If Matt Ryan isn’t Peyton Manning but Eli, is that enough?
Everybody's happy when Matty Ice throws a TD pass. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Regarding this Falcons’ season, only one question remains, and it will be answered next week in Tampa. Regarding the Falcons as a team, a question has arisen, a question we didn’t figure we’d be asking. But here it is:
What if the franchise quarterback isn’t quite a franchise quarterback?
We stipulate by saying that, if on the day Matt Ryan was drafted we’d have known the Falcons would be 19-10 (and 13-1 at home) with him as a starting quarterback, we’d have swooned on the spot. And we spent all last season swooning. But the greatest rookie quarterback in league history — and that’s what he was — hasn’t been the greatest sophomore quarterback in NFL annals.
Sunday was another installment in Ryan’s good-but-not-great season. He completed barely half his passes and had to hit on his final five to manage that. He threw three touchdown passes against no interceptions, but he was sacked three times and fumbled twice. He finished with 250 yards and his team won 31-3, but after two quarters Ryan was only 10-for-23 and his team’s lead was 10-0 against a Buffalo roster so defoliated it wouldn’t have troubled Alabama.
Yes, there were extenuating circumstances. Michael Turner didn’t play. Tony Gonzalez left midway through. Ryan did buy his team a working lead on the Falcons’ first snap, throwing long to Roddy White down the right side. And Ryan himself is still hurting from turf toe — he limped during the game and sported a soft boot afterward.
And maybe that’s the story of Matt Ryan’s 2009 season: It was extenuating. Almost nothing went wrong last season; a lot did this time. Guys got hurt. The schedule got tougher. And still he has gotten this team to the cusp of those forever-sought consecutive winning seasons. He hasn’t been anything approaching a failure. That said …
Matty Ice hasn’t been as precise in Year 2. His completion percentage has dipped from 61.1 to 57.6. He has thrown one more interception in 13 games than he did in 16 last year. His yards-per-pass index — probably a better indicator than the confusing quarterback rating — has gone from 7.9 last season to 6.5.
Asked about Ryan’s non-rookie season, White said: “I think it’s been pretty good. He’s done a lot of good things. He’s thrown 20 touchdown passes, and that’s good. Him getting hurt really hurt. But he’s a competitor.”
Notice, though, there was no gushing in that response. When anyone associated with the Falcons was asked about Ryan in 2008, gushing ensued. In many ways that was to be expected; there was no way Ryan could have surprised his audience after his bravura rookie campaign. Still, there hasn’t been a Ryan game in 2009 that made you want to shout, “Hallelujah!” (The second half against the Giants did. But not the whole game.)
Asked to characterize Year 2, Ryan said: “The biggest thing — and this is something Coach [Mike] Smith preaches — is that it’s there’s a lot to learn from week to week. I said going into last season that if I could end it as a better quarterback than I started, it will be a successful year. That hasn’t changed in Year 2. There have been some ups and downs, but I’m standing here as a better quarterback than when I started the season.”
Understand: Nobody associated with the Falcons is even close to deciding Matt Ryan isn’t the real deal. Indeed, if this is as bad as it gets with Ryan as QB, then this franchise is in not just for two winning seasons in succession but five or 10. But the convenient point of comparison for Ryan raters entering 2009 was Peyton Manning. What if he turns out to be Eli Manning instead? Would that be enough?
And I say, “Heck, yeah.” At last check, Eli Manning has won just as many Super Bowls as his older sibling. If Matt Ryan wins just one Super Bowl for the franchise that hasn’t yet posted consecutive winning seasons, he’ll be worth every penny of that $72 million.
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435 comments Add your comment
Ryan will be fine
December 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
I watched the game, and at least 8 of the in-completed passes were thrown away….
Pete
December 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
Ryan’s protection has been horrible all this year. NO quarterback can succeed behind a mediocre O line, which is what we have.
Time to admit it, the O=line is THIRD rate………..needs a total overhaul.
Adam
December 27th, 2009
8:35 pm
Folks – it is WAY too early to start this kind of discussion.
In his first two season at QB – Peyton Manning had a 16 and 16 record with 52 TDs and 43 INTs. But, bear in mind that in his first season, the Colts were dead last in rushing, not first like Ryan.
If the Falcons win next Sunday, Ryan will start off his career with a 20 and 12 record; he currently has 33 TDs (that will likely go up) and 23 INTs.
