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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > December > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan’s next rookie season starts Saturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — Not to put pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who operates like a veteran despite just receiving NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but it’s like this: He is under pressure.
Whether it’s fair or not, the legacy of a quarterback is determined by his efficiency in playoff games along the way to Super Bowl rings. That other stuff doesn’t matter. I mean, Dan Marino also looked pretty during his first NFL regular season.
This is the same Marino with a gigantic asterisk next to his records, Pro Bowl selections and bust in Canton.
Speaking of bust, that’s what Marino was during the postseason, because he never won a world championship. He also was brutal in his first playoff game as a rookie when his Miami Dolphins were upset by the Seattle Seahawks. He was better the next season when he literally threw the Dolphins into the Super Bowl, but they lost. Not only that, he never reached the Super Bowl again during his 17-year career.
See where I’m going? It would help Ryan’s ultimate resume and psyche if he finds a way to push the Falcons to victory Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals in his first playoff game.
“I think there is perceived pressure on quarterbacks as they get a little long in the tooth, because that’s when they realize the opportunities [to win championships] may be limited,” said Bill Musgrave on Tuesday, speaking as one of the definitive experts on the subject. He is Ryan’s top mentor as Falcons quarterback coach, but he also was a backup to Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Steve Young and John Elway. Oh, and there was that season he played behind some rookie named Peyton Manning, a future Hall of Famer.
Among that quartet, Montana was the only one that got it right in a hurry. He reached four Super Bowls, and he won them all, including the one that followed his first regular season as a full-time starter for the San Francisco 49ers.
There were legendary postseason struggles for the other three, particularly for Elway, who once was 0-for-3 after Super Bowl trips. Falcons kicker Jason Elam nodded with the memory on Tuesday from his locker. “Before we got those two Super Bowl wins [after the 1997 and 1998 seasons], there definitely was a stigma attached to John,” said Elam, who played with the Denver Broncos from 1993 through last season. “John was a phenomenal quarterback regardless of what happened, but if you’re a quarterback in the NFL, you’ve got to win in the Super Bowl. It defines your career.”
Take Tom Brady. Courtesy of complications with knee surgeries, he may never play again. He’s already a Canton resident, though, with three Super Bowl rings. So this is interesting: Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy sees a lot of his old teammate with the New England Patriots in Ryan. Now consider this: During Brady’s first playoff game ever, he threw for 312 yards in a victory over the Oakland Raiders that began a world-title run.
“It’s the little things. It’s just a lot of things that you can’t coach that they both have,” Milloy said. “They have this presence that you can feel from day one. They’re also not guys that make themselves untouchables in the locker room. Sometimes guys get in that position, and they’re not even available to their own teammates.
“The other thing is that they both make quick decisions on the field. They’re not back there patting the ball and giving the defense time to get to them. They know the quickest way to their success is to get the ball to guys who can help them.
“Lastly, they both have the ability to make everybody around them better. That’s the biggest trait. Matt is a guy who makes people want to fight for him.”
Yeah, well. We’ll see, starting Saturday when it counts the most.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL
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By Dirt Dobber
December 30, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Ryan will hold his end of the bargain up.its up to the defence to show up and stop the pass.Defence wins in the playoffs.
By floridafalcon
December 30, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
You’re right on the money with your column. I hope we don’t overlook the “house of cardinals”, i’ve got an all expense paid to trip to the waffle house riding on this game. Don’t let me down!
By Dirt Dobber
December 30, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Rayan will be ok. lets hope the defence shows up to stop the pass.
By Donaldo
December 30, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Having watched the ‘81 49ers under Montana, seeing the ‘08 Falcons is like “deja vu”. I have seen this before. Ryans performance is earily similar to #16, all he needs is more last minute heroics to match the Greatest QB in my lifetime, both are from Catholic colleges, played for new coaches & had a mastery of the game beyond their years. My only hope is that history can repeat itself in my lifetime, what a great experience as a sports fan.
By TerranceHater
December 30, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Matty Ice boyeeeee!!!
By OldTimer
December 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Yeah, well, we will see, won’t we. It’s going to be interesting isn’t it. The young QB just snagged the rookie of the year award but has struggled lately. Is he tired? Has the league figured him out? Is it just bad luck.? We do not know. I think he’ll be fine.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 30, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
What you say may be possible TM, but isn’t possible for Ryan to have success too? I mean there has been another QB like Rotheslisburger that had success early on his career and won the Superbowl along with his teammates in Pittsburgh. Why not reach for recent history instead of way old history in a different era to make a comparison? I’m not saying Ryan will do that this season (even though I hope so) because the Falcon’s defense is nowhere near what that team’s defense was, but I don’t think the coaching staff we have in place, unlike Miami at that time, will allow everything to fall on Ryan’s shoulders where he will have to do it all himself. I believe we learned that lesson very painfully with our last QB through no fault of his doing. So I personally am not buying this pressure thing for Ryan, this staff has shown that they are too smart with the way they didn’t put everything on him and kept it simple for him this season to let things come down to that.
