If Matt Ryan isn’t Peyton Manning but Eli, is that enough?

Clusters.

Oh wait, nevermind. First.

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I remember that one. That was the season I started thinking the whole Mike Vick thing might not work out after all. Let’s give Matty Ice some grace in his 2nd season (and we have, I think). People got a little too excited and ahead of themselves this year; I think with more reasonable expectations in 2010, the Falcons have a chance to surprise some people.

So how long will it take you to crank out a column about Meyer’s indecision before you go on vacation, mb?

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Right on Mark. He isn’t a Marino, Fouts, Peyton, ect. But I think he is a solid upper crust QB that will be successful provided Birds can also be solid on OL, at running game and with tough defense.

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Maybe not quite as smooth as Matt Helm, but definitely a stronger arm than Eli Wallach.

He’ll do. Certainly better than the last Falcon QB whose first and last names could be interchangeable.

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Here we go, Mark you wrote a lot but said very little. What is your and Schultz’s agenda with the Falcons and Matt Ryan? Why can’t you just WAIT for your 3 year “rookie evaluation” deal to end and come back after 3 years to pronounce judgement?

How’s this Mark…Matt Ryan is MATT RYAN. It’ll be good if people stopped (that is you, the media) comparing him to various other QB’s, guy has had 2 seasons in the league.

I think there are countless OTHER issues that could prevent the 2010 FALCONS from being a playoff team..and they don’t involve the STARTING QB position!

Just damn…

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He’s not Eli Manning, either. He’s Matt Ryan. His skills aren’t quite like Eli- both good or bad. Matt Ryan is closer to, uh… I don’t know… Chad Pennington. He may be a little better than Chad Pennington right now, but his skills are Chad Pennington. Eli Manning? Ryan’s game simply doesn’t remind me of him at all.

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my god why can’t we greatfull .i was there when roland lawrence was deemed nto short and to slow and sent us home in tear’s.mr blank’s proudct is a hellalot more plattable than we have before.we have a lot to look foward to

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I want to say something a little unrelated here. Someone on this blog actually said that the Saints was going to lose against the Bucs. He or she said that it was because of what the Colts did during their run a few years ago or something.

Whoever that was… Kudos.

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All I can say is THANK GOD Matt Ryan isn’t Mike Vick. The worst passer to ever put on a Falcon uniform.

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Mark, I’d rather have talent than speed. willie

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no, maybe bubba bean was the best pick.

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Matt Ryan needs to definitiley work on some things in the offseason if we are to progress into a Playoff Team! Even without the injury he was forcing the ball at times! He seems to be a better QB when the Pace is faster(no huddle). He also needs to learn how to hit the checkdown! instead of
always throwing the ball away if he doesnt have a Open reciever.

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We’d still be in the playoff mix if he hadn’t missed two games. Being in the playoffs one year, and in the mix the year after, isn’t the signs of a failing QB. There probably won’t be another Manning (Peyton, that is). That comparsion should stop, because with another Super Bowl title, it’s quite likely he’ll go down as the greatest QB in the history of the sport.

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i remember Greg Brezina coming to speak to my high school the monday morning after a game. Limping but bold. now that guy’s a man.

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If we are comparing him to Colt QBs, at the very least it’s a good sign we are talking about Peyton Manning, and not Jeff George.

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Chad Pennington? Are you kidding? Give me a break. Why don’t you go back and look at John Elway and his first two full seasons. 6500 yards passing, 40 TD’s and 38 INT. along with a 73% rating. And those two teams were 12-4 and 11-5. When did the great QB’s usually hit their peaks. Their 3rd, 4th, 5th years, not in the second. If Ryan has better stats and rating than Elway, I will take it every day.

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Obviously, the falcons have had 35 busts in first draft picks to the few good ones.

Brett Favre will haunt the team forever.

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And a happy new year. best, willie

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Matt Ryan and the offense in general would look better if they had a good offensive line. It’s been many years since the Falcons had a good offensive line.

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Mark,

But it’s the frustrating repetative crap with Mularky, who seems like he’s channeling the worst and most unimaginative parts of Willie Martinez.

There is NO screen pass in this offense. None. Oh, sometimes when Norwood is in the game, and the other team knows exactly what’s coming.

Throw to Turner in the flats, dammit! He has soft hands!

And then there is how Mularky is using Gonzalez, which is downright shameful. Seriously, he has him running two routes. A post and an out. That’s it.

But again, the WORST, is when he calls all the rollouts to the SHORT side of the field. It’s beyond stupid!

You know WHY the Falcons offense is much better in the no huddle???

Because Mularky is NOT calling the plays! Ryan is!!!

Seriously… what is with this idea that because someone is serviceable that you should never look for someone better?

Mularky is serviceable, but he’s not the best the Falcons can now get. Charlie Weis is out there. And KC or Buffalo is going to go get him if the Falcons don’t show some vision and get him first.

Weis may have been a terrible head coach. So was Dick LeBeau. But Dick and Charlie are outstanding coordinators.

Pick him up while you have the chance!

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He is definitely still a work in progress, and it isn’t really fair to compare his two seasons considering the sked, injuries (including those to himself), missed time, etc. Yeah, he’s regressed a tad. But the whole team has regressed (including Mularkey) so let’s take that into account. For god’s sake, we had a defensive end kicking off today and still won by four touchdowns. Had we been at anything close to full strength in any area this year this article wouldn’t exist.

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Whether he is great or not will not be decided next week…. Thats just a stupid statement in a pointless article.

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Stupid me! i misread the first paragraph… Still seems like a pointless question though.

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Yeah, Romo is so great, how many wins does his team have in December? The one against the Saints, yes, and then what? I don’t think he has any playoffs wins does he? Division titles?

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Bugkiller… you are on the money…

and your comments are worth repeating for those who might have missed them…

I think the problems with Matt Ryan this year have EVERYTHING to do with coaching.

Why does the offense NEVER throw screen passes to take the pressure off the o-line?

