hawkeye Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12440768FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -Matt Ryan usually spends his off days during the season watching film at the Falcons' team headquarters.With the specter of facing Saints safety Darren Sharper, Atlanta's second-year quarterback is grateful to have an extra day before visiting New Orleans on Monday night."He's got great football instincts, and my guess is he's very meticulous in the film room, and he studies, because that shows up," Ryan said Thursday. "That's evident when you watch tape on him."Sharper's 60 career interceptions, including an NFL-leading six this year, are worrisome enough. But the 13th-year veteran has also scored 11 touchdowns off those picks, second only to Hall of Fame inductee Rod Woodson.Ryan, who's coming off consecutive games with a pair of interceptions for the first time in his career, knows his challenge extends beyond Sharper. The Saints' 18 takeaways are tied with Philadelphia for the league lead, and Ryan feels fortunate Atlanta has lost just two of its seven fumbles over the last three games."Any time you lose the turnover battle in this league, it's tough to come back and win games," Ryan said. "So that's my focus this week, to be better with the football, but at the same time you can't lose that aggressiveness. You have to continue to go out there and try to make plays."Last week's 37-21 loss at Dallas marked just the second time in his career (and the first since a Week 2 defeat at Tampa Bay as a rookie) that Ryan was sacked four times and threw two picks. Before facing the Cowboys, Ryan had made 143 passing attempts - a stretch of 18 straight quarters - without taking a sack.He will need a nearly flawless performance from left tackle Sam Baker and right tackle Tyson Clabo at the Superdome. Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith have combined for 6.5 sacks, 30 tackles, one fumble, one interception and two passes defended.Against New Orleans (6-0), the Falcons (4-2) also must restore some consistent big plays from Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner, who's averaging just 3.4 yards per carry to rank 24th in the NFL among players with at least 70 attempts.It hasn't helped that fullback Ovie Mughelli has missed two games with a calf injury and was limited in practice Thursday.Turner's backup, Jerious Norwood, is still sidelined with a hip flexor and expected to miss this week, too. Jason Snelling filled Norwood's spot against the Cowboys and averaged 9.7 yards on seven carries. Unfortunately, Snelling didn't practice Thursday because of a sore hamstring."Well, we are not going to make excuses, but we like to have our first-line players out there," coach Mike Smith said, "and I think Ovie is an outstanding blocking back and in our two-back running game he's a big, big part of it."Ryan puts the onus on himself to make the offense efficient, but Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez believes the Falcons must do a better job in running better routes and improving their blocking techniques."We've obviously got to play better in all phases," Gonzalez said. "I don't think it's one particular thing. We came out and had a good first quarter (at Dallas). The opening drive was good. The defense had two three-and-outs in a row, but we've just got to keep momentum going, if anything."And the Falcons will need to keep a close eye on Sharper."We just need to do a better job, man to man, and for me that's getting the guys in the right call and making sure I'm carrying out my reads," Ryan said, "so we can try and bust one open." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Now if they can just go out and execute! And force the Aints into a few mistakes and we can definitely beat them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the evil emperor Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I don't want Ryan to go out there and be afraid to make a mistake.He must play boldly without fear.Then we will see the true Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I don't want Ryan to go out there and be afraid to make a mistake.He must play boldly without fear.Then we will see the true Ryan.I have to agree with this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Masked Falcon Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I don't want Ryan to go out there and be afraid to make a mistake.He must play boldly without fear.Then we will see the true Ryan.Agreed.It's a fine line that good NFL QBs have to walk......not turning the ball over and still being aggressive at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commish Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 no no no no no....we cannont beat the saints this way. If we play trying to avoid mistakes we will lose simple as that. there offense will score more. We need to air it out and go for the big plays if we make crucial mistakes well at least we gave it our best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Agreed.It's a fine line that good NFL QBs have to walk......not turning the ball over and still being aggressive at the same time.I agree, but he did state that in the articale about still being agressive I think. I think he is gonna be ready to give it to the saints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da_Truth Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Our success on offense depends on the play calling of Mularkey and everyone doing his part--and for God sake catch the ball when it's thrown your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Adamsville Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I'll settle for a shootout if our running game is obviously gonna be offline this week... as long as our D stops their run game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsH8 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Man a relief of reading that garbage made by D. Orlando Bedwetter. Can you believe he actually made an article saying Ryan is having a sophemore slump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconinPA Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Man a relief of reading that garbage made by D. Orlando Bedwetter. Can you believe he actually made an article saying Ryan is having a sophemore slump?Yes, he doesn't surprise me anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFalconPokerPro Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Now if they can just go out and execute! And force the Aints into a few mistakes and we can definitely beat them.I agree,if we stay mistake free, and manage the clock we'll walk away with a big fat ole W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCEagleATLFalcon Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Snelling didn't practice today?? :unsure: (And, yes, Ryan did say in his interview that, while he wants to cut down the mistakes, he also does not want to lose aggressiveness.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 i say Ryan should go out there and making short throws, make those safeties move closer to the scrimage line. Then strike for the homerun throw.Ryan biggest job this monday is moving those safety around and make sure he always a step ahead of them =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconMama Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I'll settle for a shootout if our running game is obviously gonna be offline this week... as long as our D stops their run game.A shootout vs the Saints? Yeah uhh good luck with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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