Ryan’s numbers are pretty “meh” (ypc, accuracy, ypg, rating, etc) when you compare them to the top QBs in the league. Like you said, he’s “above average”. Is that really what you want out of your QB?
He’s a glorified game manager that cracks under pressure. His stats are underwhelming when stacked against the true elite QBs of the league, and his playoff performances are just terrible. What exactly are you using to determine him being in the same class as Rodgers, Brady, Rivers, Brees, etc?
I like how “challenging” is the new way to say “pass interference.” I’m not a big fan of this new “physical” corner trend. I thought that was 15 and a first down a couple years ago.
First, I seldomly hear national media talking about Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Second, when I do hear them talk about Ryan, all I hear about is “Matty Ice this” and “Cool under pressure that”.
His career passing accuracy is the lowest when compared to the elites; Rodgers, Brees, Rivers, Brady, Manning, Big Ben. And it’s lower by a fair amount (elites range from 63.1% to 65.2%, Ryan is at 60.8%). Ryan’s career ypa is sub-7.0, while the elites are all over 7.0, with Rivers and Rodgers both over 8.0 (fucking insane).
Ryan’s postseason performances? Complete and utter failure. Don’t even make me give you the full rundown on how pathetic they are.
Ryan is definitely on the Flacco/Cutler/Orton/Freeman/E. Manning (average-above average) tier, not on the Rodgers/Brees/P. Manning/Brady/Big Ben (single handedly take over the game) tier.
If you claim that 50% of the league would want better QBs, QBs like Ryan, I’d argue that those teams are average. Then if Ryan/Flacco/Cutler are a step above those 50% QBs, then they’d be considered above-average. Above them are the elites. My whole thing is that Ryan is a glorified game manager, above average. You seem to agree, but want to put Ryan in elite status.
Also, don’t even start with Rodgers has more weapons than Ryan. You do understand that Ryan Grant was injured Week 1 and Jermichael Finley was injured Week 3, right? Our entire linebacking unit was placed on IR, our safties went down to 3rd string, and our defensive line saw Johnny Jolly suspended all season, and Cullen Jenkins missing 5 games? Doesn’t Ryan have the greatest TE of all time in Tony Gonzalez? Doesn’t Ryan have Michael Turner churning out 4.0ypc? Doesn’t he have 1,200 yard receiver Roddy White? Seriously, don’t start that nonsense with me.
EDIT: Tornado, game-managers can win a SB when they ride the defense and special teams. Look at Trent Dilfer and the Ravens or Brad Johnson and the Buccaneers. Ryan hasn’t shown he’s able to take over a game. If he does win a SB later in his career, I suspect he’ll be asked to not lose the game, as opposed to win it.
Also, didn’t the Falcons let go of Matt Schaub? I’d argue that Schaub is far closer to that elite class of QBs than Ryan. Compared to Ryan, Schaub is more accurate (65.9% with HOU), has a better ypa average (7.9 with HOU), passing yardage (4,770 career high with HOU) and QB Rating (93.5 with HOU). Those numbers smash the shit out of anything Ryan has done. Ryan hasn’t even gotten close to any of those numbers and Schaub isn’t in the elite class, so what makes Ryan close to elite? NOTHING.
I’m still alive. Then again, I live about an hour west of Seattle.
I’m proud of the year Seattle had. I went to four Hawks games this year (Wk1/49ers, Wk7/Cards, Wk8/@Raiders, Wk12/Chiefs), so I think I experienced just about every high and low that could possibly be experienced by them this year hahah. IMO, the Freehawks still did enough to give a middle finger to everyone who thought the playoff seeding should be restructured; they beat the gah damn defending Super Bowl champs, their wild card record be damned.
Above average QB is a good start plus he got potential to grow. Hard for a team to just have a QB of Tom Brady’s potential. It is like let just find a quick Lebron James out of no where.
Easy said than done.
Rodgers is good but I don’t think he is on the peyton-brady tier just yet. GB defense has improved tho.
Our defense tanked that game. See how he stacks against the Bears with a good defense.