Why does Mularky continually call for roll-outs to the SHORT side of the field, taking 2/3’s of the field away from Ryan?

Why isn’t Mularky calling the downfield passes like he did last year?

I was worried, a little, going into the year, when Mularky said he took about 1/4 of the playbook offline.

Why the hell would he do that?

Matt Ryan needs an OC who can take advantage of his strengths and help him overcome his weaknesses.

None of that has happened with Mularky this year. It’s like there’s been no coaching of Ryan whatsoever.

The Falcons have a chance to bring in the man who made Tom Brady what he is today if they have the forsight to part ways with Mularky now.

You don’t think Charlie Weis wouldn’t jump at the chance to work with and groom Matt Ryan?

Unfortunately, Mike Smith will do as Mark Richt did, and hold on to his coach one or two years too long.

This offense should have been legendary. With or without Turner, there was enough power in this offense to do some great things.

Instead, it’s been unimaginative and very repetitive. Gonzalez runs two routes. White runs two or three routes. There’s no variation.

Let Mike Mularky go somewhere else and bring in offensive genius and quarterback guru Charlie Weis, the man who made Tom Brady, to bring out the best in Matt Ryan.

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Kinda don’t like the premise of the article, although I agree with the “Heck yeah” at the end. I think this has been a perfectly good season for the birds, all things being considered – not the least of which is that you’re not supposed to go from putrid (under Petrino) to a consistent playoff contender. They had a great (lucky/weak schedule) season last year and this year they’ve come back to earth some, but still consistently competitive – which is more than you can say just about any other back to back season. Same for Ryan, you don’t become a consistently good NFL QB without going thru some of the things he’s gone thru this year. Since we’re wrongly comparing him to the Manning bros., then take a look at what they went thru – same kinda things that have happened this year to Ryan. Its obvious to see that the Falcons got the right guy at QB, now they need the other cores pieces to make it work and to give Ryan a chance to see if indeed he is championship caliber.

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I always tend more towards the middle ground. Ryan isn’t the second coming nor was our last QB the antichrist. I felt this year would be successful if we went 9-7 and here we are (with one more to go). I agree that there were extenuating circumstances, but there always are. Next year should be the bellwether.

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Why don’t we wait another year or so before we go jumping on either the Eli and Payton bandwagons. OH, I forgot, we have to have something to argue about.

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Additionally, Ryan’s and the Falcon’s record would be a lot better with better receivers. White is barely, if at al, a number one. Jenkins shouldn’t be on the roster, and, as much as I like him, the back up running back slot needs an upgrade. Harry Douglas was really missed this year.

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lol really, you pulled the Chandler comparison out?

“Chandeller took the falcons to the super bowl”

Chandler’s best seasons were at the end of his career … 10 years after he was drafted.

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If we win the Superbowl, who cares who Ryan is.

Either way, I’m still the mayor, and you’re all lovin’ every minute of it.

Suckers.

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Without the injuries and the kicking woes we make the playoffs!

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I’m not at all worried about Matt Ryan. He has “it”, and that’s what counts for a lot. Don’t ask me what “it” is, it’s a long conversation that normally ends in argument.

Ryan may not be Peyton Manning. Manning has won one SuperBowl and may not ever win another. Look at Dan Marino. How many SuperBowls has HE won?

Ryan will be fine. He’ll get better and better. A franchise quarterback isn’t necessarily a guy whom you ride all the way to the top. He LEADS, rather than doing all of he heavy lifting. People should have figured that out with Mike Vick. That was a very clear example of riding a quarterback whose legs were nearly as potent as the arms of some of the best quarterbacks. Problem is, you don’t win big as a quarterback with your legs. And, we tried to ride those legs all the way, which is why we never got past the second round of the playoffs. It just doesn’t work.

You have to build an ENTIRE team, and you have to do it on BOTH sides of the ball. Ryan doesn’t have to be awesome. He has to be good. And good makes you a franchise quarterback.

I’d much rather have a very good team on both sides of the ball, with a very good quarterback, rather than an awesome quarterback, with a team that has question marks aplenty on both sides of the ball. Want an example? New Orleans Saints. Take Drew Brees out of the picture and suddenly all of those question marks coming floating up. It’s why they may go a ways in the playoffs, but I just don’t see them in the SuperBowl, much less winning it.

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I’ve taken a good amount of time preparing this, so forgive me for it’s length.

Since so many media pundits like to compare players, I did a comparison of Matt Ryan to 7 other active QBs. Those QBs are the three named in this column, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Chad Pennington. I also added two others I’ve seen him compared to, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Finally, I added two other young QBs that I think have been very good, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers. Of the 8 QBs, only Peyton Manning started every game his first 2 seasons. Based solely on record, the QBs would be ranked as follows:

Ben Roethlisberger – 22-3, .880
Philip Rivers – 25-7, .781
Tom Brady – 20-10, .667
Matt Ryan – 19-10, .655
Chad Pennington – 12-9, .571
Eli Manning – 12-11, .522
Peyton Manning – 16-16, .500
Drew Brees – 10-17, .370

Based solely on this, Ben Roethlisberger is the best and Matt Ryan is nearly a mirror image of Tom Brady. However, there is another key to these numbers. 4 of these QBs, did not start at all as a rookie, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Chad Pennington, and Drew Brees. Not only that, but Rivers and Pennington didn’t start a game for 2 seasons. So let’s look beyond records and pull up the QB stats for the first 2 seasons when these 8 guys started. These will be in order of QB rating and will include Completions, Attempts, Yards, TDs, INTs, Rating, and Yards per Attempt.

