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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > May > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan the right QB for Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — He was the right pick at the right time, and here’s why: When you watch the Falcons work, your first thought is no longer about the man who isn’t there; instead your eyes keep moving until you find the new guy. And you like, it must be said, what you see.
That other person, the one who’s in prison, has been rendered yesterday’s news. Tomorrow belongs to the new guy, and this franchise is better for it. The Falcons needed to move on, and how better to do it than with the first draft choice under new management?
Thomas Dimitroff said he didn’t take Matt Ryan because of “symbolism. We needed a quarterback, and he was the best fit for the team.” But then Dimitroff, who grasps both the details and the big picture, concedes the ancillary point: “Now that [the need for a clean break with Michael Vick] was a sidebar.”
Just as there are Falcons fans who aren’t ready to look beyond Vick, there are those who believe this team would have done better by drafting someone else. Those folks will soon feel differently. They will see what Dimitroff saw in Ryan, and what the general manager has seen again in the first two days of minicamp.
“He’s quite impressive,” said Dimitroff, watching the first of Sunday’s two sessions. “In his first practice yesterday there was an element of focus and — I don’t want to say comfort exactly — presence. You look at him now, and you see his savvy and his ability. Yesterday he was tapping himself on the helmet if he made a mistake, saying it was his fault.”
For the record, Ryan hasn’t done everything perfectly. No quarterback ever has. But he’s further along than any rookie has a right to be — “I’m a little more comfortable today,” he said Sunday — and he’s conspicuously the best at his position on this roster. The ball leaves his hand with more authority than when Chris Redman or Joey Harrington delivers a pass, and there seems a palpable sense of purpose when Ryan takes even the third string in and out of a huddle.
“I’ve been really pleased,” said Mike Mularkey, the offensive coordinator. “He’s got more on his plate than most players do; he’s taking a play from me and executing it with all the mechanisms. He can only get better, but does he need to get a whole lot better? No. … He’s not turning around and asking, ‘What was the play?’ He’s got the right answers about everything, and he’s got the right questions, which is even more important.”
We keep hearing about first-round quarterback duds — Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, David Carr, even Harrington — but what we need to ask is: Did any of those possess the same set of tangibles (size and arm strength) and intangibles (football intelligence and leadership capability) as Matt Ryan? The answer is no. He might not win a Super Bowl, but he will not be a flop. He will not allow himself to be a flop.
Mularkey again: “I see him fixing things. I’m usually in the back [during practice] fixing things, but I can’t be there during games. I’ve told him, ‘You’ve got to get the team to follow you.’ “
He did it Boston College, and he’ll do it here. Here’s head coach Mike Smith, recalling Ryan’s predraft workout in Boston: “There were five guys working out with him, and you could feel the energy when he walked into the room. ‘Hey, Matty Ice!’ Seeing the respect he commanded was the thing that struck me the most.”
Some guys just have ‘It,’ however we define that tiny but mighty word. Matt Ryan is among the few. He’ll be starting before the year’s out, and he’ll be winning soon enough. And we don’t need to concern ourselves about what could or should happen when No. 7 gets out of prison. The Falcons have their quarterback, and he wears No. 2.
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By Fred Flintstone
May 11, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
That is harsh, but I totally agree.
By smh
May 11, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Nice to see Larry the racist comments get posted. I really wish the AJC would get a mod who would remove such crap. As soon as Matt Ryan starts to look like another David Carr or Joey Harrington because the o line sucks and he really isn’t that good then we will hear a different tune from guys like Bradley. Ryan was an average qb in a weak confrence. The Falcons still have no o line, the d is probably worse than last year and it stunk last year, one solid wr. no tight end, and a back up rb who might not be that good without that great o line he had in San Diego. When the Falcons struggle to win 4 games this year I wonder if Bradley will flip flop like he has in the past.
By wtf
May 11, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Bradley are you serious? The one big knock against Ryan was his lack of arm strength. So now all of a sudden he has arm strength?. They guy is another Joey Harrington in the waiting. He will get beat up because the offensive line is terrible. He threw a bunch of interceptions last year in a weak ACC. What do you think will happen in the NFL with faster defenders and his lack of arm strength to fit the ball in tough spaces. This team wont be any better than last year. If anything drafting Ryan only makes the Vick siutation worse. If Ryan struggles like im sure he will and Vick gets out of prison and is cleared to play, people will want him back because they will be sick of the losing. They should have taken Dorsey but hey i’ll check back after around 8 games and see if you are as positive as you are now.
