Matt Ryan Declared Best Young Franchise Player In The League

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 12, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Editorial Comment 58 comments

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Matt Ryan prepares to throw a pass so hard it pierces the space-time continuum. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Everyone likes to be lauded, so if Matt Ryan isn't too busy playing golf or solving world hunger, he might be delighted to hear that Fox Sports has declared him the best under-30 franchise player in the league.

That's pretty big praise for a guy with exactly one year of NFL play under his belt. For the sake of perspective, guys like Houston Texans sack machine Mario Williams, Minnesota Vikings stud running back Adrian Peterson and already legendary Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are also on this top ten list. All of those guys have put up huge numbers in their time, but Ryan's position automatically shoots up him up the list. I think.

I remain as wary as ever about this kind of hype. Ryan seems to be a humble, good-natured kid who can handle the attention, and I'm eternally grateful for that. At the same time, he's a second year player at the helm of a comically unlucky franchise. I've been a chipper, optimistic Falcons fan, but I think it's terrifying to heap monstrous expectations on Matty Ice this early in his career. I'm glad we're being recognized, yes, but there's a deeply held superstition in the heart of every sports fan, and this has left me unusually queasy.

Still, no denying that he's got the potential to light the world on fire.

What do you all think? Does Ryan fit this particular crystal football cleat?

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I agree with their assessment.

And not just because of my absolutely biased opinions. Matty Ice is probably the most valuable first round offensive pick in a long time. Valuable not because he lived up to any hype, but because he blew everyone, including the diehards like me, away. In a season where we were given at most four wins by analysts, Matt Ryan took it upon himself as a rookie to take control of the offense and win games. He was clutch when he had to and even when he couldn’t give us a W, he never stopped trying. We all knew after the first few games that we had a chance in any contest as long as Matt Ryan was behind center. And he instilled that confidence in us by mid-season; since when has a rookie (who came to a team that the year before had dealt with so much heartache and disappointment) done that in the last few years? It certainly wasn’t Matt Leinhart or Vince Young (who, in my opinion got lucky in the ending stretch of his first year). Granted, there’s Flacco to consider, but the Ravens were already a pretty solid team. The 2008 Falcons rose above the horrendous clouds cast over the franchise and, in some cases, their own talent level, to bring home eleven wins. Matt Ryan was a big factor in that rise.

And personally, knowing how much he studies the game and how hard he works, I don’t foresee much of a slump coming his way. I don’t see 11 wins with our schedule but I at least see 9 and that’s because Matt Ryan will have even more ammunition to score this year with Tony G joining the fray.

You have opinions. Share them.

by tlozwarlock on Jun 12, 2009 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked how NFL.com just analized Flacco

there were often times the Raven’s won in spite of Joe Flacco.

There were a lot of games that the Falcons won because of Matt Ryan. Clutch is an excellent word to decorate our QB with.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 12, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would you trade Ryan straight up for ANY player in the league?

I wouldn’t. Not Brady, not Manning, not Peterson.

This is not to say he’s the best player in the league as of today, but given his age and potential, he can be.

Martians Attacking Indianapolis

by joshmassey on Jun 12, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen.

I’m on the same page as you.

by TomQ on Jun 12, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's easy to say not Peterson when you have Turner...

But Peterson is a once in a generation talent too. In the line of Jim Brown, Barry Sanders….those guys might not have played 20 years to be career leaders in stats, but they were legendary on the field…Peterson is right there…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Jun 12, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is, Peterson might be a better RB than Ryan is a QB...

But an elite QB will help your team much more than an elite runner.

Martians Attacking Indianapolis

by joshmassey on Jun 12, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

A QB will be around for 12+ seasons, and a RB will probably only be good ~6 years.

Anyway, I’m not convinced AP is necessarily the best RB in the league right now, much less mentioned in the same breath as the all-time greats…

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch him run...

He’s fast, shifty, and strong. He has great vision. He’s the real deal. If he had Emmit’s line from the Cowboys in the early 90s, he might rush for 3000 yards….

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Jun 12, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen him

Yes, he breaks off a good number of fantastic long runs – he also gets stuffed too much and he fumbles a ton. If he is soooooooo great, why does he just slightly beat the rushing average numbers of Chester Taylor in the same offense (of course, he’s getting more carries).