Roethlisberger – 364-563, 5006 Yds., 34 TD, 20 INT, 98.3 QB Rating, 8.9 Y/A
Pennington – 464-696, 5259 Yds., 35 TD, 18 INT, 95.1 QB Rating, 7.6 Y/A
Brady – 637-1014, 6607 Yds., 46 TD, 26 INT, 86.0 QB Rating, 6.5 Y/A
Ryan – 505-850, 6133 Yds., 36 TD, 23 INT, 84.5 QB Rating, 7.2 Y/A
Rivers – 561-920, 5540 Yds., 43 TD, 24 INT, 82.7 QB Rating, 6.0 Y/A
P. Manning – 657-1108, 7874 Yds., 52 TD, 43 INT, 80.6 QB Rating, 7.1 Y/A
Brees – 525-882, 5392 Yds., 28 TD, 31 INT, 73.1 QB Rating, 6.1 Y/A
E. Manning – 389-754, 4805 Yds., 30 TD, 26 INT, 70.5 QB Rating, 6.4 Y/A

So what does this mass of numbers tell us? That even the greatest QBs take time to develop. Two other small notes, only 2 players on this list, Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan, started from day 1. People didn’t turn on Peyton as fast as they are turning on Ryan, they gave him a chance to grow. Do the same for Ryan, give him a chance to show us what he’s got before we try to label him.

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Matty will be fine; he’s still acclimating. And our season would have been fine, too, if our original kicker hadn’t lost us several games. Everyone downplays it; but easy field goals were missed, and now, so will be the postseason. DAMN YOU ELAM !!

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Ryan is fine, if he grows, he will be among the best in the NFL, if not, he still will be the most consistent QB in Atlanta History.

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Enter your comments here

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Mark, did you ban some regulars? I miss them.

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The part that always gets me is when people talk about “the dearly departed.”

Well, for those who lamented the loss of Dominique Foxworth, there he sits with 48 tackles and 4 interceptions. Guess who sits HIGHER with 64 tackles and 5 interceptions? Brent Grimes. Heh…

For those who bemoan the loss of Harry Douglas…Harry Douglas? Harry Douglas! Dude has ZERO NFL stats for the year. Why? Lemme go out on a limb here….I’ll bet he was injured. Whether he was wearing a Falcons jersey or not…you’d STILL be missing him.

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Ice has shown the ability to step up his game in the 4th quarter. That is the mark of a true QB.

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Oh well, they are OK as long as they keep it clean, we are all entitled to our opinions.

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Douglas was a Wes Welker type, Gonzo is a good go to guy, but it would be nice to have a jitterbug coming out of the slot.

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Mark, There is only one Payton. Again, if the Falcons are down 4 with 2 minutes to go, I like Ryan.

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Here’s wishing you a good vacation, Mark. Clusters don’t vacation because it causes too much stir when we walk out on the beach all ripped and tan and the women start coming over to us and leaving their sweethearts over there waiting for us to kick some sand in they face. We just stopped going to the beach. Of course, we can’t seem to place a Kentucky beach so maybe that kind of vacation would be alright. We hope you enjoy yours. Your pal, Sonny Clusters.

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Grimes it a free agent in his 2nd year, I can’t count the picks he has dropped in the past two years, it seem like he is starting to hold onto them. He is small, but he has shown me something. I think he has a ton of heart.

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Jumping in here late with a thought. The Falcons have to bring their A-game next week against a resurgent Tampa Bay team that beat the Saints today… if they are to finish winners (2 years in a row). But they go in knowing last week they beat a Jets team (in the Meadowlands on a frigid, windy day) that just beat the undefeated, Super Bowl-bound Indy Colts. WOW! That is weird. A team just knocked out of the playoffs beating a team that could win it all… although I realize the Colts were trying to avoid injuries. It still says something.

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Starting QBs are hard to come by, if you have one, you have a chance. Look at Baltimore and Miami. You think Detroit would be happy to be sitting at 8-7?

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i think all the Bradleys will be there: bobby joe, billie joe and betty joe. i think granny clampett has passed on though.

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evan as a kid i could tell that “eb” was the worst actor on earth.

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Grimes is just learning to play on this level, he does not have much experience, but he seems to be getting it. His size will always be an issue, but playing corner is more than size. Again, he could have 20 picks over the past two season if he could just hang onto the ball, but he is learning.

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BTW, i checked delta flights, and they are running a special to Maysville for the next couple of days.

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I’m not exactly sure who all thought Matt Ryan was going to be the next Peyton Manning – but I didn’t. I think Ryan is right; he has learned this season, and he has gotten better. I believe, overall, he is a better quarterback now than he was prior to the season – despite missing those games due to injury.

Ryan was drafted to be the quarterback for the future. His numbers have dropped a little bit, but I am not convinced that is solely a result of his own doing.

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have you ever noticed how much A M Blank looks like the men in black?

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Lordy, lordy have you forgot all the awful quartebacks on all those awfully terrible teams from the past. David Archer, Bobby Hebert, Jeff George, Scott Campbell and Chris Miller. Give me Matt Ryan and that 13-1 record at home the last two years anytime. I watch the Falcons now that Mike Smith and Matty Ice lead this team. These are fun birds to watch now on sunday’s.

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The Manning comparisons come from Ryans 4th quarter play, of being able to make the right read in the 4th quarter. I think Smith, Arthur and the entire Falcon team is very happy with their QB.

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Chris Miller is a perfect example, he threw a nice ball, but when the 4th quarter rolled around and the D’s starting mixing it up, he was at his worst.

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2 seasons, 13-1 at home, that is building something.

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No, Billy Joe Tolliver was the worst.

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Agree Bugkiller….don’t know if Wiess is the right guy, but Mularkey is unimaginative at best.

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Dont forget the Bear was at Kentucky for a brief period. Adolph Rupp ran him off.

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a real unknown here: a green bay qb from the 1970’s named jim del gazo

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Wow, a chance for back to back winning seasons must be something to really be proud of. You Atl dopes must be dumber than I thought. Ryan will never, ever measure up to Manning or some of the other elite QB talent past or present. Injuries and lack of help on the defensive side will make sure of that. He may have more impressive career stats than Eli…just one thing though..Eli has a SB title and Ryan won’t win one just like Marino. And just think..if you go 9-7 next year you’ll have 3 winning years in a row…gee..let the good times roll

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another green bay whiz named barty smith

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Mark, how exaggerated do you think the movie (college station?) was?

