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
Tide Fan
November 23rd, 2009
1:31 pm
BLANK TREATS YOU LIKE HIS LITTLE GOLDEN CHILD BUT THAT HOW HE USED TO TREAT MV7 BEFORE YOU STAB HIM IN THE BACK! AUTHUR BLANK = JUDAS THE TRADER!
Stuff like this just makes you smile…
Bears Fan
November 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are in a leauge of their own. You can only compare them with each other. Everyone else (Brees, Mcnabb, Palmer,Big Ben) could be hall of famers.
Mike Vick should have been in that group with the Brees and such, and for a while he was. Matt Ryan might one day be in that group with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, but he also may become a Jeff Garcia.
Mike Vick has gotten slower and he has missed two seasons of football. If he had made better choices maybe he would still be the Falcons’ quarterback. Matt Ryan is younger, has a better coaching staff, and an GM that knows football. The skies the limit for him.
I still will take Vick of today over Cutler, though.
Geezus...
November 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
Why not just give the two biggest douchebags ( i need not mention their names) on these football blogs a forum to spout their total garbage BS drivel.
MUST BE A SLOWWWWW DAY Mark…
LOL
November 23rd, 2009
1:35 pm
comes down to this —- two winning seasons in a row = best quarterback ever. Mike Vick couldn’t get the falcons there – and i’m not sure Matt Ryan can either.
bird
November 23rd, 2009
1:35 pm
Did anybody mention the terrible receiver’s and o-line Vick had to play with?
Najeh Davenpoop
November 23rd, 2009
1:35 pm
Jim Mora and Greg Knapp are about to get fired again, Dunn never topped 1000 yards again after Vick’s suspension, Alge Crumpler is a 3rd string player, TJ Duckett never topped 400 rushing yards after leaving here and is a free agent, Peerless Price never topped 450 receiving yards after leaving here and is out of the league, Edgerton Hartwell is more famous for his wife than his football career, Jason Webster has played a total of four games after being cut by Atlanta, and I don’t think I have to go into detail about DeAngelo Hall. The fact that all of these players were considered key acquisitions by the Falcons should tell you all you need to know about how that team was managed. No second-round picks traded for Hall of Famers in that mix.
FalconsDude
November 23rd, 2009
1:36 pm
There are huge differences in Michael Vick and Matt Ryan. With Vick, the Falcons were a one player team. Yes, he got a lot of yardage (combined). Yes, he was feared. But, it didn’t take teams long to figure out: You stop Vick, you stop the Falcons. Every year of Vick’s career, the Falcons got just a little bit worse because teams were able to defense Vick. With Ryan, we are developing more into a complete team. We have running, we have passing.
Matt Ryan is in his second year. Few, if any, NFL quarterbacks are consistently good until their 4th of 5th year. It takes that long to really adjust to the NFL and learn defenses. I believe Matt is coming along just fine, and is still progressing appropriately. The Falcons are about 4 defensive players from being a consistent winner. You want to compare QB’s…do you think Michael Vick could have brought the Falcons back from a 14 point deficit? I don’t. The Falcons only won with Vick when we scored first, and stayed ahead. Vick was totally incapable (as a rule) of staging comebacks.
I will take Ryan over Vick any day of the week, and twice on Sunday!
falconfan_vicksupporter
November 23rd, 2009
1:37 pm
for all of the matt ryan lovers when the team has needed the franchise qb to put the team on his back and pull out a win where was he. where was he sunday where was he in the playoff last year. yall complain about vick not taking time to study the game but judging by his play from the last 5 or so games last year to this season it seems like ryan is focused on shooting commercials instead of improving from week to week. when ryan takes over a game then i will finally respect him until then he is second to mv. just look in the stands the crowd at the falcons games remind me of the attendance at the ghsa state playoffs. we are 10 games into the season and i still get call about renewing my season ticket package.