By Bo
May 11, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
First Happy Mothers Day to all the Ladies! Mark great job again my man. Looking forward to *”The RYAN Express” *and the Falcons under new management moving up in The league. I believe we’re finally on the right track. God Bless the USA and support our troops.
By Fred Flintstone
May 11, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
It will be nice to have a QB that isn’t on every other episode of Cops. Last thing I heard is that his prison football team had moved him to another position because he couldn’t complete a foward pass. But I’m sure it’s just dropped passes, bad line play and poor play calling. With Vick, it always is. Don’t drop the soap Mike.
By tzone
May 11, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
smh,
Larry’s comments are not racist, they are bigoted. He is showing an intolerence for others not a belief of racial superiorority.
By Bk Hawk
May 11, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
wtf, whendidyoubecomesosmart. You’ve got it wtf. Can’t get nothing past you.
By some sense
May 11, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Check out the “vote” for “What qb is best prepared to lead this team?” Answers are Shock and Ryan. Fan base is clearly drawn along racial lines…both sides must be courted to fill Ga Dome. Guys in Vick jersies and fat white chicks in gym shorts, plenty of both but each largely represents the minority as far as a percentage of 70K people. You can find all the trash you want if you look hard enough in and around the ATL. Boley aside, Falcon football won’t be a trashy operation.
By JOHN HATFIELD
May 11, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
{wtf} you dont know what your talkin about i watched him on the college all-star challege he had the 2nd strongest arm there behind Flacko,Flacko threw it 77 yards in the air Ryan threw it 72 everyone else was in the 60s.Hate on somthing you know about!!
By JOHN HATFIELD
May 11, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
{wtf} you dont know what your talkin about i watched him on the college all-star challege he had the 2nd strongest arm there behind Flacko,Flacko threw it 77 yards in the air Ryan threw it 72 everyone else was in the 60s.Hate on somthing you know about!!
By Greg
May 11, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
I’m dubious, but even if I accept what you say here about Ryan, let’s not forget the positives of the alternative pick. We didn’t just get Ryan; we gave up Dorsey. Just adding Dorsey would have made the defense respectable at least and formidable at best. I’ll not repeat all that’s been said about our controversial pick, but to reach a balanced conclusion let’s just keep our eyes focused on two players this year, and see how they both do.
By Robert
May 11, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Bo- The Ryan Express sounds good
By MJM
May 11, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Maybe now with Matt Rayan we’ll see leprechauns with bagpipes trolling the hallways of the dome.
By Bk Hawk
May 11, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Greg, both players will be outstanding players but to judge fair it will take maybe 5 years. But I do see your point. Maybe before the season starts the Falcons will take care of defense problem. I hope.
By Dylan
May 11, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
the comments by larry werent racist because he carefully avoided saying what he was really thinking which is black people who support vick as opposed to white people that will suppossedly support Ryan its obvious to me when he siad vick supporters he was referring to black people. Speaking as a white person that is tired of this stupid fight between black and white I am in favor of a dress code forcing the entire city to wear berkas so that noone can tell who it is that cut them off in traffic or is walking the streets and noone would be afraid of each other anymore they would just do the right thing and treat everyone as a human.
By Nolan
May 11, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Arm strength is like a 40-yard dash time. You don’t have to be 4.30 to be a great running back or corner back. Everyone who knows anything about this draft (and football in general) would tell you that Ryan has good arm strength, but not a cannon like … who?
Michael Vick.
Yeah Vick had a gun. And he couldn’t complete a 10 yard pass because he didn’t know how to put touch on it.
Ryan has more than enough arm strength for the NFL. It’s not Jamarcus Russell like, but we’ll see whos the better quarterback in 5 years.
Russell will be the second coming of Daunte Culpepper and Ryan will be along the lines of Carson Palmer/Matt Hasselbeck.