Plus Ryan has the intangibles that very few QBs have. He commands leadership, he has shown the ability to command a drive and get a score in the 4th quarter and he is clearly intelligent enough to run an NFL offense.
Yes – this has been a disappointing year, but that happens in the NFL. The Falcons were lucky last year injury-wise, they were not lucky this year. We lost our slot receiver, 1st and 2nd round picks and best CB for the season. Our pro bowl RB missed a heckuva lot of the season. And the team still needs two OLBs as well. Plus, if Ryan had not missed the two most important games this season, I doubt that we would even be having this conversation. If Ryan was under center at the Dome against NOLA do any of you have any real doubts that the Falcons would have won that game?
Questioning Matt Ryan after only his second year is just plain stupid. The building blocks are in place folks; stop crying. It wasn’t that long ago that we were where St. Louis and Cleveland are now, continually floundering and changing coaches and personnel.
It’s been a frustrating season, but stay positive. We have a great shot at a winner next year and that’s the first time I have EVER felt good about this team 2 years in a row.
And, by the way, the Hawks look like they’re on the way to a 60 win season so go to some NBA games and the draft will be here in no time.
Peace.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
8:35 pm
Mark, are you sure about the sideline pass in Shreveport? i still have it. no bids on ebay yet.
NCFalconFan
December 27th, 2009
8:37 pm
Bradley, You and the rest of the media are so quick to build someone up and tear them down. Ryan had a great rookie year, but you along with Mike Mayock, Brian Billick and others attaching Ryan to Peyton Manning was just WRONG!!! I must admit that I might be bias, but I absolutlely love RYAN. You have to look at the tough schedule, no Michael Turner and Ryan getting hurt for the let down this season. During today’s game it was said that, he is still not able to take part in a full practice. Isn’t it fair to give a player three years in the league to judge him? Don’t you think it was wrong to compare a rookie to Peyton Manning, probably the best QB in NFL history? Give it time and think of QB situations around the league. We have a good situation. I keep going back to what you said at the beginning of the season, I believe Ryan cares to much to not be great!!
Kentucky Colonel
December 27th, 2009
8:37 pm
I believe that in a couple of years Ryan will be quarterback that is better than Eli – more consistent – but not as good as Peyton – sort of a Peyli….
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
tell you what, i’ll send the pass to Mrs Bradley’s house and you can use it if you want.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
8:40 pm
You HATE sports films???
Okay, I can understand about some of the more treacly sport films of the past decade. Yeah, Remember the Titans and The Rookie are good… but man, they’ll give you a cavity.
You really should see Miracle, though. Besides being the best, non-Jack Burton performance of Kurt Russell’s career (Yessir, the check is in the mail!), the semi-final against Russia makes your heart pound in your chest, even though you know the outcome. And the best thing is, the hockey is real.
Also recommended, The Greatest Game Ever Played, about the US Open win by amateur Francis Ouimet over Harry Vardon one of the greatest golfers ever.
But come on man, are you saying you don’t like the Costner Trilogy? Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, and Tin Cup (I don’t recognize that chick-flick baseball movie he did with Travolta’s wife).
Seriously, you don’t like Field of Dreams???
My favorite film of all time, and definitely number one on the male-weepy film list.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
8:41 pm
On a different note . . . . . .living in SE Florida . . . I’ll now have to listen to Sports Radio with a bunch of the old Dolphins (Mercury Morris) included spouting on about how they are the greatest and only undefeated team – with the Colts loss today. Really wanted the Pats to end that talk a few years ago . . .but alas. Well after their loss to the Texans today – their fans will be able to celebrate the one “bright spot”.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
8:43 pm
COD of course…
tell the truth
December 27th, 2009
8:46 pm
you banned me
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
8:48 pm
Once “Recent” Reader – I agree, I really think Ryan walked into a lions den here. Pretty much the only way he could have won the city over would be to have gone 16-0 last year winning the Super Bowl and be 15-0 so far this year. Of course, I’m sure some people would still say he wasn’t as good.
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
8:50 pm
Tin Cup was awful. Miracle was really good though.
Bang the drum slowly, The Natural, Brians Song, Bull Durham,
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
8:50 pm
i once took a trip to kentucky
thought with the girls i’d get lucky
but providence intervened
it wasnt my scene
found myself in the woods all a mucky
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
8:50 pm
TMoney… it’s best not to even mention those people.