Mike Jenkins
November 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
Hey look everyone, I made MMQB!!!!
f. Michael Jenkins would have been the Goat of the Week were it not for Hank Poteat tackling Calvin Johnson in the end zone in Detroit. Jenkins dropped a perfect pass in the end zone from Matt Ryan that likely would have won the game for Atlanta at the Giants.
You are all idiots
November 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
Am I the only person here that actually recognizes that Vick had the same receivers as Matt Ryan? Roddy and Jenkins were here with Vick and neither of them did anything…in fact Roddy has made 2 pro bowls (One with Ryan) since Vick left, so that should tell you about his talents as a QB. Stop saying Ryan has better players arounds him…maybe they are playing better because Ryan actually helps make his TEAM better.
This whole Ryan/Vick argument should be laid t rest. All of the idiots screaming about how good Vick WAS never seem to mentions how bad he got after his frist few seasons as a starter. Am I the only one who remembers who miserable those last two years with him starting were…smothered in mediocrity.
Also, Vick NEVER would have even forced OT in that game yesterday as it is well documented that for the last two seasons, we did not score even ONE TD in the 4th Quarter of a game. Ryan led the team to the comeback down 14 points but the D let us down in OT.
You people aren’t paying attention.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
Forget Ryan vs Vick………
What about Ryan vs Freeman (The Rookie)
It will be very embarrassing if the CHOKE get’s beaten by Josh Freeman and Tampa.
That would be hilarious and I wonder who will get the blame then.
I know it won’t be the CHOKE’s fault, but I believe Tampa takes this game.
Tide Fan
November 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
And by the way, Vick made his hay vs. mediocre-to-bad competition and NEVER led the team to a fourth quarter comeback win (remember that stat?). Remember what Tampa always did to him? Remember Philly in the playoffs? Remember Chicago on the road when little Vicky was curled up with a blanket by the heaters? As I’ve said many times, I can’t believe that Beamer (with his love for all things Special Teams) never put that kid back to return punts. If someone had done that he would have been one of the greats.
lmp
November 23rd, 2009
1:40 pm
Falcons Sorry, Seeing that you love Vick the dog killer so much, maybe YOU can fix his problem. NOBODY stabbed him in the back, he screwed himself quite nicely and basically said screw you too. Vick was an elusive “gimmick” that everyone was starting to fig out anyway… Go buy a pitbull and maybe your idol will come hang with you then….
Ricky B
November 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
Heath, who said anything about color, it is always about color, not if someone is setting a good example for others and the city the so called pro is supposed to be representing.
HEY "CHOKE" DOUCHEBAG
November 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
If Freeman beats Ryan? This isn’t a 1 on 1 sport like tennis you DOUCHE. You obviously never played football…
sad brotha
November 23rd, 2009
1:43 pm
In the future please compare thug-life and jail time between the two!
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
The real difference is that Ryan will one day bring a championship to Atlanta, Vick will never do that anywhere. Brains and integrety count a LOT!
64driver
November 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
I dont see rushing yards or rushing TD’s on those stats. Two different styles here, but your’e are down playing the strength of one style.
Dalton
November 23rd, 2009
1:48 pm
Why not convert Michael Jenkins to CB? The Falcons are paying him big money, he can run with NFL receivers, he is big and strong and catches the ball like a DL. Weems can take his spot at WR unitil Harry Douglas can make it back.
Mike Vick, yesterday’s news.
Tim
November 23rd, 2009
1:49 pm
Two obvious differences…Vick is an idiot. He’s also a criminal. Case closed.
GetItRightMark
November 23rd, 2009
1:50 pm
Actual Numbers for 26 STARTS by BOTH PLAYERS:
Vick 16-9-1 vs. Ryan 16-10
Vick 5390 total yards vs. Ryan 5700 total yards
Vick passer rating after 26 games = 77.1 vs. Ryan after 26 games = 84.3
Vick 23+9=32 TD’s and 15 Int passing vs. Ryan 32+2=34 TD’s and 12 Int
Vick 9 TD’s rushing vs. Ryan 2 TD’s Rushing
Vick 24 Fumbles and lost 14 vs. Ryan 9 Fumbles and lost 3
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:50 pm
Chock, I just don’t get your displeasure with Ryan. Do you have a hidden agenda?
