Atlanta Falcons Quarterbacks: My Opinion Of Each Of Them And The Cut That Needs To Be Made

[#1 pick]

Matt Ryan: Excellent game manager. Has he peaked? Will he put the work in the weight-room that's needed? So much of Matt Ryan needs are physical. In fact, almost all of what Ryan needs is physical. I am certain Ryan doesn't do much in the weight-room outside of drills that will help him be able to take hits and the 16 game season. We need him physically bigger, faster, and stronger without question. I hope he doesn't think RG3 came into college with a big arm, or Brady in the NFL. Those guys put in a lot of work into the weight room to get physically stronger. I know Peyton Manning didn't but he doesn't have to either, Ryan does. In the NFL, everyone can gain a lift in this arena to a degree and we just need Matt to get stronger in the sense of Tom Brady. Right now he looks like a skinny fat uncoordinated square who has a weak arm. Extremely skilled QB. Extremely high football IQ. He has a lot of talent. I might harp on that aspect of his game but he does have a lot of talent that at least good enough to be a top 15 QB and more but if he doesn't improve physically he will peaked where he is right now. Opening day starter.

Chris Redman is a below average QB who is regressing into a terrible QB. He is no longer an average NFL backup. I would say he needs to be a lock to be released. He and Sam Baker should be cut come June 1st. His talent level is dropping to the point where I don't think he has NFL talent anymore. He is still very smart and works very hard. He should be out of the league right now. Should be released. Overstayed his time.

John Parker Wilson is a terrible QB. He came in with NFL ready very polish skill set with no NFL talent to his name. At this moment he is still that same player. While I want to see him as our backup next year I understand why he would be a bad backup in the NFL. I personally don't see him as a NFL QB but more so a backup QB in the CFL from a talent standpoint. Still he knows the offense, is smart, has game manager traits so I think he deserves a chance at the job. Possible backup option.

We need to draft one of these QB's in the mid to late rounds of this draft. This draft doesn't have the same overall ability that last years amazing QB draft class had but this draft is actually more talented than last years draft. Because of development, sometimes talented QB draft classes don't pay out since the NFL value NFL readiness more so than talent for backups. Here are very talented players I like for us that I have scouted. I haven't seen much on some small college guys so do not get mad at me since I won't list them.

Russell Wilson, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Ryan Lindley, and Jacory Harris. I feel that each one of these players are very talented QB's who could be NFL starters one day and possibly more. Wilson is really like a Quizz Rodgers to me. He is a prospect that can be special and has the tools to be special. He just needs the right system, coaches, and personnel to become special. Brandon Weeden is one of my favorite prospect. He is very talented and polished. Reminds me of another older prospect in Quincy Carter who I felt blew a chance to be what Tony Romo is today.

Osweiler is very talented, reminds me of Elvis Grbac with his arm, size, and speed for his height. He needs a lot more polish. When developed, he can be somewhat like a Matt Schaub for a team. Ryan Lindley is a special talent, he has a lot of Tom Brady traits. He just needs more development and he must improve his technique and footwork in the pocket but he has very good pocket presence and pocket mobility. He also has shotty accuracy. Jacory Harris is your extremely low floor, extremely high ceiling player in this draft. He is unpolished and doesn't make NFL throws in the sense of understanding when and where to throw the ball. He has a lot of talent. His talent reminds me of Kurt Warner in a lot of ways. He can be a special player with the right personnel, right system, and the time to develop on his flaws. **** Vermeil stated after coaching Harris in the NFLPA draft bowl game, he most definitely has the talent but he's raw right now. He can be a special prospect. He most definitely is worth a look and maybe a pick in the NFL draft.

I think we need to bring in 5 QB's to camp. Last is Stephen Garcia. I feel he has some talent. Overall I think he's not a good QB at all. He just doesn't have good football IQ and he never focused on Football. I doubt that will change either but I would give him a chance to come into camp and fight for a spot on the PS. Plus since Redman will be cut, I wouldn't mind having 3 QB's on the team and 4 on both the team and PS. Most likely he will be cut though.

Check out the NFL draft QB thread 2012: http://boards.atlant...2012-nfl-draft/

Edited March 11, 2012 by #1 pick

[THE ICEMAN]

Matt Ryan doesn't need to hit the weight room but work on his deep ball thats it and of corse win a post season game if he had won in the post season he'd already be mentioned as a top 5 QB right now and stats wise stats he is a top 5 QB but the deep ball and win in the post season and thats it hitting the weight room wouldn't hurt but he doesn't need to he already has a big enough arm to get the job done.