Although one was banned, we’re not sure if D-Led banned all of his different names, or the different people using his names.
Don’t rile up the lunatic fringe. Best to forget they even exist.
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
8:51 pm
I’ll now have to listen to Sports Radio with a bunch of the old Dolphins (Mercury Morris) included spouting on about how they are the greatest and only undefeated team –
I think in their heart of hearts even they know a modern team would tear them to shreds. Ill bet this Falcon team would wear them out.
This Gets Old
December 27th, 2009
8:52 pm
You know BugKiller I was going to write almost the exact same thing. With only one change and I feel stupid because I wrote all last season that we needed a TE. Well we got a great one but when Gonzo is in Ryan looks first to him and has frequently forced the ball to him.
Not only no screens (I counted one attempt in the Giants game and one against the Jets) but no draws. In fact more attempts at the reverse than those two types of plays combined. Also I think that a strong argument can be made that Turner did handle the ball too much last year.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
8:52 pm
Frank, you think Troy Glaus is the answer. Your opinion of the funny Tin Cup is invalid.
Haha.
Falcons 4 Real
December 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
No one can deny Ryan has had a sophomore slump but I still consider him way ahead of the curve. Remember Peyton Manning being knocked for not being able to win a significant game? 0-4 against Florida in college, no SEC titles and it was his 6th season in the NFL when he finally won a playoff game (think about Michael Vick winning a playoff game before Peyton Manning.) Now some consider him the best QB ever. Drew Brees was run out of San Diego before becoming a pro bowl mainstay with the Saints. Steve Young was 30 before he could read a defense. Troy Aikman was winless until his 2nd NFL season. Ryan is on his way to guiding the Falcons to a winning record in his first two seasons which is far more of an accomplishment than the afforementioned QBs
TMoney
December 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
BugKiller – Trust me, I know. I tried having logical discussions with them earlier in the season. I’m fairly sure their responses caused my IQ to drop a little bit.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
8:55 pm
@This Gets Old
The thing is, in any other business venture, you’re always supposed to be on the lookout for the best.
Charlie Weis is far, FAR better than Mike Mularky. It isn’t even close.
And yet, the Falcons will just stand pat and do nothing as KC or Buffalo picks up Weis, while Mularky will be gone, much like Martinez, two years too late.
Big Ray
December 27th, 2009
8:55 pm
Bugkiller ,
Actually, it’s not just the name you ban. It’s the IP address as well.
Frank Wren
December 27th, 2009
8:56 pm
Frank, you think Troy Glaus is the answer. Your opinion of the funny Tin Cup is invalid.
Tin Cup had its moments. But the ending just killed it. Awful
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
8:57 pm
in kentucky i ran bootleg whisky
it really wasnt so risky
the sheriff didnt care
as long as i’d share
the moonshine i called majiskie
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 27th, 2009
8:59 pm
I’m getting in late on this conversation, but Mark, I’m hating that you are asking this question now. Dude, he is a year 2 QB in the NFL fighting for a winning season. Seen the Super Bowl champs lately and their stud QB? The point is the age old “on any given day”. I coach line backers in a cover 8 defense in high school, and we are under sized, but the fact is we beat teams we should not and we get beat by teams we should not be beaten by.
Ryan is far better than the average QB in the NFL. Eli has a super bowl ring. He is not bad.
And you know what, he managed a hell of a game for a dude with turf toe. That crap hurts and he did it with a limp. Hell, I admire him for going. As a coach, I like him and would take a team of dudes with his attitude and ability. He makes this team better. Period.
yo mama
December 27th, 2009
8:59 pm
if ryan and the falcons get a W next week, no qb, coach, GM. team president can say that they put together back to back winning seasons. TD gutted the D, will get compensation picks, which looks like he comes out looking like a genius, gets the extra picks for staying his ground on free agency(which was lite on D last year), then heck yeah Matty Ice is on his way for sure. Imagine a couple close games we won last year when we didnt deserve. chicago, tampa at home, so, make those losses and we are 9-7 and dont make the playoffs. We are who we thought we are, a winning ballclub. get a clue mark, we are who we thought we are.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:02 pm
we’re packing the bags with a plan
honey, i’ve rented a van
Mark, that’s a long way mother’s
we’ll stop at no others
i wish we had taken air tran
Joeyt
December 27th, 2009
9:03 pm
Matt Ryan is Matt Ryan. Like any other young QB he has to (and wants to) improve every week. I have no problems with what Ryan has done this year. In fact, his work, for the most part, makes me proud to be a Matt Ryan and an Atlanta Falcons fan. I am excited about next year, even though I wish we could have made the playoffs this year. Over the past several weeks, we can all tell the team as a whole has gotten better, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think and hope this momentum gets us going next year. Go Falcons! Beat the Suckaneers!