GO FALCONS!!!
By T to the D
December 30, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
While I give the Falcons as a whole a “first season pass”, ultimately, winners wear the “ring”.
I give no team, no QB, a pass at greatness without the trophy.
Without it, you’re just, well, good.
By Ross
December 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Sorry TM, this one’s on the defense - they have to get in Warner’s face and interrupt the routes of Boldin and Fitzgerald. I’ve seen a lot of Warner and if you give him time and open receivers he will annihilate you. He’s the only QB I’ve ever seen do five look-offs before completing a long pass. His head is always down-field - which is his Achilles heel, because he loses pocket presence under any pressure at all. So it’s on the D-line and D-backs here.
-drl
By Zach
December 30, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
All about the defense now. If we give Warner time, Fitzgerald and Boldin are going to run wild.
By falcondawg
December 30, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Montana was more elusive in the backfield but Matty Ice is just as cool under pressure. If not this year, he’s sure to win in the future. I’m already excited about next year when we get another pass rusher to help Abe.
By shadaway
December 30, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
When I lived in Chicago, I was amazed at how hard the sports writers there tried to find a negative slant on every story. Now here it is. Ryan wins the Rookie of the Year award and all you can say is “he hasn’t done anything yet”. Of course, the issue is not being fair or positive, it is generating page views on the AJC’s web pages. This is the last of those that will come from me via Mr. Moore’s writing. Try pulling for the home team some time. It won’t hurt you that bad.
By Zonk
December 30, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Do you think there isn’t a struggling team in the league that wouldn’t trade their first 5 draft choices for a quarterback of Marino’s caliber, stigma or not? I watched Dan for 17 years with the Dolphins and always appreciated the talent and conviction he brought to the field every game. Dan only needed a couple of breaks, just like any quarterback does.
BTW, Matty will do fine… if not this year, then next. And many more after that.
By Greg
December 30, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
You’re right, Terence. And here’s something we should all be a little worried about: Matty Ice hasn’t looked so good in the past two games—-the interceptions were all totally unforced errors (i.e. not under pressure), and he also missed open guys at least four times on easy throw-and-catches. He seems a little less relaxed to me. I wonder what’s going on. Here’s hoping Musgrave figures it out before Saturday.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 30, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Ross and Zach- I agree but we need for the run game to do well too. We definitely have to keep the deadly combo of Warner/Fitz/Boldin off the field by staying on it. Our secondary is in no condition to deal with that incredible rcvr corp alone so the d-line has to get to Father Time back there. All we can do is hope Turner has a magnificent day, hog the clock, and keep the defense, especially the Predator Jon Abraham fresh. It wouldn’t hurt to have Milloy back either. However things end this season though- the future is bright!
GO FALCONS!!
By michaelgee
December 30, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Ok, let’s try this again..
Today we celebrate the huge and well deserved success of Matt Ryan, Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and Staff, Falcon Team and lastly Arthur Blank for “getting this one as right as can be”
Thanks to everyone supporting the Falcons!
By bravefalconhawk
December 30, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
THE FALCONS MUST BE ABLE TO RUN THE FOOTBALL AND PUT PRESSURE ON KURT WARNER TO WIN.WE NEED TO PLAY A EAGLES LIKE BLITZ AGAINST THEM
By bravefalconhawk
December 30, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
RUN RUN RUN THE BALL AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE OLD QB GUY
By cb
December 30, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
The key will be BALL CONTROL. We have the running game to achieve time of possession superiority. The Falcons can run—the Cardinals can’t stop the run. Ryan and Roddy will have big games also via play action. Abraham, Milloy and Co. will show up with solid games. I believe VanGorder was utilizing more blitz packages in the Rams game—undoubtedly for the upcoming Cardinals game. Falcons will be solid in all three phases this week and win comfortably. GO FALCONS!!!
By Bryan
December 30, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Terrence Moore:
“…[I]f 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….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.”
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
December 30, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
THE FALCONS DON’T NEED TO RUN
THEY HAVE MATTY ICE
…..HE WON ALL THE GAMES BY HIMSELF
SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT “ROY”
————OTHERWISE—————
72-MILLION DOLLAR BUST
By hop
December 30, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
terrence, ryan has nothing to prove as the 11-5 record shows!
the key is the defense needs to step up as they were exposed by the rams sunday.
the falcons will score at will,but falcons need to put pressure on warner or it could be a track meet!