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The falcons have 5 road losses. combined home records of those 5 teams is 27-12 ( overall record of teams falcons lost to 58-31) They played 4 teams coming off of by-weeks and had a stretch of 6 of 8 games played on the road. adding to this the fact that they played most of the season without 2 key defensive starters and 4 games without their best offensive player and 2 games without their starting quarterback, i would consider 9-7 an EXCELLENT season. Bradley is off the mark ( hahhah) as usual…

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Rob never played pro ball?

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TMoney – thanks for taking the time to put together the record and personal stats for the 8 QBs. I’d say in almost any other town Matt Ryan would be looked upon by many in a good light and those not sure would still be more willing to give him more time. However, the difference here is what Ryan came into. A city that was losing a highly popular (locally and nationally) QB under for very controversial reasons – and also a city unfortunately polarized for various football/social reasons. Here’s hoping that a few years changes Falcon fans back to just Falcon fans . . . .and happy ones at that!!!!

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Thank you Big Ray, it’s nice to read a comment from someone with some common sense. Matt is a very good QB now and will be a great QB in the near future. He is a very smart guy that works hard and can make all the throws. Give the man an o-line that will give him just a little time and he will be unstopable.

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against a Buffalo roster so defoliated it wouldn’t have troubled Alabama.

Yet last week Buffalo lost at New England 17-10. But I guess you have to write something.

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James Earl Jones, one of my favorite actors of all time. Costner was ok in the flick.

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I watched the game, and at least 8 of the in-completed passes were thrown away….

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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.

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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!!

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tell you what, i’ll send the pass to Mrs Bradley’s house and you can use it if you want.

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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”.

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you banned me

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Tin Cup was awful. Miracle was really good though.

Bang the drum slowly, The Natural, Brians Song, Bull Durham,

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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.

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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.

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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

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@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.

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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

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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.

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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

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NO is done, hahahaha.

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Can’t believe Mark Suckchez is in the hunt to for the playoffs.

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There’s only 1 Peyton Manning

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C’mon, you were not a little choked up when he said “Coach Stays”.

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I know Marty dropped a beautiful throw from Ryan today.

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Ryan has been disappointing this season for sure . . .

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Manup and shut um up MB.

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*here

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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.

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They had him. His name was Harry Douglas. He was lost for the year without ever playing a game that matters.

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Enter your comments here

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Philly going to the playoffs, Vick gets demoted. That says all that needs to be said.

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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.

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Wow, did you see that play? It brings back memories.

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Eli has a ring, I would settle for Trent Dilfer.

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Testing . . ..messages not getting through.

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if Al is dead, then the guy doing the Dallas game sounds just like him

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Saints are peaking at the right time

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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….

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SOME broadcaster named micheals just died.

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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.

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Kevin G., are you Kenny G’s brother?

Yet another reason to nominate you for Douche Bag of the Night!

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thanks Once. best, willie

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yes, i remember jefferson street joe. what was that other qb’s name (terry?)

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hanratty

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Mark, you’re kidding: George Micheal of tears for fears?

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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.

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it was VERY VERY bad. my wife’s heart skipped a beat.

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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.

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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.

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Mark, sorry if you never had anyone like Munson cheering your team on. Must be difficult to appear to be impartial.

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Mark, will you get off that darn blog?? we have to get up early in the morning!!!

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comedy: read it and weep..best, willie

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i think the year of the immaculate reception was ‘74, after gilliam was cut.

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We was well on our way to the state championship when Coach had heart palpitations and had to sit one out. When Coach first started showing symptoms Stinky Wintes was our designated CPR giver and he was ready but Coach said they was no way Stinky Wintes was ever touching his lips to Coach’s. Coach never even considered giving up coaching altogether – just sitting one out while the palpitations settled.

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Sonny, do you think the principal saw us?

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Comedy . . . . as so articulately put in the movie Stripes . . .”Lighten up Francis”:)

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Why am i on this blog?

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yeah, frenchy fuqua got hit and franco caught the ball. but who was the oakland db that hit him?

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i believe tatum was also the guy that crippled darryl stingley.

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i have to admit, i always wanted Staubauch and the Cowboys to win, but that Steerlers team was something else: Bradshaw, Mike Webster, Moon Mullins, Mean Joe, Jack Lambert, etal.

Maybe the best of all time.

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Just crunching the numbers and, yes, the 2000s will go down as the winningest decade for the Falcons, at 74-84-1 (.465 pct), with a chance at not only back-to-back winning seasons, but also our 4th winning season this decade (tied with the 90s and 70s with 3 right now). I choose to look at the glass as half-full–being a fan since the early 80s, I remember those 4-12 years all too well–so I appreciate that most years this decade we were in the hunt, and hopefully w/ the foundation in place the 20-teens will be a step up from the aughts.

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All that led Chuck Knoll to acknowledge there was a “criminal element” in the NFL. Sounds laughable now.

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once recent reader……..apoligies for the slow response. But, a man has to eat and drink and not in that particular order. thanks for the poltico waxing though.

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Kasim Reed has announced Willie Martinez as Atlanta’s new traffic coordinator. In a press release Reed said that by hiring WM and giving WM the express goal of stopping all traffic, we feel based on his past performance on stopping forward progress, that traffic should flow smoothly in Atlanta for years to come.

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Comedy . . . .welcome. And thx for taking no offense of my long desire to quote from Stripes:)

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Nothing to be ashamed of WM. The Steelers had the Steel Curtain, you had The Steel Sieve. Both legendary, in their own way.

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I think that you should make the comparison to what could have been. The armchair GMs wanted to take Glen Dorsey with the first pick and plug in one Brian Brohm as the Falcon quarterback. I like what we have and it makes no sense to compare Matt with quarterbacks on other teams. Especially in his second year.

