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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > November > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan playing like no rookie before him
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a moment in a game that was slipping away, and if this game slips away then maybe this improbably sunny season does, too. Third-and-10 at the Atlanta 45-yard line, Carolina having closed within 17-13, and here the Falcons looked at their rookie quarterback and said, “Make a play.”
The play as designed fizzled on the launch site. The pocket collapsed and the rookie was forced to scramble to his left, away from his first read, and now he had a choice: He could keep running and come up short of the vital first down, or …
Running left, he threw to his right. Michael Jenkins caught the ball and skittered for 19 precious yards, and five snaps later the Falcons had an 11-point lead. And right about here the realization struck:
In Matt Ryan, we are watching the greatest rookie quarterback ever.
Tom Brady threw three passes his rookie season; Brett Favre threw four. Bart Starr and Joe Montana each started one game as rookies. Troy Aikman had to be benched midway through, having gone 0-11 as a starter. Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions his first season. John Elway completed 47.5 percent of his rookie passes, Terry Bradshaw 38.1 percent.
Joe Namath was 3-5-1 as a lavishly salaried — he was making $400,000 — rookie. Fran Tarkenton was 2-8 as a first-year starter; Johnny Unitas was 4-3, Bob Griese 3-7. Ben Roethlisberger was 13-0 as a rookie quarterback on a loaded Pittsburgh team but didn’t start until Week 3. Sammy Baugh made All-Pro as a rookie but threw six more interceptions than touchdown passes. Bob Waterfield was league MVP as a rookie but started only four games. (Doubtless he got bonus points for being married to Jane Russell.)
Dan Marino is considered the gold standard of rookie quarterbacks, but his first start only came in Week 6, and he joined a team that had reached the Super Bowl the previous season. And now we consider Matt Ryan, who has started from Day 1 for a dilapidated team the Sporting News pegged to finish 1-15, who stands now as the chief reason the refurbished Falcons are 7-4.
He completed 17-of-27 passes for 259 yards against Carolina Sunday. He completed nine of his first 11 passes in staking the Falcons to a 17-0 lead. Said Roddy White, who ran under a 30-yard rainbow off a Ryan pump-and-go on the second snap Sunday: “Sometimes you luck up and get the guy. We got the guy.”
Eleven games in, the Falcons have stopped waiting for Ryan to have a Rookie Moment. “He hasn’t given me a reason to [expect one],” said Mike Mularkey, the offensive coordinator. And then, asked if Ryan has already absorbed the entire playbook and thereby given the Falcons license to call anything at any time, Mularkey said, “Yes.”
We saw it again Sunday, same as we’ve seen it since August. We saw it in the fourth quarter, the Panthers having drawn within a field goal again, the Falcons facing third-and-11 at their 25 with eight minutes left. We saw Ryan drop back and step forward into a big rush and loft the ball down the right side for Douglas to snatch, and the 69-yard gain positioned the Falcons to bang home the clincher.
“I threw it on time, actually a little early,” Ryan said. “He had man coverage, and I was hoping he’d roll his hips back toward me. But he was able to put his foot in the ground and stop [and make the catch]. It was a great play by Harry Douglas, not me.”
That’s typical Ryan. Everybody else makes the plays. He just carries out his assignments. But we on the periphery, having watched all along, know better. We know this rookie quarterback has made a difference in a way no other rookie quarterback — not Marino, not Roethlisberger, not anybody — ever has.
• More coverage: Matt Ryan page
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By The Grinch
November 23, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Hear, hear. We are witnessing a new era, and as a long-suffering Falcons fan (who isn’t?) it’s about time. Anyone else still think we should’ve picked Glen Dorsey?
By Jack
November 23, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Yes…awesome. We got “THE GUY” !!
By aswingruber
November 23, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Everyone had their opinion of who we should’ve drafted and how well Ryan would play but NO ONE expected this. After Matty Ice brings this franchise a long awaited Super Bowl championship during a storied career, this season will be looked back on as a defining moment which served notice that the next all-time great QB is here.
By This Gets Old
November 23, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
You know Mark I know that you don’t want to pat yourself on the back but I remember the column you wrote after Tech played B.C. last year.
You wrote that the Falcons should take Ryan. I remember because I saw that game too and thought that he was great.
I didn’t think that he’d play this well for the Falcons maybe ever. Long suffering Falcon fans deserve a guy like this.
By Milton Jeff
November 23, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Much agreed. By far exceeded expectations and I’m glad our team is back on track. Let’s keep it up and go win at San Diego. Now all were missing is a key secondary player.
By BCS Slave
November 23, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Great read Mark!
It was clear that Ryan had the head and the tools to be something special.However, I never dreamed the season would go like this…never dreamed a playoff berth would be in reach. If Ryan played like a rookie, we wouldn’t be where we are. This has been a mystical magic carpet ride. It has been fun.
The whole organization is to be commended for good choices and the team for playing with heart.
By michaelgee
November 23, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
If getting Matt Ryan is our reward for all the years of pain, it was a great deal!
By Singletary
November 23, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Yes, Grinch. I was a Dorsey whinger, stomping off in disgust such that I missed the Sam Baker pick. (My spouse STILL yells “Go Dorsey” every time Ryan makes a good play.) I’ve owned up.
Now, can I please be a good little Falcons fan … and enjoy these freakin’ moments?
Can I give a good dap to Harry Douglas? Lofton is my password on my work computer now. Chevis is next.
Wow. Now this is what I like about Falcons football!
By tyrone h
November 23, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
we have ourselves a real quarterback who was born to play this position
By w. hughes
November 23, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Hard to find any weaknesses in today’s big win over Carolina with the exception that Roddy White needs more concentration on holding on to the ball after receptions. Overall, the Falcons deserve an ‘A’ for their performance today.
By Gray Mule
November 23, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
It ain’t just Ryan! He’s great, but this is a Falcon TEAM!!
Ain’t this great! Our 1-15 team is still in the playoff hunt this late in the season. Worst to first, an NFL South tradition, is still within reach. Gray Mule
By Tami
November 23, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Agree with The Grinch @ 10:06 & michaelgee @ 10:19. I’ve been following Falcons’ football (on & off) for 30 years now. I’ve always wondered why the Falcons couldn’t get the big-play QB like everybody else (or so it seemed, anyway). At last!!! After 40 years in existence, the time has finally come. Ryan has already surpassed everyone’s expectations, even the most optimistic. I just hope the millions he’ll continue to command for his expertise don’t spoil him. So far, so good! I love that the latest accolades he’s receiving come on the heels of a major beatdown of a division rival!
By John
November 23, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Still don’t understand why everyone is surprised about Ryan. Great leader, extremely intelligent, strong arm, moves well in the pocket, moves well side to side, throws very well on the run and is very, very accurate. If you read what the 11 head coaches said about him after his workout at BC, you knew he was a can’t miss QB. Gruden said it was the most impressive workout he saw in all his years in the NFL. This kid is humble, sincere and a winner.
He is and will be a top QB in this league for a long, long time and oh by the way, he’ll make this city proud on and of the field. I saw BC beat up on Florida State last week and there are two defensive kids I’d love to see join the Falcons, their defensive tackle Raji and linebacker Herzlich both are as good as I’ve seen this year.
By billcanoe
November 23, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Great column, Mark. The hallmarks of greatness for any quarterback are not making mistakes, executing with the game on the line and winning. I think Matt Ryan is qualifying on all three counts. May he long remain healthy and with the Falcons!
By John
November 23, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Still don’t understand why everyone is surprised about Ryan. Great leader, extremely intelligent, strong arm, moves well in the pocket, moves well side to side, throws very well on the run and is very, very accurate. If you read what the 11 head coaches said about him after his workout at BC, you knew he was a can’t miss QB. Gruden said it was the most impressive workout he saw in all his years in the NFL. This kid is humble, sincere and a winner.
He is and will be a top QB in this league for a long, long time and oh by the way, he’ll make this city proud on and of the field. I saw BC beat up on Florida State last week and there are two defensive kids I’d love to see join the Falcons, their defensive tackle Raji and linebacker Herzlich both are as good as I’ve seen this year.
By Bama
November 23, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Great job Mark I remember you saying Falcons should take Ryan. Man, I can’t believe the Falcons!! I believed they were going to win maybe 6-7 but This is GREAT. The Atlanta Falcons have a new GM, Coach and Great Team Players. They will only get better. Thank God!!
By FanATicaL
November 23, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
I hate the comparison of Matt Ryan. With these obvious great QB’s of the past.Not a full and completed season yet.Can we scream about his laurels ?I’m not diminishing his great performance.Just trying to keep it all in context.Lets just make the playoffs first.Win 10 games.But it is nice to think we see the frame work of an dynasty.Bring a superbowl to this great town. Go Falcons
By monty
November 23, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
It’s time for the “We Believe” signs to start fillig the dome!
By mars
November 23, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
I was totally against picking Ryan. I was totally wrong. I am totally sorry. I am also totally happy. By the way, it was the referee who dropped Roddy’s catch. Two feet in bounds, ball under control, when suddenly the ground knocked the ball free. Ref’s this year have made incredibly stupid calls all around the league, and this was no exception.
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Ryan is indeed the real deal. I’ve been attached to this team for the past 30 years, and I’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen the Falcons field a team with MORE promise than the one that we are fortunate enough to witness right now….and that includes teams with Bartkowski, Andrews, and Swann in the backfield. They will hopefully make the playoffs this year, but even if they don’t, we have the sound basis for an awesome team for many years to come. And we have the added bonus of having an “intelligent” guy behind center…..no need to worry about him making boneheaded personal decisions like the last “face of the frachise.”
Just thought I’d throw this in…..I’ve still got my 2 Vick jersey’s in my closet. I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them out in public, but I’ve still got them. Here’s my plan…..I’m hoping that Goodell bans him for life, and then when he’s old and fat and begging for reinstatement….just like Pete Rose…..I figure that I can sell them and at least get the money back that I paid for the now worthless peices of crap. I WAS a Vick fan, but I’ve ALWAYS been a Falcons fan. When Vick screwed my team by not being able to completely leave the hood behind, he became public enemy number one. If you can’t say the same thing, you need to stop reading these blogs and become a dedicated Cowboys fan or something…..because you are definitely not a FALCONS FAN and you are part of the problem….NOT the solution.
Thank God that Arthur hired the new GM and has brought hope, destiny, and TALENT to my beloved team! I admit that I was initially upset over the draft of Ryan over Dorsey, but once the decision was made, I embraced it completely, and the GM and coach now look like geniuses….righfully so. Just think about it. He’s a rookie….a ROOKIE! He’s got the tools and talents that the coaches tried to teach number 7 the entire time that he was here! And Ryan is a rookie! The sky is the limit for this team!
By lex luther
November 23, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
I’ll take all the credit for this season. Yes that’s right, I said I. Because for years I’ve prayed that the FootBall GODS would bless this organization. For the many years we suffered under the Smiths it was bound to happen. Just like the other wonderful blessing bestowed on us, a change was sure to come. Prayer does work!!!!!
By Mike
November 23, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Ryan is having a great year no doubt. Definitely a top ten rookie year….but until a rookie QB leads a team to the Super Bowl…Marino will always be the greatest rookie QB. Marino was brought in 6 games into the season, because the Dolphins had struggled to that point…mainly because of inconsitency at the QB position.
By mars
November 23, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
awesompt, I’m confused. When you say “Swann,” are you refering to Lynn Cain? Can’t recall a Swann in our backfield.
By Recent Reader
November 23, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Well I saw every game the guy played at BC . .as I’ve said before .. this is exactly the same way he played!! I remember reading about all the interceptions and the impending “pick six’s”. They were a factor of the team and receivers …and the need to make throws to stay in the game. You all have exactly what I’d thought you have. Sorry for you all that wanted a potentially “good” pro defensive player. :)
By wright
November 23, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Ryan stayed in college for four years in a pro-style offense, maturing as a man and as a player. He has been very impressive as a player and a leader, but, as others have said, this is a team that plays together and takes care of business. Turner and Norwood, White and Jenkins, Douglas and Lofton, Foxworth and Abraham, this is a team!!!! Whether they make the playoffs or not, this has been a great year for the Falcons organization. Now, get another pass rusher and a tall cornerback during the off season.
By Michael
November 23, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
As a Falcon fan for approx. 33-34 years I am thrilled. And if you think Matt Ryan (the rookie) is good, wait until you see Matt Ryan the (vet)in the years to come. Get ready Falcons fans this the next 10-12 years should be a lot of fun.
By Tron5000
November 23, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
I guess the ‘Jock Supporter’ will have to choose another screen name.
But perhaps I shouldn’t hold my breath. ‘He Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned’ in 09, right?
By BC fan
November 23, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I watched Ryan at BC and I watch him and your Falcons every chance I get because you just don’t get to see someone like him play every day.
There is a small but noticable group of people in sports bars around Boston who are Pats fans… but they’re also cheering for the Falcons.
By shannon
November 23, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
I was a huge Vick fan and i wanted Dorsey but man I’m glad we picked Ryan.. He has showed so much poise and intelligence despite his young age. He is one rookie worth ever penny he has been paid. He didn’t holdout or nothing unlike J. Russell.
By lucy
November 23, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
What I’m enjoying most this season is the attitude of the entire team — they just never give up. In years past, over and over again, I have seen the team give up — to the point that we either just leave the game or turn the TV off. Not this year, not this team! I think Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner,John Abraham, et. etc. …all of the guys are class acts with a winning attitude! I see none of the thug type attitude that has plagued the NFL for the past few years. Way to go Team!
By Best Ever??
November 23, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Best ever?? ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Mars, you are absolute correct! I meant Cain, but my fingers must have gotten a mind of their own. :) I’m well over 40, so I actually got to see some of those acrobatic catches that Lynn Swann made though. Thanks for the corretion!
By Great Falconi
November 23, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
The sad thing about about the Roddy White “incompletion” is that he’d already managed to get three feet inbounds before landing (knee down out of bounds) and having the ball come out when his hands hit the ground. After that one, I thought the refs were going to find a way to screw us today.
(By the way, was I the only one screaming “DON’T DO IT!!!!!” when Mike Smith was holding that challenge flag in his hand on after the two-point conversion attempt by the Panthers? I doubt it.)
Ryan managed the game very well today. Turner ran best when it mattered the most. Harry Douglas certainly deserves a game ball. Chauncey Davis played like a man upfront and should get a game ball of his own.
By Brad
November 23, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
Great column Mark! We are witnessing history here - for the Falcons and the NFL. Thanks for putting it together for us so well.
By congrats to Mr Blank
November 23, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
After getting played and lied to by his QB and his Head Coach - he made some great moves with Mike Smith and his first round draft pick!
Build us a winner AB!
By JoethePlumber
November 23, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
awesompt, did you really need to bring V’s name back? This discussion was great, about Ryan and the great players who are buying into Smith’s plan and you have to ruin it w/ your little jersey plan. Have some class. Stick to the current players and what they are doing. They deserve it and we do too.
By The Truth Hurts
November 23, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
matt ryen is so much better then vick….it so easy to forget about that guy……..Vick was nothing…Ryan is a real team leader and makes vick look like a chump that he is…finally the Falcons have a Quarterback we can count on!!!! thank god vick gave us this opportunity!!!!!!!!!
By Pittjacket
November 23, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Ryan may be having a banner season, but Big Ben’s the standard for young quarterbacks. A Super Bowl and finding ways to win on an off day are what make him special. But if Matt Ryan can lead the Falcons to two consecutive winning seasons (assuming they don’t lose from here on out), he’ll be right behind Roethlisberger.
By brAves Sucios
November 23, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
It’s a great feeling to be able to support all our key players without qualification. With Vick, DeAngelo etc it was always “no seriously, he’d be great IF…” I know a little luck played into all the pieces coming together like they did, but great decisions have been made and EVERY player has stepped up when they needed to, as the improvement in the team’s record without Sam Baker as the season’s progressing has demonstrated. Way to make this football season a good one in Atlanta, Go Birds!
By The Truth Hurts
November 23, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
matt ryen is so much better then vick….it so easy to forget about that guy……..Vick was nothing…Ryan is a real team leader and makes vick look like a chump that he is…finally the Falcons have a Quarterback we can count on!!!! thank god vick gave us this opportunity!!!!!!!!!
By Just Watch
November 23, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
And as soon as Roddy wants a new contract he will be bashed as selfish and arrogant. Then when Wonder Boy has to adjust to a new receiver, it will be Roddy’s fault because he left and got paid with a new team, just watch
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 23, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan has had a much better rookie season than I (or pretty much anyone else) thought he’d have. He deserves his props. But…
Dan Marino went to the Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger went to the AFC Championship Game. Until Ryan can do the same thing, I’d hold off on jumping to conclusions.
And don’t look now, but when all is said and done Ryan may not even end up with the best rookie season of the QBs from this year’s draft class. The Ravens got a very special player with their first round pick too.
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
JoethePlumber, dude…… V is a chapter in the history of our team. That isn’t going to go away just because no one mentions his name. Just like with all things in life, you have to embrace the past in order to fully appreciate the present. If you consider the years with number 7 and then compare that to the this team, these players, these coaches, and the amount of chemistry and class that we are witnessing every Sunday…..how can you NOT be impressed, proud, and grateful? BUT…..you HAVE to consider where we’ve been in order to appreciate where we are AT!