Joey Harrington
December 27th, 2009
9:10 pm
NO is done, hahahaha.
TD
December 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
I want a raise.
TD
December 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
Can’t believe Mark Suckchez is in the hunt to for the playoffs.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:12 pm
Who would you rather?
Ryan
Flacco
Stafford
Sanchez
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
Interestingly enough, Matt Ryan said today he thought Marty Booker should have been “the AirTran Airways player of the game.” Does he know product placement or what?
JP
December 27th, 2009
9:15 pm
Mark,
Didn’t you already write the “Won’t the world end if Matt Ryan doesn’t develop into the greatest quarterback of all-time?” article earlier this season?
bravefalconhawk
December 27th, 2009
9:15 pm
There’s only 1 Peyton Manning
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:16 pm
Ryan represents Air Tran well.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
9:17 pm
I did like “Field of Dreams,” I must admit. And “Chariots of Fire.” But “Hoosiers” made me gag. Pretty much anything related to the state of Indiana has that effect on me. (I am, as noted, from Kentucky.)
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:17 pm
BFH, you are exaclty right. When Payton is done, he could be the best QB to have ever played the game.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:18 pm
C’mon, you were not a little choked up when he said “Coach Stays”.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
How does Jim Mora have a job coaching in the NFL?
falcon21
December 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
I know Marty dropped a beautiful throw from Ryan today.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:24 pm
that’s right.
there’s only one Peyton Manning.
And even that guy ain’t as good as one Tom Brady.
Give me Tom Brady with all of the weapons Peyton Manning had in his career (Edgerin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, etc) and Brady would have willed the Colts to 5 or 6 Super Bowl wins.
The rap on Peyton Manning is as true today as it ever was.
He doesn’t win big games. Other teams hand him the win.
Never beat Florida. Georgia beating Florida in 1997 is what gave him his lone SEC Title. Then he went out and got destroyed in the National Championship Game.
Won a Super Bowl because the Bears handed them that game. I don’t care how badly Kerry Collins or Rich Gannon (not Gannon’s fault, BTW, Gruden had the Tampa defense know exactly what was coming on EVERY play… that’s Bill Callahan’s fault) played in their Super Bowls: Rex Grossman is, to this day, the worst QB to ever play in a Super Bowl. Yeah, and that includes Tony Eason, too.
Tom Brady with all of Manning’s talent at receiver, running back, o-line, and tight end has at least 5 rings and every single record in the book.
Tom Brady is the only player who can challenge Joe Montana, Otto Graham, and Johnny Unitas for greatest QB ever.
I don’t care how many numbers Manning puts up. He’s behind Brady in the only numbers that matter, and he’ll find someway to choke in the playoffs this year, too.
Phillip Rivers is going to win the Super Bowl this year.
Timbo
December 27th, 2009
9:24 pm
Ryan has been disappointing this season for sure . . .
Mattie Lice
December 27th, 2009
9:25 pm
Help! Michael Vick is in town!
falcon21
December 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
Manup and shut um up MB.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
And hear we have the lowest-common denominator: the Mike Vick Fan.
It took this idiot a full two hours to find this page. I think they’re slipping, as far as idiot movements go.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:30 pm
*here
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:30 pm
Oh . . .it must be that time of night again as the one-liner messages proclaim. I really wonder what goes on the few hours before this time every Sunday night with a certain poster:)
jimbob
December 27th, 2009
9:31 pm
He’s no Perry Klein, but we need to stick with him and support him. Didn’t it take Bradshaw a few seasons to become a HOF type QB?
Would be good if the Falcons had a Wes Welker type of player, someone other than Gonzo that you can really count on to catch the ball when the chips are down.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:31 pm
Keith Brooking is getting the last laugh.