February 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith said that quarterback Matt Ryan is fully recovered from his "turf toe" injury and is back running at full speed. Ryan missed most of one game and two full games with the injury. He rarely practiced over the final six games, but started the final three. "We think that Matt will be ready to go on March 22 when we open up our offseason conditioning program," Smith said Friday at the NFL scouting combine. "Matt had a significant toe injury there at the end of the season." Initially, the Falcons thought Ryan would be out six weeks. He was injured on the first series of the Tampa Bay game Nov. 29. Chris Redman started against Philadelphia and New Orleans. Ryan came back ..."
January 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been ordered to rest his right bigtoe, but expects to be fully recovered from a turf toe injury when the team reassembles for organized training activities in March. Ryan was first injured when he was sacked on the first series against Tampa Bay on Nov. 29. He missed two games, but came back to lead the team to three straight victories and help the franchise post its first back-to-back winning seasons. Ryan did not take part in a full practice before any of the final three games in order to rest the toe. "The biggest thing is rest and it's going to heal properly," Ryan said. "I've been able to meet with the doctors. We handled it as well as we could have ..."
December 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Regarding this Falcons' season, only one question remains, and it will be answered next week in Tampa. Regarding the Falcons as a team, a question has arisen, a question we didn't figure we'd be asking. But here it is: What if the franchise quarterback isn't quite a franchise quarterback? We stipulate by saying that, if on the day Matt Ryan was drafted we'd have known the Falcons would be 19-10 (and 13-1 at home) with him as a starting quarterback, we'd have swooned on the spot. And we spent all last season swooning. But the greatest rookie quarterback in league history - and that's what he was - hasn't been the greatest sophomore quarterback in NFL annals. Sunday was another installment ..."
December 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After a week punctuated by more news of players and their mind-altering substances, the forecast of a blizzard for their upcoming road trip and then life-support finally being pulled on their playoff hopes, the Falcons didn't project for a real uplifting finish to this season. Fortunately, they had two things going for them Sunday: 1) They were playing the New York Jets, opponent of opportunity (they botched three field goals); 2) Matt Ryan kind of has something to prove. Ryan was not good for most of Sunday. One reason was the wind, which often turned passes into knuckleballs. The other reason was nearly three weeks of inactivity, which helped turn an already struggling quarterback into a ..."
December 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner returned to practice on Thursday and both are hopeful they will be able to play against the New York Jets on Sunday. Both have missed the last two games. Ryan suffered a turf toe injury and Turner has recurrent a right ankle sprain. "Nobody likes to have to sit down," Ryan said. Turner originally was injured against Carolina on Nov. 15."
December 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who is battling a turf toe injury, will not play today against the New Orleans Saints. Ryan, who guided the Falcons to the playoffs as a rookie and was named the league's rookie of the year, was placed on the inactive list for the game. The Falcons are 6-6 and need a victory over the 12-0 Saints to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ryan suffered the injury early in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 29. He did not play last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Chris Redman, a seven year veteran, will make his 12th career start at quarterback for the Falcons. Also, running back Michael Turner, who re-injured a high ankle sprain will trying to ..."
December 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Atlanta Falcons are in must-win mode with a 6-6 record, but their roster isn't cooperating. Quarterback Matt Ryan and tailback Michael Turner officially are listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome after missing practice all week with toe and ankle injuries. Top cornerback Chris Houston has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and the offensive line is banged up, among other positions. Ryan and Turner have been deemed "game-time decisions." Ryan, who missed last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, was able to participate in walk-through sessions this week. Falcons Coach Mike Smith said Ryan will play if the team believes ..."
December 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons starting cornerback Chris Houston has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, who have the league's third-ranked passing attack. Houston suffered a hamstring injury against the Eagles last Sunday. Brent Grimes is likely to start at his right cornerback position. Quarterback Matt Ryan (turf toe) did not take part in practice, but did more work in the team's closed Thursday morning walk-through. Also, running back Michael Turner (ankle) was held out of practice because Smith believes he has a chance to play on Sunday. Center Todd McClure (knee) returned to practice, but was limited."
December 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In the next day or so, the Falcons will likely know more about quarterback Matt Ryan's ability to play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The team's starting quarterback tested his turf toe injury on Wednesday during the team's closed walk-through session. "Matt worked with the trainers today," Falcons coach Mike Smith said Wednesday. "He participated in our walk-through this morning. We'll see where he's at tomorrow. Hopefully we can advance this." The team will monitor the reaction to the workout and see if they can move on to more intense training. "Definitely, with the injuries, with all of our guys, we don't want to put them out there and go full speed right away," Smith said. ..."
December 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If he's able to play, it would be a near miraculous recovery from one of sports' notoriously nasty injuries. "These ligaments take about eight to 12 weeks to heal," said Dr. Steven Weinfeld, the chief of foot and ankle surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "It's very hard to keep a professional athlete out of the game for that long, but that's usually how long they take to heal." Ryan suffered his injury early in the Falcons' Nov. 29 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not play last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's possible he will at least test the injury or return to practice perhaps in a limited capacity Wednesday. It looked like a regular old ..."