Edited March 11, 2012 by joe 1982

[THE ICEMAN]

I do like Stephen Garica but he may be a 4th rouner thats a little high to get a QB when Ryan's only 26 next year's draft I think we could draft a QB high (2nd,3rd) if Ryan doesn't win a playoff game asumming we get there. as far as the guys we hav now JPW is a guy who needs to really strengthin his arm and Chris Redman is a perfect back up but getting up there in age . Like I said I think you hold pat this season and adress it next year unless we need the roster spot then just move JPW to the practice team.

[#1 pick]

Matt Ryan doesn't need to hit the weight room but work on his deep ball thats it and of corse win a post season game if he had won in the post season he'd already be mentioned as a top 5 QB right now and stats wise stats he is a top 5 QB but the deep ball and win in the post season and thats it hitting the weight room wouldn't hurt but he doesn't need to he already has a big enough arm to get the job done.

No he needs to hit the weight room. Don't be oblivious to the facts. He is uncoordinated. He trips over his own feet constantly. He can't move laterally in the pocket. He has more air on his passer than Shane Lecher punts. The weight room will HELP him in that regard. We got mad at Michael Vick who put enormous energy to the weight room when he abandon film study. We should hold Ryan to the same for the weight room since he has abandon that but puts enormous energy into film study. He's not top 5 in stats, stop that bulls**t. I don't want to hear it, I watched him in all of the games, TC, and what not, he is not top 5 in most things right now. Can he be? It depends how he approaches the weight room. I hate this boards silliness of d**kriding Ryan. The guy has severe flaws but he can improve them. If he's not willing to improve them, he's not willing to get better. It's on Matt Ryan to do that. His line is better than the NY Giants, no more excuses. He has two top 10 WR's. A top 10 RB. A top FB. GOAT at TE. He needs to get his a*s in the weight room right this f**king minute and do what Brady, Griffin, Vick and others have done. Get on the racks, take some weight training vitamins and get bigger, faster, and stronger.

His arm is one of the weakest of all starting QB's. He is unquestionably in the bottom three of all NFL starters.

[#1 pick]

I do like Stephen Garica but he may be a 4th rouner thats a little high to get a QB when Ryan's only 26 next year's draft I think we could draft a QB high (2nd,3rd) if Ryan doesn't win a playoff game asumming we get there. as far as the guys we hav now JPW is a guy who needs to really strengthin his arm and Chris Redman is a perfect back up but getting up there in age . Like I said I think you hold pat this season and adress it next year unless we need the roster spot then just move JPW to the practice team.

He's not getting drafted at all. That's a guarantee. He's barely a NFL prospect at the moment. JPW doesn't have a professional arm much less a NFL arm at this moment.

[Falcon Fanatic]

There's no reason to release or cut Redman as he is a free agent. I agree about him. He is terrible. JPW must step it up and I think he can. The coaching staff must believe he can as well or we wouldn't have blocked Minnesota's attempt to snatch him off our PS. I do agree about getting another QB though. If we are looking in FA I say look at David Garrard. He has had a year to heal his back and he knows Koetter's system so that is a plus and that he can probably be had cheap while giving us a veteran presence behind Ryan. If we look in the draft then my favorite to develop is B.J. Coleman out of U.T.C.in round 5. The kid has the arm strength and ability to put the ball anywhere he wants to. He just needs NFL caliber coaching to put him over the top. As far as Stephen Garcia... no thanks. He wasn't that good at South Carolina especially to waste a draft pick on and his maturity level is nonexistent. He will be lucky if any team brings him in as training camp fodder.

[#1 pick]

There's no reason to release or cut Redman as he is a free agent. I agree about him. He is terrible. JPW must step it up and I think he can. The coaching staff must believe he can as well or we wouldn't have blocked Minnesota's attempt to snatch him off our PS. I do agree about getting another QB though. If we are looking in FA I say look at David Garrard. He has had a year to heal his back and he knows Koetter's system so that is a plus and that he can probably be had cheap while giving us a veteran presence behind Ryan. If we look in the draft then my favorite to develop is B.J. Coleman out of U.T.C.in round 5. The kid had the arm strength and ability to put the ball anywhere he wants to. He just needs NFL caliber coaching to put him over the top. As far as Stephen Garcia... no thanks. He wasn't that good at South Carolina especially to waste a draft pick on and his maturity level is nonexistent. He will be lucky if any team brings him in as training camp fodder.

Redman makes too much money to be on a NFL roster. David Garrard is too expensive. He wants the money and will likely get it. I can see a team like Cleveland or Seattle signing him in case their QB's falter. Garrard is still a NFL starter in my book right now and can easily command 5 million on the open market. He is not any worse than Carson Palmer or Jason Campbell. Once Peyton is off the market, his stock value raising up a ton.

