Four Years later, no one questions whether or not Matt Ryan was the right pick

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are just two of thee picks that have highlighted the last three years in the draft for the Atlanta Falcons, but what about the other players. How are they doing? What about the this year’s rookies, are they getting on the field much. I reached out to Jamie Kelly Senior editor at Blogging Dirty.com an Atlanta Falcons sports blog to get his thoughts on the recent and current rookies for the Atlanta Falcons.

T hey say it takes three years to evaluate a draft class how is the 2009 class looking?

If we go pick by pick, starting with first round selection (24th) DT Peria Jerry. Jerry struggled his first two years in the league after suffering a knee injury a few games into his rookie season. This season, he looks fully healthy and is developing into quite a force. He has regained his starting spot and looks to be getting better and better every week.

Second round pick (55th) S William Moore, is the best selection from the 2009 draft. He is dominant against the run and utilizes punishing hits on anyone that comes near him. Moore is getting better and better in coverage, he has had a few INT’s already this season. He reminds me of a young Brian Dawkins, which is high praise but I think he can become one of the best safeties in the game.

Third round selection (90th) CB Chris Owens started well but has since regressed, he was notably picked on by Aaron Rodgers in last year’s playoff defeat to Green Bay. At the moment he is listed as the 4th corner on the depth chart.

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Atlanta Falcons Rookie Review: First Quarter Report - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Michael Vick is apart of the "Dream Team", but should he be on your fantasy team? (picture source nj.com)

We here at NFLmocks have our league draft on Wednesday night so to keep somewhat of a competitive advantage I’m not going to list my sleepers until after the draft, but here are a few players I don’t think will have great fantasy seasons in 2011.

Don’t think of this as busts or knocks on the players on the field in 2011, but rather players I’m avoiding on draft day. I’ll make two or three picks for each position. Keep in mind though, that if these players last a lot longer than usual they become value picks, but based on where they have generally been falling I’d stay away from them.

 Quarterback

Matt Ryan

The difference between Fantasy Football and Real Football. Players like Matt Ryan. On the field a young excellent quarterback in fantasy football? I don’t think he’s worth drafting because he is being over-drafted because of the addition of Julio Jones. The Falcons want to run the football, sure Ryan will put up good numbers. He’s a solid safe bet and if you can get him late it’s a good move, but don’t reach for him because he added Julio Jones. Jones still has to learn the playbook, WR is still one of the hardest positions in the league to grasp as a rookie and he did miss a lot of things because of the lockout. Love the player, probably not drafting him in fantasy football.

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Fantasy Football Busts - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

How Good Would Matt Ryan Look in a Dolphins Uniform Now? (Picture source playerpress.com)

The conventional wisdom is that it takes three years for players to hit their stride in the N.F.L. So I began to wonder if teams could have a second chance after watching these players in the league for three years, what would they do now? The problem with this exercise is semantics. If I’m redrafting, do I go back to 2008, which would cause a ripple effect for each subsequent year, or do I pretend that these players are just put back into the drafting pool and teams get to draft based what’s no the roster now. I’m going with the latter, try to ignore the butterfly effect that happens (for instance the Rams draft Chris Long, but now he’s back in the pool DE becomes a need, but we’ll pretend that in those three years they were able to plan for Long’s exit).  Even though it’s an utterly useless exercise, it should be fun to take a look at what teams did in the 2008 draft and what they could consider doing now.

Miami Dolphins-Jake Long, T, Michigan

Leading up to the 2008 N.F.L. draft the big question was Jake Long or Matt Ryan? Jake Long or Matt Ryan? The Dolphins decided to go with the talented offensive linemen (even though there was a prevailing wisdom that he wasn’t worthy of the first overall pick) and Long has rewarded them with three very good years where he’s started 48 games and played continually at a pro bowl level. Do the Dolphins regret the decision? That’s possible because they are still searching for a franchise quarterback. Are the Dolphins unhappy with Jake Long? No way.

Remix pick

Matt Ryan, QB

As tough as it would be to throw a cornerstone LT back into the mix, the Dolphins would take the franchise QB. They were worried that Matt Ryan might not be a franchise quarterback, but the pre-draft Peyton Manning similarities that were swirling around Matt Ryan seem fairly apt right now. Ryan has shown tremendous leadership and production. He’s coming off a 28 Touchdown, 9 INT season. A M.V.P. caliber season in some years. Matt Ryan would be the easy choice today.

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NFL Draft Remix: Re Mock of the 2008 NFL Draft - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?

