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Yasinskas article from ESPN about the Falcons QB situation


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The Falcons used the first overall pick in 2001 on Michael Vick, but he's sitting in a federal penitentiary and his career could be over. New coach Mike Smith might be facing the biggest rebuilding job in history after the Vick debacle and the disastrous tenure of coach Bobby Petrino. Harrington, Shockley and Chris Redman are the only quarterbacks on the roster.

Harrington showed more moxie and savvy last year than people previously gave him credit for. On a good team, Harrington might be a solid quarterback, but the Falcons are far from a good team. They got rid of running back Warrick Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler early in the offseason, and will ask former San Diego backup running back Michael Turner to carry their offense. What Atlanta needs is a franchise quarterback, and it wouldn't hurt the box office if he has mass appeal and no interest in pit bulls.

There's only one quarterback in this draft who fits that description: Boston College's Matt Ryan. Though Atlanta has plenty of other needs, and a team runs the risk of ruining a quarterback by drafting him high and throwing him in right away (see David Carr), the Falcons would make their biggest mistake since the hiring of Petrino if they pass on Ryan with the third overall pick.

Few coaches and front office people think Ryan is the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but there's a strong consensus he's the best quarterback in this draft. Just selecting him would give Atlanta fans more reason to be excited about the Falcons than the city has been for a few years. Ryan is smart, charismatic and has no off-field issues in his background.

It might be wise to let Harrington take some lumps as Ryan gets comfortable. But this scenario make sense on every level, and Ryan would give an instant face to a franchise that doesn't have one.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=3339606

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I think this guy is obviously out of touch with the fan base.  I think that the picking of Matt Ryan (especially if Dorsey or J. long are still available) would not only not give us a face for the franchise but would actually work to the detriment of fan support for the team.  It seems that a large part of the fan base wants no part of Matt Ryan.  So why pick someone that is already reviled by the fan base?

Which leads me to my question.  If Long and Dorsey are gone do you think its the best option to go with Ryan?  Obviously we would love to trade down to pick up even more flexibility but that probably isnt an option.  That being said how many of you leave your Falcons fanhood at the door if they draft Ryan?

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dchi194

he's sitting in a federal penitentiary and his career could be over.

The author is a bit of a drama queen of you ask me. Although Vick's career "could" be over, Tom Brady "could" get an injury in camp and never play again as well. The carefully chosen word "could" does not reflect odds., and I suspect it was by intent.

Bottom line, there's far higher odds we'll see Vick playing in the NFL again than not. Blank won't even rule him out playing here again.

.

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The only way I would consider leaving the Falcons is if they bring Vick back to the Falcons.  I'm not a Ryan hater.  I think the potential is there for him to be great in this leage.  But then again, so was the potential for Ryan Leaf to be good in this league.

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Magic Man (4/16/2008)
The only way I would consider leaving the Falcons is if they bring Vick back to the Falcons.  I'm not a Ryan hater.  I think the potential is there for him to be great in this leage.  But then again, so was the potential for Ryan Leaf to be good in this league.

I agree with this.  I dont really want Ryan but if we take them I'm willing to give the team the benefit of the doubt.  All I know is this pick HAS to go well given our recent situation.  So far the TD regime has gone well...now we need that to translate to the draft.

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"the Falcons would make their biggest mistake since the hiring of Petrino if they pass on Ryan with the third overall pick."

That is one of the worst articles I've read in a long time. The above quote will be true IF we select Ryan at # 3. The correct move is Dorsey at #3 and trade back to the first and pick up Brohm. My gut tells me we will wait on Flacco in the second.

I know I'm beating a dead horse but I had to voice my opinion on such an asinine article.

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formul8or (4/16/2008)
We can't just draft him because he's the best of this class.  Not much seperates Ryan, Brohm, and Henne in skill and selecting one soooo much higher than another is ridiculous.
<<<

Best post I have seen in a while.. I agree!!

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