Matt Ryan Next Step - Help Lead Falcons To Playoff Win

[swift]

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Matt Ryan with the third pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and also with the expectation that he would quickly mature as a professional quarterback and lead the team to the playoffs, and beyond.

Through four seasons, Ryan has performed admirably in pursuit of those goals.

Ryan has led the Falcons to a 43-19 record since his arrival, the best start of any Atlanta quarterback in franchise history. In each year since 2008 he's increased his touchdown totals, and in the past two years he's ramped up his passing yards.

When the dust settled on the 2011 regular season, Ryan had 29 touchdowns and 4,177 passing yards, the highest single-season total for any Falcons quarterback in history.

The fourth-year quarterback's next step: win a playoff game.

Twice Ryan has been in the playoffs, but neither trip ended well. In 2008 Atlanta was bounced from the playoffs by eventual NFC champ Arizona. Last season Green Bay unceremoniously ended the Falcons' postseason en route to a Super Bowl title. Both one-and-done performances have the Falcons looking for ways to improve on their recent 0-2 record in the playoffs.

Coach Mike Smith moved quickly to dispel the idea that Atlanta's playoff woes of recent past rest squarely on the shoulders of Ryan.

"I know that we've had two postseason games prior to this," said Smith. "We haven't got the outcome we wanted. We are learning from those experiences. We're going to use those as growing experiences and we're looking forward to competing this week and that's just not Matt Ryan. That's Mike Smith, every member of our team."

But the easiest target to aim for if looking for reasons why Atlanta didn't last long in the playoffs of 2008 or 2010 is Ryan.

In his playoff career, Ryan is 46 for 69 with 385 yards passing, three touchdowns and four interceptions. In neither game has Ryan thrown for 200 yards. In neither game has he thrown more touchdowns than interceptions.

Until Ryan can improve on his playoff numbers, and until he can lead the Falcons to their first playoff win in the Smith-Ryan era in Atlanta, his status among the elite quarterbacks in the league will be in question.

Of the 12 playoff quarterbacks this year, seven are making return trips. New England's Tom Brady has 14 playoff wins to his legacy. Drew Brees, Ryan's divisional rival from New Orleans, has four. So does Sunday's opponent, Eli Manning of the New York Giants.

Ryan is still looking for his first playoff win along with Alex Smith, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Yates, Tim Tebow and Andy Dalton. But Ryan is the only quarterback who has been in the playoffs previously who has failed to win a game in the postseason.

Of the passers with at least 300 attempts this season, Ryan ranked seventh in the league in quarterback rating. The six quarterbacks ahead of him have 28 playoff wins combined, and only Stafford -- who's making his first trip to the playoffs -- is without a win.

While Atlanta is going to have to find a way to win in the playoffs to reach lofty goals set upon the team, both internally and externally, Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey thinks it's ridiculous Ryan shouldn't share the same limelight as the NFL's elite because he hasn't won a playoff game.

"I think he's proven that he's one of the best in the league," said Mularkey. "I don't think he has to win any specific game to prove that he is or not. I don't think it really matters to Matt. I haven't really thought about putting that pressure on him or ourselves for that matter. I don't think he's thinking about that."

Mularkey has a point.

If you look at Ryan's numbers from the moment he arrived in Atlanta, you'll see a quarterback who has gotten better every year. A student of the game, a film-room junkie, the playbook has expanded for Ryan and he's often lauded as being one of the league's best play-callers at the line of scrimmage.

And no matter what happens Sunday in New York, Ryan will likely make strides next year and become an even better quarterback. He doesn't need this win to continue his trajectory, and climb into the realm of the league's elite.

But it sure wouldn't hurt.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner spent the first four years of his career in San Diego, where a young Philip Rivers was in a similar situation to the one Ryan's in now.

Rivers entered the 2007 playoffs after a deflating 2006 one-and-done performance. He got his playoff first win in 2007 and Turner said the pressure that was lifted off Rivers helped the quarterback lead the Chargers all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

"Yeah, it was a huge weight lifted," said Turner.

Could the same drive to a league championship happen with the Falcons, if Ryan were to get his first playoff win against the Giants?

Ryan said he's under no pressure to win just because it's a playoff game, laughing off the suggestion. He says the past really doesn't matter too much to him.

"We had opportunities but didn't take advantage of those," said Ryan. "What matters is that we've put ourselves in this position again. And we have an opportunity to move forward. I just focus on preparing and trying to play well this week."

But as Turner saw in San Diego, and what Ryan still has to experience, is that one elusive win could have a domino effect. And that deep playoff run is what team owner Arthur Blank expects.

