since68andcounting Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Though he may not know it, the game Sunday night is the most important of our young QB's career. Far more important than the Arizona playoff. More important than the Ravens game last year, or either Saints game. More important than the "11 second" Chicago miracle win in the Dome that became a defining moment, and yes...even more important than the Green Bay playoff loss.There is more uncertainty about our starting quarterback right now than at any time since he started his first game. We came off a devastating playoff loss in which back-to-back interceptions became a crucial turning point. And we followed that with what was a totally underwhelming performance against a team that most experts expected us to beat, even on the road. Once again turnovers played a crucial role, 2 of 3 from the QB.I don't have to point out to the members of this board that there is a segment of the Falcon fanbase that has never truly let go of our previous franchise quarterback. The ghost of #7 still lingers in the Georgia Dome and haunts this franchise with tantalizing thoughts of what "could have been". The vibe in some ways is similar to the 1980 playoff loss that took years for this team to overcome.Sunday night the EX-hero/goat of our team will be back trying to defeat us in a huge prime-time matchup on our own field, where he will certainly feel right at home. The fan base will be split. The world will be watching. Those who were either never ON the Matt Ryan bandwagon, or have now fallen off, will be seeking justification of their opinions should Vick have the better performance. For the continued growth in support of the current regime that they have worked so hard to cultivate, it is crucial that the Falcons win this game. And it is even more crucial that Matt Ryan steps up to have the kind of performance that most NFL prognosticators, the Falcon coaches, players, and so many fans have long felt he was capable of.The offensive weapons are there. The OLine has been called out and challenged. The defense knows what they are up against. IT'S TIME TO RISE UP AND RID THIS FRANCHISE OF THE GHOST OF QB'S PAST, ONCE AND FOR ALL. GO TO HEL-L PHILLY. YOU WERE OUR NEMESIS WHEN VICK WAS HERE AND YOU CERTAINLY WILL NOT REMAIN THAT NOW THAT HE IS GONE. GO FALCONS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I agree with a good deal of what you wrote but to me the bigger issue is just Ryan's play in general his last 2 games....Against the Packers and the Bears Ryan has 5 turnovers and 1 TD.That ain't gonna cut it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realsurfin Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I disagree... when he is playing the SuperBowl game is the most important game of his career...all he has to do and its not all on Matty's shoulders... there is the rest of the team too.. if the Defense does not step it up M Vick is going to Deep ball em and then run all over them.... the DEFENSE HAS TO GET THE OFFENSE ON THE FIELD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. DEFENSE does win games... but the OFFENSE puts the GHOST to bed.......... all they have to do is put the Ghost of M Vick to bed. Once and for all.bury the Ghost and Play out the season and get us into the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
since68andcounting Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 I disagree... when he is playing the SuperBowl game is the most important game of his career...Well, no duh. I was speaking of TO DATE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Zee Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I have to agree.... if we lose this game, Ryan's perception nationally will change for the worse. He's got tools around him, let the **** ball fly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ki46dinah Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 As anyone on this board knows, I am not a member of the 'Mularkey sucks' group...but I thought a large burden of last weeks loss has to do with his play calling.No good reason Turner only had 10 carries in the whole game.AND Ryan looked ameteur in some respects...he gets hot with short completions, but then effs up big AND doesnt look deep often enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcVA Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Like the guy on Sunday night football said, if Matt Ryan loses, the perception of him nationwide wide will be from bad to worse as far as winning big/key games... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdell Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Couldnt agree more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Golden Child Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Big time defining moment game on Sunday night. Things could get real ugly everywhere - even the locker room. The irony is that Matt came in and stopped the bleeding for a suffering franchise. Now the guy that caused the bleeding can reopen the wound.My main concern with Ryan is that he seems to be in some sort of a funk. It's been a long time since the Falcons have scored on the opening drive - that's their key to success. I'm starting to wonder if there is too much film on Ryan. Tony G, the security blanket, has been virtually taken out of most of the games. Roddy has been reduced to a dink and dunk possession receiver. There are virtually no throws to take the top off the defense. Last, but not least, the turnovers in inopportune times.Fans need to see more take this team on your back type games. I only remember two games like this: the loss in NO in 2008 and the Ravens game of last year. The rest speak volumes of game manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 All I can say is there are still thousands on this board that still have Vick issues.Yall should be more concerned about Daddy Reid. He owns us.8-1 against Smitty, Mora and Reeves with the lone loss coming on a four point squeaker.Focus people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brehus Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Matt Ryan needs to prove he can be a game changer and not just a game manager on Sunday night if he can't prove it we very well may end up with another EX Falcon claiming the GA Done is his House Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Absconditus Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It absolutely is, as well as being the most important game this coaching staff has ever coached.If we come out on national TV and get run out of the Dome AGAIN, then there needs to be a serious consideration in changing the philosophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. 