Falcons: Ryan 5th on MVP list

[McUser]

Quote:Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan is not going to be the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, but he at least is in the conversation.

Well, sort of. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers almost certainly will win the award, and you could at least make a strong case for New Orleans’ Drew Brees as the alternative choice. Beyond that, there aren’t any other realistic candidates.

But colleague Mike Sando does a weekly MVP Watch and he has Ryan at No. 5 this week, behind Rodgers, Brees, Tom Brady and Calvin Johnson. Each week, Sando sends out a note to all the division bloggers and asks us for input on players that may be worthy of being on his 10-man list.

For most of the season, my response has been something like, “I’ve got Brees and you know all about him. Beyond that, I’ve got nothing much to offer."

But that started to change last week, as Ryan was coming off a four-touchdown game against Carolina. I mentioned him to Sando and Ryan went out last Thursday night and added three touchdowns in an easy victory against Jacksonville.

When Sando’s weekly email came Tuesday night, he mentioned that several guys were falling off his list. I went to bat for Ryan, based on the fact he’s been much more consistent and effective recently and he also has a very good chance to finish with career highs in touchdown passes and passing yards.

Sando worked him in at No. 5, which I don’t think is out of line at the moment. But I liked the way Sando phrased his synopsis on Ryan’s candidacy. Essentially, Sando said a victory by Ryan and the Falcons against the Saints on Monday night, could move Ryan even higher up the list. But he also added a loss could move Ryan down the list -- or off it.

I’d say that’s fair.

By the way, when I emailed Sando on Tuesday night, I gave him a wild card besides Brees and Ryan. I suggested he take a look at Darren Sproles’ full body of work -- as a runner, receiver and return man -- and the overall impact he’s had on the Saints.

Sando listened and was intrigued, but couldn’t quite bring himself to put Sproles on the list. He said he’d keep Sproles in mind for next week. Just like Ryan, whatever happens Monday night could have a big impact on if Sproles is on the list next week.

Very well said, if we win and Ryan plays well you'd have to think that'd vault him into the top 4 no?

Any thoughts?

[illmusic]

nah...even at this point I'd put Romo ahead of him...and I don't understand the logic in putting Calvin before Stafford. if he had kept pace for Randy's TD record yeah. but even Gronk is ahead of him in that regard now...

[ATLBound]

(12-22-2011 09:23 AM)illmusic Wrote:  nah...even at this point I'd put Romo ahead of him...and I don't understand the logic in putting Calvin before Stafford. if he had kept pace for Randy's TD record yeah. but even Gronk is ahead of him in that regard now...

Without Calvin Johnson that offense would be inept...even last year when Stafford went out the 2nd and 3rd string Qb's were putting up 300+ yards and multiple TD's consistently. Yea Stafford has to throw it but to get open consistently even when the other team knows u r the biggest threat. Simply amazing

[illmusic]

the target list goes

136
106
96

so Calvin isn't the only guy catching the rock...while you say 2nd and 3rd string QBs were putting up 300 + yards, they weren't making 21 point comebacks and putting the Lions in the playoffs...and this is all with a terrible running game

[phocis850]

CJ is the best receiver in the NFL.

[juraitwaluzka]

(12-22-2011 11:59 AM)phocis850 Wrote:  CJ is the best receiver in the NFL.

Its nothing new for him. Look at it this way - Johnson put up great numbers at Tech... with Reggie Ball throwing to him!!! For the last bowl game, Ball wasn't available so the backup comes in and throws for 300+. I actually spoke to Taylor Bennett a few years back about that game and he basically said that CJ was so good all he had to do was drop back and just get the ball in the vicinity ( which in hindsight shows how bad Reggie Ball really was). Imagine the numbers he wouldve put up with stafford throwing to him in college.

[ATLBound]

(12-22-2011 11:47 AM)illmusic Wrote:  the target list goes

136
106
96

so Calvin isn't the only guy catching the rock...while you say 2nd and 3rd string QBs were putting up 300 + yards, they weren't making 21 point comebacks and putting the Lions in the playoffs...and this is all with a terrible running game

You dont think CJ makes this extremely possible. Im not saying Stafford isnt good but look at how many yards and TD's Calvin had in all those comeback games.

In the Raiders game he was basically triple covered. He had the safety in the back, the corner covering underneath and the lb playing deep middle. He still got open.

If they tried that offense without CJ it would be nothing. Also the last 4 weeks of last year with CJ and without Stafford. 4-0