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Einstein once said “Imagine light traveling through a vacuum.” A student asked if that explained the relationship between space and time and Einstein replied “No young man; that explains Willie Martinez’ defense”

Thank you, thank you, we’ll be here through Friday; and don’t forget to tip your server.

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and the lean, mean, fightin’ machine!@

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And another thing I noticed in TMoney’s earlier 8 QB stats post . . .. . .I always read how Ryan is dinking and dunking . . . .but overall it seems his yards per reception is in the same vicinity as the so called bombers . ..Manning, Brady, .. .Brees now too.

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i thought larroquette was in pvt benjamin

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that movie started my mud wrestling carrer.

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spam blockers working ot mark

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Spinal Tap it is!! Great quotes and many folks have missed out on a hilarious movie or “Rockudrama/comedy”. Most of us who have seen it . . .have seen it many times:) It’s like a “fine wine” just gets better.

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You would think the makers of SPAM™ would be upset with Internet junk mail being called spam wouldn’t you?

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i’ve got the alarm clock set at five
dont worry, I’ll drive
we’ll be to mom’s soon
just afternoon

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once, do you live under a rock?

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willie . . . . sometimes:) Actually, I’ve always liked Falcons but started following on AJC when they drafted Ryan. I’m a BC grad that lived in Boston until moving to SE Florida in 2001. So I don’t know much about the Bulldogs staff other than Richt, and other than Mike Smith – I don’t really know Falcs staff either. That’s my story and I’m sticking by it:)

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Once, do you have time for my bio?

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MB have a good trip and vacation. Enjoyed being on the Live Chats this season!

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Mark, safe travels to you and family. Happy new year. Best, willie

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nope

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after a completely dominating performance this is what you come up with?!?! YOU AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE MEDIA! this kid is coming off turf toe (a serious injury that some retire from) to play for a team that wont make the playoffs and he just wants to win and seems to do a pretty darn good job of it. you call this news i call it trash if you want to jump off the band waggon then go right ahead buddy dwell in your negativity you sad man

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Matt is still developing and should improve as his career continues. Its hard to say if he is Eli or Peyton, but he ain’t Vick, that goodness. I hope he is like Peyton.

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Well let me put this “BugKiller play calling scheme to bed once and for all…

Point by point (sorry to do this, but it has to be done…)
“Why does the offense NEVER throw screen passes to take the pressure off the o-line?”
IT IS SIMPLE… The Falcons max protect with their running backs more than any other team in professional football! Say what you like about Mularkey, but he is deeply schooled in the Pittsburgh Steeelers school of running screens (2nd best in football behind the Philadelphia Eagles scheme). But this teams line is not stout enough to pull off running screens. When you run effectively, play action works, when play action works, your deep game opens up. When you can not do that linebackers do not respect the screen game… That is why the Falcons can not pull that off at present… Now you should not pay respect to what Michael Turner pulled off last season, it was astonishing…

“Why does Mularky continually call for roll-outs to the SHORT side of the field, taking 2/3’s of the field away from Ryan?”
Because your tackles and center need help!!! Teams crush our tackles with speed… Clabo and Baker have to have Peelle and the running backs to stay in and chip or straight block with them. The way you help that is to roll away from the defensive strength. And because the element of Turner at his best has been taken away this season, then the risk of “leak” draw is gone. You are damned if you do, and crushed if you don’t… Example, see the play on which Ryan suffered the infamous turf toe injury…

“Why isn’t Mularky calling the downfield passes like he did last year?”
If you look at the hold time for the Falcons Offensive line, it simply can not keep out other teams defensive fronts to allow downfield throws… When you add teams with any type of sophisticated blitz scheme and it goes to tatters… Examples: The Philly game, the Giants game, and for heavens sake: The 1st Bucs game… The greatest one was when the Pats dismantled the O-Line… It was trip to the wood shop…

“I was worried, a little, going into the year, when Mularky said he took about 1/4 of the playbook offline.”
If you go back to the 3/4 point of last season, teams had figured out the Falcons… The playoff game was the cultivation of that matter. The Cardinals slammed us from halftime on… They even knew the snap counts! The OC is only as good as the pieces, the loss of Douglass and for that matter Turner left you with a shell of a offense like that of which Vick had around him. Matt Ryan with just Gonzalez and White only scares bad football teams.

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And Bradley if you really think that the Buffalo Bills would lose to Alabama you are delusional.

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Accuracy. Ryan does not have Manning (either) or Brady accuracy. Maybe later, maybe never.

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[...] Ryan is more Eli than Peyton. [AJC] [...]

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give his a little time and he will be one of the best in the NFL.

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1. His numbers are better than P. Manning first and second year
2. He’s hurt
3. The running back is hurt
4. The probowl kicker misses 2 – we miss the playoffs
5. He is not P. Manning, E. Manning, D. Brees, B. Farve, etc – he is Matt Ryan – and this whole subject takes no talent
6. Did you miss class the day they taught Journalism?

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All winning QB’s are surrounded by two needed qualities, a solid running game and a great defense. Go back and look at the super bowl seasons of Starr, Montana, Brady and let’s not forget Elway did not get his ring until Davis and a stout defense. Ryan is in his second year with a still rebuilding defense and a limp running game this year. Let’s wait until we have the all the cylinders before we decide if Ryan is the right QB.

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Quarterbacks are scrutinized to the nth degree these days. I recently watched the NFC Championship game between the Cowboys and the Niners. The game dubbed “The Catch”. Joe Montana threw three interceptions that day and misfired on numerous passes and yet his place in the annuls of football history is secure. Winning superbowls and making plays in the clutch defined his career and made him a star. Statistics are misleading. The key to becoming a great quarterback is the ability to overcome adversity and make the plays when they count. Can the lead their teams to victory and are the cool under pressure.

Based on what I’ve seen of Matty Ice in his first two years, I don’t think there is any real argument. They young man is a franchise quarterback! He is a leader and a winner. He has the same DNA as all of the great quarterbacks. I’ve been a Falcon fan since Atlanta was awarded a franchise. I am loving the direction of this team and the fact that we have a potential HOF under center.

