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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
435 comments Add your comment
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
They had him. His name was Harry Douglas. He was lost for the year without ever playing a game that matters.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
That is what Harry Douglas was, Jenkins just does not belong in the slot.
Falcons are buzzards
December 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
Enter your comments here
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
Marty Booker: GREAT!
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
Philly going to the playoffs, Vick gets demoted. That says all that needs to be said.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
Plus, Ryan represents Air Tran better.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
to answer your question MB, no, Eli will not do. Now I am stressed out and will be taking a leave of absence on my roundhouse kicking duties.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:34 pm
Bugkiller . . .my sentiments exactly. Not sure what happened to my post a few minutes ago, but I mentioned it must be that time of night again. I also questioned what a certain poster is doing for the few hours b4 every Sunday night. It is like clockwork though. Well I imagine we’ll have quite a few more of the quick hitter and inane posts.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
Wow, did you see that play? It brings back memories.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
speaking of hockey, did i see where al micheals died?
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:36 pm
Eli has a ring, I would settle for Trent Dilfer.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:38 pm
One thing I liked about Vick, you do be do think he do be going one thing, but he do be doing another, know mean?
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:39 pm
Testing . . ..messages not getting through.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:39 pm
Uh… Al Michaels is alive and well.
Unlike your coaching career, Soft Willie, which is as dead as a doornail. Two years too late.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 27th, 2009
9:40 pm
if Al is dead, then the guy doing the Dallas game sounds just like him
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:41 pm
Weird. . .well test message got through. Will try this again: Bugkiller . . . I had written a post regarding the certain poster that starts the nonsense messages about this time each Sunday night. Swiss watches couldn’t get the timing down better. I also wondered what that Poster is doing for the hours before this time to get into such a state to write such . . . drivel:)
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
Saints are peaking at the right time
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
I believe there was another person in sports world named Al Michaels who died around XMas day. I think he was a Public Announcer for some team.
Joseph
December 27th, 2009
9:43 pm
If we had a few field golas go through. this bad falcons team would already be in the playoffs, even with all of the injuries, not bad….
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:44 pm
Very strange that 3 of my messages did not go thru. One last time – Bugkiller that poster who comes on the same time each Sunday with nonsense is more reliable than a Swiss watch.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:44 pm
SOME broadcaster named micheals just died.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
9:44 pm
I also wonder what that poster is doing to get in such a state the hours before the “Posting Witching Hour”:)
Kevin G.
December 27th, 2009
9:45 pm
I think personally Matt Ryan is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in NFL history and this is coming from a diehard Falcons game. If we didnt pay him so much money i would give him up for someone else in a heartbeat. But I guess since he is staying in Atlanta for a while then our best chance to do something is to build a great defense and get the run game back going.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:47 pm
I nominate Kevin G. for Douche Bag of the Night.
BugKiller
December 27th, 2009
9:48 pm
Kevin G., are you Kenny G’s brother?
Yet another reason to nominate you for Douche Bag of the Night!
Ron Roberts
December 27th, 2009
9:48 pm
Is there a weekly AJC.com quota you guys have to meet for “stirring up” the “MV7/Matt Ryan” back-and-forth?
Because, frankly, this is a re-run, Mark. I’ve long enjoyed your columns (and more recently, your blogs); but this drum beat’s getting old.
When you (again) dredge up this convesation (aka “an opportunity for the moronic MV7 jackals to bloviate in their ignorant dialect”), also note, please, that Ryan’s being asked to throw the ball more this year than last, and has YET to reach INT figures that Peyton Manning did in his first five seasons (28, 15, 15, 23, 19).
I find it pointless to compare a 2nd year quarterback to ANY other NFL quarterback at this stage in his career, anyhow; I just know he’s one game shy of getthing this franchise to its 2nd consecutive winning season and he’s darn near unbeatable at home. Let’s give him his full complement of offensive weapons for a full year, and a defense that actually defends against quality opposition and see where his W-L record and statistics are.
Could he be better? Sure; but how many mediocre seasons did Drew Brees encounter before he got to where he is now? Drew Brees was always saddled with the bad rap for not having a longball in his arsenal and now every fantasy player would love to have drafted him first. Same could be said for Peyton Manning.
I know we’re an “instant gratification” society, but he’s played 30 pro grames; judging his abilities and accomplishments now is MORE than a bit premature.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:49 pm
thanks Once. best, willie
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:51 pm
as long as the late PA announcer wasnt Brook Whitmire.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
9:57 pm
Indeed, JimBob, Bradshaw wasn’t the starter in Week 1 the season the Steelers won their first Super Bowl. The late Joe Gilliam was.
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:58 pm
Ryan is 13-1 at home, you don’t do that if you are not pretty good. His best attribute is to make plays in the 4th quarter.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:59 pm
yes, i remember jefferson street joe. what was that other qb’s name (terry?)
Mr Charlie
December 27th, 2009
9:59 pm
Vick got demoted. Nuff said about that.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
9:59 pm
hanratty
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
9:59 pm
George Michael died. He hosted the syndicated show, “The Sports Machine.”
