I Think Shanahan Is The Real Cause For Ryan's Struggles

[JD dirtybird21]

Here's my explanation for this:

Kyle Shanahan is an offensive mastermind with his zone blocking scheme. In order for his system to be at it's best and most effective, he needs to control the system 100%. This means having the right one cut backs, the right athletic lineman, and most importantly, the right QB. That is where the conflict lies. The right QB for Shanahan is an athletic QB with a good arm who simply does what he's told. A guy that doesn't make many mistakes but also isn't the man in charge. He needs Matthew Stafford, Alex Smith, or even Teddy Bridgewater. Instead, he has Ryan. Ryan is a QB who's biggest weapon is his head. Ryan is not known for a rocket arm and pocket mobility. Ryan is a guy who reads defenses, changes plays and exploits systems. He's Peyton Manning just obviously not as good.

Look at Ryan right now. His confidence is at very low level that none of us have seen before. He's not taking shots downfield. He's not running no huddle (unless it's crunch time). He's not changing plays at the line of scrimmage. He's making throws that are way off. He looks downright uncomfortable. I believe this is because Ryan is doing what he's told and his strongest assets are being handcuffed by his own offensive coordinator. Ryan needs to be running this offense, not Shanahan. Ryan has leverage. He has power. He is the 100 million dollar QB on this team. He needs to tell Shanahan to F off during crisis situaions and go run the offense HIS way.

Basically, after observing through half the season, I think Ryan and Shanahan are both too good for one another. We have 2 guys that need to be in full control in order to be successful and that is why it is currently failing.

[sdogg]

All that may be true, but I put all blame on Ryan. My biggest complaint with Ryan has always been his reluctance to take charge of the offense(like Manning). Ryan needs to take over. He's the franchise. He's the $100m man. In the end, if it comes down between Ryan and Shan, I believe AB is going with Ryan. Ryan needs to take over, with or without the blessing of Shan. I'm betting AB and all the players would be fine with that.

[Gold4425]

You would be a little down too if you have been criticized in every form of hometown media, on jobs, in the gyms and you were 6-1. MR may not be Brady, Rodgers or a few others BUT he is a very good NFL QB. He and Shanny aren't that too far in age. Some especially on this Board won't give him a break, creating extra pressure. IMHO the book is still out on Shanny and this ZB. People were acting like it was the magic pill. I don't know about that?????

[JD dirtybird21]

All that may be true, but I put all blame on Ryan. My biggest complaint with Ryan has always been his reluctance to take charge of the offense(like Manning). Ryan needs to take over. He's the franchise. He's the $100m man. In the end, if it comes down between Ryan and Shan, I believe AB is going with Ryan. Ryan needs to take over, with or without the blessing of Shan. I'm betting AB and all the players would be fine with that.

Ryan actually DID run the offense way more than people thought when Koetter was the OC. He ran no huddle often and would make calls and audibles nearly every play. With Quinn and Shanahan here, they are handcuffing Ryan

[JD dirtybird21]

You would be a little down too if you have been criticized in every form of hometown media, on jobs, in the gyms and you were 6-1. MR may not be Brady, Rodgers or a few others BUT he is a very good NFL QB. He and Shanny aren't that too far in age. Some especially on this Board won't give him a break, creating extra pressure. IMHO the book is still out on Shanny and this ZB. People were acting like it was the magic pill. I don't know about that?????

Shanahan has done one thing right and that's developed a successful running game. All he needs to do is unleash Ryan and sit back and relax. He's a head coach next year guaranteed if he does that

[Dirtybird56]

We're close imo.. Just cut the turnovers. Gifted away probably 50 points the last 3 games it's ridiculous

If we cut the turnovers we can be like we were weeks 1-4. We've seen we can run this offense with 34 PPG through first 4 games

[PokerSteve]

I don't understand how there could be a disconnect between Ryan and Shanahan. I don't understand how Ryan could still be struggling with basic mechanics of handing the ball off and ignoring wide open receivers to throw into triple coverage half-way through the season. Ryan was supposedly studying Shanahan's play-book way before training camp. Yet, if it isn't the scheme and/or some kind of clash at some level with Shanahan, why is Ryan playing like a rookie? Something has to give in this equation, and I don't think it will be the $100m QB who gets jettisoned if this pathetic clown show continues. Let's just hope if ~ and when ~ Ryan gets to be Ryan again that he's still Ryan, if you follow me.