By bmont
May 11, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
all the ryan haters need to chill out. i was and am a little skeptical about picking him, but he’ll be good. certainly an upgrade at qb, which is obviously the most important position on the team. the o line will be better, and with norwood/turner backfield, that will also help the qb. i say start him game 1 and run the ball and stick to short, conservative passes. open up the playbook later in the year for him.
By kj
May 11, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
hey Gen Lee will the wife beaters be there to support Boley?
By kj
May 11, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
Looking forward to seeing what this kid ryan has under the hood. right now everyone should look decent. From my understanding these are non contact drills. Let’s get him in on some preseason action against some flying bodies and lets take it from there. One clear thing is for sure though. With redman predicted to be the starter and harrington brought back to prop him up things dont look good for ol’ DJ. Anyways, Let’s get it on I say
By MV7 FOREVER
May 11, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
VICK IS DA MAN !!!!!!!!!
U HATERS WILL REGRET THE DAY YOU TRIED TO GET RID OF MV7 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Reggie
May 11, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
It is very unfortnate that very first post is racist and bigoted but we know where we are. Larry your folks in Bama miss you.
By Keepin' It Real
May 11, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
JUST AN FYI:
“Larry” NEVER mentioned anyone’s race in his commentary.
ONLY those who responded to him did.
Those who responded with their prejudice-filled comments are the ones who showed racism, not “Larry.”
By long time falcon
May 11, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Geez bradley, after one day of minicamp you’re able to label Matt Ryan a star? I will wait until I watch him in the real games before drawing such ridiculous premature conclusions. The real truth is we don’t know if he is tim couch, tom brady, or someone in between. The falcons are still the falcons until they prove otherwise. So excuse me for being a little skeptical and not jumping up and down until I see the dude win some real games.
By Gen Lee
May 11, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
Hey kj…we like Boley a lot but he didn’t actually get drunk and strike his wife. In other words “he aint no Bobby Cox or nuthin.”
By kj
May 11, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
when did football become so balck and white…these guys wear a red and black uniform with a falcon on the helment…i’m pulling for a team not a skin color…like it or not what happened to mike vick was his own fault not a white mans or a black mans but his own fault…i was a huge vick supporter but like it or not he’s gone so it’s time to move foward and either support the new group of guys (regardless of skin color) or move on and support someone else….yes the falcons will be bad this year but the new management clearly has a direction that they are going and that is something you can’t say about the past management in flowery branch… for the dorsey/ryan haters and supporters just chill neither man has taken a snap in the NFL and both have flaws…..ryan’s arm strengthis just above average but he is one hell of a leader and dorsey couldn’t stay healthy for a full season against college athletes but when healthy he was an absolute beast (but watch the national championship game Dorsey got pushed all over the field by Kirk Barton a 7th round draft pick) so lets lay off all the hating and see what happens….truth be told this draft class will be judged 3-5 years down the road not in 2009…..the flacons have MANY holes to fill niether dorsey or ryan were gonna make the falcons instant winners….the falcons need DB’s, Linebackers, D-linemen, O-linemen, receivers, etc….one position at a time….they will be bad but better and I for one am going to support them regardless so all you fair weather fans go ahead follow D Hall to oakland cuz it’s not gonna be much better there… GO FALCONS!!!
By kj
May 11, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Gen Lee….Bobby is an a* and so is Boley…
So he was sober….Hmmmmm guess that makes it better….LOL
And yes Boley is a beast on the field, I love his game….I was just making reference to you ingnorant “wife beaters” comment
By Pat
May 11, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Mark, I seldom read you but I was curious about the rookie QB. I would like to see the kid do well. Let’s give him the time that he will need to prepare to do the best job he can. Hype and I travel in different circles. This is pro football. Coach Smith seems to be what we’ve missed since Coach Reeves. I was sorry to see what Michael Vick did to himself. Such a tremendous talent. But never the patience to let a play develop in front of him as is required in the pro game. Must have been hard for his receivers to run those second and third option paterns and rarely be looked for. The word team cannot be understated in football at any level and that is all I will say about the misuse of talent constantly exhibited by the recently departed CB, Mr. Hall. Did you ever read those ridiculously funny quotes of his Fans? So to me the teams standard bar has been raised a notch or two and this fan looks forward that translate to the field of play. The same field that Nobis, Tuggle, Kenn, Alfred Jenkins, Roland Lawrence, Van Note, and Andrews played on.
