Matt Ryan really can't handle the pressure? (1 Viewer)

[robertd52]

New Matt Ryan owner here, never really loved him in years past but when I feel out of auction running for the top 5 I figured I'd grab 6 and 7 (Ryan and Vick for MUCH cheapier then rest combined!).

Needless to say I was pretty pumped to feel like I now had Vick as trade bait....that is until I did more research on Ryan. Even fbg says temper expectations, kc couldn't put pressure and once that comes he will come back down to earth.

Curious to open a discussion on that matter....anyone have any concrete arguments one way or the other? If he really can't, I can see this thing crumbling as season wears on as teams will start exploiting it big time out of necessity and lack of running game.

So the question is, "what do you know about pressha?!?"

 

[NCPanthersFan]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

 

[Gottabesweet]

dont get this either, as early projections have him QB3 this week vs Denver who got to Big Ben at will last week, but he completed 3rd down passes with guys drapped all over him in typical Ben fashion.

 

[whatadai]

There's a reason his nickname is Matty Ice.

 

[MNTom]

There's a reason his nickname is Matty Ice.

He melts when the heat is on?

 

[habsfan]

The weapons are there in the passing attack and the run game. I'm really not sure what everyone is getting their knickers in a twist about. Ryan will be a solid play all year. Even the top tier guys have warts...

 

[lbouchard]

There's a reason his nickname is Matty Ice.

He melts when the heat is on?

He might be improved this year, but in prior years, he didn't handle pressure very well.

 

[bumpman]

I think there are a few factors about Ryan that have people questioning his ability to perform under pressure:

(1) He has not done well in the playoffs when the stakes are highest - this might actually be the biggest driver;

(2) His o-line is mediocre leading to many instances where he has to rush his passes and improvise

(3) He is not known for his skill at improvising

(4) He is not that mobile and has been accused of getting "happy feet" in the pocket (this is a direct result of having bad pass protection).

I have owned Ryan since his rookie year and it is true that he is not that mobile. But he has solid pocket awareness and is generally very accurate with his throws. He also doesn't panic and make dumb mistakes (like Romo, for example). He hardly throws interceptions.

With solid line play, and with years of the Falcons building the offense around Ryan, giving him weapons in the short and long passing game, I think Ryan will step his game up to the elite level. He will need to do that and win in the playoffs to shake his reputation for not handling pressure well.

 

[robertd52]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

 

[robertd52]

I think there are a few factors about Ryan that have people questioning his ability to perform under pressure:(1) He has not done well in the playoffs when the stakes are highest - this might actually be the biggest driver2) His o-line is mediocre leading to many instances where he has to rush his passes and improvise(3) He is not known for his skill at improvising(4) He is not that mobile and has been accused of getting "happy feet" in the pocket (this is a direct result of having bad pass protection).I have owned Ryan since his rookie year and it is true that he is not that mobile. But he has solid pocket awareness and is generally very accurate with his throws. He also doesn't panic and make dumb mistakes (like Romo, for example). He hardly throws interceptions.With solid line play, and with years of the Falcons building the offense around Ryan, giving him weapons in the short and long passing game, I think Ryan will step his game up to the elite level. He will need to do that and win in the playoffs to shake his reputation for not handling pressure well.

Good post. I do think we are going to find out a lot this year...with the way they are playing (and talking) teams are going to throw every look they can at him to find out what breaks him...just doesn't seem like the running game is going to do enough to keep people completely honest.

 

[robertd52]

dont get this either, as early projections have him QB3 this week vs Denver who got to Big Ben at will last week, but he completed 3rd down passes with guys drapped all over him in typical Ben fashion.

I noticed that inconsistency too....think their covering all bases

 

[mr roboto]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

Stop it. People get so pissy when board etiquette is called on them. Do us a favor and if possible update older threads. TYIA.

 

[robertd52]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

Stop it. People get so pissy when board etiquette is called on them. Do us a favor and if possible update older threads. TYIA.

Gotta say man....not sure I see these two threads as apples and apples. The other thread will clearly go on longer and in many different directions as it is assessing all qbs (in comparison to Ryan), I'm trying to have a brief discussion about Ryan and only Ryan and a major concern about him that I've heard. I don't recall seeing the feedback I've already gotten here in that other thread.Seems like a lotta cops around here these days...