I’m not a number 7 fan…….at all. Like I said, when he screwed my team, he bacame enemy number one.
By So Why the Lay-offs
November 23, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Why is the Blank Foundation (parent company of the Falcons) laying people off?? Shouldn’t the Great One be bringing in the revenue?? Employees let go, cut backs….why is that?? Shouldn’t the Golden Boy be generating his worth??
By Lance
November 23, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
It’s a lot of fun to be a Falcons fan this year. First time I could say that in a while. Ryan is excellent and performing at a leverl far more advanced than most rookies could ever hope for. He is rounded out by a terrific supporting cast also. Harry and Chevis are proving to be a great fit as well. This is a REAL team. Way to go Falcons!
By Exodus Mentality
November 23, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is the very fortunate beneficiary of an excellent coaching staff, and a really great group of players, a real team, around him.
Having said all that…Dude Is Good. Real Good. And I’m one of those who was looking for him to be bad, expecting that a rookie QB was the last thing a rebuilding Falcons team needed. And yet, I have not seen him make the same mistake twice. He has made some mistakes, all quarterbacks do, but not once have I seen him do the same thing wrong twice. Carolina found that out today.
Rookie of the Year? Definitely.
Best Rookie QB of All Time? Five more games to make the case.
By Dennis Borders
November 23, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
I also, was one of those that thought we needed a Glenn Dorsey. I knew MR2 was going to be a good QB. I didn’t see this comming. I wouldn’t take $1.25 for him now. My expections was very low for this season. To me this is the icing on the cake. Even if we don’t make the playoffs we shouldn’t be disappointed. because no one gave us a chance to begin with. My hats off to the coaching staff they are doing a wonderful job with the young players. Keep up the good work coach Smith. GO FALCONS!!!!
By Mike
November 23, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Hey “So why the layoffs”
Reason would be that in Atlanta we can’t fill seats in a dome to support our own home team. P** me off that at every game, there are as many fans for the away team as there are for the Falcons. Maybe real Falcons fans will start buying tickets again and there won’t be so many empty seats.
By Rattlers
November 23, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
ATTENDANCE: 64,841
When the Georgia Dome can get 90% capacity, let me know.
By Mark Bradley
November 23, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Marino went to the Super Bowl — his one and only — in his second season, not his first. The Dolphins lost to Seattle in their first playoff game in Marino’s rookie year.
By Mark Bradley
November 23, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
And I’d grant you that 13-0 as a rookie starter is as impressive as all get-out (as we say in Kentucky), but I’d suggest that the Steelers would have come close to being a playoff team with Tommy Maddox — who began the 2004 season as their No. 1 quarterback — as their starter the whole way. How many games do you think the Falcons would have won without Ryan this year? Two? Four? Five?
By Orlando
November 23, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Najeh Davenpoop
FACT: Marino joined a team that went to the Super Bowl the year before he arrived.
FACT: Roethlisberger had a World Championship Defense and TWO Pro Bowl Running Backs as well as three Pro Bowlers on the offensive line when he came in. Heck Tommy Maddox even led that team to the playoffs, so I can’t give them that much credit.
FACT: Joe Flacco, as good as he has been, has one of the best defenses already around, so all he has to do is not turn the ball over. I’ve seen every Ravens game played this year, and all he has become is a game manager. Ryan has actually won games down the stretch. Until Flacco does the same thing he will not be the Rookie of the Year.
Yes I understand that Matty Ice can’t do it on his own (actually the Falcons have at least 4 Rookies this year who have done great), but he has been the leader that many of those other rookie QBs mentioned didn’t develop in their first seasons.
By Great Falconi
November 23, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
The hosses up front are doing a great job. Not a damn one of us expected the offensive line to play like this. The only people that expected this kind of effort from the offensive line are the people that matter the most: the coaches and the players. That’s why this Falcons team is playing so well. They expect success. Failure is not an option. When failure does occur, the staff and players do all they can to prevent it from happening again in the next game. That’s all a fan can ask from a team.
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
You’re right, Mark. Matt deserves most of the credit with the way our team is playing. The simple fact is that without a Bears or Ravens defense, you just can’t win consistently in the NFL without really good QB play…..and Ryan is playing WAY above good. I agree with you. Ryan is possibly the best rookie QB ever…..but I’m a lifelong, rabid Falcon’s fan, so my opinion might be a LITTLE influenced by that. Just a little. :)
Thanks for the great article! Keep speaking the truth!
By hotrod
November 23, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
you white people tickle me
By THE MAN
November 23, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
YOU RACIST VICK HATERS WOULD BE 11-0 WITH DORSEY.
By saint
November 23, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Regarding rating Rookie QB’s: Ryan has had a shuffled up team, whereas some other rookie QBs have had strong, established teams to work with. While I think the Falcon players are highly under-rated, Ryan should be Rookie of the Year.
By Adam
November 23, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Mark - you’re dead on - Ryan is something special. But, we’ve also got to give credit to Dimitroff.
To think, I was ticked the Falcons didn’t take Dorsey. (I also thought Aundray Bruce was going to be a sure fire HOF’r so what do I know).
Maybe your next column could be “The Best Draft Ever”
Of course, Ryan is the big story, but before he was injured, Sam Baker was playing great. Curtis Lofton has been awesome at MLB. Chevis Jackson has had some playing time and a great pick to ice the New Orleans win. DeCoud made a great play on special teams today and Kroy Bierman has made some contribution. And last, but not least, what a game by Harry Douglas!
That draft and the best free agent acquisition of this year’s off season has had an unbelieveable impact on this team.
By RTW
November 23, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Ha! You said tickle!
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
For everybody with the word “racist” or any context to race in their blog entries………EVOLVE!
By Michael
November 23, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
I don’t think anybody even pointed out that Ryan is doing all this on a team whose head coach bailed late last year and was gutted in the offseason. New coach, new GM, new running back, two Pro Bowlers sent off (Crumpler, MeAngelo).
Football is too team-oriented to say one player is the best ever. But I can feel safe saying if the Falcons win only 1 more game, it’s one of the biggest turnarounds ever. Quick, name a game that the Falcons never had a chance in? You can’t. Even Matthew Stafford in college can’t claim that (he’s been in three of them).
I think Arthur Blank should get a minor shoutout for cleaning house and making nice improvements to the Dome. I haven’t been in a few years, but those red seats look much better than the 1970s refrigerator green seats that were in there before.
By igotxx3
November 23, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
lol as I predicted the falcons win and now everyone post POSITIVE stuff, as of last week when they lost everyone was sayin they suck smh worst fans ever.
GO FALCONS!!!!!
By SuwaneeJim
November 23, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t want to throw any water on the party because Mattlanta Ryan is having a great year along with the whole offense. Best rookie quarterback? If not, he’s definitely in the running. His true growth will come next year when the teams have 16 (or more!!) games of film to study on him. After enduring 10+ years of season tickets, it’s FANTASTIC to see a GOOD overall Falcons TEAM! From Dimitroff to Smith to all of the players …. GO FALCONS!
By RTW
November 23, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
Mark, re: wins without Ryan — 4.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 23, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
I didn’t say Flacco’s had a better season so far. I said when all is said and done Flacco could very well have had a better season. If the Ravens make the playoffs and the Falcons don’t I’d certainly be inclined to think so, particularly since the Ravens have played a much tougher schedule. I haven’t seen every Ravens game this year, but I’d be surprised if the Ravens had won by scores of 37-27, 41-13, 36-7, 29-10, 28-10, and 27-13 this year with only a game manager at quarterback.
But none of this is meant to take away from what Ryan’s done… it’s just meant to respond to the question posed by this article, which is whether or not Ryan is having the best rookie season ever. I still think until the playoffs roll around it’s way too early to say that.
By RTW
November 23, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Mark, re: wins without Ryan — 4. I mean for the whole season.
By awesompt
November 23, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
The MAN…..whatever! More like THE RACIST JACKASS, but the good news is that your right! We don’t like Vick, we didn’t draft Dorsey, and we are not 11-0. BUT….we ARE 7-4, and we have alot more promise and talent than we’ve had for the past 10 years! Ya know, I think I’ll take the 7-4 start over your proposition. If you’d like the Cowboy’s webaddress, drop me a line. You can go fill them up with your racist garbage……one less turd clogging up the septic system of society.
By Dixie Dawg
November 23, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
I know this is kind of old news, but what was so important about us needing Dorsey? We direly needed a quarterback. I’m not knocking Chris Redmond, but while the whole talk of the draft thing was going on, I was pulling for the Falcons to get Matt Ryan, and when we finally did, I was excited. Go Birds!!!
By Recent Reader
November 23, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley …thanks for answering to the posts regarding 2 other really good/great QBs. Dolphins and Steelers were WAY different teams then the Falcs team of which Ryan took the helm. Another factor there … is where Marino and Rothlisberger(spelling) were drafted. No where near #3!! Good teams already! Will not compare Ryan to either QB yet ….however I’d take him over the Pitt QB:)
By Mark Bradley
November 23, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
Oh, and thanks to those who remember what I wrote about Ryan way back when. Here’s me advocating that the Falcons draft him..
I link to it not to brag — well, not much — but because I wanted to offer tangible proof that I have, at least once in my so-called life, been right about something.
By Recent Reader
November 23, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Oops . . I better clarify! I’d take Ryan over the current Pitt “Steeler” QB …not yet ready to say I’d take him over the 1984 Pitt “Panther” (Dolphin) QB!
By Johnny Danger Dawg
November 23, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
The best “find” the Falcons ever got might have been Thomas Dimitroff. He is the reason why I believe for the first time that the Falcons can achieve sustained success.
By LC_Northside
November 23, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
If Ryan was such a “can’t miss” pick why did the Dolphins and Rams pass on him? I sure as heck am glad they did. Finally we have our FRANCHISE QB.
Looking forward to finally getting those back-to-back winning seasons and championship moments. The future has never been so brighter for this organization.
By GThugs
November 23, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Thank GOD we don’t have that dawg fightin, drugged out thug in Atl anymore. Good riddance and go back to the hood
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 23, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
I agree with RTW — the Falcons would probably have been 4-7 if they had taken Dorsey instead of Ryan. Mike Smith would still have had them beating the three doormats and New Orleans at home without Reggie Bush. 5-6 might be possible too — with the run blocking and special teams play today the Falcons may have won with Kurt Kittner at quarterback.
It definitely does help the Falcons’ playoff chances this year that they get to play the four worst teams in the league.
By Recent Reader
November 24, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Thank God - we only get a very few posts like. . well no need to mention name. Thank God we only get a few posts that have little to do with talking football!!! Much better than spring…much better than summer . . now that we have a good team - even much better than fall. This may not make sense to many - but to some it will!
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Mark: Checked the draft link. Time to crow!
By Najeh Davenpoop is retarded
November 24, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Najeh,
I can understand you wanting to save face by clinging to a ridiculous statement that Flacco “may have a better season when all is said and done” because it was you’re retardedass that was claiming to jump ship to Jacksonville when the Falcons drafted Ryan instead of Dorsey.
But you’re argument is based on an overall team record and a supposed tougher schedule and who makes the playoffs when comparing Baltimore and Atlanta.
But if you would actually take your head out of yourass - which I don’t think you’re capable of doing - and look at what Ryan’s individaul role on the team is compared to what Flacco’s role on his team is, and there’s no comparison.
Anyway, I can’t think of a more impressive rookie in my lifetime than Ryan. Besides the rookies and coaching staff brought in, the Falcons have the same team.
Maybe since everything is coming together so fast it’s hard to tell who’s more to blame for the success - Dmitroff, Smith, Mularkey, Ryan, Douglass, Lofton, etc - but one thing is for sure:
When Ryan is called upon to come through for the Falcons (which is often) he does. Despite what Abraham and the defense is doing, despite what Turner and Norwood are doing, despite any factor you want to look at, Ryan is holding his own and leading the team.
No other rookie quarterback in this league is doing what Ryan is doing. Compare Ryan and Flacco’s numbers.
Compare Ryan’s rookie numbers with ANY rookie quarterback’s numbers throughout the history of the league.
Or, be retarded like Najeh and look at the Ravens defense and say that if Baltimore makes the playoffs and have the better record, then Flacco had the better season.
Najeh, please follow through with your preseason promise to jump ship to Jacksonville. You contribute nothing to this blog or anything with the word “Falcons” in it.
By Recent Reader
November 24, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
I agree RTW!!! But did u scan through the posts:) MBradley seemed to be a lone wolf at that time!!
By THE MAN is drunk
November 24, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
Hey “The Man”. It’s not racist to hate dog killers. And I wanted us to take Glen Dorsey. Thank GOD we didn’t! We would not have been 11-0. Have you looked at the team that drafted him? It’s the Kansas City Chiefs, buddy. They are 1-10!!!!!!!!!!!!! So if we’d drafted him, at least we would’ve lived up to preseason expectations, right? Do your homework before you blog. But actual facts wouldn’t support your racist rhetoric, right?
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
You’re right Recent Reader. Here’s an excerpt from a current poster:
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 17, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Not only is it idiotic to waste your #3 pick on a QB when you have holes at every position except RB and you haven’t drafted a first-round lineman in 14 years, but Matt Ryan isn’t worth the #3 pick anyway. As is the case in every draft, some team is gonna reach for a QB about 30 picks higher than he should go because QB is considered the “most important position” — see David Carr, Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Alex Smith, etc. Matt Ryan is that QB this year. Hopefully the Falcons are not that team.
The best QB in this year’s draft is Brian Brohm, and he will most likely be available in round 2.
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
Sorry Najeh. Not personal, just illustrative of how most of us were wrong. It happens!
By Brian
November 24, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
The reason why Matty Ice is such a great qb is that he studies countless hours in the film room and actually studies tapes. When you put in the hours and actually learn from the game films, and have the smarts to retain defensive schemes and tendencies, you get a Matt Ryan.
By DawgNCA
November 24, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Bradley. In response to your last post. For the longest time I had, posted on my wall, an article you wrote in the 80’s that proclaimed Chris Miller was the quarterback that was going to lead the Falcons to the promised land. So you better not jinx us. Again.
Yes I blame you for all the Falcons woes.
By Recent Reader
November 24, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
RTW - I try not to be an “I told you so” person. But everyone was so negative . . and so SURE of themselves. It was hard to deal with as a fan of Ryan. I just thought no one was giving him a chance for the wrong reasons.
By Recent Reader
November 24, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Um …I thought Chris Miller was part of a Super Bowl playing team. Unless the promised land is finals in the World Cup . . well then he took them there - once.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 24, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
“I can understand you wanting to save face by clinging to a ridiculous statement that Flacco “may have a better season when all is said and done” because it was you’re retardedass that was claiming to jump ship to Jacksonville when the Falcons drafted Ryan instead of Dorsey.”
What do I gain by “saving face”? Do you really think I care what you, or any other anonymous person on this blog has to say? I don’t come and post on these blogs trying to make friends. I post whatever my opinion happens to be at a particular time. If you don’t like it, great, I could care less.
“Anyway, I can’t think of a more impressive rookie in my lifetime than Ryan.”
As far as rookie QBs are concerned, he’s certainly up there. At no point in this entire discussion have I said he doesn’t deserve the props he’s getting. And believe me, the Matt Ryan c-cksucking festival is in full swing every Sunday on TV, so he’s getting plenty of props.
“Maybe since everything is coming together so fast it’s hard to tell who’s more to blame for the success - Dmitroff, Smith, Mularkey, Ryan, Douglass, Lofton, etc -“
I don’t know how you “blame” someone for success, but in my opinion Mike Smith deserves by far the most credit for the Falcons’ surprising success this year.
“Compare Ryan’s rookie numbers with ANY rookie quarterback’s numbers throughout the history of the league.”
Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie QB rating: 98.1. Matt Ryan’s rookie QB rating so far: 87.8. That argument is not gonna help you.
“Or, be retarded like Najeh and look at the Ravens defense and say that if Baltimore makes the playoffs and have the better record, then Flacco had the better season.”
Yes, the Ravens have a nice defense. But denying that they have a much tougher schedule is, well, idiotic. There’s only one team in the league this year that gets to play the four worst teams in the league, and that’s Atlanta. The Ravens have to play the Steelers twice, the NFC East, Tennessee, and Indianapolis. Joe Flacco has to face a murderer’s row of pass defenses this season. If he can come out of it with comparable stats to Ryan and his team makes the playoffs, then yes, his rookie season is more impressive.
“Najeh, please follow through with your preseason promise to jump ship to Jacksonville. “
I’m a man of my word. Where did I ever say I didn’t follow through on that promise? I still live in Atlanta, I still visit ajc.com, and I’m still an NFL fan which means I watch whatever games come on TV. Usually that’s the Falcons game. I don’t see where it says you have to be a Falcons fan to comment on Falcons-related articles. And anyway, just because I’m no longer a Falcons fan doesn’t mean I hate the Falcons or don’t want them to do well — it just means I don’t care any more about the Falcons’ overall success than I do about any other team.
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Recent Reader: I’m with you. After the Tech game last year, I thought he would be the answer. I just didn’t think we would draft him. Stars do align. Thank heavens!