By Lynne
May 11, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Congrats Blank, in your attempt to “turn the page”, you got stuck on it. Mike Vick has been magnified to the tenth power. Notice how these folks can’t stop commenting about him? The AJC is completely fixated on Vick, not one article fails to mention him…and not one forum or blog fails to do the same. He is still the most popular Falcon… and its beyong metaphorical Ryan is wearing #2. Folks like Larry have proven this to be true…they can’t help themselves, he couldn’t wait to mention Vick……Ryan will never know that kind of fanaticism.
By doobird
May 11, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Do you really think anyone would post or read these blogs if it didn’t have the “black versus white” arguments???? NO!!! Which is “superior” as an athlete? Who has the most “intelligence”? Even the publishers play off these lines! Get a life and just quit the arguing.
By Golden Eagle
May 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
For me, it is imperative to see determination from a potential quarterback in the NFL. If all of the affirmative statements about Ryan are correct, Ryan’s success will most likely be attributed to his desire to win. Since winning two consecutive seasons has eluded the franchise for decades, it is imperative for Ryan’s determination to be matched with players with the same mindset. Of course, the fan-base must be a little more patient as the process drafting these types of individuals is constructedBy Lynne
May 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
So Pat, By that last line, you’re saying its great to be back to less than mediocre? Its great to be back to blacked out games and half empty stadiums? Oh…..I guess to some, retro 80s is cool.
By Steve
May 11, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
I want to say first that I love Michael Vick. I would have preferred a trade down to get Sedrick Ellis or McKelvin and pick up some more picks. That said, Matt Ryan is a Falcon now, and he was the best QB in the draft. He won’t make us any better than Redman THIS YEAR, but with Vick’s status uncertain it makes a lot of sense to get a young guy in that should be better than Redman beyond that.
Ryan seems to have little downside. I cant see him flaming out like Harrington or Carr, maybe his downside is a solid starter, Brad Johnson type. That’s not so bad. However, the best thing the Falcons can do is let Redman play this year. Quietly move Ryan from #3 to #2 over Shockley midseason, when he’ll be definitely prepared to come in if Redman gets hurt. If we’re out of playoff contention, let Matt start 3 or 4 games at the end of the year. If not, keep rolling Redman out, as he’s obviously done something right. I’d love to see a Kitna/Palmer situation develop.
By phil
May 11, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Larry! You are the man for speaking the truth! Now I can take my kids back to falcons games again! SMH sounds like the racist to me- sounds like he and # 1 racist terrance moore want Mike Vick back back so bad that they are wishing bad things on Matt Ryan. Hey-the days of Vick are gone! Welcome to Atlanta, Matt Ryan!
By The_Future
May 11, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Vick this, Ryan that, blah blah blah.
Some of you have your priorities all wrong. I don’t care if Hitler is the best qb on our roster. He he can win games, START HIM!
I want to see a super bowl parade down Peachtree before I die dmnit and I don’t give a flying fck who wins it for me.
By falcondawg
May 11, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Hey gen lee….
I didn’t have two hours to spare to read your post…..how did you find time to write it? Brevity is the soul of wit, and works well on blogs….. Face it losers, Vick is gone forever…welcome to MATTLANTA!
By Fred
May 11, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Ignoring all the racist ignorance from both sides:
I kind of agree with the person who said that Ryan was a weak QB from a weak conference. But then I thought the same about Vick. Heck, he only played 1 maybe 2 real games in his college career. But Vick turned out to be a great QB and maybe Ryan will as well. Who knows HOW good a QB Vick would have been had he been given a receiver who could catch the damn ball instead of drop everything. Maybe Ryan will be the same.
Hopefully the Falcons will bring Ryan along slowly until they have time to get an offensive line that actually is named “offensive” because they play on offense, not because their play is OFFENSIVE to football fans.
By #2 Always
May 11, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Curious George, If you’re a fan, you would know because you would have been there……LOL….as suspected…you and “your kind” aren’t buying tickets and merchandise and running out to minicamps…and the real funny part is that Blank will soon see that and go to Plan C.