 

[The Jerk]

Pressure on the QB vs. big game pressure are mostly two separate things.

I've seen Ryan handle defensive pressure reasonably well, and I don't see that as a major concern here. Like any QB, I worry about the offensive line holding up, but I don't see the Falcons as being anything worse than average.

Big game pressure is a different story, and I think at this point he has to wear a lot of the responsibility for Atlanta's playoff shortcomings to this point, especially the past two seasons. However, the problem as I see it has been that the Falcons in the past have always been too content to be conservative -- going for it on 4th and 1 on their own 29 being the exception -- and have not had a defense that holds up in big games either. In other words, it's organizational-wide, not just Ryan. That's why I think that both their more aggressive passing offense and their off-the-field bravado (it's not really that much, but more than in the past) is exactly the right prescription for a team that has seemed to be far too tight to play their best in January.

I would have no concerns owning Ryan for the fantasy season. I think he'll handle late regular season game pressure fine. I'm less convinced he will handle the playoff pressure. Talk is cheap, and until Ryan and the Falcons walk the walk, I'll be waiting. But having said that, I think their day absolutely will come, but it's hard to say exactly when. Once the Falcons get their first playoff win, however, then look out. Getting the elephant off of their backs should be highly liberating.

 

[Funkley]

Nothing to see here. No qb gets "better" as defenders are draped over them. Funny what happens to a guys confidence when you give him a second all pro wide receiver though.

 

[robertd52]

The weapons are there in the passing attack and the run game. I'm really not sure what everyone is getting their knickers in a twist about. Ryan will be a solid play all year. Even the top tier guys have warts...

Safe to say offensive gameplan may be biggest factor in any change from years past in your opinion? I mean same weapons apply (sure, jones is a year older, but so is everyone else...).That said, I just checked my league last year (big on neg for int) and Ryan was #7 on season....wow....didn't realize that...up from there would be a thrill for all.

 

[robertd52]

Pressure on the QB vs. big game pressure are mostly two separate things.I've seen Ryan handle defensive pressure reasonably well, and I don't see that as a major concern here. Like any QB, I worry about the offensive line holding up, but I don't see the Falcons as being anything worse than average. Big game pressure is a different story, and I think at this point he has to wear a lot of the responsibility for Atlanta's playoff shortcomings to this point, especially the past two seasons. However, the problem as I see it has been that the Falcons in the past have always been too content to be conservative -- going for it on 4th and 1 on their own 29 being the exception -- and have not had a defense that holds up in big games either. In other words, it's organizational-wide, not just Ryan. That's why I think that both their more aggressive passing offense and their off-the-field bravado (it's not really that much, but more than in the past) is exactly the right prescription for a team that has seemed to be far too tight to play their best in January.I would have no concerns owning Ryan for the fantasy season. I think he'll handle late regular season game pressure fine. I'm less convinced he will handle the playoff pressure. Talk is cheap, and until Ryan and the Falcons walk the walk, I'll be waiting. But having said that, I think their day absolutely will come, but it's hard to say exactly when. Once the Falcons get their first playoff win, however, then look out. Getting the elephant off of their backs should be highly liberating.

Really great post and points.

 

[habsfan]

I would have no concerns owning Ryan for the fantasy season. I think he'll handle late regular season game pressure fine. I'm less convinced he will handle the playoff pressure.

My thoughts were in the context of a fantasy season as OP mentioned "owning him". I am not a Falcons fan. I drafted Ryan in the 6th and am entirely confident in him in that fantasy context.

 

[NCPanthersFan]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

You can call it what you want but it is the same subject hashed out again. It was not meant to offend. Only inform. I have 700 posts in 10 years. I don't think I have a track history of "moderating". If that was the case I would have 6,000 posts. I was purely trying to give you more info. Lighten up Francis.

 

[robertd52]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

You can call it what you want but it is the same subject hashed out again. It was not meant to offend. Only inform. I have 700 posts in 10 years. I don't think I have a track history of "moderating". I was purely trying to give you more info. Lighten up Francis.

Appreciate the tip to additional info, I did read other thread earlier and reread it after you posted for additional nuggets...decent stuff but a lot of measuring too

 

[whatadai]

There's a reason his nickname is Matty Ice.

He melts when the heat is on?

He might be improved this year, but in prior years, he didn't handle pressure very well.