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 24, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
“Sorry Najeh. Not personal, just illustrative of how most of us were wrong. It happens!”
No offense taken — like you said, I and pretty much everyone else underestimated how good Ryan would be in his first NFL season. You’re never gonna catch me pretending I’m always right.
All that said though, I’d still like to see what Brohm can do in the NFL — it’s highly doubtful he’s gonna get that opportunity on the Packers, the way Aaron Rodgers has been playing.
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Najeh: Agree on Brohm! Good comment! “Davenpoop” does make me laugh though. — Dick Trickle.
By Recent Reader
November 24, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Najeh .. . I’ll double the “nothing personal thing”, but you remind me of my “ex brother in-law” always ready with an excuse. So Dorsey did not work, now do we have to wait until Rogers goes down to prove that Brohm was not the better choice. How does it go… Oy Vey!
By RTW
November 24, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this
Sorry.
By kenney
November 24, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
let’s see him play an nfc team, b4 u make him so great
By Boo Boo
November 24, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
The Falcons had one of the greats, back in 1991, but he got away. He threw four passes here that year (in regular season play), and completed two. Unfortunately, both were completed to the other team. Otherwise, the record shows 0 for 4 passing that year. That kid loved to drink and party, so the Falcons traded him to Green Bay. Now he plays for the Jets.
Watching SNF tonight and listening to John Madden, I heard him say, “Payton Manning is the best quarterback in pro football right now. You don’t leave him a minute on the clock, or he’ll beat you.” That was after the score was tied 20-20, with 1:30 left on the clock. He was right; but Peyton needed Harrison and Venitari to help out in the beating.
Matt Ryan has all the skills you want in a quarterback. He does the Peyton Manning-like study of his craft; and he is at least low-key about party time, if he parties at all during the season. Reading game reports and seeing how the other guys on the offensive team talk about doing their job right, you can’t help but see how having Matt Ryan in the huddle gives them confidence that if they do their job, something good will result. That is a true sign of a winner, because no one person wins a football game. A winner inspires others to help win.
By JEM
November 24, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
Could this be the first year in back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history?
By awesompt
November 24, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Najeh,
“I post whatever my opinion happens to be at a particular time. If you don’t like it, great, I could care less.”
Really? That’s an aweful lot of b****** explaining for someone who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. My guess is that you’re a contol freak who’s been divorced at LEAST twice…..for good reason. Here’s a newsflash for ya…..no one cares what YOU think. We’re winning. That’s all that matters. Get a life.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 24, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
“So Dorsey did not work, now do we have to wait until Rogers goes down to prove that Brohm was not the better choice.”
I only said I’d like to see what Brohm can do. I didn’t say we have to wait to see him play to declare Ryan a better choice. At this point it’s pretty clear the Falcons should have no regrets.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 24, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
“Really? That’s an aweful lot of b** explaining for someone who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. My guess is that you’re a contol freak who’s been divorced at LEAST twice…..for good reason. Here’s a newsflash for ya…..no one cares what YOU think. We’re winning. That’s all that matters. Get a life.”
Haha… at my age, if I’d already been divorced twice, I’d be in pretty big trouble going forward. Let’s just say Larry King would have nothing on me.
I don’t know any of y’all dude, nor do I particularly want to. Honestly, I hope you have enough of a life to where you don’t care too much what I think. Calm down bruh.
By awesompt
November 24, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
Najeh…..dude, give it up. You’re a looser, and it’s pretty obvious that you’re the only one in your own little world. Go to bed and make your third wife cry! She’s probably the last person on the earth that wants to hear your excuses, but she signed on when she married you. We didn’t……..and that’s MY opinion at THIS moment. Loser…..
By awesompt
November 24, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Peace Najah…..just workin ya up a little brother. If it’s any consulation, my wife welcomes me to the couch during football season. lol
By Boo Boo
November 24, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
I thought Chris Miller did lead the Falcons to the Promised Land. Just like Moses, he wasn’t allowed to actually go in the Promised Land, as in Win a Super Bowl. You know ole Chris passed for over 400 yards in one game in 2000? Yep. 431, against Buffalo (W 33 - 30). That was the last game he started for the Falcons. He only played a part of the next game; and then that was it. No more Chris. The Falcons decided to go with a “youth movement” and started a rookie the last two losses that year. I think Chris died and was buried in Chicago.
By Joe
November 24, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
The best part is, next season he is a 2nd year quarterback with several seasons of experience, based on what the normal rookie gets his first 3 years or so. Kinda like a doctor going thru residency.
This guy Matt Ryan is truly AMAZING!
My hats off to him.
By Mark W
November 24, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
The problem with Chris Miller was that Chris Miller thought he was the second coming of Moreno and Elway, and he wasn’t.
By Najeh Davenpoop is retarded
November 24, 2008 1:37 AM | Link to this
Once again, retard Najeh, you base your entire argument on a stat.
Roethlisberger’s rookie qb rating compared to Ryan’s? Are you serious? (yes, you are, retard)
Roethlisberger’s pass attempts his rookie year: 295
Ryan’s pass attempts through 10 games: 283
Defenses are keying in on the run game and forcing Ryan to beat them AND HE IS.
Go ahead and grab straws, you peckerless scab.
By Najeh Davenpoop is retarded
November 24, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
By the way, I meant 12 games.
By DBCOOPER
November 24, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
The best thing to happen to this franchise is Michael Vick leaving. Along with the ignorant people that thought he did nothing wrong. I hope they’re Saint’s fans now. Getting rid of everybody, and building a class franchise we can all be proud of is refreshing. Ala…New England, Green Bay etc. Quality people, players, management and hopefully fans.
GO BIRDS!
By Najeh Davenpoop is retarded
November 24, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
One last time (I’ll get it right)
Matt Ryan’s pass attempts through 11 games is 310.
GIVE IT UP NAJEH.
By chandler
November 24, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
PRETTY SURE THAT IT WAS CHRIS CHANDLER AND NOT CHRIS MILLER
By Darrin "The Vent King"
November 24, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this
To answer your question Mark, yes I believe Ryan is simply the best rookie QB ever. I say this because the bar everyone set (with reason I might add) with Marino being that guy is that Marino had a team to work with, Ryan’s team- our team did not. The receivers Marino had were proven, the defense that Dolphin’s squad had was proven, the o-line protection was there previously- none of that was prevalant when Matt Ryan came to Atlanta- NONE of it. The coach wasn’t even there yet, the offensive co-ordinator wasn’t there, the running back wasn’t there yet- need I go on? It’s no question. If not for the sickening bias against Atlanta sports from ESPN and all things being equal, not only would Ryan win rookie of the year but how can he not be MVP? Where would the Falcons be without him? Remember the pass to Jenkins towards the end of the Bear’s game? How many other MVP canidates have made the passes Ryan has made with the game on the linethis season- none? Remember the Broncos game? We all know Roddy shoulda, woulda, coulda, whatever…Ryan made that clutch throw. Not Kurt Warner nor Drew Brees have done that this year. Yes, they may have loftier stats, but as far as being more VALUABLE to winning-no one and a team winning after what this team has gone thru with the last QB and their coach quitting plus their star defensive player melting down? C’mon, the fact that Ryan is not the clear cut MVP is proof a political machine runs awards in the NFL. This turn around is even more amazing than the Aints a couple of Katrina seasons ago and Ryan (along with the Burner of course) is the main MVP reason why- no contest.
Wonder how long Deion Sanders will take to finally stop hating over there on the NFL network on us NOW- hahahahahahahaha?
Anymore lame jokes now you birdhater?
GO FALCONS!!!!
By Here's to Vick's gaping @sshole
November 24, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this
…and Matt Ryan doesn’t support or take part in dog fighting, doesn’t give women herpes, isn’t a thug, didn’t lie to the world, and isn’t a convicted felon. I was at the game today and as I looked around I saw plenty of empty seats from those Vick fans who turned their backs on the team. That’s okay, this team has a lot more class now w/o those people who are blind to and have the back of a criminal. Ryan’s poise and command of the game already are very impressive. It’s okay for some of you Vick followers to support your hometown team and a white QB, he won’t bite.
By A-BOM
November 24, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this
MIKE VICK IS THE BEST ROOKIE QB EVER IN NFL HISTORY BUT NONE OF YOU RACIST AJC HATERS ARE MAN ENOUGH TO ADMIT IT!!
By Scottbravesfan
November 24, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this
They should move the Falcons to Birmingham at least the state of Alabama would support a NFL team. I hate watching games on TV or driving four hours to games and seeing empty seats. It’s so annoying.
Also where are all of those black fans that used to come to the Falcon games? There are still a good bit of black ones there but not as many as there used to be. It’s pretty stereotypical if they jumped ship and won’t support the team anymore because they don’t have Vick and everyone thought they were going to be bad.
By dante
November 24, 2008 2:48 AM | Link to this
Ryan is fantastic.
I heard Vick is up for “inmate of the month”.
By Boner Jackson
November 24, 2008 3:17 AM | Link to this
ICE ICE BABY! ICE ICE BABY!
By JacketFalconHawksBravesFan
November 24, 2008 3:39 AM | Link to this
Grats to all the rookies and vets and grats to Arthur Blank for having one of the most dynamic turn arounds in nfl history
By Crimson Tide
November 24, 2008 4:05 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley has officially jumped the shark. This is bout the most idiotic junk he could have written. Joe Flacco is a rookie on a team with a new coach and not nearly the weapons the Falcons have on offense and the Ravens record is the same. No wonder people got to lose their jobs at the AJC. Who would BUY a paper for what is the equivalent of a just a blog that anybody can set up online and churn out biased opinions? I know Blank is paying for extra good coverage, but for goodness sakes!
By Michael Turner
November 24, 2008 4:13 AM | Link to this
Michael Turner is the star of the Falcons and the one needed to make this offense work. Ryan is ok but he benefits from having Turner in the backfield and a good Offensive Line. But I guess giving the black dude credit would be just too much like right even though he is the reason this team’s offense is running so well- PUN INTENEDED. MARK BRADLEY IS JUST AS OBVIOUS AS SKIP GAVYLESS!!
By Grim
November 24, 2008 4:21 AM | Link to this
as a MIAMI fan my days watching Marino was enjoyable… i’ve never seen a rookie since Dan be a jaw dropper, you can tell he’s got it, no one ever has been as good as Dan not as a rookie not as a vet, until now.. Dan came late in the 1st round, Shula said we got a deal, a franchise player, well all knew it the first series Dan played, i have the same feeling i got watching Dan when i see Matt play.. if ever a player was born to play a position it was Dan and now Matt.. NOW Falcons do what ever it takes to get Crabtree out of Texas Tech and let’s start accumulating rings..
By Matty Ice
November 24, 2008 4:28 AM | Link to this
NFC Attendance Down Slightly; Falcons See Biggest Drop Through Week Five, the NFL is averaging 68,829 fans per game, on par with the same period last year (-0.4%). The Redskins lead the league at 89,153 fans per game at FedEx Field, slightly off from last season. Ten of the 16 NFC teams are seeing declines at the turnstile, with the Falcons seeing the biggest drop (-9.3%). The Georgia Dome is the only NFC venue packed below 90% capacity for its home games to date. The Eagles top the conference in average attendance gains, up 2.2%, while packing Lincoln Financial Field to 100% capacity. The following lists attendance for NFC teams, with comparisons to the same period in ‘07 (THE DAILY).
Attendance today: 64,841 - still not 90% and won’t be with insane writeups like this one. The AJC sports dept is pathetic.
By Paul Wilsbach
November 24, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
Michael who?
By DBCOOPER
November 24, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
If you don’t support a criminal you’re a racist? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Man when are people going to give up on that lame sh1t.
Winning will start to fill the seats. Just ask the Braves. Hopefully new knowledgable fans.
By Not so fast
November 24, 2008 5:51 AM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is a great player right now as a rookie. But lets all stop and think. If he’s this good now, what makes us think he will be around for a long time with the Falcons. Not saying Matt will want to leave but how many times has any Atlanta sports teams have kept their best player. Chipper Jones of the Braves is the only one in recent history to last on an Atlanta team. Atlanta sports team are so cheap they would rather deal with loosing games and their best player than to pay them. I’m a proud Atlanta fan but it kills me when they do stupid stuff like trading away their best player. Ryan is what the Falcons need. He’s brought excitement, style, and hope back to the organization. Lets hope Blank and the other managers realize how important he is and keep him around until he retires.
By ceemackin
November 24, 2008 5:53 AM | Link to this
I must say, I did say some bad things about Matt. He has made me look like an azz. He makes me proud to be a falcons fan. He can only get better with time. I know he will continue to do great things.
By Elainer7
November 24, 2008 5:55 AM | Link to this
Ryan is great, but the true greatness lies within the team as a WHOLE! The Falcons are no longer a ” one man team ” and in Ryan, we have the talent and natural leadership abilities to move this TEAM down the field and across the goal line. GO FALCONS!
By Manny
November 24, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
The most comforting aspect of the Falcons is that Matt Ryan IS NOT the greatest rookie QB ever.
Put Matt Ryan in an offense headed by Greg Knapp and you would see what I mean.
But what I like is that, really for the first time in my life, I’m seeing a real Falcons team. With no superstars. Just good pieces with good backup pieces that can plug in when needed.
Like watch this: Would the Falcons be doomed if Matt Ryan got hurt? Not really, because the backups are quality. What about Michael Turner? Or Roddy White? Or John Abraham?
This team looks like the Patriots more than the Patriots look like the Patriots.
By tehDeets
November 24, 2008 6:18 AM | Link to this
The Falcons finally lost the “I” in “Team”.
As a ‘Mule’ O-Lineman from a SoCon team, you can see the respect the whole team has for Ryan and vice-versa. It aint fake or fleeting.
The O-Line really appreciates a guy like this. The O-Line has to have eyes in the back of their head and that is Ryan. His instinctiveness surpasses many QBs that have been in the league for years. This intuitiveness for blocking scheme adjustments on-the-fly spreads like a virus to the Mules up front. This greatly enhances the O-lines ability to ‘see’ where Ryan may need them most, right before the snap. He commands troops like a Platoon Sargent rather than merely calling plays. He is a student of the game and it shows.
There is a particular relationship that develops between the O-Line and the QB. This team w/in a team is key to offensive success. This is first time in the Falcon’s history that I have ever seen it gel. AB, Smitty, and Dimitriov should be commended.
They also know for a fact that he is not gonna go off half-cocked and risk getting hurt, killing tempo and ruining a season. I just hope we can keep Shockley and Redmond around, esp. DJ. (Dawg fan here)
The Falcons now play the game with that ol’ time college swagger, but with a professional attitude and a healthy dash of humility to boot. It is an infectious & deadly combo to your opponents. I think this is because Ryan came in a rookie, gave due props as such and everyone quickly picked up on his clarity of vision & knowledge. The team responded admirably to the ‘new-guy’. The team attitude flows from the 1st string QB, no matter what year he is in. Coaches and ownership put the pieces together, but it’s the team itself that must gel. You can’t buy that.
The D has been KILLIN’ and by staying off the field and we finally have special teams that git-r-done.
Watching the Birds this year is like a college game on Sunday… Finally!!
Worst to 1st, but now w/ longevity!
GO FALCONS!!!!
tehDeets
By Jay
November 24, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this
U r crazy marino came into the league like a 10 year vet . No learning curve! Matty Ice is nice but let’s not get carried away.
By brent
November 24, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this
It would have never gotten this bad if we had selected Rodney Hampton instead of that RB from Washington State back in 1990.
By Steve
November 24, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Are you crazy? Talk about putting the cart before the horse. Make the playoffs, then the conference, then a Super Bowl and you can talk about MR being better than Big Ben. Get a grip!
By dl
November 24, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this
I think team is the more important concept to remember here.
This focusing on one guy stuff is what got us to last year.
Team is what got us to this year Dmitioff, Smith, Turner, Abraham, Milloy, McClure, White… and of course Ryan.
The team is less likely to stay focused if we dont.
By dawgfan1911
November 24, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
I woill cgive Matt Ryan his props because he deserves it very much, but when you look at the overall coaching staff and front office staff and the job they have done with this draft and coaching this team, it is amazing!Mike Smith is turning out to be an excellent coach! He is intense and smart and the players love and respect him. I am so happy all of the bad apples are gone and now we can start to build. The falcons will need 11 wins to make the playoffs, thats the only bad thing. Right now we afre behind Washington for the last playoff spot. We have some tough games coming up beginning next week at San Diego, followed by a trip to Minnesota, Tampa at home and the terrible rams on the road o and the saints. We need to win at least 3 more games and watch the chips fall.
By very nice,very nice,--Head Coach
November 24, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this
MIKE SMITH is an OUTSTANDING COACH with this youthful bunch.—Coach Smith has a VERY NICE PROCESS GOING.
By Samuel
November 24, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
Man,We haven’t seen anything yet just wait until we get a tight end who can catch the ball and have the speed of a wideout.If Sam Baker gets healthy and we used the draft to get another quality lineman and free agency to shore up our defense the sky is the limit……
By FalconK
November 24, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
Yes—-he’s easily the best ever, there is no debate. Matt Ryan will take Atlanta to the Super Bowl baby—-mark it down. He’s unstoppable. The NY Giants are the only team that can probably compete with Atlanta, and Ryan will light up their overrated secondary for big points.