I really haven't seen B.J. Coleman at all so I have no opinion on him. I agree on Garcia in terms of the draft. I still wouldn't mind bring him in as another body. Just to see what he has at this level. We already have a relationship with him as it is.

Edited March 11, 2012 by #1 pick

[Guest Gritz]

There's no reason to release or cut Redman as he is a free agent. I agree about him. He is terrible. JPW must step it up and I think he can. The coaching staff must believe he can as well or we wouldn't have blocked Minnesota's attempt to snatch him off our PS. I do agree about getting another QB though. If we are looking in FA I say look at David Garrard. He has had a year to heal his back and he knows Koetter's system so that is a plus and that he can probably be had cheap while giving us a veteran presence behind Ryan. If we look in the draft then my favorite to develop is B.J. Coleman out of U.T.C.in round 5. The kid has the arm strength and ability to put the ball anywhere he wants to. He just needs NFL caliber coaching to put him over the top. As far as Stephen Garcia... no thanks. He wasn't that good at South Carolina especially to waste a draft pick on and his maturity level is nonexistent. He will be lucky if any team brings him in as training camp fodder.

Yours is the post of the thread.

..and I strongly agree about Garrard. We could win games with him if he had to come in.

[muskokas finest ©]

His arm is one of the weakest of all starting QB's. He is unquestionably in the bottom three of all NFL starters.

I don't think Matt Ryan's grip and ball velocity will improve with weight training. The reverse is probably true, in that a resulting loss of flexibility would hurt his throwing motion. I also disagree with your point that Ryan's mental game doesn't need further work. As we saw against the Giants, his poise is lacking and he doesn't have an intuitive feel for finding throwing lanes.

[Guest Gritz]

As we I saw against the Giants, his poise is lacking and he doesn't have an intuitive feel for finding throwing lanes.

There ya go.

No charge.

[#1 pick]

I don't think Matt Ryan's grip and ball velocity will improve with weight training. The reverse is probably true, in that a resulting loss of flexibility would hurt his throwing motion. I also disagree with your point that Ryan's mental game doesn't need further work. As we saw against the Giants, his poise is lacking and he doesn't have an intuitive feel for finding throwing lanes.

I was talking to a friend who said the same thing. I talked to another who deals with scouts and he said it will greatly help. It's all about the training and the player adjusting to it. It's not like Ryan is getting swole like McNabb, he's more so getting into pro athlete shape like Tom Brady. I think the weight room would help Ryan with his confidence to be more poise in the pocket.

Edited March 11, 2012 by #1 pick

[muskokas finest ©]

I was talking to a friend who said the same thing. I talked to another who deals with scouts and he said it will greatly help. It's all about the training and the player adjusting to it. It's not like Ryan is getting swole like McNabb, he's more so getting into pro athlete shape like Tom Brady. I think the weight room would help Ryan with his confidence to be more poise in the pocket.

Might help his mobility and durability, but not do much for his throwing. He does need to tweak his release point....tends to sail too many throws.

[falconidae]

Thought we needed Brees, RG3 or Peyton to win?

[#1 pick]

Might help his mobility and durability, but not do much for his throwing. He does need to tweak his release point....tends to sail too many throws.

His release point is good within 15 yards. After 15 yards, he is overextending for his lack of arm strength. If you notice he changes his motion completely after 15 yards for his passes.

[#1 pick]

Thought we needed Brees, RG3 or Peyton to win?

I feel like Ryan doesn't want to improve, if he doesn't bring someone who does. If he wants to improve, I am all for keeping him but I need to see it to believe. I won't just have blind faith about it. I've heard for years he will get stronger and haven't seen anything yet to make it true. He has only gotten more out of shape if anything.

[muskokas finest ©]

His release point is good within 15 yards. After 15 yards, he is overextending for his lack of arm strength. If you notice he changes his motion completely after 15 yards for his passes.

Not even to 15 yards. Recall how many short hooks to Gonzo he threw high. Those need to be low to stay uncontested. Throws the slant high a lot too, hurting chances for YAC

[muskokas finest ©]

I feel like Ryan doesn't want to improve, if he doesn't bring someone who does. If he wants to improve, I am all for keeping him but I need to see it to believe. I won't just have blind faith about it. I've heard for years he will get stronger and haven't seen anything yet to make it true. He has only gotten more out of shape if anything.

I think he is determined to improve, but this is a results league and the competition at QB is tougher than at any other juncture in league history.

[#1 pick]

Not even to 15 yards. Recall how many short hooks to Gonzo he threw high. Those need to be low to stay uncontested. Throws the slant high a lot too, hurting chances for YAC

He does sail the ball at times but so does Tom Brady. That's not a critical issue in his game within 15 yards. He doesn't have issue throwing the tough NFL passes within 15 yards which is another issue for Ryan due to his lack of velocity. Too many times WR's have to catch the ball with their back to the defender and not in stride.

