The case for future Canton." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyese Falcoholican Atlanta Falcons communityFollow The Falcoholic online:Follow The Falcoholic on TwitterFollow The Falcoholic on FacebookLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchThe Falcoholic main menuFanpostsFanshotsLibraryFalconsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Library FalcFans Podcast on The FalcoholicContact The FalcoholicFalcons StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Falcons NewsYahoo Falcons Team PageYahoo Falcons ReportYahoo Falcons Depth ChartYahoo Falcons TransactionsYahoo Falcons PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Is Matt Ryan historically underrated? Taking stock of his legacy with stats and contextNew Black Logan Paulsen Jersey ,82commentsThe case for future Canton. EDTRyan Michael Share this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Is Matt Ryan historically underrated? Taking stock of his legacy with stats and contextTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesTo both Falcons fans and outsiders, I believe it’s fair to say that Matt Ryan’s career has been pretty interesting. If you’re on my side of the fence, you acknowledge Ryan as one of the Top-5 quarterbacks in the NFL today, arguably the best quarterback from 2016-2018 and a Top-30 quarterback in the history of pro football. If you’re on the other side of the fence, you probably view Ryan as a garbage time Andy Dalton upgrade who has had the benefit of playing in a dome, chucking balls to Julio Jones and a historically great set of weapons. I’d say the truth is probably somewhere in between—your location may vary—but a lot closer to my side of the fence than the other.Falcoholic readers may remember me leading the Matt Ryan bandwagon as early as 2015. Things were a little bit different back then. Ryan had yet to win a Conference Championship and he had yet to win a league MVP award. He put up pretty numbers, sure. But they usually hung below those of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.It wasn’t easy talking up a quarterback with only 10 #QBWINZ in his last 32 starts (10-22 from 2013-2014). Context didn’t really matter then and I suppose it doesn’t really matter now. But I’ll go there.Ryan ranks No. 1 amongst active quarterbacks in career postseason passer rating.But with a 4-6 win/loss record, who cares?Remember when he blew the 2012 NFC Championship game?And who can forget “28-3.” Was anyone surprised when “Matty Ice” choked away Super Bowl LI?I’m either hitting you with a laundry list of excuses, or a refreshing bit of context. Again, your location on the spectrum probably varies. The Falcons finished 7-9 in 2018, a disappointment for sure. You already know about the defensive injuries and the limitations of Sarkisian’s offense. I suppose I’m just piling on the excuses. Oh well Logan Paulsen Jersey 2019 , cue the tweet.Even when Atlanta was losing, defenses were still struggling to stop Ryan.The “dome quarterback” finished 2018 with a higher passer rating outdoors (99.2) than Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had outdoors (96.7).If you have the opportunity to watch Ryan’s tape from 2016-2018 (maybe minus the game I already mentioned one time too many), I encourage you to do so. His footwork in the pocket, ability to stand tall and deliver passes with tremendous touch and accuracy is rare. Falcons fans may not want to hear it, but Ryan’s play reminds me of Brees in that regard. Eleven years into his career, what should Ryan’s legacy be?Ranking Ryan My metric QBS2 combines a quarterback’s league-ranking in passer rating, DVOA (Football Outsiders) and Total QBR (ESPN) and adjusts for era. QBS2 Prime takes the average of a quarterback’s 10 best seasons. and follow him on Twitter @theryanmichael We did not expect this and are now going through the stages of grief."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Library FalcFans Podcast on The FalcoholicContact The FalcoholicFalcons StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Falcons NewsYahoo Falcons Team PageYahoo Falcons ReportYahoo Falcons Depth ChartYahoo Falcons TransactionsYahoo Falcons PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁昅aking sense of the Falcons paying Vic Beasley $12.8 million in 2019New,95commentsWe did not expect this and are now going through the stages of grief.ESTShareTweetShareShareMaking sense of the Falcons paying Vic Beasley $12.8 million in 2019Jason Getz-USA TODAY SportsThe five stages of grief are, in order, denial, anger, bargaining, depression Qadree Ollison Atlanta Falcons Jersey , then acceptance. Thanks to being die hard Falcons fans, we are very adept at processing through the stages of grief and have finally hit acceptance.Sure, we looked for any way around Dan Quinn’s statement about keeping Vic Beasley, cursed Thomas Dimitroff for what feels like a Sam Baker-esque hold onto an underperforming first-round pick, tried to convince ourselves a comp pick is worth the $12.8 million, the familiar depression, and this morning, coming to terms of the decision.How can the Falcons pay a pass rusher with only 5 sacks in 2018 $12.8 million in 2019?Beasley has averaged 5 sacks per year in the last two years. This is not a situation where those numbers don’t show the full story. Beasley was every bit as invisible as those stats suggest. There are questions about his effort, dedication, and his pass rush moves (or move). He looked a little better late in 2018 when his snaps were cut back but still far from the impact player he was in 2016.The biggest issue is looking at the type of player the Falcons could nab for similar pay. We covered that when looking at Atlanta’s options with the fifth-year option.The Falcons additionally moved on from some long-time Falcons, most importantly Matt Bryant, to clear up cap space. There’s no taking the edge off of that. The team god rid of proven players in the hopes Beasley is more 2016 than 2015 and 2017 through 2018.The cost of pass rushersThis move may only make sense for a few reasons. First, Thomas Dimitroff has shown he really Color Rush Qadree Ollison Jersey , really wants to give his bad first-round picks second and third chances. I’m looking at you Sam Baker, Peria Jerry, Sean Weatherspoon, and Peter Konz (first Atlanta pick of 2012). All players were kept around for too long in the hopes they could prove they weren’t wasted picks. That’s not a good reason but the reality is the move may be made for Dimitroff to save face. Second, Dan Quinn has gotten rid of Marquand Manuel and will now run the defense. This move makes sense if Quinn believed Beasley was poorly coached or poorly used and he can do better. With everything on the line, Quinn may be betting his 2020 on turning around Beasley in 2019.Third and most importantly, pass rushers have become absurdly expensive. Dimitroff has been looking for a pass rusher his entire Falcons career, with no real answer since he criminally cut Jon Abraham for Osi Umenyiora. They are not easy to find which is why they are so expensive. Atlanta’s free agent defensive ends are highlighted by Osi, Ray Edwards, and Brooks Reed.Khalil Mack is averaging $23.5 million per year. Von Miller averages above $19 million per year. It is widely expected that DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, and other top, young pass rushers will cost north of $20 million. Considering those numbers Qadree Ollison Atlanta Falcons Jersey , $13 million could very well be the cost of a one-year deal for an extremely inconsistent pass rusher with upside.Betting on resurgenceI can’t fault the Falcons for taking a chance on a young player at a premium position. I can fault them for doing it with Beasley who has shown so little in the past two seasons. I may be skeptical having seen Beasley play but I am confident I would feel differently had Beasley played elsewhere. Case in point, the Falcons handed Poe $8 million despite a few underwhelming seasons. I was ecstatic with the signing but Poe proved to be underwhelming. Beasley has arguably had more highs in his career than Poe, along with better conditioning and fewer career snaps at a more premium position.Beasley is a risk but a reasonable risk considering his 2016 season, the team’s lack of depth at defensive end, the cost of pass rushers, and the tough nature in finding premium pass rushers. Can he put it together? I suppose anything is possible.This is still going to turn out bad, right?Probably! The Falcons could almost assuredly sign a veteran for less money that would have a bigger impact, say Brandon Graham or Robert Quinn. However, this move is made with the future in mind and not just 2019, and that, my friends, is the stage of acceptance.