Matty-Ice Hung Tough
The notion that Matt Ryan stunk it up in his 1st NFL playoff game is a bunch of bull. The kid hung tough. Some of these knuckle-head pundits must think this is supposed to be easy. Dude was playing for an inferior football team, on the road, in a hostile enviroment. Let's check out the numbers, since that's all most of these critics look at anyway.
Matt Ryan completed 65% of those 40 passes. After I read one postgame column, I thought maybe it was below 50%. No, he was 26-40. Check the drops and the balls that had a chance to be caught and he's got a 30-40 game for close to 300 yards. Remember now, this isn't Montana in his prime...we're talking about a rookie making his 1st NFL playoff start, on the road. NBC showed a graphic during the game that read: Ryan's 21st completion is the most all-time for an NFL Rookie QB, eclipsing Sammy Baugh's 20.
Sure, there were some troubling moments---like that first INTC. Matt tipped his hand on the new Falcons first 3rd down and forced one into coverage. He overthrew a couple balls---one for a touchdown. But here's the thing...there is supposed to be growing pains. Ask Unitas, Simms, Marino and Bradshaw. It's extremely difficult to be flawless. Especially, when the other ten guys on offense are losing their battles.
Matty-Ice...you did good. Great start to your career. We love having you in Atlanta leading our franchise. Take some much needed time off. It's been a long, 18-month grind. Get some rest. Enjoy some down time. Decompress.Hit the golf course some. We are proud of your performance.
Knowing this guy, the first thing he's going to do is obsess over those 14 incompletions, 3 picks and that huge fumble to start the 2nd half, before he retreats.
The biggest frustration to this loss was the miserable start to the 2nd half. Gave'm the lead on the 2nd play, when Dockett beat Dahl and blew up the running play. Then, consecutive 3-and-outs. The 4th possession was but one play: a deep shot that Cromartie made a big play on resulting in an INTC. The game hung in the balance and the Birds offense disappeared in the 3rd quarter. That's on everyone...Mularkey, Baker, Jenkins, Norwood, Ryan.
But the furture looks bright.
Matt Ryan completed 65% of those 40 passes. After I read one postgame column, I thought maybe it was below 50%. No, he was 26-40. Check the drops and the balls that had a chance to be caught and he's got a 30-40 game for close to 300 yards. Remember now, this isn't Montana in his prime...we're talking about a rookie making his 1st NFL playoff start, on the road. NBC showed a graphic during the game that read: Ryan's 21st completion is the most all-time for an NFL Rookie QB, eclipsing Sammy Baugh's 20.
Sure, there were some troubling moments---like that first INTC. Matt tipped his hand on the new Falcons first 3rd down and forced one into coverage. He overthrew a couple balls---one for a touchdown. But here's the thing...there is supposed to be growing pains. Ask Unitas, Simms, Marino and Bradshaw. It's extremely difficult to be flawless. Especially, when the other ten guys on offense are losing their battles.
Matty-Ice...you did good. Great start to your career. We love having you in Atlanta leading our franchise. Take some much needed time off. It's been a long, 18-month grind. Get some rest. Enjoy some down time. Decompress.Hit the golf course some. We are proud of your performance.
Knowing this guy, the first thing he's going to do is obsess over those 14 incompletions, 3 picks and that huge fumble to start the 2nd half, before he retreats.
The biggest frustration to this loss was the miserable start to the 2nd half. Gave'm the lead on the 2nd play, when Dockett beat Dahl and blew up the running play. Then, consecutive 3-and-outs. The 4th possession was but one play: a deep shot that Cromartie made a big play on resulting in an INTC. The game hung in the balance and the Birds offense disappeared in the 3rd quarter. That's on everyone...Mularkey, Baker, Jenkins, Norwood, Ryan.
But the furture looks bright.
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