Previous years my ###, you're basing all that on last year when his offensive line was completely inept. In previous years he's always been great with pressure and 3rd downs.

 

[Short Corner]

dont get this either, as early projections have him QB3 this week vs Denver who got to Big Ben at will last week, but he completed 3rd down passes with guys drapped all over him in typical Ben fashion.

ATL o-line is slightly better than the PIT o-line.

 

[Drop]

Ryan can handle the mental pressure of playing in a significant game. What he struggles to handle well is the physical defensive pressure that moves him off his spot in the pocket. He can read defenses pretty well and get his team into good plays presnap then execute them well for the most part. He struggles when he has to make throws on the run and doesn't have a clean pocket. That's basically why you see him losing in the playoffs, because playoff teams usually have that type of defensive pressure and that's his weakness. I think it's a fatal flaw in his game, he just looks like such a different player when he has to throw on the run. I have heard reports that he has added muscle to throw deeper and people do expect more from him now given his weapons, but I am not convinced that he's corrected his biggest flaw and until I see otherwise I don't think he can win it all without a dominant offensive line which he isn't close to having.

 

[DoubleG]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=655425&st=0&p=14741443&fromsearch=1entry14741443

How much they pay for moderating the boards? Whatever it is they should raise it so we can get guys that see the difference between a "my #### is bigger than yours" threads vs discussing a leading concern about a specific player and only that player...

You can call it what you want but it is the same subject hashed out again. It was not meant to offend. Only inform. I have 700 posts in 10 years. I don't think I have a track history of "moderating". If that was the case I would have 6,000 posts.

People with a lot of posts sometimes are just smart asses - not necessarily "moderators".

 

[Stinkin Ref]

honestly I think some of the "he can't handle pressure" stuff came from people who were late to the party in getting on board to the obvious changes that were taking place in ATL and the fantasy points that are going to be available there this year.....they had to have something to justify continuing to hide their heads in the sand and ignoring all the signs that pointed to Ryan possibly taking the jump into the elite level....

getting pressure on a QB is not a new concept....it's what teams try to do to almost every QB...ask Brady....this is a "QB league" and a "pressure the QB league" now.....people used to say the NFL was about defense and running the ball...times have changed....

the answer to stop most prolific passing games (which is what I think ATL is bordering on right now) is to pressure the QB, disrupt the play from the beginning....now, will Ryan start seeing more of that as ATL's philosophy has changed and Turner and the running game become less and less of a threat.....yep...you bet....but this is part of the reason I think Quizz will be a huge factor this year.....ATL KNOWS teams are going to want to start putting more pressure on Ryan, so they will probably be proactive in the way they move forward.....Quizz is the typr of player who can take swing passes, screens, delayed handoffs, etc....and do some damage.....make teams pay for bringing that pressure....that is how I see it anyway....

but really the comments about him not handling pressure well I really think are more about some people being upset that they didn't get on board when they started seeing the justifiable rise in Ryan ADP as we got closer to the season....because indications are that even if you had to take him a couple of rounds earlier then the tier you were normally able to get him, he may still provide some serious value to the owners that picked him and could give you top 5 type numbers as he leads you to your fantasy playoffs....

 

[ffnumber10]

New Matt Ryan owner here, never really loved him in years past but when I feel out of auction running for the top 5 I figured I'd grab 6 and 7 (Ryan and Vick for MUCH cheapier then rest combined!).Needless to say I was pretty pumped to feel like I now had Vick as trade bait....that is until I did more research on Ryan. Even fbg says temper expectations, kc couldn't put pressure and once that comes he will come back down to earth.Curious to open a discussion on that matter....anyone have any concrete arguments one way or the other? If he really can't, I can see this thing crumbling as season wears on as teams will start exploiting it big time out of necessity and lack of running game. So the question is, "what do you know about pressha?!?"

Are we talking about real NFL or Fantasy? If Ryan can't handle pressure in NFL playoffs, does it really matter? NFL Playoffs are meaningless because fantasy playoffs are between weeks 14-17. That said, for weeks 14-17 of the 2011 season, Ryan had:an average QB rating of 124.25threw for 1023 yards10 TDs and 0 interceptions. Will he repeat this type of performance in weeks 14-17 of 2012? I like his chances with weapons like Julio, Roddy, Gonzalez, Douglas, and Rodgers.