By Ryder
December 30, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Someone puh-leeeeeeze put Vick Supporter out of his pathetic existence!
Anyway, one thing you have to remember Terence was that Marino never had a running back and most times had to win games by himself. Same thing with Elway until TD came along.
Even though Peyton had Edgerrin James, he still didn’t win until he had a defense that could also make some plays.
Atlanta is well on the way there, with The Burner there to help out Matty Ice. That said, I don’t think he needs a big game passing to beat the Cardinals, just don’t make any mistakes and let Turner and Norwood carry the load.
As this franchise grows and gets better on defense I don’t think it will take a long time before Atlanta can get to that championship level, and stay there!
By ryan
December 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
hey VICK SUPPORTER 2…
if taking the team to 11-5 and not winning the super bowl is a bust…then…as long as he doesn’t get thrown in the slammer afterwards…he’s about 50 million dollars better than michael vick, no?
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 30, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
If the Falcons continue to be well coached in the playoffs, they won’t need Ryan to make plays to win, at least not this weekend. As long as Michael Turner gets the rock early and often and the Falcons win the time of possession battle, Ryan will only need to avoid turnovers for the Falcons to win the game.
By Scottbravesfan
December 30, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Defense just needs to try and stop the pass. Arizona has HUGE wideouts and our corners have struggled all year against big wideouts. The Falcons should be able to run the ball down Arizona’s throat because they can’t stop the run, at least not so far this year. Ryan will be able to pick apart their secondary.
By Josh
December 30, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
This coming from the guy I saw on ESPN making real Falcons fans seem like jokes by saying fans wouldn’t accept him and still only cheer for a felon. I’m going to cheer for this team on Saturday and if they don’t win Ryan still has a great career ahead of him and we will see many more playoff appearances to come. Ryan has more than held up his end of the bargain his first season.
By Bo
December 31, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Terence:
“Yeah, well. We’ll see …”.
You have such a peculiar incompetence about the timing and content of your material. At a time when the entire city is recognizing and congratulating the Falcons and Matt Ryan on their collective and individual achievements, you write an article that seeks to diminish those accomplishments and create doubt about their future prospects.
Unquestionably, Matt Ryan is fully aware of the definition of greatness in this league, and he understands the importance of his role in Saturday’s game.
Regarding Marino, you write “He also was brutal in his first playoff game”. Brutal? He may have been ineffective, incompetent, or one of several other terms used to describe poor performance. But brutal, no. As an opinionist, you’re hilarious. As a professional writer, you’re incompetent.
By Bill Simmons
December 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
QBs are defined by what the do in the playoffs??? Matt Ryan is under “pressure”??? Wow Terry, you sure went out on a limb with these wild ideas in your column!!! I mean this is such an original piece you just wrote. Did you get help from your coworkers?? You are such a hackjob. Seriously…
By Have Some Fun
December 31, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
The article forgets two notables. The infamous Jim Kelly from the Bills. Four shots, no ring. Oh and Fran Tarkenton? Bulldog great but no ring. Mr. Moore is correct. This isn’t college ball. Win the big one or you become an also ran.
By Singletary
December 31, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Najeh, right as usual.
Here’s hoping Milloy can be a force while still recovering a bit more… for another playoff game. (Dare I wish it?) He’s played an amazing season as well as led the team.
I will never forget Abe crawling to make that sack either.
Wow. If every player could show half the intensity of these two “over 30s,” we’ll beat AZ.
By WHO CARES
December 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/12/29/daily28.html
Fans of the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears were not the only ones stung by the failure of their teams to make the NFC playoffs. The demise of the Cowboys and Bears is also hurting ticket brokers and scalpers, who could have made hefty profits if either of those teams were playing against the Arizona Cardinals in this weekend’s first round of the NFL playoffs.
The Cardinals are hosting the Atlanta Falcons at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Saturday. There were 6,500 tickets left for sale Tuesday evening and ticket brokers have hundreds of tickets they bought for the playoff game, some now selling at less-than-face-value prices.
There are also a number of tickets advertised on classified sites such as Craigslist, some offering discounts that bring the advertised price below face value.
Tickets advertised by scalpers, brokers and in classified sites do run some risks, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and consumer groups. Those tickets can sometime be fake, or mis-advertised for their real value or location and brokers sometimes tack on additional fees and delivery charges.
Ticket brokers would not comment publicly but acknowledge that if Dallas or Chicago were visiting the Cardinals on Saturday instead of the Falcons, demand and prices for tickets would be much higher and the game would already be sold out.