[paulitik]

Matt Ryan is fine for this offense.

Shanahan's system is fine. It's the little things. Take out the fumbles and the holding calls and this is a top 3 offense in the league.

The coaches aren't preparing the team for the intensity of division games, and we aren't focusing on fixing the mistakes.

Scheme isn't really the issue. More nohuddle or uptempo is really the only adjustment we need to make on scheme

[JD dirtybird21]

Matt Ryan is fine for this offense.

Shanahan's system is fine. It's the little things. Take out the fumbles and the holding calls and this is a top 3 offense in the league.

The coaches aren't preparing the team for the intensity of division games, and we aren't focusing on fixing the mistakes.

Scheme isn't really the issue. More nohuddle or uptempo is really the only adjustment we need to make on scheme

I don't think it's scheme either. I think Ryan is talented enough and smart enough to run any offense he wants. I think the issue Shanahan himself, not Shanahan's system Edited November 2, 2015 by JD dirtybird21

[Intellectually Honest]

I can understand some criticism of Ryan, but to think the handoff is his fault seems silly for instance. Ryan has been running this offense for many years without having problems with handing off. This is the first year that Freeman has been starting in the NFL, and he wasn't the focal point in FSU when he was in college. Not to mention that we have someone who is new to playing center, and it seems more likely the cast around Ryan.

I do blame Ryan for the interceptions, but I don't see anyone blaming JJ for letting the ball be taken from him, or Freeman for not securing the ball when Ryan handed it to him. I know these are great players, but I think there is a bit of confirmation bias here.

Ryan is far from perfect, but to have him shoulder the blame is dishonest. JJ has been coughing up the ball as of late, and not to mention the OL keeps holding and f*cking up the offense too. I would love for Ryan to throw downfield more, but he doesn't have the time to.

QBs get too much credit for the good and bad.

Edited November 2, 2015 by Intellectually Honest

[cnasty]

Too many mistakes by everybody.

[JayOzOne]

Matt Ryan is fine for this offense.

Shanahan's system is fine. It's the little things. Take out the fumbles and the holding calls and this is a top 3 offense in the league.

The coaches aren't preparing the team for the intensity of division games, and we aren't focusing on fixing the mistakes.

Scheme isn't really the issue. More nohuddle or uptempo is really the only adjustment we need to make on scheme

Agreed. Dude came out assertive in the fourth quarter and looked sharp as nails. We need him to play with a chip on his shoulder and trust him to audible and play up tempo.

[Exp]

I dont like roddy being so far down the progression table. He needs to be 1st and 2nd read more often. PYP anyone?

Tampa dared us to go deep all game and we wouldnt. That made it harder for us throw underneath.

I really miss the aerial attack we had with koetter and wish it was blended into shannahans offense.

[Flying Falcon]

Ryan STILL staring down Julio and force feeding him. Ryan is not spreading the ball around like years of past.

[VB44]

What I don't ******* get is why in that last drive in OT when we are at a 2nd & 5 why the **** did we throw, we have the leading rusher in the leauge and we throw it. Worse case we get a coupe yards and on 3rd down have a 3rd and short... So ******* dumb, why is shannahan so pass ******* happy!!!

[JD dirtybird21]

I don't understand how there could be a disconnect between Ryan and Shanahan. I don't understand how Ryan could still be struggling with basic mechanics of handing the ball off and ignoring wide open receivers to throw into triple coverage half-way through the season. Ryan was supposedly studying Shanahan's play-book way before training camp. Yet, if it isn't the scheme and/or some kind of clash at some level with Shanahan, why is Ryan playing like a rookie? Something has to give in this equation, and I don't think it will be the $100m QB who gets jettisoned if this pathetic clown show continues. Let's just hope if ~ and when ~ Ryan gets to be Ryan again that he's still Ryan, if you follow me.

It's almost as if Ryan has an assignment on most passing plays and that assignment is throw to Julio or Tamme. He doesn't have the freedom to change the play to something for Roddy or Hardy. I feel like Ryan is playing like a rookie because Shanahan is making him do what he's told.

[JD dirtybird21]

Ryan STILL staring down Julio and force feeding him. Ryan is not spreading the ball around like years of past.