By shadaway
November 24, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
Last year I watched Matt Ryan pick apart Georgia Tech and thought then “I wish there were some way that the Falcons could end up with this guy.” Against all odds, they actually did.
By Bret
November 24, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
I’m just proud of my city and this wonderful TEAM.
By Fan since 66
November 24, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
I find it amazing that there is so much bashing on this blog. Come on, people. The Falcons are winning! As a Team!! Notice after a great play or TD…no dancing, no theatrics. Just congrats to teammates, throw the ball to the official, and get back to the game. Sure it’s great to have a superstar QB, but it all starts with Coach Smith. Finally, a coach who gets it. The players respect him and what he has done with our team. I honestly believe we are on the cusp of having a dynasty. After 42 years, I think we “true” Falcon fans deserve it. Thank you Mr. Blank for Dimitroff and Smith!
By Eric
November 24, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Uh… “best rookie season ever”… LMAO
Ever hear of a guy named Ben Roethlisberger? 13 Wins - ZERO losses, rookie year 2004 (in his 2nd - won the Super Bowl.. something the Falcons will never sniff again)
By Champagne
November 24, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Arthur Blank has manipulated dummies into thinking they should feel sorry for him and then THANK him for absolutely nothing…and the AJC is his BEYOTCH carrying his water
By The Truth Hurts
November 24, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, can you please climb up out of Blanks butt for a minute and stop playing overseer??
By Bill
November 24, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
YES!
It’s amazing what happens when you dump the Obama-supporting THUGS and hire intelligent, clean, upstanding citizens to work in your organization.
This should be a lesson for all of corporate America to fire the Obamanation supporters and get rid of the deadwood.
By BCEAGLE
November 24, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
You all won’t remember but in August, when some Falcon fans were complaining, I said give Ryan three years and you’ll be very, very happy with your pick. I was wrong, I should have said three games! He isn’t the only BC grad doing well in the NFL and there are more on the horizon. Good coaching and smarts. “Student” still means something at BC and it showa. Others should follow.
By Cobby
November 24, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Call me an eternal optimist, but I have loved the Falcons since Tommy Nobis and Randy Johnson. I have been disappointed many times, but I continue to support and watch them. They represent a great city, state, and region.
By Mike Smith can COACH!
November 24, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Best Atlanta Falcon Head Coach ever! Nobody could have done a better job than Mike Smith.
By jeffrey english
November 24, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
We, the fans of Boston College, are not surprised one bit. Great player, hard worker, and humble as all get out. I traveled for 3 years watching him progress in college all over the east coast. Now I just go down town!
By Bill
November 24, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
See Mark Bradley!! I agree with you! Look at my comment at 7:26AM! See we think just alike!
By bravesfanbob
November 24, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
I sm one of those who said that drafting Ryan was a mistake, and I am so glad that I can sit here today and tell everyone how dumb I really was! Great job again today, Matt, and all the Dirty Birds!
By gtforever
November 24, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Yeah, I knew he was a good one when he came to Atl and shelled our guys at home. He is going to be a very GOOD pro…….. I have even watched an entire Falcons game, it’s amazing!
By NASDAQ
November 24, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
No he’s not the best rookie QB in NFL history, but he is doing a fine job. And I’m proud to say that he is the QB of my Atlanta Falcons!
By Bud Wiser
November 24, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
To all of the mind numbed idiots that continue to wear their tainted number “7” jerseys into the Dome, a good PR move by the Falcons would be to have attendants offer to replace them with a number “2”.
and to this tool:
By Eric
November 24, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Uh… “best rookie season ever”… LMAO
Ever hear of a guy named Ben Roethlisberger? 13 Wins - ZERO losses, rookie year 2004 (in his 2nd - won the Super Bowl.. something the Falcons will never sniff again)
Even a fool like you could have guided that team. Yes, Big Ben is a highly skilled player, but even today still makes stupid mistakes that Ryan has already surpassed. And, I am sure that Bradley is looking at this in the context of the stacked team Ben moved into, versus the abject disaster of a team Ryan was looking at before arriving.
Grow up, Pitt homer, and give credit where credit is due.
By Emory279
November 24, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
I don’t think anyone can deny that the Falcons are fun to watch again. I used to only get excited for Saturday football. . now it’s football weekends!
Does Matt Ryan play baseball?
By Reggie Rooker
November 24, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
I give Matty Ice (Matt Ryan) credit , he has the Falcons playing really good ball and I look forward to him to leading them into the playoffs but to compare him to Ben Roethlisberger, come on. The only advantage I give Matty Ice is his contract is whole lot bigger than Ben was when he was a rookie.
By Greg Knapp
November 24, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
HOW WOULD MATT RYAN DO AS ROOKIE QB WITH GREG KNAPP AS THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR? THAT SHOULD TELL YOU IF HE’S THE BEST EVER, COULD HE STILL PLAY WELL THEN??
By scott
November 24, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Umm, there was this guy named Marino…but Ryan is playing great as a rookie QB, not quite best ever.
By john otto
November 24, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
“Great article Mark”
After compiling the information you must have been thinking of ending the title with an exclaimation point rather than a question mark.
If the rest of the AJC was as objective, you would have a real newspaper and more readers!
By Weather Man
November 24, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
YES, YES HE IS!!
By Giselle
November 24, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I think Matt Ryan is good, but not the best, I still believe that Michael Vick was and still is, the falcons as ateam this year has done well and I am a falcon fan they have luck on their side it’s not because of Matt Ryan. There is no perfect person and he still has an uphill battle. I was angry at the falcons for the past season but even they and Arthur Blank deserve forgiveness.
By Giselle
November 24, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I think Matt Ryan is good, but not the best, I still believe that Michael Vick was and still is, the falcons as a team this year has done well and I am a falcon fan they have luck on their side it’s not because of Matt Ryan. There is no perfect person and he still has an uphill battle. I was angry at the falcons for the past season but even they and Arthur Blank deserve forgiveness.
By Giselle
November 24, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
I think Matt Ryan is good, but not the best, I still believe that Michael Vick was and still is, the falcons as a team this year has done well and I am a falcon fan they have luck on their side it’s not because of Matt Ryan. There is no perfect person and he still has an uphill battle. I was angry at the falcons for the past season but even they and Arthur Blank deserve forgiveness.
By MyView
November 24, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
And to think, this team gets to add pieces knowing that we already have a solid core. I see a lot of W’s in our future unless something unthinkable happens.
By Previous Ryan Skeptic
November 24, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
All week I knew the Falcons were going to pull off the win. After the gut wrenching loss to Denver, I knew that they were going to add a little more octane to the fuel. Just like the great coach Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.” That there my friends is confirmation for me that greatness has begun for this team. Did everyone see Ryan call those audibles!? A rookie!? Wow. What would have Michael Vick done in that situation?
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Enjoy the moment.
By FalconK
November 24, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Ben Roethlisberger??? Get real—-that Steelers team was great but Ben Roethlisberger didn’t do that much to help them win the Super Bowl. Ryan is much better now than Ben Roethlisberger was in that season.
By cee
November 24, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
wow all football no racial comments thats the way to go im black and i love mat ryan i jus want to watch a winning football team go falcons do u think we can get 10 wins this year?
By Life Long Dirty Bird Fan
November 24, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Mark, If this article and these comments jinx the Falcons……. Seriously, it’s a joy to watch Ryan and Turner. Hopefully injuries will stay away and the magic carpet ride of a season will continue. It’s starting to feel a little like the ‘98 season to me! Anyone agree with me?
By Jason
November 24, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
As a rookie Matt is very good. White and Jenkins is flourishing under the capable decision making, arm, and touch of Ryan. Though much like Big Ben they both had a great running back to burden the load. Turner should and will get most of credit as well as some to the coaches and GM.
By Garrie Butts
November 24, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
I am a long time Falcon fan. This reminds me of the Falcon’s of the eighty’s. However, let’s be careful and not compare Ryan to Favre, because that could bad luck. If you recall we drafted Brett Favre, but he wasn’t good enough to lead our offense, but that was in the days of the Smith family. Let’s hope that Arthur Blank doesn’t have a stupid moment and repeat history. Let’s all hope that our O-Line can continue to protect him and keep him healthy. Also keep in mind that the officials gave away a Falcon win a few weeks ago or we would be tied for first place. Go Falcons, it about time
By Hayden
November 24, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Best ever?!! Good Lord, only if you believe in the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. Now, don’t get me wrong, he (and the entire team) are playing very will. Take us to the Superbowl and maybe I’ll think about bestowing that honor.
By srcdawgrome
November 24, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
It’s great not read about that thug Vick for a change on Monday. I bet “should not use that word” Vick is some where sick about his replacement. What an idiot and thug to waste all that money on a stupid dog ring. All FALCON fans can say MIKE who? Go coach Smith and co a great job done so far. Thank you.
By rachel
November 24, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Thank you Matt Ryan! Sundays are a pleasure with my husband now…even if you lose he is still in a good mood because you and your team finally look like you are there to win and have a love of football…sure the money and fame will be great but you look like your are there for the love of the game not just all about the money!!
By A.S.
November 24, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Bradley overall Good article!
What about the moment throwing the interception in the 3rd quarter of the Broncos game?
By For States rights
November 24, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Someone please tell me that Ryan does not own any dogs????????
By cee
November 24, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
people need to leave vick alone he is doing his time all that thug talk isnt necessary
By john
November 24, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is good but Ben Roethlisberger was better his rookie year and ended up with a Super Bowl title soon after. Steelers are in the hunt this year again.
By Bubba
November 24, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore after the draft: “If you go by logic when it comes to trying to change the momentum of a reeling franchise, the Falcons just blew it, especially with the extraordinary Glenn Dorsey sitting there on the draft board as the defensive tackle that they really need. That’s because they don’t have any defensive tackles worth mentioning. Not only that, franchises such as the Falcons with offensively and defensively impaired lines should start by building those lines.
With all of those picks for the Falcons (11 overall, including four among the top 48 to start the day), they could have selected Dorsey at No. 3 and taken a chance later in the draft on John David Booty, Chad Henne or Andre’ Woodson becoming their Tom Brady. After all, those quarterbacks aren’t that much more of an NFL gamble than the one they got.” LOL! Good call, Terence!
By Brian F.
November 24, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Mark my words, and I keep saying it . We are witnessing the next New England of the NFC !! GO Birds !!!!
By ck
November 24, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I believe the standard line in any Falcons contract negotiated since last year begin with the line
…No pets….
By BigJohn
November 24, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Good team chemistry. It appears they support each other whether it’s a good or bad play. Just think, if the refs hadn’t blown the call in Philly and Roddy had caught the ball against Denver, we might be 9-2 (had Ryan driven the field in Philly for a score.) Roddy has done his job this year. He has made many more clutch catches than he has dropped. Finneran is getting back into the act along with Douglas. I am really impressed with Lofton at middle linebacker. He and Ryan are two of most impressive rookies I’ve seen. The O-line works very well together and Turner is just fantastic.
Just 1 person can’t take the team to where it is. It takes all 11 players on each side of the ball doing their jobs and helping each other. Coach Smith has them doing just that and he should get coach of the year.
By Hollywould
November 24, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
The key is Dimitroff. He came in with a vision with Smitty and is paying off. 3rd round pick to get Douglas. What a game for the rookie. Notice even when Turner was not getting many yards they stayed with the game plan and wore them down. The offensive line has been tremendous. I believe in the last 3 games they have had one holding penalty. Also, Ryan does not get hit much which helps. Makes it nice to come to work in a good mood. GO FALCONS
By Afan
November 24, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
The best thing a QB can give his team…and this counts on both sides of the ball………”The confidence that we can win any game at any time against any opponent!”
By BUSH.
November 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Who cares about the sorry falcons,ryan or SORRY AJC.This falcon organization will do whats been done since 1966,get your hopes up then doo doo in your face.Im tired of saying wait til next year been saying this since 1979.Bradley,you suck just like the rest of the AJC.
By BigJohn
November 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Good team chemistry. It appears they support each other whether it’s a good or bad play. Just think, if the refs hadn’t blown the call in Philly and Roddy had caught the ball against Denver, we might be 9-2 (had Ryan driven the field in Philly for a score.) Roddy has done his job this year. He has made many more clutch catches than he has dropped. Finneran is getting back into the act along with Douglas. I am really impressed with Lofton at middle linebacker. He and Ryan are two of most impressive rookies I’ve seen. The O-line works very well together and Turner is just fantastic.
Just 1 person can’t take the team to where it is. It takes all 11 players on each side of the ball doing their jobs and helping each other. Coach Smith has them doing just that and he should get coach of the year.
By DB
November 24, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
I have been a Falcons fan ever since the team was invented! I did have a lapse of interest for a few years while the dog fighting guru was around. (actually did not watch games while he was on the team) But, now, the team is on the right track and has many key personnel (players, coaches, management, ownership) in place to finally make this franchise a winner. Ryan is great, but just one of the pieces of this magnificent puzzle. I never thought the Falcons would have another QB that could come close to Bartkowski in pure raw talent and the intelligence to go with it. Go Falcons!
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
The Denver interception was close to a Rookie Moment, I’ll grant you. It was also the only interception Ryan has thrown in six home games.
By DB
November 24, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
I have been a Falcons fan ever since the team was invented! I did have a lapse of interest for a few years while the dog fighting guru was around. (actually did not watch games while he was on the team) But, now, the team is on the right track and has many key personnel (players, coaches, management, ownership) in place to finally make this franchise a winner. Ryan is great, but just one of the pieces of this magnificent puzzle. I never thought the Falcons would have another QB that could come close to Bartkowski in pure raw talent and the intelligence to go with it. Go Falcons!
By Homet
November 24, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
I only hope Mike VICK is strapped to a chair EVERY SUNDAY and forced to watch how a PROFESSIONAL Quarterback runs a team!!!
By KB
November 24, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
We did get the guy. Fan for many years even now living in california. There is little question that this guy is good. We need to keep building around him, on both sides of the ball and finally bring a superbowl championship to the ATL.
By TURTSNAP
November 24, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Mark Great blog!!! You captured two of the defining moments in that game (centered around Ryan). I watched them both high atop in my end zone seats. The first one to Jenkins, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Ryan threw across his body on a dead run and hit Jenkins on a perfect pass. I remember commenting to my friend, saying that the pass was much more difficult than Ryan made it look. The second, to Douglas, he made the pass, but he is correct, Douglas made an unbelievable catch!!
So many moments in that game, the Falcons took what they learned last week and applied it in a Beat Down on the Panthers. How about Snelling on the pass, keeping his balance? Unbelievable. Douglas on the punt return. So many questioned his taking a fair catch last week (which was called from the bench). Well, there are no Nay-Sayers this week!! The kid is spectacular, and no longer a secret around the league, by the way. I like his nickname too… HD!!
Turner had some people questioning whether he had run out of gas with six games to go. Last week, it seemed like he went down to easy on the first hit. Well Turner was back in this game. He could smell the endzone. Gutsy call by Coach Smith when we were up by three and facing fourth and goal from the 2. Turner broke the tackle and turned the decision to gold. Some around me questioned why they would go for it, but it was obvious we had to, because at that point, we could not stop Carolina’s offense.
Just a truly outstanding game last night. Next week could be magical, heading to San Diego and having Turner show out in front of his old crowd. Hopefully we can stop LT and Rivers.
By Phil4real
November 24, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
T E A M
As much as I love Matt Ryan’s game, Mark you have to give all the rookies in this class some credit. Just like a journalist, you’re hyping up one player on a team that has overcome adversity. Matt was right Harry made a good play. Abraham made some great plays. Babineaux, JAM, Lofton, Milloy, Norwood, Jenkins, White, and Elam all made great plays. Give the TEAM some credit on Monday morning.
By BIGEASY830
November 24, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is having a great season and the Falcons are having a great season. Matt Ryan is a very good QB with the ability to make big plays in clutch moments. Most of his success should also be attributed to the coaching staff for bringing him along and putting him in position to succeed. I was one of his biggest critics when the Falcons drafted him, but he has definitley won me over. He did that with the throw he made in the Falcons lost to Denver that would have been the game winner. That was a special play that only the special players make.The biggest move the Falcons can make in the off season is to ensure we keep Coach Mularkey. I am quit sure many of those bad teams will be eying him and Coach Musgrave after the fine job they have done with Matt Ryan and this Falcons offense.
By Previous Ryan Skeptic
November 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
By A-BOM
November 24, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this
MIKE VICK IS THE BEST ROOKIE QB EVER IN NFL HISTORY BUT NONE OF YOU RACIST AJC HATERS ARE MAN ENOUGH TO ADMIT IT!!
A-Bom, your joking right? Before you speak on a subject have a little knowledge of it. Go on ESPN and look at Michael Vick’s stats his rookie season and compare them to Matt Ryan’s. Even though Vick only played 8 games in 2001 his numbers aren’t even comparable to Ryan’s. Stats do not lie. Please do us all a favor and stop throwing the race card out at every opportunity you have.
By Raul
November 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Ben Roethlisberger sux!