By Gen Lee
May 11, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Hey falcondawg Obviously brevity can also be totally witless….LOLOL
By JohnGTFan
May 11, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
football isn’t “black and white”…morons in ATL are obsessed with “black and white”. Not all of MV7’s die hard fans are black…and not all of MV7’s haters are white…but try and explain that to the idiots on here…IMPOSSIBLE. If most of you were true Falcons fans, you would stand behind the “team”…like 98 % of the NFL cities do. It’s embarassing telling people where I’m from, but never about who my favorite teams are. I get asked a lot here in DC what it’s like being a fan of Atlanta sports…people outside of ATL just don’t understand.
By SlaveTrader Joe's
May 11, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
First of all, I just want to say my wife are big Falcons fans and are NOT racists at all. We cannot stand people who dismiss other human being just for superficial reasons.
We love everybody here in Atlanta who likes the Falcons, especially all you nice coons, just like you were OUR OWN!
By Matt Ryan
May 11, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Hi guys. I really want to thank all of the fans who are supporting me because im nothing like Michael Vick instead of focusing on how average of a qb I am. I mean I only threw 19 interceptions in the ACC. I don’t have the strongest arm. Most times my wr’s have to wait for the ball to get to them when I throw deep. Im not very mobile so with the offensive line I have in Atlanta I might need more life insurance. I know guys are comparing me to Joey Harrington but hey whats wrong with that. We are nice all american drop back qb’s who have always been overrated. Hopefully some fans will not turn on me when I truly do turn out to be less than stellar but hey at least you can say im not Michael Vick.. Larry I sent you an autographed jock strap since you seem to be my biggest fan…
Love Always, MattyBy DJ
May 11, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks Bradley,
You just set this kid up for failure with those over the top observations. Ryan is a nice pick but he hasn’t completed one pass yet, he hasn’t been hit by a blitzing linebacker yet, he has yet to see any live bullets . I personally don’t expect much success, this city is cursed by poor decision making. Even going as far as to make personeel decisions that appear racial and often not in the best interest of the football team. Example: You often said that DeAngelo Hall was toxic and was a problem in the locker room.I’ve never heard a coach or teammate ever say that about him, the guy never got a speeding ticket in Atlanta but we ran him outta here like he had the plague. Let’s see the same clowns are in charge and the previous major decisions they made were hiring Jim Mora - he turned out to be too immature to be a head coach, Then hiring Bobby Petrino a “psychopath” who didn’t have the class to even face the team he gave up on before the season ended. Why should we expect anything different? .What a big cruel joke!!!!
By j c
May 11, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Calling Matt Ryan an average QB is a farce.
The racial divide in the ATL seems to be alive and well. One thing that I noticed in trips to ATL was how many blacks and whites live in neigborhoods, nice neigborhoods, together. Here in the Northeast, our world is much more segragated. Matbe Larry is more comfortable with no diversity in his world…..too bad that world of his doesn’t like the NFL. Check the demographics and you will see that middle and lower middle class whites are a small percentage of the NFL fan base.
Matt Ryan should be good. Vick was a 2 nd year pro bowler with a wealth of skills. He will be missed regardless of what he did off the fiield. Ryan is a winner and will help Atlanta win…..that is what he does. Type his name in YouTube and watch Clemson and VT on the road winse, then watch Wake Forest when they won the ACC. He was not an image pick, that is the media needing to put every move by a team in a tdy column. He is the guy that can help the most and arguable for the longest period of time……have faith. ANd forget Larry!
By ATLslimG
May 11, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
WOW….it’s early but intense. If our team had a mix of and played like our fans blog we’d win the Super Bowl. Anyway, can’t do anything but give it a chance. Arthur, risky move hiring an unproven GM & Head coach when needing to sell tickets. Reduced my tickets by half this year even though the birds slashed prices over 25%. STOP F>>>>>>> HATING PEOPLE
By falcondawg
May 11, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Here’s a novel concept you racist idiots….how about rooting for the TEAM instead of individual players?? I loved Vick and his game when he was here, but I am not buying tickets to Leavenworth to watch him play…..I am a FALCONS fan, and since the new mgt belives Ryan is the future, I’m on board…all you Vick-lovers who only want Vick and nothing else get out of my Dome and give us better seating…..