I’d also say that Bryant McKinnie, Matt Birk, and especially Steve Hutchinson (maybe the best OG in the league) weren’t exactly slouches on the line…

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

That came off really strong… All I mean is that I think AP is one of the best RB’s in the league right now (not undisputed #1), and not yet anywhere near the conversation of all-time greats…

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thing that makes him such a hot topic

is his age. 2 seasons and a league leader in rushing. The guy is going up… but that’s the thing about RBs… it’s such a “high risk” position, he could continue to go up, an injury could ruin his career, or he might just plain stop producing over time. RBs can’t really truly be evaluated as “greats” until their career is being debated as to whether or not it is said and done with yet (IMO)

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 12, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

4.0 avg for CT vs 4.8 for AP isn't "slightly beating"...

it’s a good bit better. The MN line is good, but not great. They sure aren’t gonna be confused with that Cowboy’s line. Yes, he does have a fumbling problem, it helped us in the game last year. However, his talent is undeniable. Too much is placed on compiling stats vs talent sometimes. Of course if you play 15 years in the league, you’re gonna have gaudy stats. It’s ok to disagree about how we think he’s ranked. After two seasons in the league, I don’t see a more complete back out there. You disagree, and that’s ok. The question was about best young franchisee player. I think you have to at least consider a RB first. Can you think of the last SB team that one w/o a great running game? Elway didn’t get his ring til her had TD. Marino never got his. I would say it’s easier to win the SB with a great running game and defense then having a great QB. Even our general manager thought RB first, his first major signing being MT. He has been quoted many times saying the Burner was our MVP last year. If I were to start with building blocks, I would look to a stud RB first. For me, there is no better than Peterson…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Jun 13, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Few Things

1) You’re right about AP vs CT last year – AP was a good bit better. I was thinking more about the year before, when it was AP at 5.6 at CT at 5.4… but saying “his talent is undeniable” is not going to change my mind (because I agree with that already).

2) The last Super Bowl team that won without a great running game? I’d have to go all the way back to… Pittsburgh, about 4 months ago. They were #15 in Football Outsiders’ Rushing DVOA, but if you’re not convinced by that – the conventional stats were even worse! #23 in Rushing Yards per game, and #29 in Rushing Average (yards per carry). Heck, in the Super Bowl (against Arizona – not exactly world-beaters on D) they had:
1st & Goal @ 1 – three runs, zero yards, FG
1st & Goal @ 7 – two runs, three yards (pass on 2nd down), Touchdown
1st & Goal @ 5 – one run, negative 4 yards, penalty on FG try
1st & Goal @ 4 – two runs, one yard, FG
That’s right, with Goal to go, they had eight runs for ZERO YARDS!! They almost lost the game because they couldn’t punch it in when they were killing them in the 1st half… but the Defense (100 yard return!) and Quarterback (game winning drive was all passes, plus one scramble) saved the day.

3) I simply disagree with a RB as a #1 building block. They are very dependent on the Offensive Line, and they have the shortest effective life-span of probably any position in football. And I know it worked out for us last year, but I think I probably still disagree with breaking the bank for Turner. He is 27, and he’s under contract (at huge money) for 5 more years. He absolutely, positively earned every dollar last year, but I’m scared that he won’t be productive enough at 32, 31, or 30 to make that a wise long-term decision.

4) You say, “I don’t see a more complete back out there. You disagree.” But I’m not saying I disagree – I’m saying it’s just not so cut-and-dry to me. LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis: all exiting their prime years, but “complete” – rushing and catching passes (Portis is a wicked blocker, too) – they are certainly in the conversation. DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner: they got their first chance to fully shine last year. Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton: young up-and-comers who looked great last year. Steven Jackson, Joseph Addai, Frank Gore, Ronnie Brown: they have the talent, but they always seem to get hurt… I think AP is probably the best RB in the NFL – I just see all these other guys and think that he’s not the only correct choice.

by orang3b on Jun 13, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edit

AP at 5.6 and CT at 5.4

by orang3b on Jun 13, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK...