By Dumba$$Bill
November 24, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Hey Bill M.Ryan voted for Obama
All the kids voted for Obama. Clean cut, all white young men voted for Obama. You old Viagara men are the last of your breed. Go sit in front of the fire place and remember old times when you and your hound dog buck used to run after coon or coons. Depending on which story you tell. See ya Bill and Buck, enjoy the final days on earth in this beautiful country.
By MountainDawg
November 24, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Outstanding article Mark! Ryan is playing at a Pro-Bowl level & making (usually subpar) Roddy White shine. “Matty Ice” has the skills, talent & potential to help turn this franchise around. This is the 2nd time (in the last week) I’ve read an article about Ryan possibly being the best (rookie) QB ever…and I’m hoping he continues to prove that!
By Raul
November 24, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Ben Roethlisberger sux!
By SLIM
November 24, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Roethlesberger walked into a very easy situation: great defense, Burres and Ward at WR. He could just ‘dink and dunk’ it all day.
Ryan has Finneran/Jenkins/White. Not quite the same. Ryan took the Falcons to last second victory vs. Chicago, and also put it in Roddy’s hands in the endzone with a minute left vs. Denver.
For a ROOKIE to do this is incredible. Ryan would have had a passer rating of 110+ in that Pittsburgh system.
By Ric
November 24, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Michael Vick, WHO? Matt Ryan is a REAL Quarterback! Notice the difference?
By paul rodgers
November 24, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Gag me! You discount Big Ben’s 13-0 start as a fluke because his team was loaded with talent? Give me a break and get some perspective dude.
By Dave
November 24, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
When I was looking at the draft at first I wanted Dorsey like probably most falcon fans did. I listened to the ex-GM for the TN Titans whose name escapes me now say it is best to get your QB first. If you wait and fix the rest of your team first then get your QB and give him time to develop you are liable to have a team with a small window of opportunity that gets old before the QB reaches his prime. We are now in the opposite situation we can draft well get some pieces from free agency and maybe be good for a lot longer period. In the South Tampa Bay has a very old QB. Carolina has a QB probably with few years left to do it. In the long run Atlanta has the brightest future now. I think Matt Ryan is a Peyton Manning clone who may not have the best arm in the league, but he has everything else including a work ethic which may be what will be his biggest asset as we move into the next few years and he continues to develop. Give me a smart QB with a work ethic any day. I do think Matt Ryan has to be in the discussion as a QB with best start ever anyone would admit that.
By maddog
November 24, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
ANYBODY HEARD FROM VICKSUPPORTER2? IM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HIM.THE WAY HIS TEAM LOST I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE HE’S OKAY.POOR GUY:( GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!
By luckydog
November 24, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
How bout Mike Smith for rookie coach of the year! And Tommy D, rookie GM of the year!
By George Gipp
November 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Being a student of the game and a huge college football fan, I watched Matt Ryan play several times while at BC and was very impressed. I knew he had all the tools to make a great NFL QB.
After the fiasco of last year I knew the Falcons needed a real NFL type QB and knew Ryan would be available in the draft, but really didn’t expect the Falcons to take him, I too thought they’d go w/ Dorsey. When they did take him, I was very pleased, but wondered if he would have the maturity to handle being a “white” QB in Atlanta, when there were still so many loyal to MV7. Not because MV7 was a superstar and a great athlete, but fans simply because he was a black QB. I am relieved that has been a non-issue. There is no place for that in football and anyone who’s played before knows that.
However, Mr. A. Blank, God bless him, made some excellent choices during the offseason. I had come to really feel sorry for the man after his QB, several of his players (on Monday Night Football no less), his coach and GM made him look like a public fool. He endured much public humiliation last year. He had to clean up the organization and seems to have got it right this time. Notice he is also less visible than in past years, letting football people run the organization.
I feel good about the direction of the team. They are fun to watch again. I do still miss Alge Crumpler though. I still think he is the best TE in the NFL. He could even make MV7 look like a passer at times.
Here’s to the future.
By Corey
November 24, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Yes we can!
By add14jazz
November 24, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Uh, no. Matt Ryan is NOT the best rookie quarterback ever. Dan Marino is easily the best rookie QB ever, no matter when his first game was. He was just head and shoulders better than Ryan - or anybody else - at this stage. But let’s be real. Matt Ryan is GREAT and is super high up on a very short list of above average rookie QBs - so far. He’s been a great surprise for everyone in the ATL!
By bb
November 24, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
He’s the BEST THE FALCON’S EVER HAD. You’re streching it mark
By Knocks Culpepper
November 24, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Greatest rookie qb ever? Please. The greatest rookie quarterback ever is a toss-up between Sammy Baugh and the Dutchman, Norm Van Brocklin. Nuff said.
By bb
November 24, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
He’s the BEST THE FALCON’S EVER HAD. You’re streching it mark. Ever, no
By bb
November 24, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
He’s the BEST THE FALCON’S EVER HAD. You’re streching it mark. best rookie ever, no
By ATL80
November 24, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Is Matt Ryan REALLY 22 years old and fresh out of college? He seems like he’s much older. Not only in his playing ability, but also his maturity in all the interviews he gives. Either he deferred college and was a really old senior or it’s just that good ole Irish Catholic upbringing;) Go Boston College! Look at the type of party-boy punks you get out of state schools (if they even finish).
By St. Bernard
November 24, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
I love Ryan….but to say he’s better than an undefeated Rothlesberger….is a stretch. He was UNDEFEATED. I don’t care if the team was “loaded” or not.
By Dr. Warren
November 24, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
The guy threw a 57-yard touchdown on his first NFL pass. Was that a sign of things to come, or what??
By BartBuzz
November 24, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Michael Vick’s dog fighting hobby is the best thing that has ever happened to the Falcons. Matt Ryan is a real QB, has humility, has a head on his shoulders, and won’t embarrass the franchise.
By Historian
November 24, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
I think the idea of the best rookie QB is a hollow thought. Who cares if he had a great start, what about what he does for his career. If you say his career is as good as Starr, Unitas, Brady, etc., then your discussion has real meaning. A bad thought but what if he injures his shoulder and can’t play again, once again does it matter what he does as a rookie, those statistics are meaningful only as indicators of what he could become. If he directs the team to a superbowl, then maybe he is better than Chris Chandler who did the same (the only one).
By BRENT E. WHITE
November 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
i am from new york and have become a falcons fan because of matt ryan and wish him well because the falcon fans need to forget the dog killer.may the falcons owner learn a lesson and never welcome the dog killer back.america will be watching you mr.blank.GOOD LUCK FALCONS
By 42 years frustration
November 24, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
I was 14 when the Falcons franchise started. Now I’m 56. Yes, I’m excited about Matt Ryan and that the Falcons finally seem to have discovered that football is a team game. Now if Dimitroff, Smith, Ryan and their successors can have the franchise average a 10-6 season for the next 31 years, the Falcons franchise record would actually go over .500.
By wins not PR
November 24, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
mike vick is still the best . The NFL is pushing Matt RYan and the media bank on it!! stiil black and white!!!
By brian
November 24, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Still 5 games to go folks. Ryan was the right pick - period. With that being said, The Falcons are where they are because of the entire team and the coaches. Improved defense, improved play at WR, better game management and a rock solid running game. These guys are legitimate and it’s fun to watch!
By pappa cap
November 24, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
here we go again the media ia gonna build this guy up to where the only place for him to go is down.let the guy finish the season with out all the hype and pressure of being some god send of a superstar.then when he has a bad game everybodys down on him and breaks his spirits.
By JimJohnson
November 24, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
**WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL BASHING VICK? Mike Vick is quietly doing his time, so cut the “thug” talk. If someone wants to wear their #7 jersey in the dome, let them wear their jersey. Don’t forget that the jersey, regardless of the number and name, is still a Falcons jersey, and don’t forget that person wearing it is a Falcons fan.
GO MATT RYAN, GO MICHAEL TURNER, AND GO FALCONS!!!!
By yardee
November 24, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
I see many people still can’t talk about the Falcons without dumping on Mike V. Let him go people…focus on a team that appears to have a bright future. I’m still not there yet, but maybe one of these Sundays I’ll turn on the TV and watch one of their games, and maybe next year I’ll even start buying tickets again.
By The Realist
November 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
C’mon.Best ever? First of all whats the point? That would be like saying Jair Jurgens is the best 1st inning pitcher in baseball, or Marvin Williams is the best 2nd Qtr player is basketball. Very nice but pointless none the less, he’s the best ever of the over-hyped, over paid mistake laden new guys in the NFL. Wow, what an accomplishment. Being great as a rookie is nice and he has played EXTREMELY well but it doesn’t mean anything other than the Falcons made the right pick for this year. If they go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl and Ryan wins it in the fashion he did against Chicago you could probably say best season ever by a rookie. It would kind of be a no-brainer at that point, and it really needs to be that way if you really want to proclaim him “Best Ever”.
But lets be clear, Michael Turner and Roddy White have a gone long way towards helping Ryan look very good. Without a good ground game, Ryan would have to contend with a lot more complex zone coverages and blitzes than he does with Michael Turner bursting through the line.
To his credit though, I am REALLY impressed with his poise in the pocket and how he senses the rush. He seems oblivious to it, AND sensitive to it, all at the same time. In fact I haven’t seen him take a hard shot in the pocket since the Tampa game and that is pretty remarkable for a rookie. Hopefully that skill will keep him healthy. The other remarkable thing about Ryan is the ball placement on his passes. Except when he has to place the ball somewhere else due to coverage, they almost are always at shoulder level when the receiver is open. That greatly increases the chances the ball will be caught. I feel very fortunate we have such a mature and skilled QB leading the Falcons. The fact that he is a rookie? Who cares, lets win something first before we annoint him Best Anything….and to his enormous credit he would probably agree.
By NotaAtlantafan
November 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
NO!
By Wronger McWrong
November 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
I was way off on Matt Ryan and it was solely based on the idea that if the Falcons wanted this guy he couldn’t be the answer b/c the Falcons were always wrong. Guess the GM knows what he is doing and that is a nice change. 38 years a Falcons fan and still not fully accpeting what I’m seeing, enjoying it but still nervous the old Falcons will pop through and run my good times.
By Mike
November 24, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Ryan is impressive. Regardless of 2004 Pittsburgh’s being supposedly talented, do not dismiss Big Ben’s rookie season with one sentence.
By Dawgforlife57
November 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Matt is indeed playing way above expectations. However, it should be noted (and may have been already) the players around him on offense, and the guys on defense have raised their games to match. And all of this would be wasted if Bobby Petrino was on the sidelines, and woefully wasted if Mora, Jr. was still playing best-buddy on the sidelines. It seems we have a real NFL team from Owner to Pres, to GM, to Coach, to Coordinators, to Staff, to QB, and so on. I’m pinching myself that we might really have turned the corner as a franchise. Wouldn’t that be incredible??!!
By Spud Webb
November 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Bradley I love Ryan, don’t get me wrong. But the statement, “the greatest rookie QB ever” is bold. You can’t say that and then put circumstances in for others. Ben Roethlisberger was 13-0 as a rookie quarterback & Marino are the two best rookie QB’s ever. Numbers don’t lie. Again, Ryan is good and I love the kid, but the facts are he’s having a very, very good rookie season. Not the greatest of all time.
By Mike
November 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Ryan is impressive. Regardless of 2004 Pittsburgh’s being supposedly talented, do not dismiss Big Ben’s rookie season with one sentence.
By Mike
November 24, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Ryan is impressive. Regardless of 2004 Pittsburgh’s being supposedly talented, do not dismiss Big Ben’s rookie season with one sentence.
By MuddyWaters
November 24, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I haven’t heard Matt Ryan mentioned for MVP. Rookie of the year absolutely! But not MVP. Why is that? Can anyone name another player who’s had more of an impact on a team in contention?
By Vick Supporter2 fan
November 24, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Hey DB, so you didn’t have interest when #7 was on the TEAM, but you’ve been a fan of the TEAM ever since it was invented. That is dumber than any stupid $hit Vick Supporter 2 has EVER said. Was I a #7 fan? Yeah, a HUGE one! Am I a Matt Ryan fan? Yeah, a HUGE one! Don’t let my name fool you. I’ve just been mocking his silly a$$ for several days. Clearly Ryan is going to be a REAL franchise QB, but no REAL fan in their right mind can say they weren’t excited after the 2002 season. In 2003 the season was called over before it even started. I wonder why? After 2004 we ALL thought for sure we were going to have back to back winning seasons. The city was excited, hopes were high, the dome was packed and the rest is just dog $hit. Hey DB, at least VS2 still watches the Falcons. He can’t help it if he thinks it’s funny he can so easily p** people off to the point everybody gets racial. Maybe he has been too, but I’VE never read anything racial from him. Only stupid silly $hit that shouldn’t p** anyone off. Matt Ryan Leaf is 72 million BUST! That bull$hit actually p** you off or is it all the other irrelevant f**k $hit that is intended to p** you off and make him LAUGH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
By Mike
November 24, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Steelers in two seasons prior to Big Ben: 16-15-1. Sieelers in Roethlisberger’s first two seasons: 27-4 when he started. No more BS about Pittsburgh’s supposed talent. Big Ben in a landslide
By crabapplejoe
November 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
By the Realist wrote: “Roddy White have a gone long way towards helping Ryan look very good” You’re joking right? Roddy White cost us one game and turned the momentum yesterday in a bad way. Matt Ryan is helping Roddy White to a possible undeserved pro bowl appearance. You didn’t see Roddy’s name called in the fourth quarter when it counted yesterday…did you? Matt Ryan made it happen without him.
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Actually, Peter King of SI.com has Ryan fourth in his MVP rankings.
And, while I’m on the subject of linking, look for the newest Bradley’s Buzz in about 45 minutes. You’ll be glad you did.
By Civic-Minded Falcon
November 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Someone posted that Matt Ryan voted for Obama.
Does anyone know if Mike Vick voted for Obama, too?
Ooops! My Bad!
We all know that con-VICK-ted felons found guilty of illegal interstate gambling operations at the expense of innocent dog abuse, rape and torture no longer have the right to vote.
By NICK
November 24, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
ABSOLUTELY!
Matt Ryan is THE MAN!
Thank God, Arthur Blank finally grew a “set” and got rid of that NIGGR, Mike Vick, who is probably taking it up the as from the Ayran Brotherhood (one could only wish).
Just like Vick’s boyfriend, Fudge “Pacman”, he will always be remembered as a lowlife thug.
MATT RYAN on the other hand, will be remembered for leading the Falcons to a SUPERBOWL VICTORY!!!!!!
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
And you’re right: Calling him the best rookie quarterback ever is a bold statement, but I believe it’s supportable and I tried to do as much.
Besides, I like bold statements. The wimpiest word in the English language is “arguably.”
By Hamad Meander
November 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
I am man enough to say that I was wrong on Matt Ryan. In fact, I’d say he is at this point, the most valuable player on the Falcons roster (followed right behind by Michael Turner). Who knew? His season so far has been certainly successful, exciting, and confidence building. To also say that his success is coming without the type of talent that Rothlisberger had his rookie year is certainly accurate.
I am excited about the future of this franchise - with a few more parts (healthy Sam Baker, better RT, more defensive linemen), this team could be playoff bound every year.
By Jack Napier
November 24, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
*QUESTION : * How does Michael Vick feel about dogs?
*ANSWER : * According to the reported evidence the FBI found, he usually does it in his birthday suit.
.
By Old Dawg
November 24, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Michael who? Sure is nice to forget the transgressions of Vick. It seems crazy after 40 years as a franchise to finally have a winning front office staff.
But it would be really nice to go back to the Glanville-era uniforms. Like Terry Bradshaw said, these things are butt ugly!
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Oh, and Sammy Baugh — as mentioned above — threw more interceptions than touchdowns as a rookie. And Norm Van Brocklin completed a total of 32 passes his rookie season.
By mtb
November 24, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Pittjacket Wrong he is and will be ahead of Ben. We have seen the best days of Big Ben. The year they went to the Super Bowl he did the same thing that Trent Difler did for the Ravens, he managed the offense. The Steelers were already good before he got drafted. They were always in the playoffs. Matt Ryan has already passed him in the fact he was the starter from day 1. Big Ben was put in because of injuries.
By satchmo
November 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
OMG….best rookie qb EVER!?!? Delusional rantings may be excusable post M.Vick, but did anyone bother to look at all the mutts on the schedule? Ryan’s a good kid playing with enthusiasm on a team reborn, but only time will tell if he’s the best at anything.
By AGTfan
November 24, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
When we’re praising Matty Ice and all of the other rookies who are playing so well, it’s worth another bold statement. This was the best draft class in the history of the Falcons. My MVP is the guy with the funny Russian sounding name who hit the ground running as a rookie GM and made ALL the right calls. He was second guessed for choosing Smith as HC. he was second guessed on Matty Ice. Every said Baker was a reach. Thomas Dimitriof is THE MAN!
By larry
November 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Hey! I’m a Vick hater; but, I’m not a racist. I do like dogs, though (means I’m not nuts about Babineaux, either).
