Top 11 teams in the league for combined quarterback hits (sacks plus hits).
Team Sacks QB Hits Total Hits
Cleveland 43 109 152
Houston 38 106 144
New York Jets 47 95 142
Buffalo 43 95 138
Miami 51 85 136
Jacksonville 45 87 132
Indianapolis 30 98 128
Washington 40 86 126
Arizona 38 84 122
Baltimore 42 77 119
Atlanta 34 81 115
Source: NFL.com stats
Despite being one of the most-hit quarterbacks in the NFL this season, Matt Ryan is set to lead the Falcons (4-10) out onto the field against San Francisco (10-4) at 8:40 p.m. Monday night in what could be the last game in Candlestick Park’s glorious history.
Falcons coach Mike Smith has no plans to give Ryan a reprieve from the sacks and hits with two games to play.
Smith believes the Falcons have their best chance to win with Ryan, who at times this season has been running for his life behind a re-configured offensive line that has given up 34 sacks and 81 quarterbacks hits. The Falcons combined total of 115 is 11th most in the league.
“Our goal is to win,” Smith said. “He gives us the best opportunity. We want to finish strong and I think there (are) certain guys on this team that are head and shoulders above others.”
However, because other teams have played more than one quarterback, Ryan is likely the fourth most-hit quarterback in the league behind New York Jets rookie Geno Smith, Miami second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Indianapolis second-year signal caller Andrew Luck.
“We’re always keeping track of how much Matt gets hit,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “We’re trying not to get him hit at all. It’s much easier said than done. Matt always handles it good. Matt is never complaining about that. It continues to be a work in progress.”
Only Cleveland (152), Houston (144), New York Jets (142), Buffalo (138), Miami (136), Jacksonville (132), Indianapolis (128) Washington (126), Arizona (122) and Baltimore (119) have given up more combined sacks and quarterback hits.
Against Washington, the Falcons used their seventh different starting offensive line combination when rookie Ryan Schraeder opened at right tackle. The current starters are left tackle Lamar Holmes, left guard Justin Blalock, center Joe Hawley, right guard Peter Konz and Schraeder.
The interior blockers held up well as Ryan was able to step forward into the passing pocket for the first time in weeks. The young tackles struggled against Washington’s speed-rushers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.
“We don’t want to be 95 percent,” Smith said. “We don’t want to be 90 percent. We want to be 100 percent. When you don’t execute and do your job, there are opportunities for it to be a fatal play.”
The Falcons had one of those plays last season against San Francisco when Ahmad Brooks sped around former right tackle Tyson Clabo and pummeled Ryan.
Ryan suffered a sprained left AC shoulder joint from the hit and required six weeks of recovery. He didn’t play in the Pro Bowl, but Smith said he would have played in the Super Bowl if the Falcons had advanced.
Holmes and Schraeder must deal with Brooks and his sidekick Aldon Smith. Brooks and Smith lead the 49ers with 8.5 sacks each.
“Those are two outstanding (players),” Koetter said. “They definitely make you lose sleep on how you’re going to get those guys blocked on the outside. They are two excellent pass rushers.”
Veteran Joe Hawley, who has started the past five games at center, has helped to stabilize the line.
“Obviously, we are going to try to keep him as clean as much as we can,” Hawley said. “Matt is a tough guy. He doesn’t really say much about it. He kind of just gets up and keeps going. We talk to each other and try to make sure that we get each other right and try to keep the pocket clean.”
On one play against Washington, Holmes was beaten. But he scrambled back into the play and tackled Orakpo to keep him from hitting Ryan. Smith didn’t mind that penalty because it saved Ryan from what could have been a punishing hit.
“The second-effort plays are huge,” Hawley said. “You are going to get beat sometimes, but the extra effort to try and push him by the quarterback is huge.
There is some football etiquette involved when the quarterback goes down.
“When he does get hit, you’ve got to help him up,” Hawley said. “Helping him up shows that we’re there for him and we have to just keep blocking our butts off.”