December 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith is encouraged by Matt Ryan's recovery from his turf toe injury and did not rule him out of Sunday's game with the New Orleans Saints. This season when Smith knows a player will not be available, he has announced that at his Monday press conference. When a player has a chance to play, he has given other varied designations. It is not clear if Ryan has a first, second or third degree turf toe sprain. "I'm not a medical guy, but I know they grade the different injuries," Smith said. "We are encouraged because we are going to get a chance to see Matt out there on Wednesday, but as far as the grade I'm not going to comment about that." Smith is not sure if Ryan will ..."
December 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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We'll never know if this would have prevented the Falcons from returning to a pre-Michael Vick/Bobby-Petrino low Sunday. But it seems like a good time to broach this subject: Did the Falcons goof on a backup quarterback? Yes, this team's playoff hopes probably were sunk regardless without quarterback Matt Ryan. Add the absence of running back Michael Turner and several other injuries and the situation becomes even more desperate. But it has struck me for two seasons that the Falcons have gone on the cheap at backup quarterback. The salary cap limits options. But every team should have either: 1) A dependable veteran backup who has started games in the NFL, or, 2) A young quarterback ..."
December 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Chris Redman didn't get off to a very good start against the Eagles on Sunday His first pass skidded off the Georgia Dome turf at the feet of running back Jerious Norwood Filling in for starting quarterback Matt Ryan would not get much better, as Redman and the offense never got into a rhythm. The Falcons needed a touchdown pass with three seconds left to avoid a shutout. "We did not operate effectively offensively," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "I know that Chris's numbers were not what we needed them to be." Redman, who could be starting for the reminder of the season if Matt Ryan doesn't recover from turf toe, completed 23 of 44 passes for 235 yards, two interceptions and one ..."
December 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons were down four offensive starters for practice on Wednesday because of injuries. Quarterback Matt Ryan (turf toe) has been ruled out of Sunday's game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Running back Michael Turner (ankle sprain), wide receiver Michael Jenkins (ankle) and right guard Harvey Dahl (Achilles tendon and ankle) did not practice and are "day to day" for the Eagles game. "We are hoping that (Turner) will be ready to go," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It's just a matter of how he feels. Mike came back very quickly from the ankle injury that he had and fell on it. It's just going to be a matter of if can get comfortable with it and get back out here.""
December 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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They worked closely together in Baltimore when Redman was a backup and had to run the scout team against Smith's linebacker units. "I've known Chris, very, very well," Smith said. "Chris has a lot of confidence in his ability." Now Smith, with the teams' playoff hopes in the balance, will send Redman out to win a game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Georgia Dome. Redman, who will start because Matt Ryan is out with a turf-toe injury, acknowledges he needs to shake off some rust, but at least he'll get to the work with the first team this week. Redman filled in for Ryan on Sunday against Tampa Bay on short notice and with only about 15 plays of practice with the first team. ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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Mike Smith admits he doesn't play poker. So when the Falcons' coach said Monday, "You have to deal with the hand that you're dealt," he chose not to expand on that thought with, "Do I have to ante twice for new cards, or is this where I bluff?" The Falcons went 11-5 last season. What went wrong? They added Tony Gonzalez and Mike Peterson and Peria Jerry to a team that went to the playoffs with a rookie quarterback who only figured to get better in season two. What happened? Are twos, fours and sixes wild? Because if so, they'll be fine. The Philadelphia Eagles and a well-known second-string quarterback come to the Georgia Dome Sunday. This game conceivably could determine the Falcons' ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Matt Ryan, who guided the Falcons to a wildcard playoff berth last season as a rookie, will not play against Philadelphia on Sunday at the Georgia Dome. A time for his return is uncertain. Ryan left last Sunday's game against Tampa Bay after one series with a turf toe injury. Unable to return, Ryan was replaced by Chris Redman, who tossed a game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds left to lift the team to a 20-17 victory. Falcons coach Mike Smith offered few specifics on the injury Monday, saying, "During the week he's going to work with our medical staff diligently to get back as quick as he can." Depending on the severity of Ryan's injury, he could miss several more games. He ..."
November 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Falcons coach Mike Smith reported that quarterback Matt Ryan will not play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ryan left the game with a turf toe injury against Tampa Bay on Sunday and was replaced by Chris Redman, who tossed a game-winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds left to lift the team to a 20-17 victory. "Matt has been ruled out of the ballgame on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles," Smith said. " During the week he's going to work with our medical staff . . . in order to get back as quick as he can. We will have an update next week." Redman was announced as the starter for the Eagles' games."
November 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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That wasn't mere urgency at their backs on that final drive. It was utter desperation. The Falcons can read the schedule and the standings, and they know the difference between 6-5 and 5-6 is more than one game, especially when the opponent tipping the balance arrived at 1-9. "Going under .500," Roddy White would say later, after he'd caught the fourth-down touchdown pass that won it, "that's desperation." The Falcons escaped Sunday's game with a season's worth of hopes still alive, but with every week those hopes are tempered by mounting reality. They started 4-1. Then they lost four of five. They were one play from making it five of six against an overmatched opponent coached by a man ..."