1) I realize this is an opinion, so QB vs RB as the cornerstone of a franchisee is a debate we wont see eye to eye with.

2) No one ran on the Cardinals except Phi(still not mind blowing) in the playoff last year. Look what they did to two of the league’s best rushing off in Atl and Car…
Wildcard Atl- 60 yards
Division Car- 75 yards
Championship Phi- 97 yards
Super Bowl Pit- 59 yards

Also, as bad as Pit’s rushing game was, Ari’s was worse. They had 33 yards rushing. The team that rushed the ball better won. In fact, the better rushing team has won at least the past 5 Super Bowls (I’m kinda sleepy and got tired of looking it up,lol). That includes NYG beating the most prolific offense of all time two years ago vs NE.

3) QBs are as dependent , if not more so on their OL than RBs. Not to be mean but that point is moot. You take a risk with any player getting hurt or not being as productive. How many passing yards did Brady have last year? 5 years is a reasonable window for any RB, and an eternity in the win now NFL to build a franchisee

4) I think it’s more cut and dry than you do at the RB spot If I’m an opposing def coordinator, I would like to see AP the least. That’s an opinion, and I do see you point. I just disagree.

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Jun 13, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Cards

1) Yeah, it looks like we’ll have to agree to disagree.

2) Arizona did play much better run D in the playoffs (during the regular season they were decidedly average), but I’d say the Carolina game was a little deceiving. They got behind early, and basically gave up on the run game, so of course there’s not going to be many yards there. Also, Philly is not a horrible total, plus they sometimes use screens to Westbrook as an extension of the run game (but the stats count as passing yards).

2008 Pittsburgh was better than Arizona at running the ball, but they weren’t anything special.
2007 New York Giants were a great running team, but so was New England – of course, their success running was because of the huge threat in the passing game. But NYG won because of their defense.
2006 Indianapolis was a good running team, but again that was because of the great passing game. Chicago was a good running team, too.
2005 Pittsburgh and Seattle were virtually even (SEA #4 and PIT #5 in Football Outsiders numbers) – Bettis and Willie Parker vs Shaun Alexander is pretty much a wash…

3) I’d say (Football Outsiders has helped convince me) that the OL is more responsible for RB success than people give them credit for, and that pass protection is more dependent on the QB himself than people realize. I’ll have to try to find a link to an article…

by orang3b on Jun 14, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

I can’t get the one link I found to work right now… so I’ll just put up a quick quote from FO:

Some quarterbacks have better instincts for the rush than others, and are thus better at getting out of trouble by moving around in the pocket or throwing the ball away. Others will hesitate, hold onto the ball too long, and lose yardage over and over. Note that “moving around in the pocket” does not necessarily mean “scrambling.” In fact, a scrambling quarterback will often take more sacks than a pocket quarterback, because while he’s running around trying to make something happen, a defensive lineman will catch up with him.

I’ll still try to find a good example to show it better, though.

by orang3b on Jun 14, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quick release and instincts will only get you so far...

If your LT can get a hat on a guy like Abraham, you’re gonna have a bad game. Same for RB though, if your line can’t create holes, you’re gonna run into their backsides all game long. This is a wash. There are some QBs who can make magic happen with a bad line, and there are some RBs that have the moves to break free, but that won’t be consistent.

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on Jun 14, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

If the OL is flat-out terrible, nobody on offense is going to be able to produce.

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed Ryan needs another year or two under his belt. Personally I don’t understand all the praise this early in his career especially with what we saw(bad habits?) in the last half of his first season. Let’s see how the defenses adjust to him this year and we’ll get a better idea as to his weaknesses.

I know that sounded very negative, but I truly want to see Ryan and Falcons succeed. I’m just concerned about his tendency to throw the errant pass but Gonzalez should prove a huge help for Ryan as he improves his game.

by Jon Cushman on Jun 12, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

But I’m going to have to say it again – he did not have a bad 2nd half of the season. Week 9 through the playoffs he had one poor game (wk 17 v STL), two average games (wk 16 @ MIN, and the playoff game @ ARI), and the rest were somewhere between above average and great. If you want to say his last 3 games weren’t up to the standard he set in the first 14 games, fine – but let’s kill the talk about a bad 2nd half of the season. His best 3 game stretch of the season was Weeks 12-14, and his second best 3 game stretch was probably week 9-11.