Is that Ryan's fault or Shanahan's? Ryan has never been like this in years past. Maybe a little bit in 2010 when Roddy led the leage targets but it didn't seem this ridiculous then.

[Guest Gritz]

Ryan seems to only trust (and lock on) Julio and Tamme. I don't necessarily think that's all on Shanahan.

Ryan's sloppiness with the ball isn't on Shanahan either.

[DurtyBurdz155]

Ryan STILL staring down Julio and force feeding him. Ryan is not spreading the ball around like years of past.

He didn't do that yesterday. He just took what the defense gave him.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

I'm sorry OP, I disagree strongly.

Kyle Shanahan isnt the problem here. Matt Ryan and the situation around him, specifically with the person snapping the ball to him, IS the problem.

They need to continue working at this to get the struggles solved. But we moved the ball very well yesterday. Very very well. For whatever reason, we just beat ourselves with stupid turnovers and penalties.

We have a winnable game next week @ SF. If we can bag that win and get ourselves to the bye week, we'll have an opportunity to rest up, refine and come out a better team.

[Andras]

When analysts make the comment that you should go to a QB camp, that's more than on the coordinator.

[JD dirtybird21]

Ryan seems to only trust (and lock on) Julio and Tamme. I don't necessarily think that's all on Shanahan.

Ryan's sloppiness with the ball isn't on Shanahan either.

I think the sloppiness is a mixture of discomfort, frusration and lack of confidence right now. I think that's all a cause of Ryan not being utilized like he should be. Ryan is a field general who should be outsmarting defenses week in and out. Instead, he's just staring down our star receiver. Ryan didn't suddenly become ordinary with his intangibles.

[Guest Gritz]

I'm sorry OP, I disagree strongly.

Kyle Shanahan isnt the problem here. Matt Ryan and the situation around him, specifically with the person snapping the ball to him, IS the problem.

They need to continue working at this to get the struggles solved. But we moved the ball very well yesterday. Very very well. For whatever reason, we just beat ourselves with stupid turnovers and penalties.

We have a winnable game next week @ SF. If we can bag that win and get ourselves to the bye week, we'll have an opportunity to rest up, refine and come out a better team.

I hate to say it but that 49er game looks like a tough win for the Falcons right now.

[JD dirtybird21]

I'm sorry OP, I disagree strongly.

Kyle Shanahan isnt the problem here. Matt Ryan and the situation around him, specifically with the person snapping the ball to him, IS the problem.

They need to continue working at this to get the struggles solved. But we moved the ball very well yesterday. Very very well. For whatever reason, we just beat ourselves with stupid turnovers and penalties.

We have a winnable game next week @ SF. If we can bag that win and get ourselves to the bye week, we'll have an opportunity to rest up, refine and come out a better team.

You're right we did move the ball easily. But I also noted that Shanahan is a great offensive coordinator. His system works. I'm not really talking about the boneheaded turnovers though. I'm talking about how Ryan looks obviously worse this season than the last 2 seasons even though the team only won 10 games in those seasons. I'm not saying Shanahan needs to go away completely. But he DOES need to let Ryan run the offense from time to time.

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

You're right we did move the ball easily. But I also noted that Shanahan is a great offensive coordinator. His system works. I'm not really talking about the boneheaded turnovers though. I'm talking about how Ryan looks obviously worse this season than the last 2 seasons even though the team only won 10 games in those seasons. I'm not saying Shanahan needs to go away completely. But he DOES need to let Ryan run the offense from time to time.

The only thing that I can think is causing the problem is the uncertainty at Center. I think if we're having this many issues in real game situations, the issues are present in practice. If they're present in practice, it's probably got Matt on edge at every snap. He's expending focus on a part of the process that should be automatic.

I agree, Matt has looked very mediocre at times this year. His "wtf!" throws have become more frequent. But that was also happening last year. I don't know if he's pressing or what, but I don't think it's KS's fault.

I mean, at the end of the day, we can be pretty sure that working within a system and changing that system DOES cause established QBs issues. Roethlisberger had them with Todd Haley. Peyton has had them with Kubiak. And now I think Ryan is having them with KS. But thats something that will diminish as he gets more reps and plays more games.

I think in terms of actual on field performance, this offense is in a good place. The problem is the costly penalties that are correctable (on both sides fo the ball) and the simple act of snapping the football. Snapping the football has to be less eventful than it has been this year or else we're effed.