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[...] If Matt Ryan isn’t Peyton Manning but Eli, is that enough?, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Valid points but, at the end of the day, quarterbacks are judged on wins and losses. Let’s also not forget this is only Ryan’s second game back after turf toe. [...]

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How about “Mystery, Alaska” for sports movies? Very re-watchable…

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Mark, You cannot even be positive without making it sound negative. Give it a break.

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“Matty Ice hasn’t been as precise in Year 2.” YEAR 2. Patience people, patience. How were the Saint’s past two seasons? This column is nothing but web-traffic bait. And I guess it worked. Your doing the man and the team a disservice.

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Matt Ryan was a better QB when his back side was protected. Baker is fine, but his injuries have put Ryan in a dangerous position.

Most people think that the Falcons should draft a defender in the first round. I am a firm believer that we should take the best LT available. Move Baker to his natural RT position, where his affinity to injuries will not be such a problem. One Ryan is given a decent amount of time in the pocket, the offense will flourish.

I wouldn’t worry about Matt Ryan.

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The guy’s hurt and you’re crapping on him? Give me a break, Bradley.

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Sorry, your issues are valid. I think the biggest thing I have seen in him is his ability make the throws when the game in on the line. In two years, he has made some really clutch throws.

However, look at the the young QBs, Flacco, Sanchez, Stafford, they are all inconsistent.

The fact is, he has taken a 4-12 team that was completely destroyed and is 20-12 in his first two years. He also has a chance to go end the curse, that will put him down as the most consistent falcon QB in the history of the franchise. That alone sould give you hope.

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Supes

December 27th, 2009
6:29 pm

Got to agree with your comment Supes, comparing QB’s you also have to look at the team that has been built around them, Ryan….better O line last year, better results last year. I read the comparisons to the Hall of Famers and have no doubt they would have similar numbers given equal levels of team talent. Just for grins here is the box score for Pennington vs Ryan in game 1 this year:
CP/AT YDS TD INT
Pennington 21/29 176 1 1
Ryan 22/36 229 2 0

I was listening to Wes Durham and Jeff Van Note after the game and you would have thought we had already beaten TB to end the streak of non winning back to back seasons. Note, I did not say, break the curse, there is no curse, just nearly 40 years of poor ownership. I am seriously concerned that with us coming off an easy victory and TB coming off an inspiring victory that we could be in for a tough trip to Tampa.

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Great post Tmoney! This guy is in his second season, before he is done he will be a great QB! With atleast 2 super bowl rings!

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CR, I believe that “Big Ben” and Marino had MUCH better teams than what was handed to Matt Rayn, wouldn’t you agree. The defense of the Ravens may have something to do with the 11-5 record of Flacco as well.

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I am still amused by that “gushing” comment Mark. I’m more familiar with that word associated with orgasms and Obama supporters than quarterbacks.

Gush on Ryan supporters……………!!

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At least the Aints lost. Two game lossing streak going into the playoffs. TYPICAL!! I hope they get Minnesota in the first second round because the Aints can’t stop the run. They will get executed on national tv.

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Ryan is not a follower. He’s a leader setting his own standards.
He doesn’t need to be like anybody else.

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I am glad the Bucs beat New Orleans, hopefully they will celebrate all week, and roll over this weekend.

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Ryan hasn’t had a good season. It’s been average at best. You don’t have a good season when you expected to make the playoffs and you don’t.

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Jerry,

I believe Ryan would agree with you, however, the key phrase was “expected to make the playoffs”. He set those expectations, and considering the mess he inherited, that is a heck of an accomplishment…..If Payton does not win the superbowl, I am sure he will consider his season average too.

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Yesterday, Ryan passes posessed some zippity…Still he need to work on arm strenght during off-season!!!

Because if that’s all the zip that he can muster on his passes than I’m afraid to say it, but next season he’s DOOMED!!!

If he can become consistent with putting heat on his passes when necessary than he will be among the best ranked quarterbacks in NFL’s history!!!

GO FALCONS,,,BACK TO BACK WINNING SEASON!!!!!

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There were so many empty red seats in the stands yesterday. LMAO

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Ryan was the #3 pick, before he was drafted, the Falcons worked him out extensively. I am sure if he did not display at least average arm strength, they would never have drafted him.

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Falcons Fans, yea, the Dome reminded me of the end of 2005 and 2006 seasons.

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Here we go again, with the QB the reason the record is 8-7. Excuse me the difference between last year and this year is the defense or the lack of. The reason Ryan is not throwing interceptions now is because the coordinator/HC told him to throw the ball away. That will kill the statistics, but win games.

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I’ve been a Falcon fan since I was old enough to focus my eyes on a TV. It hasn’t always been easy. Give Matty a break. A tougher schedule this year and a whole seasons worth of film on him for other teams to study make year 2 alot tougher. He’s done well. He’s the best QB we’ve had since Bartkowski. I think the future looks bright. He’s not Peyton. He’s Matt Ryan. He’s gonna do great things.

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Now everybody’s a professional judge of QB talent. Take a look at the stats of M. Stafford and M. Sanchez, the current “annointed ones”. Maybe J. Russell, B. Quinn and M.Cassell too—weren’t they all going to be the next great QB? Why no patience with Ryan. If the team wins next week, he and the team will have accomplished something NEVER DONE BEFORE IN 44 YEARS. Would you have taken that on draft day? With this team’s history, yeah I think you would. Good things are coming, enjoy the ride.

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Matt Ryan has a better cumulative qb rating through his first two years than both Peyton Manning and Joe Montana. He is also on track to throw fewer interceptions than Peyton Manning in his second year. Stop comparing him to the current Peyton Manning and do a little more research. I don’t have a problem with what you are saying fundamentally, which is that Matt’s second year has not been as good as his first, but when people throw out the words “panic button”, which I believe you have, that is a little extreme for a very solid NFL quarterback…..WHO IS ONLY IN HIS SECOND YEAR!!! The position is extremely hard, takes a ton of work and experience, and I think you have forgotten that.

