Matt Ryan Top QB in NFC South

[Duff_Man]

Any qb that gets to play the Cowboys should be ineligible for this list.

[Tandy]

(11-13-2010 10:03 AM)zigg zagg Wrote:  i didnt see consistency vs pitt. that game was horrible for matt lol but yes he is getting more consistent and i like that.

I disagree strongly with this. That game showed more growth and maturity from Ryan than any game this year including the one we just played. Ryan was so far from horrible that it is actually laughable.

First live action game of the season in a hostile environment against a top tier defense.

1.7 seconds average time in the pocket. 1.5 seconds average time til sacked. 10 pass attempts while on the run from a defender. No running game. Playing in Pitt against the most talented defense in the league who were playing with a chip on their shoulder at being the underdog and making a stand of unity to support the team in the wake of their QB scandal.

He still managed a 61.4% completion percentage, threw for 252 yards and one interception to arguably the best safety in the league late in the game. While he threw for no touchdowns in this game, he still managed to drive us down to get enough points to tie the game and get to overtime, even with 5 drops by receivers in that game and 6 throw aways.

Then we get to overtime. Start out with a penalty on the kick off - and are backed up to our 9 yard line. He gets us to the 21 yard line. Turner picks up 3 yards. Matt throws the next pass incomplete because if he had not thrown that ball away at the feet of one of our receivers - he would have been sacked by Woodley at the 7 yard line. He was hit immediately after throwing. So, now we are at 3rd and 7 on our 24 yard line and he proceeds to get us the first down by throwing a 9 yard completion to Snelling. Oh, but wait - that's called back because Baker was holding. So, now we are 3rd and 17 on our 14 yard line. The crowd is in a frenzy and the Steelers are smelling blood and bringing intense pressure on the next play - which he throws to Norwood for the DROP.

Now, we punt. The rest is history.

Bottom line - he was not Peyton Manning or Tom Brady on that day - but he was by far not terrible or inconsistent. If not for the way he held up under the pressure he was under, we never would have made it to overtime in the first place. Under no circumstances was he the problem in that game. If anyone is to blame, it was the protection.

If not for the penalties, he converts that 3rd and we continue driving and who knows how it would have turned out.

[Anomaly]

Tandy +1

[redwolfcfc]

Matt is emerging. And he would probably tell you he hasn't played a complete game yet. Same with the rest of the offense. But they have gotten a little better each week. Even though it does not always show in points, you can see it in the body of work. They are mentally tough and capable of prevailing even when it is not their best day ever. Matt is one of the reasons for that. Him and Smitty.

If the line, and the protections continue to improve I think we will see some great things and hear Matty's name mentioned among the League's best.