If we win the SB this year...

[keithbrooking56]

Does this make Matt Ryan the greatest Falcon in our 45 year history? I think it goes without saying it makes TD our greatest general manager and Mike Smith our greatest coach.

I think it would propel guys like Roddy White and John Abraham into potential Hall of Famers just from having a ring to go with their individual accomplishments.

But what about Matty Ice? He's 19-1 at home in his young career the only blemish that guy in his rookie year against Denver when Roddy dropped a game winning touch down in the freakin' end zone. I honestly can not think of any QB ever that has equaled that mark in the same time frame in their first three years as a starter. It is simply an eye popping number.

I've always considered Nobis and Bartkowski the greatest Falcons with guys like Tuggle, Case, Van Note, Kenn and Claude coming up just behind them. But Matty Ice? He honestly wasn't even on my list but if he wins a SB then how he is NOT our greatest Falcon.

[FireDawg85]

That drop in the endzone by Roddy still makes me weep inside

[RnB]

Its roughly seven percent of our franchise's history.

If we do win the Superbowl it will definitely be a testament to how great our new regime and players work together as a unit, hell we can say that without winning the Superbowl. It will be a crowning achievement for this franchise, specifically Arthur Blank, and justification for all the hard work and great football moves over the past three years. Blank brought them in, they instituted a "three year plan, or process", and have successfully executed that plan in a league where many regimes try to and fail. However, seven percent is just not enough for me to start throwing around terms like greatest ever, even for Matt.

Once the percentage of the total creeps up into the ten to fifteen percent range (2-5 more years of success), the discussion will make more sense from a long-term perspective. A Superbowl win will/would be phenomenal (even an appearance) but its too soon, my friend, too soon.

[NOVAFalconFan]

When, as a fan, have you ever been sure we were going to win? If you are like me, you never have been consistently confident, until now. In fact, being a Bulldog and a Falcon fan, I would say that I have always felt the opposite: that, even when we were up, I dreaded that we would lose. I used to hate leading at half-time, because I knew we still had 30 minutes to play. Until now. I say that alone makes him the greatest Falcon ever.

[TonyGraziani]

Danny White is the only 1 to match Matt's 19-1 start @ home. I've only been around since 98 so I didn't experience Nobis and the rest of our greatest, so Matt would take the top spot for me.

[JDaveG]

(12-03-2010 03:11 PM)keithbrooking56 Wrote:  Does this make Matt Ryan the greatest Falcon in our 45 year history? I think it goes without saying it makes TD our greatest general manager and Mike Smith our greatest coach.

I think it would propel guys like Roddy White and John Abraham into potential Hall of Famers just from having a ring to go with their individual accomplishments.

But what about Matty Ice? He's 19-1 at home in his young career the only blemish that guy in his rookie year against Denver when Roddy dropped a game winning touch down in the freakin' end zone. I honestly can not think of any QB ever that has equaled that mark in the same time frame in their first three years as a starter. It is simply an eye popping number.

I've always considered Nobis and Bartkowski the greatest Falcons with guys like Tuggle, Case, Van Note, Kenn and Claude coming up just behind them. But Matty Ice? He honestly wasn't even on my list but if he wins a SB then how he is NOT our greatest Falcon.

I love it that you're on board, given how badly you were against the pick.

Dude is measured by intangibles, which cannot be measured. Ryan's heart and will to win exceed any possible physical shortcomings he may have, and frankly, if I have to pick someone to put under center with the game on the line, I want him every time.

[Paulitik]

In my opinion, yes. If Matt takes us to the Super Bowl, he will hands down be the greatest Falcon ever. If he wins more than 1 ring, he will go down as one of the greatest of any team. Matt just tied Danny White's home start record of winning. Danny White didn't become a starter until Staubach retired, 5 years after being drafted. It is truly remarkable for a QB to start out as a rookie to do what Matt has done.

TD is already the greatest Falcons GM in my opnion. If Mike Smith gets to the Super Bowl, he will be the greatest coach, he's already accomplished one thing that no Falcons coach has with back to back (to back) winning seasons.

Guys this really could be the golden age of the Falcons we are living through.

[RnB]

Wow, yall are jumping to serious conclusions based on three years. Consistent success over a long period of time marks great franchises, or great eras within franchises. I dont care what you say, three years is not a long time even for a young franchise like ours. I am very happy that there are people who are quick to brand Matt, if not our current team, as the best Falcons ever.

However, I dont think that is what you are getting at. I think you are specifically talking about Matt Ryan being the best Falcons quarterback ever. Not only that, the best player that has ever laced them up for us.

Firstly, my previous point stands; it is too soon to label a third year starter, no matter how great (Matt is certainly an outstanding QB) they play for three years. Secondly, I am not ready to jump on the celebrity, superstar athlete bandwagon and give Matt all the credit for his success. There are too many things that contribute to his success beyond just his own abilities. I understand that star worship is a big thing, even in the NFL, but it isnt for me.

Only time will tell if this era is indeed the "Golden Age".

[Greg M]

I think if this team wins a SB then yeah you gotta put them all up there, Matt, Smitty, TD, Roddy, The team, they have already accomplished Back to Back which is a FIRST in the HISTORY of our franchise. A SB win ? which again is something that our greats (and yes they are greats I am not disparaging any of our former players) could not get done in a Falcons Uni, then yeah why wouldn't you ?

[Radical]

If Matt Ryan wins us the Superbowl, he is hands down the best QB to ever play for us. Mike Smith and TD of course will be the greatest HC and GM to go along with it. The best player? Debatable. The QB position impacts the team far more than any other position these days. There isn't one team in the NFL where you can have a 10+ win team and take one player that isn't a QB, and say for sure they would barely be .500 at best like say the Colts with Peyton Manning.

Based on everything I have read and the information I have available, I'd say that the best Falcons are probably Tommy Nobis and William Andrews, simply because they were without a doubt the best at their position at a HOF caliber level when they played, and stuck with us their whole careers.

Conclusion? Matt Ryan wins the Superbowl, and he's amongst the best Falcons ever and the best QB for sure.