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check Mate

Oh, and THEY RELEASED VICK!

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 12, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll get concerned if they put him on the cover of Madden.

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 12, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

turn around a franchise in a year

and lead them to the NFC Championship game the next (bold prediction, I know)

and it is bound to happen

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 12, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

EA Sports will not be happy with me if they do

They need to quit already and just put a football on the cover and leave it at that.

"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments

by Jesse28 on Jun 12, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

I thought was a pretty good list. I was shocked that Fitzgerald was only 26 (I’d probably put him higher on the list), and was pretty surprised that Haynesworth is only 28 (seems like he’s been around forever). I absolutely agree with Ryan at #1 and “Super Mario” at #2.

A lot of the comments on Ryan’s page were suggesting Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Eli Manning, and especially Big Ben would be better choices. And while I might have put another QB in the top 10 if it was my list, I still think it’s gotta be Ryan at #1. I know he’s only done it for one year, but several places were saying (or at least asking if) it was the best rookie QB season ever. Plus, he’s only 24, and the other guys listed are at least 26. I know Big Ben now has the two rings, but are you telling me that any one of Ryan, Rivers, and/or Cutler couldn’t have won a ring with that Steeler defense?? Come on. Eli won his ring because his defense held the best offense ever (statistically) to 14 points, Asante Samuel let an easy INT go through his fingertips, and Tyree caught that heave against his freaking helmet…

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well...

i can understand why someone (especially a non-Falcon fan) would look at this list and completely flip out that Ryan is #1. but this list, at least as i interpreted it, is more about what you would build around for the future, not who you would pick if you had to win a Superbowl right now. Ben and Eli are certainly the “present”, but Ryan is very much the “future”… and i think this list was designed to account for those “future” players. if that’s the criteria, it has to be Ryan.

and yes, completely agreed about Ryan vs. Eli/Ben/Flacco. All of those guys are great quarterbacks, but they did have a gift wrapped defense sitting there waiting for them, which makes a world of difference.

even if someone does think Ben is the future, i’m not sure how much longevity the guy is gonna have. given the type of QB he is and the offensive line he has in front of him, i’m not sure i’d want to bank on him having the normal life span of a QB.

by cheshire falcon on Jun 12, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

If Big Ben keeps getting sacked at such a high rate, he’s going to burn out not long after 30…

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 12, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't get me wrong

I know how good Ryan is. In my mind, there are few things as heavy as the weight of expectations.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 12, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I totally understand your concern Dave. I know how good he is and I can see it, but when you’ve been emotionally abused by a franchise as long as we have, it’s only natural to expect the worst… especially after we’ve just gone through the Vick incident, something so ridiculously difficult and unexpected that I don’t think an NFL team has ever gone through anything quite like it.. Even if I were watching the Falcons hoist the Lombardi Trophy, i’d still be nervous that someone was gonna drop it and shatter it.

But what makes the Ryan era different I believe is that it’s not just one guy. From top to bottom, the organization is now solid. Even when things were at their pinnacle during the Vick era, it still wasn’t a fundamentally sound organization. Ryan is here because we have a great GM, he’s learning because he’s got a great coaching staff, and he’s surrounded by a solid team that has a very intentional philosophy and structure behind it. So I feel good about Ryan not just because of Ryan, but because of everything else that is forming and shaping around him.

by cheshire falcon on Jun 12, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

by orang3b on Jun 12, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is the messiah...

long live the king!!! lol
Without a doubt Matty Ice is one of the best young franchise players in the NFL. About the only other player I can think of that is young and completely changed the expectations of the fans for their team is Adrian Peterson. No other player in recent years has been drafted and turned their franchise 180 degrees around their very first year! Other young players have been drafted and had good first years and “helped” improve their team “some”, but Ryan completely changed the outlook of all falcons fans to a positive, excited, and proud outlook for the future of our team!! Not to mention he took them to the playoffs his 1st season!! WOW WOW WOW
L-Dawg

by ATLsince1972 on Jun 12, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt Ryan