0-2 aka Top Ramen Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 2 things can happen this season, the "haters" will be vindicated when Ryan's lack of a deep ball is finally exposed by the same people who have been propping him up as on par with Brady/Manning (lol) or he's going to grow a pair and show the world something they've NEVER SEEN. Consistent ability to land more than dinks and dunks. You're absolutely correct golden child. The league has figured out Matt Ryan and Chicago showed the world the blueprint to stop him. I don't think trading Mularkey for Knapp at this point would be any kind of downgrade. We play not to lose. Winners play to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. 0-2 aka Top Ramen Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It absolutely is, as well as being the most important game this coaching staff has ever coached.If we come out on national TV and get run out of the Dome AGAIN, then there needs to be a serious consideration in changing the philosophy.And staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb4242 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Sunday Night's Game Is The Most Important Of Matt Ryan's Career Weekfixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Absconditus Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 And staff.Yeah that's what I meant by philosophy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF89 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I think this is more important to Falcons fans cause of the Vick factor than it is to Matt Ryan. Not saying this game isn't important to his perception but the Green Bay and about 2 or 3 Saints games were bigger. Just IMO.All that said they cannot afford to lose big three games in a row. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller2Rison Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Someone who should be more worried than Matt Ryan is BVG, aftre giving up 78 points in the last two games he is on thin ice, now he has to coach a team of defenders that couldn't tackle a legless 7 year old against the high powered mike vick led offense, in a building full of number 7 jersies. BVG has got to get this defense to be physical against a small speedy eagles team, if we don't play physical on defense we lose the game and by the end of the year BVG loses his job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terber Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I don't know about most important, but it matters a lot. This is big for us. Stats mean d*ck to me. Philly has owned us, and Andy Reid has proven that he is clearly a superior coach to Mike Smith. I need to see adjustments, innovation, something dammit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcndave Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I disagree. He has started two playoff games. Both were bigger than a week 2 non-division opponent.PR will never be more important than production. He is a victim of his own success. His fast start has raised expectations. There are many guys better than Ryan who had much longer careers but never really won the big game.There are two types of QBs. Those who have won Championships, and those who have not. As long as Ryan is one who has not, I wouldn't give you a dime for a regular season win that doesn't ultimatly end up with a ring. Should Ryan get a ring this year, no one will give a care what happened in week 2. It is clearly the biggest game so far this year, but little more in reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostofdonkey Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Well we all know noodle boy melts under the lights.There is no reason or past performance to indicate anything different. He will crumble especially trying to keep up with a scoring machine in Vick.I can't wait to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr284 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 All I can say is there are still thousands on this board that still have Vick issues.Yall should be more concerned about Daddy Reid. He owns us.8-1 against Smitty, Mora and Reeves with the lone loss coming on a four point squeaker.Focus people.hit the nail on the head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ðigital Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 The OP is correct. This win could change everything. H*ll... it could even stop floods caused from all the tears of our message board fans this week. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird of a Feather Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I always say to myself before every game "Maybe this will be the game that Matt Ryan will go off and shut all the haters up."I will continue to believe in him, but it's getting pretty annoying that he keeps getting shoveled under more and more "elite" quarterbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahoofan45 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I think it is the biggest game in Matt Ryan's career so far. This is his chance to prove himself on a big stage, but more importantly, show a fan base that he is the answer because apparently 3 winning seasons isn't enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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