Until now, it's been almost too easy for Matt Ryan. He was an MVP candidate as a rookie, leading the Falcons to a surprising playoff berth.
He started off his second year playing even better as the Falcons let him throw more. He's finally hit an inevitable bump in the road the last two weeks.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out that Ryan has thrown multiple interceptions and recorded a quarterback rating below 70 in back-to-back games, both firsts for his career. The Falcons were lucky to get a win against Chicago at home two weeks ago, but they will have to play much sharper for a chance to beat the Saints this week.
Atlanta's issues certainly don't start with Ryan. The team's secondary is thin after losing Brian Williams. The offensive line is struggling to protect Ryan, and Michael Turner looks like just another guy carrying the football.
Ryan had two monster games against the Saints last year, but that was before Gregg Williams re-made the defense into an attacking unit. With little margin for error, Ryan will have to get back to an MVP-caliber level of performance Monday night to keep the Falcons alive in the NFC South race.
Matt Ryan faces first career turbulence
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 30, 2009 11:31 AM ET
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Latest stories in: Atlanta Falcons, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Heaven forbid a 2nd year QB that had almost no trouble as a rookie goes through some growing pains.......
Seriously, the guy is going to be fantastic, Falcons made a good choice even if he goes through the sophomore slump.
He's yesterday's news. Mark Sanchez is this year's sure HOFer. Well... until the other teams get used to his tendencies like what's happened to Ryan.
I totally agree. I think it's a little too convenient that people are overlooking the fact that two years ago we were dealing with Joey freakin' Harrington. We were lucky to have such a solid season last year under a new head coach and a rookie QB...and we look decent this year so far. It'll come together.
To the offensive line,
Protect Ryan so he can throw to Gonzalez and Roddy White, and also open gaping holes for Turner to run through...then the problem is SOLVED! The line is an embarrasment right now. Turner is a 1700 yard back last year and this year he has gone to sleep because the o line efforts are below average. Their horrible. Get it together boys
Ryan is the least of their problems. He does have the tendency to look for Gonzalez too often. Nevertheless, the Falcons won't beat the Saints.
That's what happens when you get tape on you. Tendencies are figured out.
Joey Harrington is the greatest QB of all time.
Ryan is a great QB already. Remember those games Favre threw 3+ picks? Yea well, even one of the greatest of all-time had bad games. The good thing about hitting rock-bottom is that the only place to go is up.
He's yesterday's news. Mark Sanchez is this year's sure HOFer. Well... until the other teams get used to his tendencies like what's happened to Ryan.
hahaha, funny.......seriously, no matter what happens vs. the Saints, Matt Ryan is a star quarterback, he didnt have a great game vs. Dallas, but every quarterback has an off game, the game vs. the bears, he did win.
Atlanta fans need to calm down.
Two words: JaMarcus Russell.
Ryan is great. He will continue to be great. This is not an issue. Any football fan with eyeballs can see what Ryan does. Yes, there are better days and worse days. I'm staggered by posters who don't see what Ryan does on the field. Get over yourselves and enjoy what will be top 10 QB for the next 15 years. Use your eyeballs.
Joe Flacco > Matt Ryan
P.S. Michael Oher for Rookie of the Year!!!
As a Saints fan I hate to admit that Matt Ryan is the real deal. But it'll be atleast a week before he returns to last year's form.
Who cares about Matt Ryan? Mark Sanchez is going to the Hall of Fame. He is the next Joe Montana in the making. He's the chosen one. The sports media is so irrelevant. A QB wins first 3 games and he's baby jesus.
Brady struggled in his second year as a starter as well, of course it may have been because he was wearing his Super Bowl ring that year and it affected his throwing.
Are you kidding me with this mularkey?! Matt Ryan is fine, sure there is film on him and every QB has tendencies. The cowboys coaching staff (for the first time all season) dialed up some good play calls on D and made Ryan look for his outlet Gonzalez. He is not a concern for Atlanta, Michael Turner and the play calling are a concern. For some reason the Falcons have gone away from their bread and butter, and made Turner lose his confidence in doing so. They will be fine. Lets not forget the Cowboys field some serious talent on both sides of the ball, they can either look really bad or really good.
