FORGET "ICE", He's Matty "ELITE" Ryan (link included)

[Tandy]

Forget Ice, it's Matty Elite Ryan

Pat Y.


Anytime someone calls Atlanta’s Matt Ryan an elite quarterback, it seems to spark debate. So feel free to hit the comments section below or the mailbag.

I’m not sure what the exact definition of an elite quarterback is. But if you simply look at the following numbers (from ESPN Stats & Information and Elias Sports Bureau), I think you have to come to the conclusion that Ryan is elite. At very least he’s walking in elite company.

As we first pointed out last week, Ryan has been winning at an incredible pace in his first three seasons in the league. After Sunday’s victory in Seattle, Ryan’s career record as a starter is 32-12. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only one quarterback has won more games in his first three seasons. The guy’s name is Dan Marino.

For the record, Marino went 33-10 in his first three seasons. That means Ryan can tie Marino’s victory total with a win against New Orleans on Dec. 27. If he does that, Ryan can break the record with a victory against Carolina in the regular-season finale.

Speaking of Ryan and elite names, he threw three touchdown passes Sunday to bring his career total to 63. That ties him for fourth place in NFL history (going back even before the merger), for touchdown passes in the first three years of a career. The guy he's now tied with? Joe Namath. The only quarterbacks with more touchdown passes in their first three seasons are Marino (98), Peyton Manning (85) and Jeff Garcia (74). All right, Garcia might not quite fit with the other names. But remember, he was taking over for Steve Young and a San Francisco offensive machine that still was mostly in place.

One other stat on Ryan: He now has won nine consecutive starts in December and January, and the Falcons are 9-1 overall in games Ryan has started in December and January during his career.

[Peyton]

More than anything else, the guy is simply a winner.

[Radical]

All he does is win games... No seriously... dude is a winner.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

thats it kid is a born winner..If he doesnt get us a ring then we are just cursed as a franchise. He made a drastic improvement in his game from last year and his decision making . He has shown more poise and then the leadership factor...I know I get on him about his arm and his deep ball but you cant knock the intangibles ..I was one of the select few that wanted this kid here cause I saw he had that at BC ..

I hate to take the playoffs this year as granted cause you never KNOW ..I want to win a ring this year just cause you never know what can happen in the future. Yes it looks so bright but things can change on the drop of a dime.
We win 1 game and we got home field throughout ..

Lets SEND TONY G off to retirement the right way with a ring ..

[Jesus]

i hear he is pretty good

[FullMetalFalcon23]

It feels so incredibly good to see a Franchise grow to what it is now. I can understand the allure for people who want to jump on the Steeler or Pats bandwagon. But it's times like the past, and living through them and staying faithful, and then seeing it come together go through aches and pains and mature and be something that makes you proud, that really brings joy to my heart as a fan. I'm proud to be a Falcons fan, and I am so grateful for the arrival Matt Ryan and the structure that was put in place for himself and this team to achieve. I know Matt would be the first to put himself last. But take a bow Mr. Ryan, and Thank You Mr. Blank

[cooperbh]

It's hard to believe that just a month ago there were actually people who believed that Ryan was nothing more than a game manager. I'm glad that most of us recognized Ryan's greatness long before that.

[The Falcon Jedi]

Ryan's Ok. He's still developing. I wouldnt call him "Elite" just yet it's a little pre-mature. After year 5 I will make a decision.

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

(12-20-2010 01:20 PM)The Falcon Jedi Wrote:  Ryan's Ok. He's still developing. I wouldnt call him "Elite" just yet it's a little pre-mature. After year 5 I will make a decision.

yea he def aint elite yet .... but he is special ..


ELITE QBS

1)Brady
2)Manning
3)Big Ben
4)Brees
5)Rivers


those are elite QBS ...Ryan needs to lead us to some playoff games to be considered elite

[Tandy]

(12-20-2010 02:31 PM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  yea he def aint elite yet .... but he is special ..


ELITE QBS

1)Brady
2)Manning
3)Big Ben
4)Brees
5)Rivers


those are elite QBS ...Ryan needs to lead us to some playoff games to be considered elite

It's his 3rd year and he's led us to playoff games in 2 of those.