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:51 pm
OOPS! Ment Choke
Dog
November 23rd, 2009
1:51 pm
Hey Choke – we did dump the chump, right before the Feds put him jail for killing dogs.
Zippy
November 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
26 games isn’t telling an accurate story. Like it said in the story, it took 4 season for Vick to get there, Ryan has gotten there in 1 and 1/2. To me it all comes down to how hard each worked. Vick admitted he worked hard smoking dope, fighting dogs and being an all round lazy bum. Ryan spends all this time looking at film and practicing. In 4 years, you’ll be saying “Vick who?”. I predict Vick won’t even be in the league…and Matt Ryan will get better each year. Remember, we have the fourth toughest schedule in the league this season. I think we’ll be doing well if we finish over 500. This team is still very new and will only get better.
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:53 pm
Oh well must have keyboarditis. Meant meant.
The Truth Is...
November 23rd, 2009
1:53 pm
Mark there are so many factor to look at, the main one being Michael “Burner” Turner. Let’s be perfectly honest about this situation, if Vick had Turner, and a seasoned Roddy White, not to mention Tony Gonzalez this year, we would be scoring like New Orleans. Also you must remember that Atlanta’s blocking scheme was built around Vick/ Dunn because we didn’t have decent receivers at the time. The coaching, of lack of in Vick’s case has made a significant difference. The mentality of Coach Smith has a significant factor on players, and Vick and Smith would have really gotten along because they both have that fire inside. As for Mat (Ice) Ryan, he’s going to be o.k, but his penchant for relying on Gonzalez to much has really been a problem this year, and for whatever reason M. Jenkins has dropped more balls than a playboy bunny this season. Bottom line here is if you give me a choice between Vick/ Ryan in a playoff setting and Turner and White as other weapons, what D Coordinator would want to game plan for that. My pick in a land slide due to the “it” factor is Vick.
GT over GA
November 23rd, 2009
1:55 pm
MV said himself in an interview after his release from prison. I was the last to show up and the first to leave at practice. He said he did not work hard and it showed. Dan Reeves said he simplified the playbook for MV. Warren Sapp called MV the dumbest QB he had ever played against. Matt ‘Choke” Ryan you sound like Barney Franks with your ramblings and your stats.
Ricky
November 23rd, 2009
1:55 pm
I’m not even going to read anything in this blog, go to hell MB …………….
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
1:55 pm
Tide Fan
November 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
And by the way, Vick made his hay vs. mediocre-to-bad competition and NEVER led the team to a fourth quarter comeback win (remember that stat?). Remember what Tampa always did to him? Remember Philly in the playoffs? Remember Chicago on the road when little Vicky was curled up with a blanket by the heaters? As I’ve said many times, I can’t believe that Beamer (with his love for all things Special Teams) never put that kid back to return punts. If someone had done that he would have been one of the greats.
“Has the CHOKE ever done this”:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=241218001
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20030104009
http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS348US348&q=vick+run+vs+minnesota&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tNkKS_CVJdKpnQeXrrnLCw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQqwQwAA#sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS348US348&q=vick+run+vs+minnesota&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tNkKS_CVJdKpnQeXrrnLCw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBAQqwQwAA&qvid=vick+run+vs+minnesota&vid=5620221669952711463
http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=221201016
Too many to name – Elite players show up in the clutch
ForrestTucker
November 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
The guys who suffered as a result of Vick is endless. Matt Schaub, Peerless Price, D-Hall, Algae Crumpler, Warrick Dunn, TJ Duckett, Gregg Knapp, Jim Mora, Dan Reeves and Bobby Petrino. All of the above individuals have suffered as a result of the heinous nature of Michael (Vampire) Vick.