What the hell are all you Falcons fans talking about? I’m from a little city called Pittsburgh and we have this guy you may have heard about named Ben Roethlisberger. I believe my man just turned 27 and already has enough jewelery on his hand to strain Matt Ryan’s wrist. And if you want to look at just pure clutch situation football players lets look at Ben’s 19 4th quarter comeback drives. Sorry 10 other teams scouts forgot about him and he went to a team that has always had a defense first attitude. Check back with you guys in 10 years and we will see who has more rings!

by Kiss the Rings on Jun 13, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey guy

If Big Ben could’ve won that ring last year with our Defense – I certainly would kiss his ring…

by orang3b on Jun 13, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

amen to that

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 13, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

State of the Franchise

Look what Big Ben walked into. Then, compare it w/ the “mess” (I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe it) that Matty Ice walked into. What world are you living in?

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 14, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Records

Just to make sure you guys pick up what I’m putting down about Big Ben, let’s look at his rookie records alone.

Most Regular Season Wins in a Season, Rookie QB — 13 (2004)

Longest regular season win streak to start a career for a NFL QB — 15 games (won all 13 starts in the 2004 season, won first 2 games of the 2005 season)

Highest Passer Rating, Rookie Season — 98.1

Highest Completion Percentage, Rookie Season — 66.4%

First QB to start two Conference Championship games in first two seasons in the NFL (2004 & 2005)

by Kiss the Rings on Jun 13, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

don't forget

brilliant off the field

flew into a car windshield head on without a helmet in a motorcycle accident

oh, and did you know that SBNation has a Steelers blog? You should check it out.

thanks for the stats btw, it’s always nice to collect football info. There really is no denying that the Steelers are loaded with talent and will be a threat for years to come. It is a very well established football team. I look forward to seeing what happens this upcoming season.

but if you want to argue stats
Ben’s first year ever playing every game of the season (2008) he only had a 59.9% completion percentage with a 17/15 TD/INT ratio for a 80.1 QB rating – the Steelers defense didn’t win games “because of him”, they won games in spite of him.
Matt’s first year starting every game he boasted 200 more yards on 30 less attempts than Ben did, completing 61% of his passes with a 16/11 TD/INT ratio and a 87.8 QB rating

it’s not always about “4th quarter comebacks” – it’s also about making sure your team isn’t in a position where they need to use the 4th quarter to come back. However, when forced to do so, when was the last time Ben won a football game in 6 seconds?

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 13, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WE WIN!

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 14, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brilliant

Name me one guy that is 23, making millions of dollars that doesnt do something stupid once in a while. It happens. And I like stats but I also like wins!! Ben has a lot of those too. And the last time he was forced to win a game was in February in a little game called the Super Bowl. Maybe not 6 seconds but I will take 35 seconds and a Championship any day.

by Kiss the Rings on Jun 14, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ooh ooh, I know

Name me one guy that is 23, making millions of dollars that doesnt do something stupid once in a while

Matt Ryan

To be honest with you, there is no arguing that Ben is on the better team. However, there is plenty of evidence that points that Matt Ryan is edging him in the “whose the better QB” race. You can never compare “whose the better QB” based on how many wins they have.

orang3b put is best

If Big Ben could’ve won that ring last year with our Defense – I certainly would kiss his ring…

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 14, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WE WIN!

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on Jun 14, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wins???

Don’t know what you guys judge a quarterback, defense, wide reciever or anything else on but in Pittsburgh we judge every position by did it play effectively enough for us to WIN!! It is all about the team and the win loss record. Fact is Pittsburgh is 59 wins 22 losses when Ben is under center with 2 Super Bowls and 4 playoff appearances. We went 6-10 the year before we got him and look at our franchise now. We were always good but always had that missing piece at QB since Bradshaw. Anybody not from Pittsburgh remember 4 AFC Championship losses at home? Even with dominant defenses. Ben brought it all together and became the Franchise Quarterback. Glad you did well and made the playoffs this year but I would never take Ryan over Big Ben. Matt may turn out to be good but let me ask you who sleeps better at night? Marino with the stats or Montana with the rings?

by Kiss the Rings on Jun 14, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

Obviously Big Ben is a better QB that Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch. But the Defense in 2003 (#9 in Yards Allowed, #15 in Points Allowed) wasn’t anywhere near the level of last year’s Championship Defense (#1 in Yards Allowed – by a large margin, #1 in Points Allowed, mentioned by some to be in consideration for the best Defense ever).