[#1 pick]

I think he is determined to improve, but this is a results league and the competition at QB is tougher than at any other juncture in league history.

Michael Vick in Atlanta wanted to improve, but to truly improve you MUST work on the things you are weak at. No matter what Vick said, he needed to treat the film room like he did the weight room. That never happened in Atlanta. Ryan is the opposite of that. He needs to treat the weight room like he treats the film room or all this talk about improving is meaningless. He can't avoid it any longer. The issue is obvious now.

[muskokas finest ©]

Michael Vick in Atlanta wanted to improve, but to truly improve you MUST work on the things you are weak at. No matter what Vick said, he needed to treat the film room like he did the weight room. That never happened in Atlanta. Ryan is the opposite of that. He needs to treat the weight room like he treats the film room or all this talk about improving is meaningless. He can't avoid it any longer. The issue is obvious now.

Vick just paid lip service to improvement. Michael always thought his athletic ability could triumph over anything. I think Matt Ryan fully realizes his physical limitations and tries to overcome them with extensive film and prep work. You see that approach work well in early games, especially the first drive, but fizzle as opponents adjust and the need for plain physical ability trumps preparation.

[Guest Negatorris]

Ryan has one of the best work ethics in the NFL. How can you say you don't think he wants to improve?

[#1 pick]

Vick just paid lip service to improvement. Michael always thought his athletic ability could triumph over anything. I think Matt Ryan fully realizes his physical limitations and tries to overcome them with extensive film and prep work. You see that approach work well in early games, especially the first drive, but fizzle as opponents adjust and the need for plain physical ability trumps preparation.

I talked to former coaches who said Vick was a hard worker in the weight room. I still don't think Ryan realizes his physical limitations. In interviews, he constantly says he feels he has the physical tools to become elite. That tells me he is not aware of his limitations. Both come of the same to me. Just different people from different places. Vick from the hood, Ryan for the suburbs and they showed it too. Ryan talks a good game and never backs it up. Vick talked a good game to a degree, it was just lip service as well. Both needed to show me more as Atlanta QB's. Ryan still has the time to, Vick time was up.

[#1 pick]

Ryan has one of the best work ethics in the NFL. How can you say you don't think he wants to improve?

No he doesn't. Great work ethic includes the weight room as well. He's rarely there. How can he have a great work ethic?

[MSalmon]

This is a very silly post. Ryan was the 8th ranked QB in rating at (92.2%); passing yards (4177 yds); 12 in completion percentage (61%); tied for 6th with 29 TDs and had only 12 ints. and had the 15th most YPA at 7.38 yds. He did this with a make-shift offensive line and a predictable running back with skillet hands, in a very predictable offense.

How is any of this bad? And to top it all off his passing yds, TDs and YPA all went up. With the exception of his second year (injury) everything statistical has improved with the exception of his almost 8 ypa in his rookie year. And oh btw his ypa attempt went from 6.49 in 2010 to 7.38 in 2011. That's a nice improvement.

Now has he been great in the postseason? No. But then again how great was Roddy, Michael Turner, Abe and other players? How great was our defense in these losses? And every team we lost to in playoffs went to the SB. 2 of them won the SB, and one (arizona) almost won in their appearance.

And to top everything off. 4 straight winning seasons, with 3 playoff appearances, 1 NFC south championship and a pro bowl appearance. All this with what a 43-19 record (or 42-19) and a rookie of the year award.

Jeez, what more can the guy do? Will he hit the weight room? Probably. Will he improve next year with julio having a year under his belt and a revamped OLine? I'd almost say definitely

Give it a break all you detractors. Eli manning was worse statistically, but came around and has two rings. Matt is a franchise QB, and we are damned lucky to have him.

[muskokas finest ©]

I talked to former coaches who said Vick was a hard worker in the weight room. I still don't think Ryan realizes his physical limitations. In interviews, he constantly says he feels he has the physical tools to become elite. That tells me he is not aware of his limitations. Both come of the same to me. Just different people from different places. Vick from the hood, Ryan for the suburbs and they showed it too. Ryan talks a good game and never backs it up. Vick talked a good game to a degree, it was just lip service as well. Both needed to show me more as Atlanta QB's. Ryan still has the time to, Vick time was up.

Vick never had the supporting cast that Ryan has. I hate the thought of letting that group of players continue to spin their wheels for the next year or 2 while we give Matt Ryan every chance imaginable. Gonna be a long hard fall for the city and fans.