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
The truth is, that’s one opinion. If anything was none supportive of Vick it was the noncompoop coach Mora
KG
November 23rd, 2009
1:57 pm
Hey there, Choke. You always manage to work your little boyfriend, Flacco, into the conversation and comparison. What was your little boyfriends day like yesterday? Pretty nice completion he made on that last drive…to the wrong colored jersey. And he did a GREAT job on the first and goal at the 1 of not getting them in there.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
2:00 pm
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
The real difference is that Ryan will one day bring a championship to Atlanta, Vick will never do that anywhere. Brains and integrety count a LOT!
“That LOSER” can’t even spell championship, but I’m sure he can spell “Chumpionship, since he mastered it at Boston College and the pros
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
Rexwinn
November 23rd, 2009
2:01 pm
Vick would be an excellent running back.
GetItRightMark
November 23rd, 2009
2:01 pm
Correction on Ryan’s interceptions
Actual Numbers for 26 STARTS by BOTH PLAYERS:
Vick 16-9-1 vs. Ryan 16-10
Vick 5390 total yards vs. Ryan 5700 total yards
Vick passer rating after 26 games = 77.1 vs. Ryan after 26 games = 84.3
Vick 23+9=32 TD’s and 15 Int passing vs. Ryan 32+2=34 TD’s and 23 Int
Vick 9 TD’s rushing vs. Ryan 2 TD’s Rushing
Vick 24 Fumbles and lost 14 vs. Ryan 9 Fumbles and lost 3
Plus it took Ryan 1 1/2 seasons to get to 26 games – Vick 4 years
U-no
November 23rd, 2009
2:02 pm
Mark,
I think Matt is doing just fine at this point in his career. He has made some mistakes, as all new quarterbacks do, but overall he is a solid leader and play maker. He will do nothing but improve, because he is a hard worker and a student of the game. I think that one thing, work and study, is what ultimately will separate Matt from Vick.
Vick was amazing. His talent and ability were a gift. That defenses had to play to defend just him was a testament to his natural skills. He took chances that would amaze and frustrate, sometimes all at the same time, but at least in his early years, it seemed to pay off more than not.
The biggest weaknesses with Vick was in that he was not a “team” player, taking way too much on himself and as a result putting the end result more on him rather than depending on the team. He was not necessarily a student of the game, and did not work to improve his skills. That began to show up as he grew older. The other area of weakness with Vick, and where there is no comparison between him and Ryan is in character. The off-field antics and character issues undermined in a subconscious way, not tangible, but nevertheless still worked in the background like a hidden computer program, and ate away at the potential.
In his own way, Vick was a great player and quarterback. He might have been a better running back or even receiver. But the character issues would have eventually done their ugly work.
Matt Ryan is a totally different type and style of player, team oriented and a true leader on the field. His skills and talent will get better with age and his work ethic will take him farther and keep him longer than Vick will ever know. His character will never sink his own boat nor sully the reputation of the team. That is worth a lot in these days.
IAMATLKING
November 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
The biggest thing that bothers me about Vick is we never got to see and will never see how good he could have been. The year when Petrino was brought in along with Joe Horn (a sure handed receiver who could improvise) was the year that everything was suppose to come together. He had finally put in real work in the off season, and he knew that after trading away Schaub everyone was questioning whether the team had made the right decision or not. All eyes in the NFL would be on Atlanta. Now, watching him with the eagles it is obvious that he has lost a step. He was easily one of the most athletic players the NFL had ever seen (Adrian Peterson speed with Tom Brady arm strength). He will never rush for 1,000 yards again but in the right situation I believe he could be successful.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
benchwarmer
November 23rd, 2009
1:50 pm
Chock, I just don’t get your displeasure with Ryan. Do you have a hidden agenda?
“It’s not hidden” **Wink Wink**
HEY "CHOKE" DOUCHEBAG
November 23rd, 2009
2:04 pm
You obviously never even played a down of football. You know nothing about football other than what you can cut and paste from some other website.