Blank, on numerous occasions since Atlanta's early playoff exit last year, has said to look at the elite teams in the league like Green Bay, Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Those elite teams and their players are judged on what they do in the postseason.

"It's just a reality," said Blank.

Does Ryan need a playoff win to be an elite quarterback in the NFL? No. Does he need that win to be treated like one? Most assuredly.

[E. T.]

Of coarse winning a playoff game is a next step....but dont stop there matt!

[Guest Gritz]

I expect to see a calm, mature Ryan on the field Sunday.

[swift]

I expect to see a calm, mature Ryan on the field Sunday.

i do too I think Ryan will play very well

[Guest Gritz]

i do too I think Ryan will play very well

We'll know fairly early on swift.....That's one thing about this kid. He lets you know pretty early in the game if he's on or not.

[Grrrillapmpn Inc.®]

History has me nervous....really nervous.

[SYD]

What if he plays a great game and we still lose? Will you still be an annoying curmudgeon calling for his head?

I already know the answer to the opposite question, Even if we win you'll pick him apart and say we won despite him.

[Guest Negatorris]

History has me nervous....really nervous.

Ryan has been changing history, and I think he'll continue.

[NewFalcon]

Looking forward to a Falcons victory over the Giants--looking to see the O-Line give Matt enough time to find open receivers and to make a few holes for Turner. Looking forward to D-Line pressure on Eli and solid LB and DB play. A kickoff/punt return would be sweet icing on the cake.

Time to Rise Up Falcons, and take the next step... with a playoff victory!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flBXW78dVEc

[YoungHeezy]

History has me nervous....really nervous.

I would tend to agree but Matt looks different to me this year. His emotion, his body language, how he interacts with him teammates..since the bye week it looks like his confidence has skyrocketed.

[Grrrillapmpn Inc.®]

I would tend to agree but Matt looks different to me this year. His emotion, his body language, how he interacts with him teammates..since the bye week it looks like his confidence has skyrocketed.

When has Ryan shown a lack of confidence in the regular season? Matt is usually all world in the regular season but Matt Ryans playoff record has me shitting bricks and nothing he can do in the regular season will put me at ease.

[norbendon]

History has me nervous....really nervous.

I can understand that, but I think that over the last 8 or 9 games, we've seen him take a pretty big step forward and the numbers show it.

I'm more concerned about our running game. It slacked off as the season went on. It was dismal in the two previous playoff appearances. However, I'm hoping that what we saw in the Bucs game was a concerted effort and moreso, a sign that this part of our offense has come back to life.

[NoMoreExcuses]

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Matt Ryan with the third pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and also with the expectation that he would quickly mature as a professional quarterback and lead the team to the playoffs, and beyond.

Through four seasons, Ryan has performed admirably in pursuit of those goals.

Ryan has led the Falcons to a 43-19 record since his arrival, the best start of any Atlanta quarterback in franchise history. In each year since 2008 he's increased his touchdown totals, and in the past two years he's ramped up his passing yards.

When the dust settled on the 2011 regular season, Ryan had 29 touchdowns and 4,177 passing yards, the highest single-season total for any Falcons quarterback in history.

The fourth-year quarterback's next step: win a playoff game.

Twice Ryan has been in the playoffs, but neither trip ended well. In 2008 Atlanta was bounced from the playoffs by eventual NFC champ Arizona. Last season Green Bay unceremoniously ended the Falcons' postseason en route to a Super Bowl title. Both one-and-done performances have the Falcons looking for ways to improve on their recent 0-2 record in the playoffs.

Coach Mike Smith moved quickly to dispel the idea that Atlanta's playoff woes of recent past rest squarely on the shoulders of Ryan.

"I know that we've had two postseason games prior to this," said Smith. "We haven't got the outcome we wanted. We are learning from those experiences. We're going to use those as growing experiences and we're looking forward to competing this week and that's just not Matt Ryan. That's Mike Smith, every member of our team."

But the easiest target to aim for if looking for reasons why Atlanta didn't last long in the playoffs of 2008 or 2010 is Ryan.

In his playoff career, Ryan is 46 for 69 with 385 yards passing, three touchdowns and four interceptions. In neither game has Ryan thrown for 200 yards. In neither game has he thrown more touchdowns than interceptions.

Until Ryan can improve on his playoff numbers, and until he can lead the Falcons to their first playoff win in the Smith-Ryan era in Atlanta, his status among the elite quarterbacks in the league will be in question.

Of the 12 playoff quarterbacks this year, seven are making return trips. New England's Tom Brady has 14 playoff wins to his legacy. Drew Brees, Ryan's divisional rival from New Orleans, has four. So does Sunday's opponent, Eli Manning of the New York Giants.