Also sang in Wham!
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
10:00 pm
Very good, Coach. The Steelers actually changed quarterbacks three times that season — Gilliam to Bradshaw to Hanratty to Bradshaw — before deciding on the guy who wound up in Canton.
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2009
10:01 pm
Ryan will be ok, he just won’t be as good as you thought he would be, just like I said. Ryan will be a good QB, a Chad Pennington 2.0…and I don’t mean that as an insult. Pennington was a very good QB, but we all know that most times you can’t win a SB with a QB like that. The exception is Montana…he was just a master of the game. Ryan has the intelligence to see the game like Montana, but it don’t matter if you can’t get the ball to the recievers with some anticipation.
That’s one thing that Vick will get better at and he knows that’s the key to being a great QB. I really believe that he knows that his speed will always be there. Ryan and Vick will both be good QBs
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
10:03 pm
Mark, you’re kidding: George Micheal of tears for fears?
Once "Recent" Reader
December 27th, 2009
10:03 pm
Thx MB . . . ..sorry Willie . . I was going to say the info I got was in a convoluted conversation with folks that knew little about sports XMas Day – but they knew “enough” to say Al Michaels died, then a different Al Michaels (not Miracle on Ice Fame) who was a PA . . then George Michael . . . .and NOT the Wham singer:) Ah what a twisted grapevine that discussion was.
Buffalo Bills
December 27th, 2009
10:04 pm
This just in: Ryan became first opposing QB with 100 rating this year against the Bills.
That includes Brady (twice), Brees, Vince Young, and Matt Schaub.
Mark Bradley
December 27th, 2009
10:04 pm
The George Michael of “Sports Machine” did die, alas. The George Michael of Wham! lives on. I was making a bad little joke.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
10:06 pm
it was VERY VERY bad. my wife’s heart skipped a beat.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
10:09 pm
alas and alack. my heroes are passing from the scene with unsettling rapidity.
Tommy
December 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
Matt Ryan is the Troy Aikman or Phil Simms of our time. He can’t win a Super Bowl singlehandedly, like Peyton did in 2006, but he makes everyone around him better, and has a knack for the big play at the right time (that completion on 4th and 12 today sealed the win).
The guy is a winner. Period. Get the running game healthy, upgrade the defense, and get Harry Douglas healthy, and watch this team go nuts. Just about everything that could go wrong this year did go wrong, and they are gunning for a winning season next week. The Old Falcons would be 4-11 right now.
If Ryan isn't Peyton Manning but Eli, is that good enough? | Mark …
December 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
[...] original here: If Ryan isn't Peyton Manning but Eli, is that good enough? | Mark … Posted in Object, Trends, Uncategorized, health | Tags: bradley, charlie, falcons, manning, [...]
Tron5000
December 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
Peyton didn’t win a Super Bowl until Indy’s defense was top-notch. The same will be true or the Falcons and Matt Ryan. TD surely knows this, as 7 of his 8 draft picks last year were on the defensive side of the ball. He stocked the cupboard with young talent, and hopefully he can make a splash or 2 in free agency.
Notable 2010 free agents: DTs Richard Seymour (sure to energize the UGA fan base) and Vince Wilfork, DEs Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil, Kyle Vanded Bosch, Adwale Ogunleye, Jevon Kearse and Leonard Little, OLBs Shawne Merriman, Thomas Davis, Derrick Johnson, Keith Bulluck and Bertrand Berry, CBs Dunta Robinson, Ellis Hobbs, Tim Jennings, Dre Bly and Nick Harper and Ss Antoine Bathea, Darren Sharper, Nick Collins, Dawan Landry and Jermaine Phillips.
Plus, the Falcons get back Perria Jerry, William Moore and Brian Williams. Thats like 3 extra FAs coming in.
We all know Mr. Blank has no problem opening his checkbook for quality talent. Let’s just hope Mr. Dimitroff makes the right moves. And I’d say his track record would indicate that he will.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
No sports player, even Herschel Walker, gave me the thrills like Larry Munson did. My dad gave me that gift, and i passed it to my son.
willie martinez
December 27th, 2009
10:12 pm
Mark, sorry if you never had anyone like Munson cheering your team on. Must be difficult to appear to be impartial.
FalconUGAFan
December 27th, 2009
10:15 pm
VS I agree with you. I think Ryan will be ok and then some. He is doing pretty close to what he is being paid to do. He isn’t here to win the games by himself. He is here to play his part. We have seen what happens when a player EXPECTS and is EXPECTED to win a game by himself. I think Art has learned his lesson. Don’t rely on one player alone.
Mrs. Bradley
December 27th, 2009
10:15 pm
Mark, will you get off that darn blog?? we have to get up early in the morning!!!
comedy
December 27th, 2009
10:16 pm
what is this a comedy blog? Posts of players that are not on your team. Comparisons of QBs past. Long three paragraghs of bloviating, which appears to be wanna be journalists. You might have a nice opinion, but keep it short and sweet.