By gretta
November 24, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
TO ALL THE PERFECT PEOPLE: Michael Vick made a big mistake in his life and he has paid dearly. There are many people in this country that participate in dog fighting every day and pay the police off and never do a day in jail. I have read about dogfighting right here in the great state of Georgia, heard of the arrest and that is all. This was right after Michael Vick got in trouble. Please do not judge people, we are all going to be judged one day. People spend more time worrying about a dog than they do battered women in this country. There are more housing for mistreated dogs than there are for battered women. I love dogs and we all make mistakes. When people are down and out, some people love to kick them over and over again. Learn to forgive each other and who are YOU to judge anyone. G from Duluth
By DaveMcDuffie
November 24, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
No predictions for the future, just have to say after following the Dirty Birds since their beginning, even after moving to LA in ‘78, this years team brings tears of joy. I even watch old tapes with Mike V and still enjoy watching but this NEW TEAM is SPECIAL! All for ONE is obvious and every third down play is like a highlight play! Ryan is simply unbelieveable in this very complicated game and I pray he and all the Falcons stay healthy. Looking forward to San Diego, a beautiful place to win a game. Now you have me wanting to move back to Atl after all these years. GO FALCONS!
By Smell Playoffs
November 24, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
This team is obviously for real and it is unbelievably fun to watch this season play out. I truly belive Matty Ice is the next great qb in the NFL. Yes, it takes the entire team to win and we can count on Tommy D and Smitty to keep the pieces in order.
4 TD by The Burner? Are you kidding? Amazing! And what got into HD? Awesome!
Here’s to kicking a** for the next 5 games and hopefully riding this wave deep into the playoffs! Go Falcons!
By Hawk
November 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Falcons had me nervous when the game was about to slip away. When Matt Ryan was able to come through to make plays to secure the win, it showed how he can become leader and win, something we really need right about now.
By DaveMcDuffie
November 24, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
To Roddy White: I knew you would be a “good” receiver after watching your initial season. This year you have helped win some…and lose at least one. Great players make great catches. I am hoping you want to be “great”! And for all you Vick lovers/haters, sure he let us down after a couple years of fabulous play. He did not have much help either in the coaching department, he just winged it and sometimes you would swear he was Superman and sometimes he looked like high school(rarely though). I personally don’t understand the attraction to an illegal activity when you are making multi-millions of dollars per year! I just say good luck Mike, I’m sure you know what you have done and how many people you let down. Go Falcons!
By EagleTop4
November 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Matty Ice is Da Man & will be for a long time! We have to credit the coaching staff especially Mike Mularkey for his scheme & play calling ability! Coach Smith & Thomas Dimitriof are TWO PEAS IN A POD…thus a perfect fit to take us far for a long time!!! I’m a 5yr season holder & I’m loving this!!!
By Seamus O'Malley
November 24, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
All of the Falcons fans that were HATING on Ryan after the draft, since they don’t realize we play real ball up in Yankee Territory north of the Donna Dixon Line in Chestnut Hill, MA, you are welcome. This is what we do at BC.
People were actually slamming him in favor of DJ Shockley since he was from UGA. Disgustiad.
By Joel Foreman
November 24, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Of course he is! I said this a couple of weeks ago, “The only other rookie that even comes close would be Dan Marino!”
By Shane
November 24, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Until the year is finished we can’t judge if he is the best rookie QB ever. But, if he is not the best rookie he is without a doubt the 3rd best behind Marino and Rothlisberger. Those two had Super Bowls one a win the other a loss to end their years. Ryan is fun to watch and we have a QB that will surpass or be equal to ANY QB in the NFL over the next several years. Dimitroff only has to keep this team intact and fill aging holes (Brooking, Milloy) to move this team to Super Bowl level by next season ! These are great times to be a long suffering Falcon Fan. I can’t wait until next Sunday ! GO FALCONS !!!!!
By John from Decatur
November 24, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
GOD gave us Ryan, becaues he love dogs too!!
By John from Decatur
November 24, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
GOD gave us Ryan, because he love dogs too!!
By John from Decatur
November 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
GOD gave us Matt Ryan, because he love dogs too!!
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is the best rookie qb I have ever seen. Then again I have never seen a rookie qb step in and do what he has done( no disrespect to Big Ben). I believe he is setting a standard from which all others will be judged. Actually this whole rookie class has impressed. What a heckuva job this organization has done. From the top to the bottom and back up job well done. Congrats to all and lets beat S.D. in our next game.
By Ed
November 24, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Between Ryan and Turner, ohhh heck yeah; Falcons ruled this weekend, heck yeah baby!!!!!
By Gary
November 24, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Muddy Waters……MVP talk is a little premature for Ryan right now. He is great and will definitely win Rookie of the Year. There are several QBs who are ahead right now in the MVP race in my opinion. Eli Manning is one, Kurt Warner (yes) is another. Also there is a former Falcon who got a lot of flack this past summer who now has his team in the drivers seat in the AFC East. He has won an MVP before and I think should win it again….Brett Favre. Don’t worry, Ryan will get his MVP(s) in due time. Hopefully he will be picking up multiple SuperBowl MVPs as well.
By scooter
November 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
The MV7 obsession is amazing. Did a ctrl + f and counted over 50 mentions of the man in this thread alone.
Ever heard the expression, let sleeping dogs lie? (bad pun intended )
By Guy
November 24, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
We have a true qb now. I did want us to draft Glen dorsey but im so glad we didnt we would have passed on a future hall of fame qb. Ryan will definatly lead this team to a super bowl in the future. This has been a great job by the front office and the coaching staff for forming this team to what it is now. I see us making the playoffs.
By Bill
November 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Wow! Did someone actually write they were proud to be a Falcons fan again? That is incredible to hear and even more incredible to agree with. After years of trying in some way to defend being a Falcons fan, this is a real pleasure. I would rather have this team than any other in the NFL. We are going to continue to improve and that is the scary part. Just to say it again, Falcons fans should be PROUD!
By Reality Check
November 24, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
gretta, this is about MATT RYAN not Vick. I hope some day soon the words football, quarterback, Atlanta…can all be said without the mention of Vick. While Ryan was winning a game Vick was sitting in prison, both were where they were suppose to be. Ryan is intelligent, something it takes to be a great quarterback. Intelligent is not an adjective anyone would use in describing Vick. Matt Ryan is a better quaterback than Vick could ever dream of being, 100 times better!
By A Panther Fan
November 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is surpassing every expectation anyone could have set for a rookie quarterback. He has only had 1 or 2 “rookie” moments that I’ve seen this year. Working the game with one of he media groups, I had the chance to visit the Falcon’s locker room after the game. Even in there he was passing all credit back to the other members of his offense (line, receivers, and running game).
You should indeed be proud and embrace the team you have.
I can’t say enough about Michael Turner. He reminds me of a Weeble (anyone old enough to remember thse), he may wobble, but he don’t fall down.
By Mike
November 24, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
just please don’t put ryan on the next madden cover… pleease.
By Donald
November 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Can someone say BEN ROETHLISBERGER
By FalconFan4Life
November 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Not the best ever, but has the potential to be the best QB in history! But definitely, right now, he’s the best QB rookie ever. Even Rothlesberger wasn’t this good, even though he won a superbowl… Rather his defense did. I’m a true believer in Matt Ryan… Now let’s trade Vick and get something for him!
By Laughing Gal
November 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
I hope I am not just “dreaming” in hoping that Matt Ryan will not only continue as an asset to the Falcons but that he will become involved in Atlanta community and youth affairs - thereby GIVING BACK to the city that is headed towards LOVIN’ him-
By Kelley
November 24, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
OK, everyone wants to argue that Ben R. may give Matt Ryan a run for his money as best rookie QB ever, but ask this question? Was the Pittsburgh Steelers whole organization in shambles when Big Ben was drafted? Matt Ryan took over as QB in an organization that last year was in one of the biggest diseasters I have ever seen a franchise have to endure. In my opinion, that only adds to what Matt Ryan has accomplished this year thus far, being a part of an organization that was overcoming such a bad past year. Let’s not overlook the impact of Coach Smith and the new GM, can’t say enough about the job they’ve done.
By Manny
November 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
You’re not going to get anything for Vick, once he’s out. He will be released and picked up. No one will pay for that public relations nightmare. But they will certainly claim him off waivers.
As for Matt Ryan, there were other QBs that were better. Big Ben won a Super Bowl. Fran Tarkenton was a good rookie. And when Dan Marino finally hit the field,he was pretty good.
As I’ve said before, Matt Ryan fits this team, and the offensive concept. He doesn’t have to beat a team, even though he has to make plays. And he’s not this superstar- he’s a worker.
No flash, nothing frills, and nothing fancy. Just some good passing and reads.
By satch
November 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
dan marino still is the best rookie qb ever.but i like matt ryan and i,m a cardinal/ravens guy.
By Keith Helms
November 24, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Just as Ryan may be the best rookie qb. ever, how about Coach Smith as the best rookie Head Coach ever? Neither could have prospered without the other.
By FalconsDawg
November 24, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
We are not surprised that Ryan is doing so well; we are just stunned at when he is doing so well. Heck, we’re shocked at how well all the Falcons are doing so soon. We not only got a great QB but we have an awesome coaching staff. It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?
By Falcon's lifer
November 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a fan of the Falcons since they started. After all this time I’ve given up on hoping. I cannot imagine they will ever do anything right.
This looks great. Ryan looks like a wonderful QB, and the other guys are performing well as a team.
Still, I sort of expect that Ryan will turn out to be a cannibal or something.
But man, i hope not. (dang, I’m hoping again.)
By ABBA!
November 24, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
CAN YOU SAY TURNER? HE HAS A GREAT BACK, EVEN ELWAY GOT TO THE GAME WITH A GREAT BACK
By WTF???
November 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
DIRTY BIRDS!!! DIRTY BIRDS!!! DIRTY BIRDS!!!
I’m so pumped about the future! Just think what this kid will be like in a few years! Can we be the next Dynasty of the NFL???
By Brandon
November 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Thank God Michael Thug Vick is gone. Mr. Ryan we welcome you.
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Kelley- I couldnt agree more. And I wonder if the two qbs switch places what the results would be then?
By JJ the Jet Plane
November 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Certainly KUDOS to Matt and the rest of the TEAM. He is as good as I’ve ever seen as a ROOKIE. What I wonder is this….When is Terrence (I HATE WHITE PEOPLE) Moore going to pen a column to tell us that , Yeah, Matt Ryan is OK but Micheal Vick is far better.
By Hayden
November 24, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Just a quick comment - Michael Vick did not invent dog fighting. Billy Bob and Robbie Ray down in Dothan, Alabama have been doing it for years. This dogfighting in the hood crap is nonsense - it originated in the country. Now be quiet!
By YELLOWJACKETS REQUIRED
November 24, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
We never hear ANYTHING about Vick, other than he is trying to get out of the POKEY! Some team will pick him up and he’ll be a “flach in the pan” for a little while, but these kinds of people eventually do themselves in..JUST BAD BEHAVIOR!
By Brother Vince
November 24, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I’m impressed with Ryan, but I picked up Joe Flacco on my Fantasy Team and he has done pretty good, as well. I don’t he’s done quite as much as Ryan has been asked to do, but he is still winning as a rook.
By steve
November 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark-
How can you leave out Big Ben. He was 15-1 his first year as a starter only losing to the the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. I would take that anyday over what Matt Ryan has done unless of course he makes it to the superbowl and wins it!
By JT
November 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I think the team looks great and the QB is outstanding!! I think we need to shore up the defensive backfield, some better tacklers at linebacker(on defense PERIOD) and a solid tight end and another CONSISTENT running back(Norwood can’t be counted on week in and week out) and we could have something REALLY special!!
By Talbott
November 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
What about Roethlisberger? 2004 Rookie campaign, “Big Ben” did not lose a game during the entire regular season, setting a record for most consecutive games won with a rookie quarterback to start a career. Included were back-to-back convincing wins over the New England Patriots (breaking their record 21-game winning streak) and eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. By the end of the season, Roethlisberger and the rest of the Steelers were starting to show signs of wear, but they still escaped with victories every time. The Steelers completed the 2004 regular season with the best record in the NFL at 15–1, which is also their best 16-game season.
By Talbott
November 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
What about Roethlisberger? 2004 Rookie campaign, “Big Ben” did not lose a game during the entire regular season, setting a record for most consecutive games won with a rookie quarterback to start a career. Included were back-to-back convincing wins over the New England Patriots (breaking their record 21-game winning streak) and eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. By the end of the season, Roethlisberger and the rest of the Steelers were starting to show signs of wear, but they still escaped with victories every time. The Steelers completed the 2004 regular season with the best record in the NFL at 15–1, which is also their best 16-game season.
By Indifferent
November 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
While I am very impressed by Matt Ryan’s play on the field, I am equally impressed by his maturity and leadership qualities for a 23/34 year old…outstanding.
His parents should be very proud of the way this young man conducts himself and so should Atlanta.
I’m a Patriots fans here in ATL but have looked for years for a reason to root for the Falcons as my “backup” team. I now have it and absolulely look forward to watching Falcons games. It’s absolutely amazing how quickly this franchise has turned around.
Matt Ryan - you are a special player and person….a person ANY parent would be proud to call their son.
By Indifferent
November 24, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
To those who mention Ben Roethlisberger…you need to look no further than the team he came into as a rookie. That Pittsburgh team was FAR better than this Falcons team. The Steelers defense was stout and they had a great running game and WR’s. To compare the talent that Ben had/has to what Ryan has is not even close.
PLUS - If my memory serves me correct…Roethlisberger only threw the ball about 15 times per game. He was STRICKLY a game manager.
Joe Flacco has also done very well for a rookie but again, the Ravens defense is stout. Flacco is more of a game manager for the Ravens.
Pittsburgh and Baltimore were NO WHERE near as horrendous as the Falcons team that Ryan inherited….PERIOD.
By D Fence
November 24, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Remember how all the last few years the receivers, Jenkins and White were not running routes and were not making catches. In defense of them and the grief they have taken, I commend them, so you will know that they were not the reason the catches were not being made. One man changed two receivers as well as a teams personality. Let’s not forget Michael Turner who just does his job also.
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
The ICEMAN has truly cometh. Regardless of all the comparisons to Big Ben, and Marino etc. The bottom line is Matt Ryan is getting it done and that is all that matters. To all the Vick supporters, peace. To Vick himself, good luck. To the all the REAL FALCON FANS. We got the guy y’all and he is the truth. LET THE BIG BIRDS EAT.
By Chris
November 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
I really liked the Ryan pick. But I also liked the Vick pick on the day it was made (to my credit, I soured on Vick about three years before everybody else). I also liked the Bartkowski pick, the first “bold” move I had ever seen as a 9-year-old Falcons fan back then.
Apparently, there was no consensus on Ryan, as some have asserted. Miami and LA both could use “can’t miss” franchise QBs (heck, who couldn’t?), but passed him up for linemen. To me, QB is the most important position on the field and worth a perceived risk in the draft. If you get it right, you can be set for years. Franchise QBs just aren’t available all that often.
Also, Falcons fans need to realize that we have actually fared better than some teams at the QB slot. Teams like the Bears and Lions have NEVER, in my memory, had a really good QB. Sure, McMahon won the SB on a great Bears team, but he was far from a great QB, not even as good as Jeff George, who I generally loathe but was pretty good for awhile. Besides Peachtree Bart, along with William Andrews among my favorite Falcons ever, we have had George, Chris Chandler (very underrated and the only QB to take us to the SB), and Vick, who I hate but is more talented than any Bears/Lions QB in memory.
Tampa Bay and Seattle also have not really had a franchise (or even consistently good) QB in my lifetime (say from ‘74 when I was 8 and started watching football), though they have had a bit better luck than Chicago and Detroit. We could probably name several other franchises that have had only one really good QB in that time span. We are not as bad off as some.
By ATLFF
November 24, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
I think so, but I’m sure the most racist Terence Moore doesn’t think so because Ryan is not black.
By Scoots
November 24, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Looking at the schedule ahead, it’s hard not to be overly-optimistic. Although it is highly unlikely the Falcons will win out, I see all these games as ‘winnable’.
Next week, at the Chargers - the Chargers are not what they were the last few years, and their pass defense is horrible. Just have to keep LT from running all over us.
At New Orleans - We’ve already shown we can beat them - it will be harder on the road obviously, but it can be done.
Tampa Bay - Tough team, but Falcons get it done at home
At Minnesota - Very up-and-down team. Could go either way
Home vs. St. Louis. - Easy ‘W’ against what is probably the worst team in the league right now.
I don’t see the Falcons doing any worse than 3-2 the rest of the way. That’s a 10-6 record, and a good chance for a wild-card spot. Anyway you slice it, it’s a great year for the Falcons and the future looks even brighter.
I think Ryan will be wearing a ring sometime in the next few years. He is light years ahead of where most rookies should be - in his game composure, accuracy, and understanding of the playbook, even reading defenses - just incredible. We have Pro-Bowl worthy receiver and running back, emerging WRs (Jenkins, Douglas), and outstanding backup RB/returner in Norwood. We just need to bulk up the OL and DL in the draft, and this team can be scarry good.
I love it!!
By DawgNCalifornia
November 24, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Recent Reader, UM…Chris CHANDLER lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl, not Chris MILLER. Check your facts. You make yourself look like a moron.
