Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Ryan-Vick matchup on the horizon

By
Sept 4, 2011

Five story lines concerning the Falcons offense entering the season:

1. We are moving closer to the first true Matt Ryan-Michael Vick matchup in the home opener on Sept. 18. The Sunday nighter will be nationally televised by NBC. The two teams played in 2009, but Ryan was injured and Vick was a backup. Last season, Vick was injured and Kevin Kolb started for the Eagles.

2. How will the offense perform against a tougher schedule?

3. Will the offensive line, with two new starters, open holes for running back Michael Turner and protect quarterback Matt Ryan?

4. Can Roddy White, who led the league 115 catches last season and posted his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, keep getting open?

5. How much of an impact will rookie wide receiver Julio Jones have after the team made a 5-for-1 draft-day trade to move up 21 spots to select him?

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Credit: AP

‘Resilient’ Falcons overcome mistakes, big fourth-quarter deficit to beat Bucs

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins has another strong performance when playing the Bucs

Quarterback Kirk Cousins rallied the Falcons from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to a 29-28 victory over the Bucs on Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium.

Bijan Robinson apologizes for comment made postgame Thursday

Falcons running back quickly took to social media. 'I recognize the mistake,' he said, adding he will do better in the future.

The Latest

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (left) is pressured by Buccaneers defensive end Elijah Roberts on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. For the third time in three starts with the Falcons, Cousins guided them to victory. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins has another strong performance when playing the Bucs

Bijan Robinson apologizes for comment made postgame Thursday

Grading the Falcons, who finally found a way to win in big comeback

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.