November 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons' win over Tampa Bay came at a considerable price. Over the course of the game, quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, guard Harvey Dahl and, depending on whom you ask, offensive tackle Sam Baker all left the game with injuries. Their prognoses for Sunday's game against Philadelphia and beyond are uncertain. Ryan was out after the first series with a toe injury on his right foot, replaced by Chris Redman. Turner left in the third quarter after reinjuring his right ankle. Dahl and Baker left in the first half. According to a press box announcement, Dahl injured his right ankle and Achilles tendon. While coach Mike Smith said Baker was "banged up in a number of ..."
November 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Falcons lost a game but saved a season. If that sounds convoluted … well, try this: On the day the Falcons fell to 5-5, they nonetheless demonstrated why this will be that forever-sought second consecutive winning season. Or this: The Falcons lost a game but found a quarterback. The first half was wretched. It ended with the Falcons down 17-7 but was far more distressing than that. The defense was awful, which we've come to expect, and Matt Ryan was just as bad, which has become a recent phenomenon. But in the second half things changed: The defense was still bad, but the Iceman again, er, cameth. Ryan in the first half: Six completions in 11 attempts with a long gain of 18 yards, two ..."
November 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Eli Manning and the New York Giants' offense bailed out their top-ranked defense. Lawrence Tynes kicked a 36-yard field goal 3:54 into overtime to make up for an earlier miss and lead the Giants past the Atlanta Falcons 34-31 after the defense blew a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Manning threw for a career-high 384 yards and three touchdown passes, including two to Kevin Boss, to help the Giants (6-4) snap a four-game skid coming off their bye week. New York also kept pace with NFC East-leading Dallas, which beat Washington to maintain a one-game division lead. Manning set up Tynes' winner when he connected with Mario Manningham for a 29-yard pass to put the Giants at ..."
November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Matt Ryan started his off-day this week like he normally does. He went into the office to do some work. But he did leave himself some "chillax" -- chill out and relax -- time. "I'm not going to lie, when I got home I turned on TBS and watched 'The Office' for about three hours," Ryan said. "That was pretty good comic relief." The second-year Falcons quarterback, who guided the team to the playoffs and was named the NFL's rookie of the year last season, has seen a dip in his play over the past five games. "I think he's experiencing a time of adversity here," Falcons quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said. "Every athlete in every sport will experience times of prosperity and adversity. We are ..."
November 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jumping off the Matt Ryan bandwagon? Daryl Johnston has a message for you. "If they're selling, I'll buy their seat," said the Fox analyst and former Dallas Cowboys fullback. "His intangibles are off the chart. He'll be fine. It's very difficult to find a quarterback, and the Falcons have a very, very good one. He's a young guy who's going to get better. Did he set the bar high last year? Absolutely. But what he's going through now is completely normal. Peyton Manning went 3-13. Troy Aikman was 0-10. I'm not saying Matt Ryan is either one of those guys, but it's normal to struggle." Johnston worked the Fox broadcast last week when Ryan threw two interceptions that played into the Falcons' ..."
October 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Jeff Schultz
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There always has been something different about the quarterback position, something that can't be gauged by height or weight or speed or strength or the ability to throw a football 70 yards past the cows, over the barn, through the tire screen and into the feed bucket (when, by the way, just hitting the open tight end over the middle would've been fine). If quarterbacks were measured by physical skills, Jeff George would not have been a cartoon and Joe Montana would not have been a deity. If quarterbacks were measured by fast legs, chiseled abs and ripped biceps, NFL general managers - the experts - would not draft so many colossal busts, crippling their franchise, alienating their fan ..."
September 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There's no question Boston is Tom Brady's town, but another favorite son is returning for what he hopes will be a successful homecoming. Former Boston College standout Matt Ryan returns to Foxborough on Sunday as a rising star for the Atlanta Falcons, who will face Brady's New England Patriots. Ryan, the 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, has enjoyed a strong start for the 2-0 Falcons and is coming off his first career game with three touchdown passes. Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli predicted on Wednesday that Ryan's No. 2 jersey "will be everywhere" at Gillette Stadium. Ryan wasn't so certain. "I'm sure there will be some people from up there who remember the time at BC and were fans ..."
September 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist D. Orlando Ledbetter
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Hoping I can make it out to practice today. The plan is to leave extra early and drive really slow. Wednesdays are always big days for the media and the team. They'll start installing the game plan for New England. After giving up 308 yards passing to Jake Delhomme, the defense will likely be extra sharp about their coverage responsibilities. The Falcons certainly need to crank back up the pass rush after the defensive line didn't record a sack last week. They registered four sacks in the opener against Miami with John Abraham and Kroy Biermann getting two each. I don't believe the plan calls for letting Tom Brady sit comfortably in the pocket, while looking for Randy Moss, Wes Welker, et ..."