Vick was there all were 5, and 6 rounder Vick was the team Give Vick this team and give ryan vick old team . this is apple to bricks . look at all the frist round draft pick on this team to vick,s !!! Ryan is still a punk under Pressure with tools!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
12:13 pm
So Pryor of Ohio State or Tim Tebow, either one would be a good draft pick.
Atl Resident
November 23rd, 2009
12:14 pm
Everyone knows comparing Vick to Ryan is like comparing apples to oranges. But one difference is Ryan has better O-line than Vick had. What we have to realize is Vick is still in his prime and whoever said Vick offense at the time he was here was simple cause he can’t think, damn, the offense is simple now with Ryan maybe he can’t think. So come up with something better than saying that.
MaineFalconFan
November 23rd, 2009
12:14 pm
The comparison is absurd. The two were playing far different teams. In 2004, the Saints were a .500 team, Carolina was sub-.500 and Tampa, well was Tampa. The Falcons schedule in 2004 was against weaker teams than the 2009 schedule, and Ryan and the Falcons are yet to play the weaker part of the schedule. To make a comparison at this point is absurd or at best moot. Baring major injury Ryan likely has 10 to 15 more years to play and has the talent to be a Super Bowl winner, while Vick’s career will most likely end in obscurity as a third string back-up.
Fair and Balanced
November 23rd, 2009
12:15 pm
MR….isn’t also really nice to see the light traffic on Northside Drive on gamedays! Traffic flows quite well with 20,000 less people trying to go to the game!
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:16 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan, that is stupid. 3-1 is not a winning season nor is 8-7. If Jenkins could catch the Falcons would be 6-4, not the Giants. Place the blame where it should be and the QB is not the place.
Fair and Balanced
November 23rd, 2009
12:17 pm
Again….who was the starting RB and who were the starting receivers in 2002???
Ramblinwreck83
November 23rd, 2009
12:18 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
If your a falcons fan, then you are a joke of a fan. I can’t believe you actually think MV is better than MR. If the game was on the line and your choice of QB was “Vick” or “Ryan”, you gotta pick Ryan. Vick couldn’t pass. Granted he (Vick) had a stronger arm but that’s all for not if he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Ryan can take them down the field like he did agains’t the Giants. Vick definatly couldn’t run the ball 80 yards for a TD in a 2 minute offense. Besides, If the Falcons would of won the Toss in OT yesterday, then there’s no doubt they would’ve won that game. MR will come around and be a fine QB for the falcons for years to come. Plus, he’s a clean cut guy who’s the face of our franchise. Vick had a few incidents when he was in ATL such as giving the fans the middle finger and yelling vulgar words. Ryan would never do that. And let us not forget about the dog fighting.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:18 pm
Fair and Balanced, all the tickets are sold my friend. Who chooses to show up is a personal choice but they still buy the tickets. You are like the rest of these people who cannot make a point.
Mr. Obvious
November 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Vick may have scored more career TDs than Ryan, but Ryan has scored FEWER S-T-Ds than the unwashed, unclean, nefarious Vick.
Fair and Balanced
November 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
No MR…the Blank Foundation, Home Depot and Suntrust buying blocks of tickets to salvage the team from a black-out is not individuals choosing to not show up! LMAO! Glad those seats are painted red and black now!
Ron Mexico
November 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
I bet Matt Ryan never gave anyone herpes. Never would go see a good dog fight. Just a boring QB who the fans will not go see.
Chaz
November 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
No one remembers who Michael’s RBs and receivers were because he hogged the ball himself waaaay too often. When your quarterback is rushing for over 1000 yards, you’ve got real problems with teamwork on the field.
Paul From Milton
November 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
Nice article but irrelevant. Vick is done in Atlanta and all the screaming and trash talking in the world won’t bring him back. I’d rather discuss who we draft or sign to replace Michael Jenkins. He is killing us and that wide open drop yesterday may be turning point of the season. He has got to go.
Ted
November 23rd, 2009
12:23 pm
“choke” – the falcons do actually need a back up QB, the franchise is sold on ryan as a starter, the should draft Ryan Mallett from Arkansas. He will be the best NFL player of the current crop.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:23 pm
Fair and Balanced, if you are correct, which I doubt. The Falcons do not need those 20,000 fans. They are all like you and ‘choke’ all they would do is boo the home team and wear #7 jersy. Falcons do not need that kind of fan.
Heady
November 23rd, 2009
12:23 pm
Number of Months in Jail….
Vick – 19
Ryan – 0
Number of Dogs Executed…
Vick – Dozens
Ryan – 0
Number of times giving fans the bird…
Dump The Chump
November 23rd, 2009
12:24 pm
Mark what are you trying to do? I thought we had an agreement about sticking together. Why is my picture not part of this article? Dude what are you trying to start here? Some kind of race war?
knock it off ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Just when I get my mojo back you have to start trying to undermine me.
