Matt Ryan's Three Year Progress Report

[TheDirtyWord]

Yeah...I do think it's obvious that Rodgers is better than Ryan at the moment. I don't think anyone would argue. Rodgers may stay better than Ryan too...what he showed last season and this season was pretty special. However, he's not going to win the next 12 Super Bowls, so let's not give up all hope yet.

What I will say though in your defense, is that for my money, I still believe Ryan's best season came his rookie year. The best game I've seen him play was the loss in New Orleans in 2008. Whatever, you want to blame it on; 1) Ryan's own career progressions, 2) offensive scheme, 3) offensive weapons...the one area of Ryan's game that has regressed is his ability to push the ball downfield on a consistent basis. As a rookie, this was not the case.

So when you compare him to Rodgers, who is amongst the best at this...Ryan obviously looks inferior. And if you cancel White/Jennings, you also see that Rodgers simply has more weapons at his disposal.

Ask yourself this question: Would you rather have Jordy Nelson or Michael Jenkins? Me - I'd rather have Nelson and he's GB's #4 WR.

I do believe Ryan needs to step up. It can't be about incremental steps anymore. He has to put the downfield passing ability he showed in 2008 together with the proper decision making and poise he showed in 2010 together to take his game to the next level. But I also believe the Falcons have failed him in providing him with the type of weapons that could have and can make this possible...which is why this off-season is critical in that regard.