By BigJohn
November 24, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
This old white man (61) was excited to see Vick play in his first years. Any Falcon fan who says they didn’t jump up and down when he ran for THE touchdown against Minnesota isn’t a real fan. If you didn’t cheer when Vick led us to the first playoff victory EVER in Green Bay, you just aren’t a true fan. Vick gave us a lot of excitement and hope. I honestly wish he had matured as a person and player. Had he done so, he would still be with the Falcons and he would be a better QB for it. BUT, he didn’t and he is paying the price and we have to move on.
Ryan is our future now and I see a very bright future. I also wish Vick the best of luck after he gets out. I think once he completes his sentence he should get the chance to pursue his football career. Young men get in trouble all the time and most of them deserve a second chance.
By OldRidgeRunner
November 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I’ve been watching the Falcons since the beginning when Nobis and the boys came to town. I gotta say that I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs over the years.
Matt Ryan is one of the best rookie QB’s that I’ve ever seen. I don’t know if he is the very best. The rest of the season, and time will tell that tale.
As to Michael Vick…I gotta give him his due. He was one of the best running QB’s that I’ve seen. Vick made some very bad choices which is the reason for his jail time. He knows better than anyone what he lost.
This year is different in a lot of ways from recent seasons. I wanna jump on the band wagon, but I’m holdin’ back. I still have the attitude that I’ll wait ‘til next year to see what happens. At this point, I don’t know if we will make the post season. It would be great to watch if we do. Should we fail to do so, the Falcons has some building blocks to move forward to what I hope is a bright future.
By Stephen
November 24, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Can we please have an AJC blog soon about the Atlanta Falcons and not mention or comment on Michael Vick? Let’s support and critique the CURRENT team as oppose to dwelling on the past. The future looks a whole lot better. Even if they don’t win another game this season, the TEAM has exceeded expectations.
GO FALCONS!!!!
By Believe01
November 24, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else realize we are 1 bad call in Philly and 1 missed catch in the Denver game from being 9 and 2!!! Who would have thought that at the begining. I just can’t wait to see whats next!! WAHOOO GO FALCONS!!! (oh and the Defense is gaining big time!!
By BOISE ST BRONCO
November 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Can this guy pitch a baseball?
By Poncho
November 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Glen who?
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Ben Roethlisberger joined a team that had Duce Staley and the Bus in the backfield, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress as wideouts and Antwaan Randall El as a utilityman. The Steelers’ line was anchored by Alan Faneca. The defense was led by Joey Porter and Troy Polamalu. Would you say the 2008 Falcons are similarly blessed?
By ed
November 24, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
It’s real good to see the stadium fans are more racially balanced than when the dog killer was the qb.
By George Gipp
November 24, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
gretta said, “Michael Vick made a big mistake in his life and he has paid dearly. There are many people in this country that participate in dog fighting every day and pay the police off and never do a day in jail……People spend more time worrying about a dog than they do battered women in this country.”
Hey gretta, MJ7 gave a woman a life sentence of herpes. He bought his way out of that. The people weren’t going to let him pay his way out of every transgression forever. He had his second chance to do the right thing. Quit blaming society and making MV7 the victim.
By mars
November 24, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
ed, it’s real good to see that there are still inbred morons like yourself around who can inspire Vick supporters to continue there delusional rants. I was so afraid they were going to SHUT UP! Thanks, buddy, for keeping the nightmare alive!
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley- The teams the two qbs inherited cannot even be compared. The Steelers are known as a franchise of continuity. The Falcons have never had back to back winning seasons. Other than the fact both teams play in the NFL there are no other comparisons. Question Mark- How well do you think Matt Ryan would have done on that Steelers team and Big Ben with the birds this year?
By ATLFAN22
November 24, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Hey ABBA, Was Barry Sanders a great back? Did Detroit get to the game?
By Kdub
November 24, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is a good, young quarterback, but I am not ready to call him the greatest rookie ever. I do not think that people are giving the other pieces of the team enough credit.
The offensive line is giving Matt Ryan time to throw the ball. He barely gets sacked once a game, and we can’t just say that it is because of a quick release.
He has two good running backs, one of whom is pro bowl bound, which forces the defense to play honest. The running game also allows us to control the clock.
The receivers have matured, and do not drop nearly as many balls.
Also, the defense has improved. They have gone from being at the bottom of the NFL to the top half.
The fact is, if you compare a 22 year old Matt Ryan to a 22 year old “7”, then you will see that “7” put up good numbers, without having the talent that we have currently at WR, not to mention that he missed two games, and played with two separated “AC’s”. He threw for a little under 3000yds and ran for almost 800yds, in a conservative Dan Reeves offense, with Trevor Gaylor, Quinton McCord, Shawn Jefferson, and Fin at WR. I know that many people on here dislike “7”, but do not discount his skills.
Again, I like Matt Ryan, and I do think he is a good QB, but let’s not discount the massive improvements on the team. We have depth, plus we are staying healthy. However, at the pace that he is going, he has the chance to be a great one.
By Joe
November 24, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
He is the real deal for sure. Certainly has exceeded wildest expectations. But so has the entire team for that matter.The O-Line has blocked very well. The running game is amongst the leagues best. And the defense is stout. Receivers are making big plays. But…I still say it is hard to argue against Roethlisberger. Most consecutive wins EVER by a rookie quarterback, followed up with a super bowl. Ryan is a breath of fresh air, for sure. But lets see how this all plays out.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 24, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
TURNER THE BURNER
WAY TO EARN YOUR CONTRACT!!!!!
MUST BE NICE HAVING A RUNNING BACK THAT CAN SCORE 4-TOUCH DOWNS IN A GAME
HOW MANY TOUCHDOWNS HAS THE GREATEST ROOKIE THROWN AGAINST TAMPA & CAROLINA?
LIKE THE OTHER POSTER SAID - THERE IS ONLY ONE “DAN MARINO
8-8 IS NOT BAD THOUGH FOR THE GREATEST ROOKIE QB EVER :)
MV7 (GREATEST EVER)
By Curious George
November 24, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
If a great and wise man like Mike Vick had owned Michelle Obama along with his other canines as part of “Bad Newz Kennelz,” would he have made her fight other dogs, or would he have used her strictly for breeding?
By bring vick back
November 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
vick best year 2006 ranked 20th passer rating; 22nd yards per pass; 22nd total yards; better receivers: same wide outs and Crumpler; the rook: passer rating 13th; yards per pass 8th; total yards: 11th; same wideouts and I can’t name his tight end and Ryan has upside; Vick peaked his sophomore year @ Va Tech;
By teheran
November 24, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Well I must say that Ryan is a pretty good Rookie but i can’t say he is the best. Joe Flacco is playing just as good so that is pretty arguable and Big Ben Rothlisberger did what no Rookie or player has ever done. he went undefeated and won the Super Bowl.
By JM
November 24, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
As I said when we drafted Ryan and everyone was complaining, This guy is too first-class to fail. His work ethic, leadership, and competitiveness will simply not allow him to. When you add in his undeniable physical tools, you have a guy who truly has a chance to be a generational, franchise-changing player.
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
This chart appeared in the print AJC this morning. Here, for the benefit of you online folks, it is:
Dan Marino, Miami, 1983: Games started: 9 Record as starter: 7-2 Attempts: 296 Completions: 173 Percentage: 58.4 Yards: 2,210 Yards per game: 200.9 Touchdowns: 20 Interceptions: 6 Passer rating: 96.0
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh, 2004: Games started: 13 Record as starter: 13-0 Attempts: 295 Completions: 196 Percentage: 66.4 Yards: 2,621 Yards per game: 187.2 Touchdowns: 17 Interceptions: 11 Passer rating: 98.1
Matt Ryan, Atlanta, 2008: Games started: 11 Record as starter: 7-4 Attempts: 310 Completions: 186 Percentage: 60.0 Yards: 2,418 Yards per game: 219.8 Touchdowns: 11 Interceptions: 6
Passer rating: 88.3
By TBAY
November 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
I’m very proud of my falcons at this time like every one else, and Matt Ryan has proven that so far he is a capable starter and i agree pretty darn accurate. But lets not forget not to many years ago we were in the NFC championship game with a talented QB who every one wants to seem to forget. I’m not playing any kind of race card and at this level I think that Matt Ryan is a better passing QB Than Vick was, vick threw far to hard and wasn’t that accurate but he brought excitement and he filled the stands with his type of play. For 4 years vick kept us in or at the door steps of the playoffs race. I believe last year with all the mess surrounding the team we still had the talent to succeed but not the leadership. Matt Is having an outstanding year but lets see what happens next year when teams have had time to study his habits before we designate him FRANCHISE! My Hats off to Mr. Ryan he is darn good and I feel good watching the Dirty Birds again. My hat is off to Mr. Vick too, because when your sentence has been served you deserve to bring your talents back to this game if not for us again (boo hoo!) then to what ever team is looking for that special kind of talent you have to, and I still believe that half of what you bring to this game is still better than a third of the pro players out there Starting today.
By Space Mountain
November 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Oh look she raises her ugly head. Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages it is thoughtless, mindless most jealous fan of all time. CRIMINALSUPPORTER2. Michael Vick broke her heart so bad she wants everybody else to feel just as bad as she does. Hey CRIMINALSUPPORTER2 what were Michael Vicks stats from Sunday? Just keep on hating time will heal all wounds.
By goeagles
November 24, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I think Ryan is a lock for Rookie of the Year, and he should start getting some considerations for MVP. Where would the Falcons be with him? This is the definination of MVP.
By Mark Bradley
November 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Roethlisberger didn’t win the Super Bowl as a rookie. The Steelers lost to New England in the AFC title game.
By Kelley
November 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Why in the world would Michelle Obama be mentioned on this blog? Unless we are discussing Harvard graduates, which Mrs. Obama is one, I don’t see how she applies to any of these comments. I certainly did not graduate from Harvard and have deep respect for people who did.
By Barry
November 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” That’s right, “ONE HEARTBEAT , BABY”!!! We took no prisoners. And Carolina knows it.
Yes. Matt Ryan is one of the best rookie quarterback to enter the NFL. The team has all tools available for him to suceed. They have excellent, agressive, nasty playing linemen, on offense and defense. They have great running backs and receivers. The have an adequate linebacker and secondary corp. But the most of all, they have excellent coaches who understand the game, offensively and defensively. Matt will flourish as long as the team win. Matt will be regarded great as long as the team wins. That is why the Falcons function and must function with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. That is the only way the will win and everyone will “SHINE’ with this club. They are playing with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” That’s right. I’ll say it again. THEY ARE PLAYING WITH “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. Heck. I am ready to get me some T-Shirts, in fact the FALCON organization need to get some T-Shirts made with large a large heart with the Falcon logo emblazen in it with the word’s “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” or “ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY”. This is the new Falcon motto. This is how we play. This is what we do. We play with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. The owners, the coaches, the fans, the media, and the community, we are down with this. We are a TEAM. We have waited too long and now it is our time to shine with Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Todd Wiener, Mc Clure, John Abraham, Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood, Grady Jackson, Lawyer Milloy, Coach Mike Smith and his staff and the rest of the coaches and team. Together we are “ONE HEARBEAT!!!” WHen we play as a team, all players will be recognized for their greatness. This is our motto. This is our song: “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”.
Now let’s get some T-Shirts printed up FALCONS. AND BELIEVE.
Now, are you ready for some football??!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!
"ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!Ringold
By TBAY
November 24, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Stephen, Mike Vick is still a Falcon, convicted or not. He hasn’t been release yet and he is still a good football player, he could be converted to another position and still help this team or he could take his position back through the same process everyone else goes thru (TRY OUTS) As far as i’m concerned Vick is not the past he is very much the future, his errors in judgement better be in the past.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 24, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
TBAY
SORRY BUT MV7 WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS LOSER CITY.
By KingCobra
November 24, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I am dumbfounded as to why so many people STILL CARE about Mike Vick when its clear his life is going nowhere fast. He is strapped to a seat in a prison where he cant make a move without the prison warden staring down on him with a rifle zeroed in on the #7 on his back, but yet so many of you misguided souls would prefer Vick under center than this incredible phenom Matt Ryan. Vick has to appear in Virginia tomorrow to have his life handed to him on a silver platter and people are foolish enough to want Vick back to start as quarterback for them. Get a grip folks, Vick is yesterdays news. He has passed the point of no return and his future looks as bright as a jail cell slamming him shut. Dont mistake yesterdays flash in the pan (Vick) for todays real deal (Ryan). Ryan’s future, I promise you, will be much brighter than Dan Marinos future ever was because Ryan is better than Marino was in his first year, which is really saying something. Marino went on to become a hall of fame quarterback and I believe that Matt Ryan will go down exactly the same road. So lets begin a trend of Vickless blogs because we dont want to sour the accomplishments of the current Falcons with the aftertaste of such a foul bird as Vick.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 24, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
IF YOU DON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS - WHO CARES ABOUT STATS
By Sidnole
November 24, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Great Column Mark…
All I know is that all I have to do is watch Matt Ryan in the huddle and at the line calling the audibles. This “Man” is in complete control. He looks as confident in himself and his teammates as Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or Brett Farve ever did or has. It’s uncanny, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. I hate to beat a man when he’s down, but Matt Ryan would probably not be here right now had Michael Vick not abused and killed dogs, and Bobby Petrino hadn’t hightailed it out of here.
This guy, barring injury, is going to be one of the greats. No doubt in my mind. He’s great already.
By Sidnole
November 24, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Vick Supporter,
Vick is the loser, not the city of Atlanta…
By JuniorBridgeman
November 24, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Sidnole: you are right on the money my friend! Ryan is an incredible football player who plays a flawless quarterback position, something the Falcons havent had in quite sometime. I was so impressed with Ryans audibles yesterday, I couldnt believe the poise that he continued to show. There was one series in the Carolina game yesterday where he drew 3 encroachment penalties on the Carolina on the three consecutive plays. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY QB ACCOMPLISH THAT IN NFL HISTORY! Its amazing what Ryan had done and how the Falcons have collectively grown as a team the first 11 games of the season. Hold onto your hats folks because you might be looking at in the Falcons one of this years Superbowl participants. No kidding, I really think they are that good.
By Steelyard
November 24, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Ryan looks like the real deal, but Bradley has conveniently forgotten about Ben Roethlisberger, who went 15-1 (14-0 regular season) his rookie year and broke many of Dan Marino’s rookie records. Big Ben ‘inherited’ a 6-10 team.
By boxer99
November 24, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
@ A BOM, Gisselle, and the man you three stooges need to put down the forty ouncers and go back to Bowen Homes were you and your convick supporting asses belong! Stay off this blog you monkeys!
By Flipper
November 24, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
If LASSIE were forced to get into a dogfighting ring with MICHELLE O, I would be worried that vicious, hideous man-beast would rip out poor LASSIE’s throat.
I would hate to see the ticks that would latch onto that abomination. (No pun intended.)
By boxer6758
November 24, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
@VickSupporter 2 you are nothing but a low life NGGER!
By Vick Supporter2 fan
November 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
OMG!!! LMFAO!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Some of you trip me out! I’ve been mocking the $HIT out of Vick Supporter 2 for the last several days and VS2 if you read this (I clowned you folk). But now I see he’s not the REAL problem. All day I’ve been reading VS2 this and VS2 that even though you don’t want to hear from him. I give you credit VS2, even though I clowned you, you got some of these people gripped. LMFAO!! How in the hell does he p** you off so bad. Read his stupid $hit up above. Fantastic reading isn’t! Nothing to get p** about, NOPE. Same stupid $hit all the time. But some of you rip your fking hair out reading it and then go on to post racist $hit all over the place while he sits at home jerking his dk and LAUGHING at you. LMFAO at some of you. All because he taunts you over the upside down support that Vick got compared to right side up support that Ryan gets. Matt Ryan is the $hit and everyone knows it! But EVERY Falcon fan was beyond hyped after the 2002 season. In 2003 the season was said to be over before it begun. Wonder why? And don’t tell me you didn’t think we would have a winning season after 2004. (Remember 2005 MNF vs. PHI when everyone LOVED how D-Hall shut down T.O.) It was definitely the Mike Vick Show then. Obviously he f**ked up and now we have Ryan. The Greatest Rookie QB EVER!! Even Vick Supporter 2 said it!
MATT RYAN “LEAF” = 72 million BUST!! Oh man I can’t believe he just said that I’m so F-ING mad even though it’s not true I just wanna flip something over Vick deserves whatever comes after Hell and so does his supporters!! LMFAO!!!!!! at only some of you.
By webhead
November 24, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Did anyone see the the article by Dr. Z on cnnsi when asked who was the smartest football player going today? He named Peyton Manning on offense and Keith Brooking on defense. Cool Huh.
By webhead
November 24, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Did anyone see the the article by Dr. Z on cnnsi when asked who was the smartest football player going today? He named Peyton Manning on offense and Keith Brooking on defense. Cool Huh.
By MATTY FREAKING ICE
November 24, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP MVP
By DJA55
November 24, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Pretty impressive execution of the no-huddle offense for a rookie.