By PANTHA MAN
May 11, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
ARTHUR BLANK!! IF YOU WANT US TO KEEP BUYING YOUR SORRY TICKETS YOU BEST GET US ANOTHER QUARTERBACK IN HERE THAT LOOK LIKE US UNTIL VICK COME BACK!! BLANK YOU WILL GO BROKE WITHOUT US AND VICK!!
By falcondawg
May 11, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Just what I am talking about panthaman….. we don’t want you in the Dome anyways….take your Vick-lovin’ a$$ to another stadium…
GO FALCONS
By sandman
May 11, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
yea,the issue is black and white.If the Falcons win then PEOPLE will buy tickets and if they don’t PEOPLE wont.The excitement for a winning home team is color blind.The Hawks just got through proving it.
By Connie/BravesFan
May 11, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
ok genlee………….this WHITE woman is so happy w/ the pick of the white Matt Ryan. Hell, I am VT Hokies fan and I so glad the Falcons picked him. Poor genlee he is upset! Damn his ‘peeps’ are on the line. Geeezzzzz. Only white people can vent on blogs. White people can’t say ‘sh*&’ in the real world. Dang, we be racist, right GenLee????? Ok, now…………GO FALCONS!
By Rod
May 11, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
DJ and Ryan can have success in a duel QB system. DJ can take pressure off ryan in the redzone with his mobility.
By nahjay davnpooh
May 11, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
the thing is…when the dome was selling out during the vick area…no one really wants the dome filled with that trash. lets fill the dome the right way! to do that, you start with someone like matt ryan, not dorsey! duh!
By falcondawg
May 11, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
How do you know I am white, third reich?? Real mature to make a comparison between the Holocaust and a debate over supporting a team….yeah, I see…if you support Vick then you are like MLK, and if you do not, you are like Hitler…..
Like I said….support the team, not players, and if you want to root for Vick this year, I will get you directions to Leavenworth…..
By Navigator
May 11, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Ryan can wait, because I have a great idea for the AFL (Arena Football League). MVick could be the catalyst that raises the interest in that league. His style of play would be perfect, and I’ll guarantee the crowds will swarm to either cheer or boo him, but they’ll show up. This could be the greatest thing that ever happen to that league, plus the NFL doesn’t control when he could play. Dang I’m getting giddy just thinking about the possibilities.
By DJ? no hope in ATL
May 11, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
atl falcons never had winning season back 2 back in the franchise history (40yrs).so all u dirty birds fan have until september to find a team. quit whining an found a dang team to cheer on. i feel SORRY for you people. got a idea ,sell the football team,them you people will have nothing to stress about during the football season. first bid starts a 16.00 a dollar for every lost this season.
By dark knight
May 11, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Can’t we all just get along?
By Bowdler for 3
May 11, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Real nice sports debate you guys have going on over here…
By Falcon Fan
May 11, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Your whole column is just stupid. Bradley ought to serve time for writing stupid articles. You are a stupid writer who don’t deserve nobodys time.
By Dee
May 11, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Fact of the matter is that Vick wasn’t accepted by the majority of white people because he didn’t fit into their mold of qb. (Pocket Passers? Blond hair, blue eyes). Plain and simple, if you’re an athletic qb and you’re black, but your OL, WR’s, etc suck…they say you’re inaccurate. Look at the excuses made for Ryans interceptions (He didn’t have talent, His line, and his WR’s couldn’t separate). Now those same issues plagued Vick, but why didn’t he get to use that? Simple.
And Good Ol’ Boy bigots like Larry and Connie and anybody else like them can come out now. Its’ safe. Shouldn’t be as many of “those” people there to scare you. Until you make a wrong turn down Bankhead.
By Pat
May 11, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
I was talking about football Lynne, And the men that play and coach it. And I’ll give you another name from the past. Ray Easterling who palyed the safety position for the Falcons. Ray only played so well that other teams coaches would show him on tape to safeties on their squad. To show how it is done. Football has been around along time. You may be new to the sport. Many men have played the game. And win or lose. They played only one way. Or they were playing it worng. Those men that I named played it right. They have nothing to be ashamed of. Win or lose. Got it?
