Your 2011 Atlanta Falcons Offensive Player Vote

by Dave Choate on Feb 1, 2012 12:00 PM EST in Falcons Talk

After perusing the list of nominees, I've drawn up our nominees for the team's offensive player. You won't be overly surprised to learn that the team MVP's name is on it...again.

The Falcons had a bit of an unusual offensive year, marked by thrilling highs and devastating lows in certain playoffs games I never want to talk about again. Still, when you take each individual part of the offense and see how it contributed to the best moments of Atlanta's 2011, the following names stand out.

Matt Ryan: He set some team records, put up one of the best seasons and certainly half-seasons of his career and willed the team to victory more than once. He also had one of his finest seasons overall since coming into the NFL and masked some of the offensive line's worst qualities.
Michael Turner: The Burner was sputtering late in the year, but his overall performance was strong again in 2011. He posted well over 1,000 yards, rammed in double digit touchdowns and threw Eric Weems around like a rag doll. That alone gives him a spot on the list.
Julio Jones: Injured at times and disappearing at others, Jones would seem to be a long-shot for offensive player. Still, he was electrifying as a rookie and was, at times, arguably the best player on the field. It's scary to think what he'll be able to do with a year and a full off-season under his belt in 2012.
Sam Baker: He was nominated. Again. Twice.

Let the voting begin!

Poll

Who was the Atlanta Falcons 2011 Offensive Player of the Year?

Matt Ryan

270 votes

Michael Turner

41 votes

Julio Jones

69 votes

Sam Baker

40 votes

None of the above

34 votes

454 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sam Baker

Was so versatile he was moved all over the line…Wait a minute, I think he was moved there on purpose lol.

Matty Ice get’s the nod for offense though Burner could have split the award. I like the fact each year Matt’s numbers have increased ever so slightly. This year he set some franchise records, which is a rather nice feat. Playing behind a makeshift offensive line where bodies were moved around mostly all year, he held his own. I’m looking forward to next year, hopefully some improvements on the line, a new coordinator, and some explosive plays help him break even more records.

Coaching wins championships!

by Edgecrusher211 on Feb 1, 2012 12:11 PM EST reply actions

GONZO!

Tony Gonzalez played pretty damn good for a oldie but goodie! Consistent, did everything he could to get Falcons a victory, made the pro-bowl. He gets my vote!

by mice2 on Feb 1, 2012 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Wow! Roddy drops a few passes catches "only" 100 and he's left off the list?

For shame Falcon fans! For shame! Why, if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t have won my fantasy football championship! As a protest, I voted for Sam Baker. May he continue to be an embarrassment to the fine history of USC lineman for years to come…just somewhere else.

by aces666high on Feb 1, 2012 1:20 PM EST reply actions

I gave my vote to MT...

but yeah, no RW to TG…something fundamentally wrong with that!!

"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders

"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster

by Blood_Talon on Feb 1, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Bad list.

No offense Dave but how could you leave out guys like RW and TG? They were both more valuable to the offense than JJ was. TG was clutch all year and put up great TE stats. RW made a few mistakes in key moments, but put up another great statistical season. Not to mention, they were our only pro bowlers. You could even argue a case for TM. I guess it really doesnt matter anyway since MR was hands down the MVP of the offense. Just wanted to see those guys get credit.

by dirtybird in ak on Feb 1, 2012 2:44 PM EST reply actions

Agreed, I would like to see Roddy on there, as he was our best offensive WR this year

Still say the nod goes to the Burner in this category as well though, as his numbers were among the best of any RB in the league. Ryan had a good season in a year when several quarterbacks had great years.

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Feb 1, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

This was solely based on the nomination post from last week

I didn’t add any choices of my own, I just went with who was nominated. For the offensive side of the ball, at least, it was a pretty short list.

by Dave Choate on Feb 1, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Bah! You sir are a passer of bucks!!

I say good say!

by aces666high on Feb 1, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

I promised I'd run with whoever was nominated

If people want me to start inserting choices I think are worthy down the line, I will do so.

by Dave Choate on Feb 1, 2012 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Also, where I come from, buck passer is quite the insult

Denoting the flinging of male deer.

by Dave Choate on Feb 1, 2012 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

Flinging as in...

like….a fling with them? O.O

Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/FalcoholicZippo

If you're a fan of the Falcons, or if you want to chat it up with some Falcons fans, sign up here, share your opinion, and get to know some great fans of the Falcons!

by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 1, 2012 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Depends on which part of Maine

by Dave Choate on Feb 1, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Egads! I think we've stumbled into Dave's dark zone!

Must have something to do with the proximity to Canada.

by aces666high on Feb 1, 2012 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

Eww

Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/FalcoholicZippo

If you're a fan of the Falcons, or if you want to chat it up with some Falcons fans, sign up here, share your opinion, and get to know some great fans of the Falcons!

by Caleb Rutherford on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

Todd McClure

OL seemed exceptionally pathetic when he wasn’t there. Not wonderful at any time, but truly bad when he was out.

And completely off topic, but does anyone in here buy from Australia? I checked Ebay to get some DVD’s from Australia and they wanted $85.00 to ship them here. We’re talking 4 seasons of the Rush TV series—one box not shipping containers full. Is that typical or is someone making a killing on shipping fees?

by LuvGems on Feb 1, 2012 3:18 PM EST reply actions

just for the hell of it

I checked the rates for Fedex from upstate NY to Melbourne and they were in the $112-115 range. Go to Fedex, UPS and the postal service websites to check the rates. Hope this helps

by drmondo667 on Feb 1, 2012 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

I appreciate that. It's a little mind blowing.

by LuvGems on Feb 1, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

I voted for Turner just because of the Weems thing. That’s how a real man sets up his blocks!

by birdwatch on Feb 1, 2012 4:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions

yes sir

That should be play of the year..

by DesertFalcon on Feb 1, 2012 10:11 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Turner

Still the workhorse,just slower.

by DesertFalcon on Feb 1, 2012 10:16 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I've been Thinking.....

And I have come to the Conclusion That…….WE NEED A GRONKOWSKI……that is all.

by falcons101 on Feb 1, 2012 5:27 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Dont forget...

Brady operates with one receiver basically and 2 tight ends.. I’m sure if our offense operated with 2 tight ends one of them would score 12 TD’s lol

Coaching wins championships!

by Edgecrusher211 on Feb 1, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like Matty's got this locked up....

Which I’m okay with, but I voted Turner. His running opens up whatever else we do. A lot of us may not like being a run-first team, and maybe that will change next year, but this past season, I don’t think we would’ve reached 8-8 without another good season from him.

by ChardeeMacDennis on Feb 1, 2012 5:33 PM EST reply actions