Teams like the Cowboys and Bears have plenty of fans in the Valley (many of them transplants) and those teams have some fans that travel to away games, especially in hospitable venues such as Arizona. The Falcons do not have that kind of national following and there aren’t as many Atlanta transplants in the Phoenix area as there are from colder weather markets.
Tickets to the Cards-Falcons game can be purchased directly via Ticketmaster or at the UOP Stadium. Cards still hope to sell out the game, the first the team has hosted in Arizona. Dallas and Chicago lost in the last week of the NFL season ending their playoff hopes.
By cnbc
December 31, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
they have all ready back fired. The NFL wanted to make this guy new face so bad here in atlanta. read or listen to espn, cbs, fox, si. now for the facts. the frist eight team atlanta all but the philly game the defensive gave the guy a pass. They let him throw at will. But the last 4 game they put pressure on him and you game the see what he has done punked out. Now any and I mean any QB with no pressure will do good no big hits. now till the last four game they have put prussure and hits on this guy. In most games they score in the frist half and hold on. now to matt he has done what the coaches wanted him to do. But the media makes this guy look like the next Tom Brady. The running game and Mike Tunner is why Atlanta is winning. I wonder when AJC will say Matt Rayan must GO> they alway do!! Not a word about 59% passer rating last game . Now that the media has put superman on matt chest let’s see how he hold up to real time pressure!!
By atlfanfromsandiego
December 31, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Mr Moore, just like Mr Blank have said ” the team had met more than he has expected them to do” but i know the ultimate grand Daddy of them all is to WIN IT ALL.. so lets go birds..all the way to Tampa.
By chris deighan
December 31, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I think the column is fair and accurate. Ryan’s timetable for success has certainly been accelerated, but the ultimate indicator for success is consistent across the board: win championships. The sooner that goal is accomplished, the easier it becomes for the future.
By Jim P.
December 31, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Matty Ice will do fine on Saturday. Final score Atlanta 32 Arizona 23.
Abraham and company will sack and hurry Kurt Warner, and Ryan will tread the needle more than once. It will be a good game and a great victory.
Good Luck Falcons!!!
By Dirt Dobber
December 31, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Like i said before the defence has to come out and play thier best game of the year.No turn overs and controll the ball on offence.The Cards will score thier share of TDs we just need to score more.Without Malloy the run and pass defence will suffer.Nobody knows how The falcons will play on the road.We are the better team and should win this game.GOooo Falcons.
By RYAN SUPPORTER 2
December 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
I THINK THE LANDSLIDE-WINNER OF THE ROY AWARD WILL HAVE A GOOD GAME.
WITH THEIR GREAT PASSING ATTACK, ITS NO WONDER THE CARDINALS FINISHED THE YEAR 16-0 …
WAIT A MINUTE!!! THAT’S RIGHT, THEY WERE 9-7 AND GOT THEIR BUTTS HANDED TO THEM IN SEVERAL GAMES!!
NO DISRESPECT TO FITZGERALD, WARNER, & CO., BUT THEY CAN BE BEATEN AND BEATEN BADLY APPARENTLY.
DEFENSE WILL HAVE TO STEP UP AND ATLANTA HAS GOT TO WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE HOW GOOD OUR OFFENSE COULD HAVE BEEN WITH A HEALTHY LAURENT ROBINSON AND A BETTER TE.
NEXT YEAR, THE OFFENSE SHOULD BE LETHAL.
BTW,
BUST= NO SUPERBOWLS, 2 BIG PLAYOFF CHOKES VS. THE EAGLES, BOLD-FACE LIES, DOG-KILLING, AND … PRISON!!!!
WHAT A WASTE OF 130-MILLION!!!!
By Dan`
December 31, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Hey TM - did you refute your column about the Falcons drafting Matt Ryan? If you did, tell Deadspin. Those haters think you are a chump.
By MexicanFalcon
January 1, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
It seems like TM its not satisfied with the achievements of Matt Ryan. Everything about winning a Super Bowl its true, but at the same time you should give him a break and wish him luck so he can give us a Championship that seems unrealistic but possible.
Admit your mistake as everybody did when they question the decision of drafting matt and then when Mike Smith started him.
Way you go FALCONS!!! We are Proud of You guys!!.
By REDBIRDRAGE
January 2, 2009 2:32 AM | Link to this
The second season starts Saturday - Falcons=1&Done….
Arizona wins with an early lead that Ryan is incapable of surpassing,if not there will be some sad Cards fans.
Best of luck to ya’, Welcome to the Desert Southwest!!!
By The BlogFather of Scroll
January 2, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this
Falcons 45, Cards 31
and that’s just the halftime score.