Joe Cox was right. I have no idea why I waste my time with people who have never played competitively at this level.
Let’s stick together as one. We are falcons.
Got my mojo back. No one cares about the past QB.
It’s the matty Ice era, Ice ice baby.
Real American
November 23rd, 2009
12:24 pm
The poor lowly Falcons fans can’t let go of Mike Vick….LOL…they get angry because their golden boy is not as golden as the media led them to believe. I don’t blame the AJC, I would have a Vick blog up every week too since its the topic the “falcons fans” want to discuss!
Dawg Foot
November 23rd, 2009
12:26 pm
Ron Mexico = Coach Killer (and dog killer for that matter)
Real American
November 23rd, 2009
12:27 pm
Its going to be hilarious seeing more #7 jerseys on Dec 6th INSIDE the Georgia Dome, than all other players jerseys combined.
I'm a Matty Ice believer
November 23rd, 2009
12:28 pm
First, it is very obvious to distinguish what demographics that ‘FALCONS SORRY’ belongs too. Give me a break.
Second, i can’t believe we are even try to draw a comparison. At the very least, we can count on Matty to be in it game in and game out. At the end of every Vick run, we had to hold our breath to see if he is going go get up. Forget learning the play book. He is so lazy and his mind occupied with ’something else’ in the state of VA that he wouldn’t even learn out to slide. They had to get TP (braves hitting coach) to teach him something that almost all QBs know how to do.
I admit that i feel like Matt has been a little too reliant on Tony since his arrival here and therefore not using White or Jenkins as much as last year but that reminds me of another QB who made Crumpler the WR for the falcons.
So, same record after 26 games but we will get our consecutive winning seasons this year and i know that Matt will work hard to come back a better QB next season.
Miss Chelle
November 23rd, 2009
12:29 pm
MIKE VICK IS THE BETTER QB than Matt Ryan…The Falcons should have won yesterday along with the other games they lost…GO MIKE VICK
Ron Mexico
November 23rd, 2009
12:29 pm
Real American, you are so right man. I am still the man in the ATL. My boys still come back and protect me. Algie and DeAngelo are still my boys and when AB gets smart and bring me back…I will have him bring back those boys. I will be the king of the ATL. All the women will want me and all the dogs will hide.
marc
November 23rd, 2009
12:29 pm
bottom line.Ryan won’t end up in jail.
Chris Mc
November 23rd, 2009
12:30 pm
The bottom line is that in his second year it’s clear to see that teams have had a chance to watch film and prepair for Ryan. Vick after his first year had teams gameplanning and drafting just to specifically stop Vick (Tampa Bay, Carolina). It’s clear that Dan reeves was the best coach for Vick, he held Vick accountable for his actions. Wade phillips was too soft, and Mora was more like a brother than a coach. They both are great QB’s though.
Ron Mexico
November 23rd, 2009
12:30 pm
Miss Chelle, you tell them sweetie. Me and you need to hook up. I would put a big smile on yo face. XXX OOO
Ron Mexico
November 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
Of course, you need to have good health insurance.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:33 pm
Chris Mc, what are you talking about. Did you watch the game yesterday? Falcons were down 14 and Matt brought them back to tie the game. Blame Jenkins because his drop was a 4 point difference maker on that drive.
locdog59
November 23rd, 2009
12:34 pm
So, what exactly is the value of this comparison? Vick was Vick and Ryan is Ryan. As much as I loved (and sometime hated) watching him play and wish what happened to him had not happened, he is gone and we need to live in the present.
I just hope Ryan snaps back, then defense plays better and we break that emparassing streak of no back to back winning seasons. That is what is important now.
Arthante Lafleur
November 23rd, 2009
12:34 pm
BearsFan: “In this week of Thanksgiving, all of you Falcon fans out there should be thankful that there was a pro bowl quarterback in the recent past and a pro bowl quarterback in the near future. Mike was the past, Matt is the future.”
Very well said my friend!
Great read, Mark. Very interesting numbers you crunched. While this recent patch is alarming, I am fully confident that Matty will excel and be a fine long-term QB for us for many years.
MR
November 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
locdog59, well said. I think Matt bounced back in the 2nd half. The defense is a work in progress.
Bill
November 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
“Choke Ryan” if a human was really as stupid as you come across with your comments they would forget to sneeze.
dekalb fan
November 23rd, 2009
12:36 pm
How many offensive coordinators did MV7 play for while he was here? Unless and until Matt Ryan reaches the NFC Championship game there is nothing to discuss, dispute, or compare.
Bernie Matt
November 23rd, 2009
12:37 pm
I really hope Mike and Matt get to know each other and become friends and just sit back and laugh at all this BULL%HIT. This question does nothing to improve the Falcons or the Eagles and it’s definitely not good journalism. I’ve got a better question for the readers, Whose the better sports writer Mark Bradley or Terrence Moore?