By VennieVega
May 11, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
I’m going to say this. I’m in the military and I’ve been a Falcons fan every since I was a little boy. I was born and raised in Atlanta my whole life. I don’t care who is the quarterback for the Falcons. He can be black, white, red, green, or even purple. I just want a football team that can win. The thing with Vick he’s not here anymore. The Falcons management selected Matt Ryan. So he’s our quarterback for the future. I’m just so upset with racist comments people are making. This blog suppose to be about football not race. Larry I feel sorry for you. I’m serving my country for someone like you. HA HA.
By VennieVega
May 11, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I’m going to say this. I’m in the military and I’ve been a Falcons fan every since I was a little boy. I was born and raised in Atlanta my whole life. I don’t care who is the quarterback for the Falcons. He can be black, white, red, green, or even purple. I just want a football team that can win. The thing with Vick he’s not here anymore. The Falcons management selected Matt Ryan. So he’s our quarterback for the future. I’m just so upset with racist comments people are making. This blog suppose to be about football not race. Larry I feel sorry for you. I’m serving my country for someone like you. HA HA.
By VennieVega
May 11, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I’m going to say this. I’m in the military and I’ve been a Falcons fan every since I was a little boy. I was born and raised in Atlanta my whole life. I don’t care who is the quarterback for the Falcons. He can be black, white, red, green, or even purple. I just want a football team that can win. The thing with Vick he’s not here anymore. The Falcons management selected Matt Ryan. So he’s our quarterback for the future. I’m just so upset with racist comments people are making. This blog suppose to be about football not race. Larry I feel sorry for you. I’m serving my country for someone like you. HA HA.
By VennieVega
May 11, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
I’m going to say this. I’m in the military and I’ve been a Falcons fan every since I was a little boy. I was born and raised in Atlanta my whole life. I don’t care who is the quarterback for the Falcons. He can be black, white, red, green, or even purple. I just want a football team that can win. The thing with Vick is he’s not here anymore. The Falcons management selected Matt Ryan. So he’s our quarterback for the future. I’m just so upset with racist comments people are making. This blog suppose to be about football not race. Larry I feel sorry for you. I’m serving my country for someone like you. HA HA.
By Expert
May 11, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
The Vick situation must go away. It is time to get over it. Matt Ryan is now the new book which promises better days.
By Falcon Freddie
May 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Bradley is just doing his job. He has to prop up Ryan to sell tickets. Even the Titanic had travel agents. Anyone with half a brain knows that if Ryan is “lucky” enough to play behind the Offensive Line of the Falcons his season will be just like Jerry Glanville said…”NFL stands for Not For Long”. Were you guys not watching the beating that Joey took last year. It got pretty ugly. I see a much weaker Atlanta team on both sides of the ball, holding the clipboards and in the VIP booth. Anybody thinking of better than a 4-12 or 5-11 season is just dreaming. Unfortunately I didn’t watch or follow Mr. Ryan in college. I generally watch Division I NCAA Football and not ACC games. So I can’t comment on his arm strength. Worrying about arm strength is pointless anyway, because playing behind the Falcon’s offensive line will take FOOT SPEED and a guy wearing a knee brace doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I didn’t intend for this post to offend any racial group, political or religious organizations. Also, it’s probably not a good thing to compare the Titanic to the Atlanta Falcons …after all there were survivors from the Titanic. By the end of this year, I don’t think there will be anyone left in the GA Dome. Instead of giving us an extra draft pick, the league should waive the television “Black-out” rule for ATL.
By hop
May 11, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
matt ryan is a solid pick who happens to be a high character guy with the intelligence to play the qb position.
one does not know when or if vick will never play againin the nfl.
it is sad what happen to him,but he made very poor decisions that forced the falcons to close the book on him amd draft another qb.
it is not the falcons fault,but mike vick, if he had not committed the crimes he did, matt ryan would not be the falcon qb today and the falcons would not be drafting a qb this year.
falcons fans both black and white need to move on and pull together for all falcon players whether they are black or white.