I’m pretty sure all of us here agree that Big Ben is a great QB, but you’ll have to forgive us if we’re just the slightest bit biased for ol’ Matty Snowballs.

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time to weigh in

I appreciate how this has remained relatively civil. I think it’s too early to declare Matt Ryan the best young franchise QB in the league, but he certainly belongs in the discussion based on a truly excellent first year. So does Big Ben, who really is a terrific quarterback. As orang3b said, maybe we’re a little biased, but Ryan looks like something special.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pic of Matt

He looks like Falco from the movie replacements in this pic.Best of luck Falcons! Forever fan!

by Grey Rider on Jun 13, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1 year does not a great quarterback make

Before all you get all worked up over this, keep in mind he has played 1 year in the league. 1. The declaration of him being “the best young franchise player” is a big stretch. He’s good, very good, but one year in the league, come on! A more apt title is the he is the “best 2nd year franchise player”.

He came at a time when the franchise and the nation was trying to forget the despicable actions of Michael Vick. He has brought hope to a franchise, and lived up to the expectations, thus far. I wish him the best of luck and hope that he continues to reach his potential, but it is too early to bill him with such a declaration.

by Superpower on Jun 14, 2009 1:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but... but...

the force is strong with this one, yes?

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 14, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll say it again

More than one reputable source wondered if his was the Greatest Rookie Season by a QB ever! He’d have to fall a long, long way to not have a great career.

by orang3b on Jun 14, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

Matt Ryan had a good season.. Actually a GREAT season as a rookie… BUT WHY THE HELL do they credit him for it? We got new additions in Mike Smith and Mike Turner who both did their job beautifully. Sure Matt ryan is good, but who was smart enough and bold enough to trust a rookie? Also, Who was the one who provided the Falcons with a 2 headed dragon on offense, therefore, making Matt Ryan’s job MUCH easier? All i’m saying is that you never know if Matt Ryan will end up being either a Peyton Manning, or a Kurt Warner. Sure the falcons had a huge turn around in Ryan’s first season, then again, many players on the falcons were new also.

by Djseoh on Jun 14, 2009 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as far as giving credit to our front office

I couldn’t agree more.

However, I don’t see anything wrong with being optomistic in Matt Ryan. Sure, you could take it with a healthy dose of, “he might not be all that”, but the possibility that he actually can be is so much more fun to embrace. Even if he does disappoint, I don’t think he’ll slip below the ranks of at least an “average” QB.

oh yeah, and welcome to the site :)

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Jun 14, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait,

Are you saying best case he’s Peyton Manning and worst case he’s Kurt Warner?? I’ll take that…

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

A lot of credit fell on Matt’s shoulders, and he was great, but the coaching staff, Turner, Abraham, Roddy White, the offensive line and a lot of others deserve credit for that turnaround.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

I’d say they got a good bit of the credit, too:

Thomas Dimitroff – NFL Executive of the Year
Mike Smith – NFL Coach of the Year
Michael Turner – Pro Bowl, AP 1st Team All-Pro
Roddy White – Pro Bowl
John Abraham – AP 2nd Team All-Pro

Maybe the OL didn’t quite get the credit they deserve, but how often do you hear people raving about Offensive Linemen?

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say they don't get credit

Just that in one year, Matt Ryan became the face of the franchise that the talking heads love to laud. As time goes on—and if he continues to do great things—that’s only going to grow.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 15, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

But that kinda goes with the territory as a QB. Just as long as it never gets so out of whack like the kciV years… Messiah complex, anyone?

by orang3b on Jun 15, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo

No matter what he did, Vick got the credit and blame, which in my mind greatly delayed the firing of longtime Falcoholic nemesis Greg Knapp. I’m firmly convinced that Vick would have done much better if he didn’t have Captain Seven Drop Step calling his plays.

by Dave the Falconer on Jun 16, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs