Matt Ryan?? - Page 6 - New England Patriots Forums

Patriot_in_NY · 12-17-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifer

ok, 13 months later. I was wrong about Cassel at that point. But I was correct about Matt Ryan. No applause please

And he wouldnt have been a FA after this year either.
Then again, we wouldnt have Mayo.

ok, ok, im glad we drafted Mayo, but I was right that Ryan would be really good.

Fun to revisit old threads. 3 things about this one stick out.

1) I think most of us were wrong about Cassel. Credit Coach for knowing a *****load more about player development then we here at PF.com

2) Talking about Ryan is moot. We NEVER had a ACTAUL shot at him. He ended up going third and at the time you wrote this post, we were staring at a high pick (or more realistically a "too early to tell pick"), but until the season ends, you never know . It's kinda like saying "If we'd have picked Adrian Peterson last year, our run game would be so much better". It's one thing to take a pass on someone and he turns out to be great, ala Brady, but this is altogether different situation.

I see what you are saying though.

3) Ryan is doing very well this year. I'm not entirely convinced that Atlanta's turnaround is all him. There is a new culture there and they are doing a great job utilizing his strengths. Couple other things of late that are disturbing a bit. Had some poor decisions in his last 2 games and has a 1/3 TD/INT ratio and his QB rating is a full 12-13 pts lower then his season ave. to that point. He won one, lost one, but both games were close. Both were divisional opponents that had more film to watch and playing him again. Also 5 of Atlanta's wins came against teams with losing records, including OAK, DET & KC (arguably the 3 worst teams in the league). 2 of the others are divisional game split wins (which are typical). For the money they spent too, he better be doing well. They are an improve team and he is doing well with them, paticularly well again other marginal/poor teams.

Bottom line, he's having a great year, as is his team...... but I think e may have to wait a few years to say he could've been the next Steve Young.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie · 12-17-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifer

ok, ok. I shouldnt have said the name Matt Ryan. My bad.

the IDEA is regarding dealing with the backup QB issue. I dont feel its a good idea to have this historically great team one hit away from being a 10-6 at best team.

We need a solid NFL backup. If not the high draft pick, what are the best ways to do it?

Nah. We stick with Cassel. But there is this kid at San Jose State we should grab if he makes it to the third round. If Brady went down in the first week I think the team could manage to eek out 10-6 or even 11-5 and go to the playoffs. Unless Jets somehow find a probowl QB that should be enough to win the division.

PatsFanSince74 · 12-17-2008, 09:18 AM

Lifer: Great. Kudos to you for pointing out a year ago the Pats vulnerability should Tommy get hurt and even moreso for having the courage to remind us how wrong you were about Cassel (but you had a lot of company on the latter).

To me this all boils down to the following:

One, in the cap era it is impossible to keep two proven, premium QB's in their prime on a Roster without shorting other positions.

Two, as a result, the ability of Coaches and Management to spot and nurture the "right" unproven backup QB in their system is critical.

Three, not only do Coaches and Management have to develop the right backup in their system, but, just as importantly, they have to trust their judgment as he gets his sea legs during his first few, full-speed NFL games as a starter. Let's face it, if Piolichick had listened to some of the garbage that was written on this board about Matt in September and October, they would have optioned him to the CFL. But, they know their jobs a lot better than any of us can know them.

Four, as the Jets are (hopefully) proving this year, it is better, as a general rule, for a team to trust its judgment and grow its own talent within its own system at QB over the years, rather than rely on parachuting in a veteran. The latter is a risky strategy at best. So far, it's working out for Miami, but do any of us really think that Chad (whom I honestly admire as a Warrior after observing him pretty closely here in New York for several years) is going to take the Dolphins deep into January this year, or next year, even if he gets them to the Playoffs? Kurt Warner is QB for a Divsion Winner, but his record is 8--6, soon to go to 8--7 (we all hope). The Titans peaked early under Kerry Collins' veteran leadership, but few are picking them today to be in Tampa.

Five, the Pats could be facing a dilemma that at least half the teams in the NFL would kill for when they have to decide whether to franchise Matt (who I truly believe is going to be a major star at QB) or roll the dice on TB's being ready to go on day one.