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Hey Y’all:

“JUST WIN, BABY!! ” “JUST WIN!!!” That is exactly what are Falcons are doing. They are “just winning, baby”‘. We all know that “INJURIES” have limited our Falcons from making the playoffs. The games that our Falcons have won they have earned. The same will be Sunday when they play Tampa. They will play with”ONE HEARTBEAT!!” and earn that victory. They are winners and they will have a winning season. They will play the way they have played the entire season which is FAST, NASTY, RESILIENT, INNOVATIVE, AGGRESSIVE, POWER HITTING, CRUNCH TIME, FOOTBALL. Our FALCONS wil be “BRINGING THE WOOD” to Tampa Bay and “WE WILL BE TAKING THEM TO THE SHED.” That’s right!!! We are going to kick that butt in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” I can hear the heart “THUMPING” now!!” It is getting louder: THUMP!! THUMP!!! IT IS JUST TOO LOUD: THUMP!! THUMP!!!! THUMP!!!!!!!………………Now, lets “BEAT” on that Tampa Bay head in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. TOGETHER. IN SYNC. AS A TEAM. AS A COMMUNITY. Tampa, YOU ARE GOING DOWN IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”

GO FALCONS!!! LET’S KICK THAT TAMPA BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “JUST WIN, BABY!!’ JUST WIN IN
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!!!!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!

…………………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!”…………….

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You’re right…he’s no Payton or Eli or Brady or Brees or Marino or Elway or Rivers…he’s better!
Compare him to anyone in their first 2 seasons as a pro (not a starter) most except Payton, didn’t even take a snap in the first year or two….if I had to compare him to anyone it would be Montana…always a threat at the end of the game…Go Falcons!

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Ryan is a GREAT qb. We won yesterday without any problems. We had a great running game with Norwood and Snelling and the wide receivers who caught balls that were thrown to them. If Ryan has a bad game its usually because the receiver drops balls that are thrown to them and other players STINK up the joint. If the team collectively plays well the Falcons usually end up with a “W”. Next week against Tampa the Falcons need to play exactly the same way they did yesterday. 9-7 still wont ease the pain of a team that SHOULD have made the playoffs. If Elam had made the kicks that he missed the Falcons would have finished AT LEAST 11-5 and made the playoffs. YOU CAN’T BLAME THE FALCONS MISSING THE PLAYOFFS ON MATTY “ICE” RYAN. The only culpret I know for the Falcons failing to make the playoffs is Jason Elam. Elam no longer is here so maybe next season we will get into the playoffs.

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You say Ryan has not had the year he had last season, well neither did Turner!. It takes both of them healthy and working with each other and a healthy O-Line to equal success. This is a team sport, and when one part of the offense does not work, then the rest will have trouble keeping up their responsibilities.
The Defense has had a very bad season as well, with injuries that has hurt a very young defense. You cant blame just Ryan, or Turner or the defense that matter, You win as a team or you lose as a team.
Everyone on the team needs to get better or get replaced.

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“the greatest rookie quarterback in league history — and that’s what he was”. I’m not someone who typically posts anything but that has to be the DUMBEST statement I’ve ever read on this website. MB…you just lost ALOT of credibility! Dan Marino? Greg Cook? Even Big Ben went 14-1 and went to the AFC Championship game his rookie year…and I’m a Browns fan!

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I have this comment regarding FalconFan5114’s comments at the beginning of this blog referring to Matt Ryan as the best QB that Atlanta has ever had – I agree Matt is good, but he has a ways to go before I agree that he is better than Steve Bartkowski – Us old timers remember Bart and what a great talent he was.

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Why do people put Eli down? He plays in NY, has a SB MVP Trophy somewhere in his house, and is probably the most criticized QB I have seen in all my years watching football. He also has a 90+ passer rating this year. No he’s not his brother but he is a terrific quarterback too. If Matty Ice is Eli, I will gladly take that. QB’s like Peyton come around once every twenty years if that.
—–
he is garbage without “PLEXICO, PLAXICO.” Eli statistically before the beginning of this season had stats that were not that much better than MV7. For a drop back QB that is pathetic.

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Ryan is 13 and 1 at home. What was Vicks record after 14 games in the dome?

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Matty Ice is the best Falcon QB since Bart. Back to back winners would be nice, but. We need to shore up the defense and O-line, but we have a running game, a good QB and excellent coaching from Smith down, and we’re on the right track to get back to the Super Bowl. And that is the only thing that matters.

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before you clowns begin to crow wait till next week . look as if the buc re set to nail ya!!!

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Until Matt Ryan can win a play-off game he is just as insignificant as the pathetic Falcons. Who cares about Matt Ryan or the Falcons, it is obvious their fans don’t even care, did you see all the mpty seats in the Dome. last time the dome was filled with fans they were screaming to see another teams QB. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Matt Ryan is a weak armes joke.

“Back To Life, Back To Reality”

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It’s clear the Julio Iglesias Index was not factored into this judgement.

Ryan will be fine; I see the Falcons flying high again in 2010.

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Why does vick name always come up in a conversation that ryan being mentioned? Why people always try to compare the two? if vick goes to another team and win a superbowl before ryan(not saying ryan will ever win one)will that make vick haters hate him even more? peyton manning 11+ seasons and 1 superbowl,eli 4+ seasons and 1 superbowl.So i don’t understand why people think ryan will win one sooner than later.Ryan is not eli and definately not peyton.Thats like trying to compare micheal jordan to tree rollins.

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MICHAEL VICK HAS PRIDE!!!!! AND YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!MATT RYAN WILL NEVER BE A SUPER STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL………………

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Fools all of stop trying to predict the future. You live in the present tell me what you see right now. I see a qb who gets a pass over 30 yards once every 7 games. I see a league realizing all of his weknesses and they are glaring. The playbook is limited b/c he does not have elite qb physical tools. He is a better Chad Pennington which means he is servicable but if an upgrade is available get the upgrade. Remember how quickly Pennington was moved out of New York for a 39 year old Favre. Build a team like a lot of people are suggesting then go get you a top flight qb as opposed to average.