By Paul from Milton
May 11, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
People keep warning me that I will regret not having Vick at QB. I’m still waiting to start that regret. I loved watching him play but it became apparent that he was not the QB to lead this team to a Super Bowl and that he was not going to get any better. Take away his running ability and he was Jeff George - big arm, bad timing, poor accuracy and no touch.
By GaTech Rocks
May 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
So many comments on here from all sides are just plain stupid. Now, as far as Matt Ryan, why don’t all of you idiotic people give him a chance. He hasn’t even played one down yet.
Idiots
By GaTech Rocks
May 11, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
So many comments on here from all sides are just plain stupid. Now, as far as Matt Ryan, why don’t all of you idiotic people give him a chance. He hasn’t even played one down yet.
Idiots
By VennieVega
May 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Hey nahgay my fought I meant nahjay. Your just the racist person I thought you were. Everyday I serve my country for ignorant never been out Georgia people. Your still saying you people of color. Last time I checked some of the most talented athletes in the world are those of color. If both of us were in the same elevator I bet you wouldn’t say what your saying. Vick was a so so quarterback. He made great plays and bad plays. He was what the city and team needed that’s to get back to enjoying Atlanta Falcons football. I have all my trust in Matt Ryan. I trust the decision of the management. They’ve scouted and interviewed him. For all the people thinking were going somewhere this year think again. Were a rebuilding team so we’ll problay going to win about 4 to 5 games. I say in 3 years we should be back in the playoffs. I trust Dimitroff and the coaching staff. Go Falcons
By Mark Bradley
May 11, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
I guess I should have gotten over being disappointed by the inevitable tone of these discussions, but I haven’t yet and probably never will.
By Where is a Moderator?
May 11, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
AJC GET A MODERATOR!!! RACISM!! VULGAR COMMENTS ALL OVER THIS BOARD. A DISGRACE FOR ATL!!!
By mike
May 11, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Okay, Vick ran “himself” out of Atlanta. It wasn’t racist. He had too many buddies that supported a convicted felon. I hated to see Alge cut, but he’s past his prime. Warrick too, but he never lifted a shirt or had eye liner supporting Vick. Matt Tryan is the next Steve BArtkowski. This team will win up to 9 but probably 7 games this year because our home schedule has one team with a winning record, Tampa Bay. It’s also because our division is so weak. I like having Baker at tackle and Blalock at gaurd. Michael Turner will have a 1k yards this year too. Mark my words: 1k yards! D is good, but gimme Grady back! As for the UGA supporters constantly running their mouths about your fantasy worlf of being no. 1, 1980 occurred 28 “years” ago
By peace
May 11, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
There is a seething cauldron of boiling hatred just under the surface out there. Its going to explode one day. Heaven help us all.
By Hawker
May 11, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Larry the truth hurts the gulity party but it needs to be told. Keep holding’em up to the light. Falcons will be light yrs improved with the new QB. Finally got somebody who throws the ball accurately and not looking to be a running back.
By Micah
May 11, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
For those that don’t think Larry’s comment were racist you are in denial. He was referring to black people throughout the whole comment. It’s sad that people are trying to playdown the comment like it’s nothing, but I’m going to use my “2 digit IQ” that has gotten me a degree in mathematics and a MSBA (oh larry that means Master’s of Science in Business Administration) and talk about our team with. From other fans who went to training camp I have heard mixed reviews. All I know is regardless of how poorly he does or how well he does he’s the next QB. I don’t like it but I hope he’s so good that he does start, because I honestly believe that right now he’s not our best QB on the roster. I think Ryan is a decent QB but in noways a huge upgrade over what we have or had.
By Ross
May 11, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
I was running the numbers in my mind, who are the best QBs to wear a given number - some were obvious (4, Favre - 16, Montana - 19, Unitas) some were tossups (11, Van Brocklin, White - 12, Bradshaw, Namath, Stabler) some I had forgotten (8, Aikman). But I could think of no one other than Flutie who wore number 2. And then I had the very pleasant thought of running this down again in 15 years, and seeing “Ryan” at the top of the list of 2s. Yeah, nice. Ryan. He’s a born winner, and it was obvious from the beginning. Something about Pennsylvania and QBs just works.
-drl