Ryan is still looking for his first playoff win along with Alex Smith, Matthew Stafford, T.J. Yates, Tim Tebow and Andy Dalton. But Ryan is the only quarterback who has been in the playoffs previously who has failed to win a game in the postseason.

Of the passers with at least 300 attempts this season, Ryan ranked seventh in the league in quarterback rating. The six quarterbacks ahead of him have 28 playoff wins combined, and only Stafford -- who's making his first trip to the playoffs -- is without a win.

While Atlanta is going to have to find a way to win in the playoffs to reach lofty goals set upon the team, both internally and externally, Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey thinks it's ridiculous Ryan shouldn't share the same limelight as the NFL's elite because he hasn't won a playoff game.

"I think he's proven that he's one of the best in the league," said Mularkey. "I don't think he has to win any specific game to prove that he is or not. I don't think it really matters to Matt. I haven't really thought about putting that pressure on him or ourselves for that matter. I don't think he's thinking about that."

Mularkey has a point.

If you look at Ryan's numbers from the moment he arrived in Atlanta, you'll see a quarterback who has gotten better every year. A student of the game, a film-room junkie, the playbook has expanded for Ryan and he's often lauded as being one of the league's best play-callers at the line of scrimmage.

And no matter what happens Sunday in New York, Ryan will likely make strides next year and become an even better quarterback. He doesn't need this win to continue his trajectory, and climb into the realm of the league's elite.

But it sure wouldn't hurt.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner spent the first four years of his career in San Diego, where a young Philip Rivers was in a similar situation to the one Ryan's in now.

Rivers entered the 2007 playoffs after a deflating 2006 one-and-done performance. He got his playoff first win in 2007 and Turner said the pressure that was lifted off Rivers helped the quarterback lead the Chargers all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

"Yeah, it was a huge weight lifted," said Turner.

Could the same drive to a league championship happen with the Falcons, if Ryan were to get his first playoff win against the Giants?

Ryan said he's under no pressure to win just because it's a playoff game, laughing off the suggestion. He says the past really doesn't matter too much to him.

"We had opportunities but didn't take advantage of those," said Ryan. "What matters is that we've put ourselves in this position again. And we have an opportunity to move forward. I just focus on preparing and trying to play well this week."

But as Turner saw in San Diego, and what Ryan still has to experience, is that one elusive win could have a domino effect. And that deep playoff run is what team owner Arthur Blank expects.

Blank, on numerous occasions since Atlanta's early playoff exit last year, has said to look at the elite teams in the league like Green Bay, Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Those elite teams and their players are judged on what they do in the postseason.

"It's just a reality," said Blank.

Does Ryan need a playoff win to be an elite quarterback in the NFL? No. Does he need that win to be treated like one? Most assuredly.

Man,

I want him to win on Sunday. He's a great guy and really has been good for this organization. Plus, the fans deserve it.

Not to mention,I 'm sick of our teams getting on national stage and laying an egg. We need this win like New Orleans need a toilet flush...that city is a dump.

[PokerSteve]

I expect to see a calm, mature Ryan on the field Sunday.

Judging by how well he's performed the last half of this regular season and the maturity he's shown in that stretch, I also think he will play extremely well.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

MR shows his mastery of the NH"O", gets the Falcons a p/o win and the 800lb gorilla off his back.

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

I would tend to agree but Matt looks different to me this year. His emotion, his body language, how he interacts with him teammates..since the bye week it looks like his confidence has skyrocketed.

Its no coincidence his deep passing has improved with his confidence rising.

[Butudontseeme™]

MR shows his mastery of the NH"O", gets the Falcons a p/o win and the 800lb gorilla off his back.

Totally agree but it ain't just his back, Smitty and TD are looking for their first PO win too.

[Snafu]

The article says it all...We lost to the Cardinals, who went to the SB...Then to Green Bay, who went on to win the Super Bowl. We havent lost to slouches in the playoffs, so if you think we lose to the NYG, You are picking them to make the big show.

That's what pisses me off when people bring up Matts playoff record. Yea, he's lost 2 games, but the teams that kicked our/his azz just so happened to kick everyone elses azz also.

EDIT: I still stand beside my opinion that had the refs called a straight game against the cardinals (Yeah, not calling a single one of the 28,000 offsides) we would have won the Super Bowl that year.

Yea, I know. Keith "3rd and 16" Brooking screwed us badly, but it should have never even gotten to that point of the game. I really think we would have won that game if their D-Line wasn't allowed to stand 3 feet in front of the center on the snap.

Edited January 7, 2012 by RubberDucky