ESPN Chat, Final Word, and Mailbag: Pat Yasinskas

[theProf]

Jeff M (Atlanta)

Pat, a little early I know but I wont be able to make it to the 1pm chat. Do you think the addition of Tony G to the offense has actually hindered Matt Ryan's development?

Pat Yasinskas (12:54 PM)

No, I can't say that. But I will say I think it's given Ryan a little bit too much of a safety net. In his rookie year, it seemed like he was more willing to take some chances down field and they often paid off. Like to see him more.

Pat (Cincy)

"I don't even know their DB's names..." Yeah, Roddy White is a real class act. Different from all the other diva WRs, right??

Pat Yasinskas (12:56 PM)

I'll say it again, I'll take Roddy over most of the other diva WRs. He's got a touch of it, but you have to have a touch of it to be good at that position.

Jim (Athens, GA)

I liked the article about Matt Ryan's passing statistics. What do you think will help Matty Ice complete more long passes?

Pat Yasinskas (1:00 PM)

Throw more long passes. Seriously, just let it rip once in a while. Roddy White and Harry Douglas can get open downfield.

Mark ( Ga)

Is Matt Ryan regressing as a QB? It seems he is really reluctant to throw the ball down the field, especially in the red zone.

Pat Yasinskas (1:01 PM)

I don't think it's reluctance on his part. I think the coaching staff is tying his hands a bit.

Jeffrey Harharwood (The Institute)

Pat, what game will you be covering this Sunday?

Pat Yasinskas (1:11 PM)

I'll be in Atlanta for Falcons/Bengals.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Looks like the Saints and Falcons have a similar strenght of schedule remaining. Does the whole division come down to NO at ATL on Monday night later in the season?

Pat Yasinskas (1:13 PM)

Yep, I think there's a very good chance of that.

Nate (Orlando)

Pat, any news on Sean Weatherspoon's injury? I know you say they have depth at that position, but the falcons D just looks slower when he's not flying around on the field.

Pat Yasinskas (1:14 PM)

He's out this week. Not sure how much longer after that.

Lloyd (Baton Rouge, LA)

I'd like to know your opinion. Legal or not, what good does it do the NFL, the teams, and the players themselves to have hits like Dunta Robinson's be a part of the league? It hurts the NFL and the teams to lose good players on Sunday, and the long-term health problems for the players are increased. Plays like Robinson's are a very small part of the thousands of plays each weekend, so what's so wrong about getting rid of those extreme plays?

Pat Yasinskas (1:17 PM)

I agree and obviously the league agrees. They're addressing it and you're right -- I think we're only talking about a handful of plays each week.

Jeff (Evans, GA)

Now that you've seen the Dunta Robinson hit about 100 times...Do you still think it was helmet to helmet as you wrote atleast 4 times on sunday?

Pat Yasinskas (1:47 PM)

Hit his pads first and went up to helmet. That what you are saying?

Darrel (Gainesville, GA)

Pat, Any stats about Matt Ryan's win-loss in the Northeast part of the U.S?

Pat Yasinskas (1:20 PM)

I'd have to look it up. But, off the top of my head, I can tell you he's lost in Philly and Pittsburgh this season.

Darrel (Gainesville, Ga)

The reason I bring it up Pat is Matt Ryan is 1-5 in the northeast. Any factors (i.e. parents, etc..)?

Pat Yasinskas (1:41 PM)

Nothing I'm aware of, but an interesting stat. I'll have to look back and see if there might be a common thread.

CP (Brooklyn, NY)

As a falcons fan, it is a dissapointment to see the offense not "rising up", but is it really logical to consider a change from Mularkey at OC? I heard the other day Peyton Manning has played in 3 systems in his life, 1 in HS, 1 in college and 1 in the NFL. You have to believe the consistency of the offense has allowed him to excel as a qb. I'd hate to see Matt Ryan take a step back because he has to learn a new offense.

Pat Yasinskas (1:24 PM)

Agree and I don't think it's come to that yet. I think Smith and Mularkey just have to make some philosophical tweaks and just open things up downfield just a bit more.

Sharell (NCFalconFan)

Your thoughts on Smitty as a motivator? I know he kows the game of football, he takes a few risk, the players love him, but what about motivating the players to perform on the field. They have been flat all year (w/the exception of the NO game) at the start of the game. During his first year they appeared to be ready to play at start of games.

Pat Yasinskas (1:34 PM)

I think he can motivate. Players respect him a lot. He had them ready for the Saints.

Matt (statesboro, ga)

hey pat, enjoy the blog. I'm a big falcons fan and one thing I've noticed this season is that matt ryan seems to throw the ball away A LOT more than usual.I know thats good if theres no one open but it seems to me he throws it away even when receivers are open. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks and keep up the good work.

Pat Yasinskas (1:39 PM)

Philly game is fresh in my mind. He was throwing ball away a lot, but that was because he was getting hit a lot. Actually, have to give him some credit for avoiding several sacks in that game.

Brant (Warner Robins, GA)

Pat, what is the best game you have covered since taking over the NFC South blog?

Pat Yasinskas (1:53 PM)

Falcons/Saints this year.

Jeff (Huntsville)

Who is going to win the battle of the trash talkers, Roddy White or Chad Ochocino?

Pat Yasinskas (1:59 PM)

Let's not forget T.O.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/35066/nfl-with-pat-yasinskas

Final Word: NFC South

October, 22, 2010 4:00PM By Pat Yasinskas

Stepping back? With Cincinnati coming to town with receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, I’m curious to see how Atlanta’s defense responds. This unit had been playing well up until last week’s loss in Philadelphia. It looks like the Falcons will be without injured cornerback Dunta Robinson and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Remember, those were the guys the Falcons added to this defense in the offseason. Their speed and aggressiveness helped during the Falcons’ four-game winning streak. Can the Falcons continue to play that way without them or do they suddenly become last year’s defense again?

NFC South Saturday mailbag

October, 23, 2010 11:24AM By Pat Yasinskas

Steve in Rochester, N.Y., writes: Regarding your article on Examining Matt Ryan's passes, Great job! I've been waiting for Atlanta's offense to really take off and it's not happening. They have such potential, it seems. Please send your article on Ryan to Mike Smith and see if he can't kick Mike Mularkey in the pants regarding his play calling.

Pat Yasinskas: Thanks, but I’m sure Smith and Mularkey were aware of those stats even before I published them. I think both of those guys are good coaches, but I think they need to tweak their offensive philosophy a little bit to get the most out of their offensive talent.

[sdogg]

There is no doubt that MM is holding Ryan back.

[Spoooooooon4MVP]

i lebroned an 8th grader this morning

[atIhomey]

No doubt, Matt Ryan has all the tools, they just need to open it up for him more.

[ghostofdonkey]

If anything its ryan holding mm back. Funny how everyone makes excuses for noodle arm, its always everything other than his scared chad pennington play.

The coaches know the players limitations, ryan is preventing this offense from "rising up"

[Spoooooooon4MVP]

our oline is like russian roulette. there's always somebody gonna miss their block and get matty hit. don't know which chamber has the bullet =(

[qhostofdonkey]

Matt Ryan is way too talented for it to be him. We all know it's the OC. If it was Vick, I would understand blaming the QB, but Ryan is way better than Vick ever was.

[theProf]

No doubt, Matt Ryan has all the tools, they just need to open it up for him more.

I think the main problem with Atlanta's passing game is that the Offensive Line is not giving Ryan enough protection and time. No QB is going to be very effective if he has to pass in under 2 seconds on average.