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ryan like eli???????????????????????? you guys are truly in fantasy land. thers no comparison! eli has a superbowl ring and ryan has sensitive skin. what a joke the ajc has become to even try to pass some garbage like this

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look at all the team Ryan won . All are loser. look at who he has for tools and he has a 81 % passer. look at his number only middle of the pack if that. Team know he has no heart. pure punk under pressure. melt like cheese when heat is applied. he has some of the best recivers in the nfl and he is only below the pack of QBin the nfl just the facts on the hope!!
Blow him up all you want to it is what it is just look at the numbers!!! 3th pick 45 million for a half azz QB!( not even half)! San Baker is a bust too!! pure punk!

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Matt Ryan will be fine. Folks just love to put the horse before the cart huh? He is still very young, but he has an excellent work ethic.
Give him a year or two before, we decide to see where he ranks. Falcons fans should be use to being patient .

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According to Philadelphia Eagles players, the most courageous man on the team in 2009 was one who started the year serving time in prison for an act of extreme cowardice.

The Eagles announced that Michael Vick was the 2009 winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, an honor given to a player who shows courage in the face of adversity. Vick’s teammates voted for the award, thus demonstrating how tone-deaf and out-of-touch NFL players are with reality.
According to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Web site:

Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates for team effort, as well as individual performance. The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. He is also a community role model.

One recipient is selected from each NFL team, usually for things like coming back from injury, doing good work in the community or long, dedicated service to a franchise. I’d be surprised if the award’s founders intended for the honor to be given to someone doing community service as part of the terms of his parole or for showing courage in the face of reporters asking legitimate questions about federal crimes.

The Eagles’ vote is not only a slap in the face to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, but to the other 31 players who won the award for their respective teams. Some men are truly deserving of the honor, like Ravens safety Dawan Landry(notes) who was nearly paralyzed last year, but has come back in ‘09 with four interceptions and a touchdown or Mike Furrey(notes) of the Browns, who does extensive volunteer work in his community. Adding Vick’s name to the roll makes the award seem illegitimate and meaningless.

Apparently Philadelphia players confuse Vick handling dogfighting questions and booing with a measure of class as some sort of courage. That Vick only got a chance to show this mild courageousness because of the extreme cowardice it takes to murder helpless animals isn’t something that crosses their mind. They confuse Vick’s desperation with some sort of integrity.
I’m all for second chances and find myself rooting for Vick to redeem himself both on and off the football field. He’s served an appropriate sentence (and then some) and I see no reason for him to keep paying for his past transgressions. But I also see no reason to celebrate his character.

Michael Vick is very much a work in progress. A few years from now, I hope he will be deserving of such an honor. At this time, however, he has only just started down the path to redemption.

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2009 Ed Block Courage Award Winners
There’s been a lot of consternation about the Philadelphia Eagles players voting Michael Vick their 2009 Ed Block Courage Award winner, so below is a look at each team’s winners, as voted on by the players.

Arizona Cardinals – DE, Kenny Iwebema
Atlanta Falcons – LB, Coy Wire
Baltimore Ravens – S, Dawan Landry
Buffalo Bills – WR, James Hardy
Carolina Panthers – LB, Dan Connor
Cincinnati Bengals – G, Bobbie Williams
Cleveland Browns – S/WR, Mike Furrey
Dallas Cowboys – G, Kyle Kosier
Denver Broncos – S, Brian Dawkins
Detroit Lions – T, Jeff Backus
Green Bay Packers – S, Nick Collins
Houston Texans – LB, Zac Diles
Indianapolis Colts – CB, Marlin Jackson
Jacksonville Jaguars – T, Richard Collier
Kansas City Chiefs – QB, Brodie Croyle
Miami Dolphins – G, Justin Smiley
Minnesota Vikings – LB, E.J. Henderson
New England Patriots – Hasn’t been announced
New Orleans Saints – DE, Anthony Hargrove
New York Giants – NT, Fred Robbins
New York Jets – LB, David Harris
Oakland Raiders – S, Tyvon Branch
Philadelphia Eagles – QB, Michael Vick
Pittsburgh Steelers – DE, Aaron Smith
St. Louis Rams – DE, James Hall
San Diego Chargers – LB, Shawne Merriman
San Francisco 49ers – CB, Shawntae Spencer
Seattle Seahawks – WR, Nate Burleson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – RB, Cadillac Williams
Tennessee Titans – C, Kevin Mawae
Washington Redskins – DE, Phillip Daniels

“Even the CHOKE’s teammates” don’t respect him

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I would like to make a plea to anyone who cares enough about the Atlanta Falcons to listen. There will always be those here who want to steer the conversation to Vick vs. Ryan. I own both jerseys. For those out there who are Ryan fans or Falcon fans, there is still much to be talked about. I for one am very interested in our CURRENT quarterback’s development. Two years in, there’s plenty of reason to believe he’s the future, and plenty of reason for doubt. There is so much ripe debate to be had, and comparisons to similar QBs to be made. This is something that I think is much more pertinent than racial issues or comparing two QB whose styles could not possibly be more different. Vick does belong in the discussion as long as we’re talking about the past He does have one of the best win-loss ratios of any QB we’ve had… and all three coaches we had… Reeves, Mora, and Wade Phillips all have winning records with him as the starter. He deserves SOME credit for that… but really, I’m much more interested in figuring out our present QB situation. Is he the real deal, or is he, like some have said, Chad Pennington?

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3th?!?? San Baker??!?? He melt like cheese??!??! *Moron Aert!* *Moron Alert!*

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Aert! Jeez!~ From one moron to anotha, brotha!

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Ryan certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt. So does the Atlanta coaching staff. Congrats on a winning year despite some tough breaks. 2010 should be a solid one.

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