I question Mike Smiths call not to go for it on 4th and 5 with 6 minitues to go down by 7. It doesnt matter that you are on your own 30 yard line. Have some confidence in your young QB and see if he can make a good decision there to keep your drive alive. Ryan pleaded to go for it there, Smith shot him a bad look and called for a punt. Result- Punt return for a TD game over.
Flacco>Ryan? you must be joking, while both have a tremendous up side, it is way too early to tell. Based on last year though, Ryan is the better player so far. As for this year though, Flacco seems to have to be the difference maker on his team, lord knows his defense isnt scaring anyone.
To be continued!!!
Matt Ryan will be fine if I were a Falcons fan I would be more concern about now average Joe Micheal Turner, yea not so easy to run for 17,000 plus yards when teams completely game plan for you plus you were a back up for a reason, and Falcons fans are wondering what happen to their run game, here is a tip Turner as never carried the ball that much in his career before last season, he's bit worn down now if you watch the film the guy has no burst teams are more dedicated to stopping the run, and no run game equals more passing and the entire NFL has more tape on Ryan plus teams saw how the Patriots shut them down and will use similar game plan after all it's a copycat league.
The PFT staff must be the only people reading that rag of random words called the AJC.
One faltering newspaper talking about Ryan struggling does not equate to turbulence.
Listen to sports radio in Atlanta or have a conversation with a random Falcon fan in any office and the concern involves Turner. And with him everyone points to his heavy work load from last season.
Turbulence is overstating it a ton.
It hasn't helped that Michael Jenkins can't catch any more. Roddy White has woken up a little, but. And Gonzo has been a big plus, but Dallas covered him up pretty good.
Turner has lost a step and is more worried about fumbling than picking up yards after contact. How else do you explain Snelling running for 68 yards on 7 carries? Why couldn't Turner do that?
So, no running threat and the Falcons can be beat. Ryan can't do it with the receivers he's got.
Matt will be fine THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS IN ATL.FOR ONE THEY HAVE TO GET MICHAEL TURNER SOME BLOCKING,AND THE PASS DEFENSE IS HORRIBLE
¡NECESITAMOS EL JUEGO CORRIENDO, BEBE!
This is what happens when local media hypes up a second year player as being on the same level of Brady and Manning when he isnt even a top 10 QB yet. He may very well end up as an elite QB at some point in the future, but he isnt right now and the Atlanta media needs to realize that. Back to back subpar games for a player who hasnt even started 25 games is nothing.
Jamarcus Russell: "Matt Ryan has posted a QB rating of 70 or less? In 2 straight games you say?You make it sound...like...a...BAD thing..."
Matt Ryan is going to get CREAMED on Monday night.
Sorry Atlanta, your perfect little golden boy is about to get used like a 2 dollar hooker from thailand.
Mr. Ryan?
Meet Mr. Smith, Mr. Grant, Mr. Vilma, Mr. Hargrove, and Mr. Sharper. Try not to blubber about your favorite flavor of pudding or where you spend summer camp or how your underwear feels funny when they are carting you off the field. Just keep your mouth shut and enjoy the pretty colors.
Destination? MRI booth at Tulane Medical Center. Passengers? You.
Say hello to 0-2 in the Superdome kid.
Yeh I mean he will have his problems here and there, but at the same time I really don't think that Ryan is a mega star.
MVP calibur? Was I watching the same QB you are referring to here or no? I mean he was good last year, and at times he was great.... but not an MVP type player.
I don't think he will ever get to that point, I think he will just be a pretty good QB for most of his career.
Can't wait til we shut all those Saints fans up. I have an answer for "Who Dat"?....it's HOTLANTA!!! GO FALCONS!!! We aren't who u think we are!!! I can't wait for this game!! Big party at my house and a big party back in ATLANTA!!! GO FALCONS!!! OMG ur Saints are peaking in OCTOBER!!!! WOW!!! Means NOTHING!!! Keep it up in DECEMBER!!! 2 words...YOU WON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO FALCONS!!!!