For everyone thinking that the falcons didn't throw downfield nearly as much in 09 , that's not quite true

[falconidae]

Falcons only threw downfield 5% less in 09 than in 08, just didn't complete nearly as many.

In 08 Ryan threw the ball in the air 20+ yards or more 55 times and completed 21 [ that's out of 434 att.]

In 09, Ryan & Redman threw the ball in the air 20+ yards 41 times and only completed 11 [ out of 560]

That's 12 % in 08 and 7% in 09, that's a drop, but what makes it seem worse is they just didn't complete many.

Got this info from splits at ESPN, NFL.com has the same info.

What this says to me is that MM isn't as conservative as some here think- the O just didn't work as well in 09 as it did in 08. Think we all knew that.

Major difference is passes from 30- 40 yards in air, 18 in 08 [5 completed] and 7[1] in 09- I think that difference can be explained by a lot of sacks and broken plays in 09 that would have been those deep passes had the play worked like it was supposed to.

MM may not be as dink and dunk as people think.

[MattIceRyanMVP2]

Ryan needs to improve on his accuracy when throwing down the field, some of his throws are just so terrible when he throws down the field.

[falconidae]

Ryan needs to improve on his accuracy when throwing down the field, some of his throws are just so terrible when he throws down the field.

In 08 Ryan was 3/5 in passes that went 40+yards in the air, In 09, 2/4- He's actually one of the best at really long throws.

[ballfan]

In 08 Ryan was 3/5 in passes that went 40+yards in the air, In 09, 2/4- He's actually one of the best at really long throws.

Someone tracks how far each pass traveled in the air?

[ballfan]

Falcons only threw downfield 5% less in 09 than in 08, just didn't complete nearly as many.

In 08 Ryan threw the ball in the air 20+ yards or more 55 times and completed 21 [ that's out of 434 att.]

In 09, Ryan & Redman threw the ball in the air 20+ yards 41 times and only completed 11 [ out of 560]

That's 12 % in 08 and 7% in 09, that's a drop, but what makes it seem worse is they just didn't complete many.

Got this info from splits at ESPN, NFL.com has the same info.

What this says to me is that MM isn't as conservative as some here think- the O just didn't work as well in 09 as it did in 08. Think we all knew that.

Major difference is passes from 30- 40 yards in air, 18 in 08 [5 completed] and 7[1] in 09- I think that difference can be explained by a lot of sacks and broken plays in 09 that would have been those deep passes had the play worked like it was supposed to.

MM may not be as dink and dunk as people think.

A function of hurt Left Tackle, Rignt Guard, limited talent at WR with HD and Finn out.

[Falcons 'til Death]

Problem is he didn't have as much time to get himself set much last year. I know he wasn't sacked a lot in the first half of the season, but a lot of those roll-outs and throws to the side line were a result of him being pressured in the pocket . He had no choice but to try those short throws.

And things just got worse as the season went on when injuries to the line took its toll. That's why I was extremely happy with both picks for the offensive line. Depth on the o-line is the key for our long term success.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Falcons 'til Death

[King ED]

If I remember correctly, Ryan led the league in thrown away passes... and it wasn't just because of the PA bootleg play.

[JKH5785]

12% and 7% aren't that high to begin with.

If only 12% and 7% were 20+ yards or more, that means that 88% and 93% were dink and dunk

[falconidae]

12% and 7% aren't that high to begin with.

If only 12% and 7% were 20+ yards or more, that means that 88% and 93% were dink and dunk

Brees last year threw 11% of his passes more than 20 yards in the air

Peyton, 11%

Rivers 14%

30-40% of passes in the NFL don't go more than 10 yards.