This blog sucks about as much as every other one you get on. Little punk douchebag
Real American
November 23rd, 2009
2:05 pm
The Falcons actually won a couple of playoff games with Mike Vick under center. Now Mike didn’t have bruising back like Michael Turner to put up 1700 yards in a season. He didn’t have THIS Roddy White, and that’s by RODDY’S admission. Mike didn’t have a future hall of famer at TE no matter how good Alge was…he was no Tony Gonzalez…and the Falcons never drafted a O-lineman in the first round before Sam Baker. Now all off-season we kept hearing how this offense was going to be unstoppable. Well guess what…it is and 12 interceptions in 10 games is part of the reason why!
AB
November 23rd, 2009
2:05 pm
Just wait until after year 4 and then look at Ryan’s stats. Give him the 2 more years of growth that Vick had before you start comparing them. I bet Ryan develops a lot in the next 2 years.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 23rd, 2009
2:08 pm
HEY “CHOKE” DOUCHEBAG
November 23rd, 2009
2:04 pm
You obviously never even played a down of football. You know nothing about football other than what you can cut and paste from some other website.
This blog sucks about as much as every other one you get on. Little punk douchebag
“Now Now” no need for name calling
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
Falcons Minority Owner
November 23rd, 2009
2:08 pm
Ask the players in the NFL who they would take right now.
HEY "CHOKE" DOUCHEBAG
November 23rd, 2009
2:10 pm
Glad you admit you never even played a down of football. PUNK DOUCHE TECH LOVER.
Go find more stats to cut and paste.
PappyHappy
November 23rd, 2009
2:10 pm
Will bet that Matt Ryan will NEVER be a ‘RON MEXICO’, or have a false ‘Coke can’!
The Truth Is...
November 23rd, 2009
2:10 pm
It’s amazing how some of you keep saying Vick made his “name on “mediocre teams, I don’t think Green Bay was “mediocre” with Farve in Green Bay when Vick was the first to Beat them “EVER’ in Green Bay, was Minnesota in the playoffs? Is any one, Just my opinion, but isn’t this suppose to be the best Football League in the World. Who you play in the NFL isn’t important. The fact of the matter is this is probably one of the most gifted athletes ever, you can say he made dumb decisions off the field (youth &money), but to ever say this guy had numbers because of “mediocre” opponents is a joke, and spoken by most who never got beyond H.S. football. People as a former baller myself (Big Ten)and later as a 6th round pick, you can’t even believe how good your ‘Average’ guy is on Sundays. Speak what you know people not what you think you know.
Marc
November 23rd, 2009
2:11 pm
VICK HAD THE DOME ROCKING EVERY SUNDAY. I RESPECT RYAN AND HE IS DOING A DECENT JOB, BUT HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO STACK UP AGAINST VICK. I THINK MR. BLANK KNOWS IT TOO. THE EXCITMENT FACTOR IS GONE, ON TOP OF THAT WE ARE LOSING. IF RYAN DOES NOT WORK OUT THIS YEAR, THEN BRING VICK BACK BEFORE WE GO BACK TO THE OLD FALCON BLACK OUT GAMES. IT IS CLEAR MOST OF ATLANTA STILL WANTS THE VICK SHOW, IT IS AN INSTANT FIX FOR THE DOME AND THE FALCONS.
jon
November 23rd, 2009
2:12 pm
I think the comparison is silly. I know that the defense we had with Michael Vick was much better than today! That is has a huge impact on the offense. Their styles are completely different, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Matter of fact why don’t you compare the defenses during each ones era. Bottom line, Micheal did not lead us to a superbowl and we don’t know what Matty well do, better yet why don’t you do a comparison of who worked harder at his trait! How bout them apples!
quincy
November 23rd, 2009
2:14 pm
I listed the rest of my season’s tickets on Stubhub after the game yesterday. When Vick was QB the excitement of his play was worth going to see every game. Although I think we have a better team with Matt, It’s hard to watch how nervous he is. I have great seats!!