If Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan thinks much about his legacy, there’s little chance he would ever say so publicly. It’s not his style. Ryan’s persona is nondescript, his public utterances non-revealing.
But there was a moment when Ryan showed that it matters.
The Falcons had just beaten the Seahawks in a 2012 NFC divisional game. It was Ryan’s first playoff victory in four tries and he offered the slightest acknowledgement that, yes, the attention on that 0-3 mark weighed on him.
“It’ll be nice not having to hear the questions,” Ryan said, smiling.
The Falcons lost at home to the 49ers the next weekend and didn’t return to the playoffs until this season. After dispatching the Seahawks last weekend, the Falcons are back in the NFC championship game.
Now there’s a fresh round of questions for Ryan, who is the only quarterback of the four still playing who hasn’t won a Super Bowl.
Can Ryan continue his MVP-caliber season by leading the Falcons to their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history? Can he best Packers counterpart Aaron Rodgers, a two-time league MVP and also MVP of the 2011 Super Bowl?
And would doing so cement Ryan’s status as an elite quarterback?
“It’s not really or me to decide,” Ryan said Wednesday. “I don’t think about it all that much. One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is if you sit there and you are worrying about all of these things that don’t make a difference for this week, your focus is not where it should be.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
“Will it be nice to do all of those things? Absolutely. But it’s not going to help us Sunday.”
Even before this season, which Ryan has called his best, there was little question that he’s among the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He already had three Pro Bowl selections. The Falcons have never had a better quarterback.
This season Ryan earned his first selection to the Associated Press All-Pro team. But that accomplishment likely would have been diminished if the Falcons hadn’t won another playoff game. They did so with Ryan surgically dismantling Seattle’s famously-stingy defense.
“I’ve always known Matt had the ability,” Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “I think there was maybe a phase where people felt like he couldn’t’ win the big game. But, the thing is, no one is out there by themselves. It’s not an individual game.
“The quarterback is not out there throwing it to the quarterback. It’s an offensive line, it’s receivers, it’s everybody out there working together. He’s having an amazing year, not only because he’s a great player, but also he’s surrounded by some great players.”
The Falcons have a diverse offense this season that includes an effective line, a bevy of capable pass targets and two difference-makers at running back. Ryan probably has never had it better, and he’s seen plenty worse.
Yet Ryan is the quarterback and, fair or not, he takes more blame than any player when the team doesn’t meet expectations. He’s also the highest-paid player on this roster, his salary eating up a big chunk of the salary cap, which adds to the scrutiny.
Ryan’s very good season, and that playoff victory over the Seahawks, may quiet some of his critics.
“To take another step and to break through a new ceiling, it’s really difficult,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “And he totally owned that challenge to do that.”
The next challenge for Ryan is to beat the Packers. Their defense is vulnerable but the Packers are nearly as good as the Falcons offensively so it’s possible Ryan may have to top Rodgers in a shootout.
Their careers have run parallel. The Falcons drafted Ryan in 2008, the same year Rodgers supplanted Brett Favre as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. Rodgers has more Pro Bowl (six) and All-Pro (two) selections. Rodgers also has a 9-6 playoff record, the two MVP awards and the Super Bowl title.
Rodgers said he’s been impressed with Ryan since he led the Falcons to a victory at Lambeau Field during his rookie season. The two have gotten to know each other over the years while playing in a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.
“Matt’s a great player,” Rodgers said. “He’s had a great year, just been really consistent this entire season, been consistently at a high level, which is tough to do.”
If the Falcons win on Sunday, perhaps even Ryan’s critics will consider him a great quarterback. If the Falcons win two weeks later in Houston, then there could be no doubt.
Just don’t expect Ryan to join that conversation, especially not now.
“I don’t think about those things all that often, and certainly not this time of the year,” Ryan said.
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