By herb
November 24, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick made serious and in my opinion, very stupid mistakes, But, if we look at how he played for the Falcons, the attention he was given, he had to have felt that the laws of our society did not apply to him .He did perform admirally as a running as well as super passing quarterback.I had season tickets for a few years and I will never forget a Saints fan saying to me, at a game at the Dome, “Is Vick ya’lls only player”? as when going to the concession stands the only available Jerseys, etc carried the Mike Vick badge. Thank you Mr. Blank for turning this team around and I feel that the choice of Mike Smith was excellent. Matt Ryan is going to be one of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has seen in a very long time.The entire team looks great, and as being one that saw their first game at Atlanta Stadium, with Mr Tommy Nobis playing, I wish you well. It’s about time we have a winning if not championship team. Fans have supported the Falcons and will continue to do so.I do not agree with Vick’s canine abuses but Herb again, I think he felt above the law.
By herb
November 24, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Mike Vick made serious and in my opinion, very stupid mistakes, But, if we look at how he played for the Falcons, the attention he was given, he had to have felt that the laws of our society did not apply to him .He did perform admirally as a running as well as super passing quarterback.I had season tickets for a few years and I will never forget a Saints fan saying to me, at a game at the Dome, “Is Vick ya’lls only player”? as when going to the concession stands the only available Jerseys, etc carried the Mike Vick badge. Thank you Mr. Blank for turning this team around and I feel that the choice of Mike Smith was excellent. Matt Ryan is going to be one of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has seen in a very long time.The entire team looks great, and as being one that saw their first game at Atlanta Stadium, with Mr Tommy Nobis playing, I wish you well. It’s about time we have a winning if not championship team. Fans have supported the Falcons and will continue to do so.I do not agree with Vick’s canine abuses but again, I think he felt above the law.
By StanMan
November 24, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
OMG! How many idiots post on here? Matt Ryan is team player, he is not about him. Have you not seen him hug every player after a TD? Whether it be pass or run! He is the most modest great player I have seen in a long time. Whether or not he gets rookie of the year is not his purpose, he wants his team to win. And, once all the me first fans get over thier ego trips, they will see this kid for what he is. An honest, hard working, talented QB that deserves the respect of every true Falcons fan. He has already earned the respect of his team, black and white, and I think they know more about football than we do.. So sit back and enjoy the game..
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 24, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I LOVE THIS BLOG
:)
By ATLFAN22
November 24, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Get off #7. He’s doing his time and lost everything for what he did. Has anyone ever given any of you a second chance? Go ahead and throw stones because I’m sure all of you are without flaws and have never done anything bad in your lives.
By MrHughes
November 24, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Are you people really serious? Matt Ryan was average yesterday. He looked horrible last week versus Denver. The big plays were made by Michael Turner, the defense, and H Douglas. Turner had 4 TDs and Douglas had 2. How many TDs did Matt Ryan contribute? Zero!! On what team does the QB not get involved on 5 offensive TDs. Lets not set aside space in the hall of fame or the ring of honor for a guy that hasn’t dented the scoreboard in almost half (4) of the games he’s played as a Falcon. That’s passing and running folks… Matt Ryan is not rookie of the year and handing the ball off to a probowler like Michael Turner does not make one a great QB. Mark Bradley, Terrence Moore, Steak Shapiro or I could do that.
By vuduchld
November 24, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Ok, I’m more than willing to eat crow at this point. Last year one football analyst mentioned that in Matt Ryan what you’re really gettting was another Matt Hasselbeck. I disagreed with that asseration because I felt that the former was a the better quarterback at the same point in college. I never expected this!
In talking with a coworker, it is clearly evident that while Vick was gifted quaterback, he had limitations in that he was too good at improvasition. By that I mean he was playing essentially “sand lot” football and while that will get a team to the playoffs and maybe the NFC championship game every so often, it won’t win you the Super Bowl. Ryan gives this franchise a chance to win one or more of those for years to come.
It’s clearly eveident that picking Roddy White and most of the other recievers in previous drafts made sense because you are now seeing their true talents come through. With Vick, it may or may not ever would have happened because when Vick ran, he could easily stop on a dime and throw a frozen rope that the reciever either had not expected or had to make a serious adjustment to.
Today, Matt Ryan IS the right quarterback for this team.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 24, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
QB RATINGS
VS TAMPA 29%
VS CAROLINA 60%
VS PHILLY 68%
VS DENVER 70% (WHO GOT KILLED BY OAKLAND)
TOUCH DOWNS AGAINST CAROLINA & TAMPA…Z E R O
BEST ROOKIE OF ALL TIME :)
YEAH WHEN MY BOY GETS OUT NEXT MONTH, WE ARE GOING TO SIT AROUND SIPPING ON A COLD ONE…..WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW THAT LEAF COULD BE HIS WATER BOY :)
OH YEAH YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING TO LAUGH ABOUT HOW FLIPPED YOU REDNECKS OFF - THAT WAS HILARIOUS
“HAVE A NICE DAY”
By Boo Boo
November 24, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
My bad. Senility and a side of dislexia makes me confuse anyone with the name Chris. It was Chris Chandler who went to the Promised Land, but not in. Amazing Bradley would see Chris Miller as capable of leading a team to greatness.
Roethlisberger is hands down the best rookie of all-time, simply because won-lost record is all that matters. Still, he did have a team that could have won that year if they just hiked the ball to Hines Ward. Ryan’s supporters need to wait and see what happens to Abraham and Big Grady. If they lose those two the ability to hold teams scoreless in the first quarter will surely disappear. In that scenario, they might not win again. However, if they can put up 28-point quarters a couple of times a game, the defense might be good enough to get Ryan 11 wins. Then, the worst to first calculation kicks in and puts Ryan over Roethlisberger.
By Number1 Falcon Fan
November 24, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
No doubts about Ryan is a great pick. Hats off. But y’all don’t go overboard. I remember how we all raved about vick when he started. He was the superman. I even remember on his last starting game for Chris Chandler, he was heckled. The crowds were cheering for Vick. Vick was a hero then and a zero now. Similarly Chandler was a hero in 1998 and a zero in 2002. The fans have a very short memory. Lets not forget all the good stuff vick did for falcons. Ya..the dogs thing was real stupid. Message here is…don’t go overboard with Ryan. Lets hope he is what we think he is for the next 15 years to come. Also a good QB alone doesn’t take us to SB. Carlson Palmer is a good QB in a lousy team. Marino didn’t go to any SB after his rookie year. Ravens and Tampa Bay won a SB without a good QB. We need a good all round team like the Patriots to be a dynasty. I am sure Dimitroff can build one. Hail Falcons.
By mars
November 24, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
VS2, Vick will be disappointed that you are calling someone else your “boy.” When Vick gets out next YEAR, perhaps you can make it up to him. Just tell him that you couldn’t wait any longer for him and settled for any old ex-con.
By Correctional Facility Warden
November 24, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
As part of our Rehabilitate Black America (RBA) program, after our black inmates have finished making license plates, washing clothes, or cooking food (for 3 cents an hour, in 12-hour shifts), we allow them Internet access in the Media Center. VICK SUPPORTER 2 has been a model citizen here at the institution, which is why he is allowed to post comments on this blog. Please keep in mind that he was raised poor, fell into a gang, did drugs, and sold women to make money, before he was imprisoned at age 17 for raping his 12 years old sister. We would like to grant him the freedom to integrate into the general public population after the expected Obama parole program begins. VICK SUPPORTER 2 still hangs out solely with the other blacks in the population here, with no friends in the Hispanic or Nazi populations. Please see him as someone in need of understanding, so he can learn to trust people of all backgrounds. He never went to school (beyond the third grade), and his only trade skill is as tattoo and graffiti artist; but he is excellent at scrubbing the poo stains out of prison issue underwear, no matter who wore it. Please show him how well a Christian society can absorb and accept his kind. Thank you.
By PaulDawg
November 24, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
Not only has Ryan been great but the DTs have made Dorsey unnecessary as well-
The Falcons are now a professional organization; hiring the new GM and coach is comparable to the Braves hiring Schuerholtz (sp).
By MR FOOTBALL
November 24, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Rothlisberger - 13 and 0 W-L record, highest rookie completion percentage at 66%, highest rookie QB rating at 98.1 as the 11th pick. If PITT was so loaded why were they picking 11?
By Mikey Poo
November 24, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
I think Vick Supporter2fan is his mother
By bring vick back
November 24, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
pitt had the #9 defense in ‘03 and tommy maddox @ qb; that’s how you pick #11 and still have a good team; they had the #1 defense in ‘04; that will win you a bunch of games; rothlisberger is all world; but ryan has done something this year that has not been seen before; no qb has come in and lead his team to the level they’re playing @ in the first year v. the previous year; it’s a team sport and he plays like a team player; if they keep up at the rate they’re going now pundits might someday argue that he is the best rookie qb of all times;
By MWC
November 24, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
So why do you want Vick back?
By Broreg
November 24, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Before you start pulling on his sack, remember next year the league will have plenty of tape on him and his new coach. But so far, Matt Ryan and his coach is off to a good start.
By Mikey WHO?
November 24, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Oh Mikey POO, Oh Mikey Poo, WOOPTY F*G DOO Oh Mikey Poooo :(
Hey Mikey Poo, ………… Nevermind too easy.
By John
November 24, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
I thought picking Ryan was a big mistake. I’ll gladly take my lumps. Go Falcons!
By TommyD
November 24, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Ryan is an intelligent QB that can read defenses and has more than enough skills to play in the NFL. Vick is athletic, cannon armed QB that can not read defenses.I would take Ryan any day over Vick.
By kidpoloo
November 24, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Lets not get carried away the guy has only played 10 or so games. I remember Bengal fans raving about Matt Palmer a couple of years ago and look at him now. From what I have seen of this guy we all better hope we keep a solid o-line in front of him!!
By StanMan
November 24, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
Unlike some of the posters here, I was a Falcon fan before the were born. It wasn’t easy, it was like being a manic-depressent… Never back to back winning seasons.. Always saying, “this will the year”, “this is the team”.. Only to be let down… Most never had to go to games only to be heckled by the opposing teams fans… Every true Falcon fan knows this team is really different, from the top to bottom.. We have no true tried and tested stars on this team, except maybe Miloy, Abraham and Brooking. I can’t remember a time when it was so fun watching the Falcons, and not scared if we are not up by 30 points going into the 4th.. Whether or not Ryan is doing the scoring, he is still leading the drive.. When was the last time you saw a Falcons QB stay in the pocket and deliver on a 3rd and long like Ryan? Come on, if you have been with the Falcons long enough, when was the last time you saw a game like the Chicago game?…never?? I was almost in tears after that game! This is no way like the Falcons of old, this kid will lead us to the SB again, and this time we will win! And yes, it is a team effert, and this kid knows that.. I will be screaming my head off when Ryan, Turner, White, Douglas, Jenkins and Norwood walk up to the stage to recieve thier Lombardi in 2010…
By Rainbow Falcon
November 25, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
You can always tell who the Gay Black Falcons fans are by the way the back their vehicles into parking spaces.
When they do that, in showing the rear end of their auto to you, that is their signal to you that they want you to give it to them in the azz.
By webhead
November 25, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Everybody’s talking about the “wildcat” offense that Miami’s running but the Falcons ran that with Vick for 5 years. Ran without a QB for 5 whole seasons!
By Curt Escher
November 25, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
There is just simply not a thing not to like about him yet. From the very moment after he was drafted, he said all the right things. He sighned his contract really quickly, and again, he said all the right things. He plays extremely smart. He’s a tough kid, (he got beat up pretty bad in Tampa Bay, but kept playing tough)He has a better arm than most expected. He get’s rid of the ball really quick. His passes are not only accurate, but gives his athletes the opportunity for the yards after the catch. (Unlike you know who’s passes, no chance for YAC). Then, you keep thinking, o.k., his magic is going to wear off, he’s going to something dumb, or say something stupid to the media. But he keeps playing way beyond his years, and he keeps saying all the right things. This kid, is the real deal, and I think we really have a for real hall of famer on our hands (First time ever, and we’re luck as fans that we’ll be able to enjoy his play for a very long time.
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 25, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
QB RATINGS
VS TAMPA 29%
VS CAROLINA 60%
VS PHILLY 68%
VS DENVER 70% (WHO GOT KILLED BY OAKLAND)
———-TOTAL————-
2-TD….5-PICKS
TOUCH DOWNS AGAINST CAROLINA & TAMPA…Z E R O
———YEAH THAT’S READING THE DEFENSE——-
By WTF???
November 25, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Thank God for Pitbulls and stupid thugs…
GO FALCONS!
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
November 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
T R I V I A
SINCE 1966 THE FALCONS HAVE HAD 3-DIVIONAL TITLES—-CAN YOU NAME THE 3-QBS?
STEVE BARTKOWSKI
CHRIS CHANDLER
WHO WAS THAT THIRD GUY?
WOW THAT’S A HARD ONE…..HMMMM
SOME SAY HE IS A GLORIFIED RUNNING BACK…..
JAMAL ANDERSON…..NO NOT HIM…..
WARRICK DUNN…..OH NOT HIM EITHER
MICHAEL TURNER…..NO….DARN WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN…..
OH THAT GUY THAT BEAT BRETT FAVRE IN THE POST SEASON ON THE ROAD IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS A STARTER
SO LET ME GET THIS RIGHT……
35 YEARS OF HAVING A TEAM AND…..
ONLY 3-TITLES
ABOUT 30 STARTING DROP BACK PASSERS
ONE RUNNING BACK GETTING A TITLE
THAT’S A LOT OF LOSING DROP BACK PASSERS :)
By Donald
November 25, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you continue to write garbage that only a homer could possibly believe. Stop drinking the Kool-Aid. Ben Roethlisberger had a 98.1 QB rating as a rookie, was 13-0 as a rookie starter, and led his team to the AFC Championship game. Even if Ryan wins the rests of his starts (highly unlikely but possible), he will not surpass that. The only way Ryan can top that is if he leads the Falcons to the Super Bowl (also highly unlikely but possible). You try to discredit what Big Ben did by saying he played on a loaded Steelers team. However, it can very easily be said that Ryan is having the season he is having because of Michael Turner, who is keeping opposing defenses from pinning their ears back and coming after Ryan. Without Turner’s Pro Bowl-worthy numbers, the Falcons’ season would look very different right now. Ryan is having a great season no doubt. He definitely exceeded the expectations of many. Great rookie QB? Definitely. Greatest rookie QB ever? Not by a long shot.
By mars
November 25, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Donald, please. no on is discreditting Big Ben nor should. It was an amazing accomplishment. No where near the effect that Ryan has had on a team though. Best rookie ever… or should this unusal talent be capitalized? That’s it. Matt Ryan - The Rookie. All others - a rookie.
By mars
November 25, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Donald? By a very, very, looonnnggg shot!
By Mrs. Roethlisberger
November 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
I wept when Benny cried after he lost that game to the Colts this year. I prefer a grown man crying after a loss to a bird-flipping fan-angry loser.
By MadisonMan
November 25, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Only Big Ben has had a better rookie year, and it appears Ben has regressed since that first season. So….can we keep Matt off fast motor bikes, away from c** fighting or other niche sports; in fact, can’t Atlanta find this guy a nice Catholic girl who will do what all wives do: get him to buy a big house and have a mortgage that requires he continue to improve his game?
By mr. man
November 25, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
first off, what genius suggested that the Ravens play a tougher schedule? Let’s take a look at their divison…
Pttsburgh Steelers……..8-3 (good but not great) Cleveland Browns……..4-7 (Biggests Busts of the Year) Cincinatti Bengals……..1-9 (Besides Lions, worst team)
Matt Ryan is not only the Rookie of the Year, he should also be the MVP!
By Marvin Lewis
November 26, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this
Hey! What about our TIE? We are 9-1-1.
By Marvin Lewis
November 26, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
1-9-1
By Falcon guy
November 26, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
MVP should go to AB for Acquiring TD. Thomas’s sound judgement is the reason the Falcons are proving the so called ‘experts’ wrong.
Thanks Arthur and Go Falcons..!!
By Falcon guy
November 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
MVP should go to AB for Acquiring TD. Thomas’s sound judgement is the reason the Falcons are proving the so called ‘experts’ wrong.
Thanks Arthur and Go Falcons..!!
By socalfalcon
November 27, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
As a long suffering Falcons fan who has lived in S. California for the last 20 seasons, what I love about this team is that you can see that this team will be good for awhile. Unlike ‘80 and ‘98 when the planets finally lined up, this team is being built and it shows. Ryan is showing that he is one of those guys that you watch sports for…because he is special. But he is not special by himself. He is surrounded by other good players and they are are well coached. Gotta love it! Go Falcons!
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
December 11, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
Be sure to watch the clip of Mike Singletary on the David Letterman Show. Rarely has a person made such a complete horse’s patut out of themselves on national television. Remarkable!
By matt. Lost in space
December 15, 2008 6:20 AM | Link to this
Any QB that you give time will do good. The buc showed matt is no better when you dail up the pressure. only a few team did that this year. The coaches knew that Tampa had punked matt out in the third and fouth quater. yes he can throw when there is no pressure.
The NFL has let matt have a pass up unit now. The NFL had to make Atlanta look good this year; did matt handel real pressure. The anwser is NO!