Every year quarterbacks are ranked. Sometimes they are ranked in lists like you will see below, but other times they are ranked in echelons in the minds of fans, players, and football executives. Some quarterbacks are ranked “elite”. The “elite” group is comprised of the very best. They are true winners and leaders of their respective teams. The next group are the “very good” quarterbacks. They are the ones that are just below the “elite” group. Close to elite, but not quite there. They have great skills and have the respect of their teammates as well as other players around the league. Below the “very good” group are the “good/solid” quarterbacks. They have skills necessary to win, but there are usually questions that are keeping them from ascending the list. Each year there are players who perform well and analysts talk about whether they are “elite” quarterbacks. This off season, that man was Super Bowl winning QB Aaron Rodgers. After Rodgers won the Super Bowl, analysts were asking whether he was an “elite” quarterback. Many think he is while some think he will be very soon. It’s all up to personal interpretation With that said, here is my interpretation as to who are the Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks.

10. Matt Schaub
Schaub is an underrated quarterback because he plays for the Texans who have yet to find playoff success, but if his defense ever improved, he has the skills to take the Texans to the Super Bowl. He’s thrown for 4,000+ yards and 24+ touchdowns the last 2 years. Since becoming a starter for the Texans, he’s never dipped below 63% completion percentage. He’s also had a 90+ QB rating since becoming a starter. Schaub is a quarterback to keep your eye on. He’s already very good and with the Texans defense on the rise, he is bound to start entering the “elite” talk sooner rather then later.

9. Matt Ryan
After suffering through the Mike Vick fiasco, Atlanta moved firmly into the Matt Ryan era and has not looked back. Ryan is a young quarterback who is quickly approaching “elite” status as the Falcons continue to move towards the top of the NFC. Last year, Ryan had his best year throwing 3,705 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions leading the Falcons to a 13-3 record and a 1st round bye. His team lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, but Ryan is still a quarterback on the rise and a Super Bowl appearance would likely vault him to “elite” status like Rodgers.

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Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

NFL Bold Predictions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

 Green Bay Packers (7-3) at Atlanta Falcons (8-2): After a tumultuous beginning to the season the Packers are back on track while knocking out their opponent’s coaches at a weekly rate.  They now take their NFL leading defense (Average 14.6 points against) into Atlanta to play one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Matt Ryan. Ryan has had a tremendous season and has a 92.9 quarterback rating to show for his efforts as he routinely connects with his favorite target TE Tony Gonzales. So how do I see this game? Although the Falcons have been a wonderful story for the NFL this season they will hit their wall this Sunday against the Packers. The Packers are on a 4 game winning streak and are fresh off the beating they unleashed on their rival Minnesota Vikings. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will have a steady day with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 270-yards and 2 touchdowns. While his counterpart QB Ryan will have 17 completions on 42 attempts for 189-yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Ryan will be running all day long from a relentless defense as the Packers will win 31-17.

To read more of Jesse Zamarripa visit www.sportsbyjesse.com

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Week 12 Bold Predictions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1. New England Patriots-  The Patriots have continued their move to the top team in the NFL.  Brady has been very sharp and the collection of role players have infused a must in attitude.  You have to love watching Woodhead score a touchdown and then make a tackle on the ensuing kick off.

2. New York Jets-  Some how the Jets keep pulling off these nail bitters but that is the mark of a good team.  However, I do have some concerns about the offensive production.  If they face a team that puts some points up on their defense they could struggle to catch up.

3. Atlanta Falcons-  The combination of Roddy White and Matt Ryan is defiantly in the discussion for the best young duo in the league.  This is going to be a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs.

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4. Baltimore Ravens-  The Ravens defense has taken some criticism this season but they are still creating turnovers.  The key to this team is going to be how well Joe Flacco finishes down the stretch.

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5. Philadelphia Eagles-  Mike Vick looks like the real deal.   There are many defensive coordinators having a lot of sleepless nights!  However, with his playing style you always have to worry about injuries.

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6. New Orleans Saints-  The Saints are starting to reach their stride as they make their playoff push.  The defense continues to be very aggressive which helps the offense keep the pressure on.

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7. Pittsburgh Steelers-  The Steelers just pounded a much improved Oakland team.  The Steelers defense is the stuff championships are made of so Pittsburgh fans should be optimistic.

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8. Green Bay Packers-  Green Bay has endured through major injury crisis and look to be a potential playoff threat.  Aaron Rodgers has looked much better the last few games improving on his early season accuracy struggles.

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9. Chicago Bears-  I know the Bears beat Miami with their 3rd string quarterback but they did what they were suppose to do, shut him out!  If Jay Cutler can take care of the football this defense will take them places.  Does anyone else feel that Chicago is the best fit for Cutler, because the defense makes up for his mistakes by creating turnovers of their own.

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10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-  This team can’t be for real, can they?  I am really a big supporter of what Raheem Morris has done with this team.  The players really respond to his style of coaching.

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NFL Power Rankings: Week 12 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1.  New England Patriots (7-2) Brady seems to have the Steelers number.  They also seem to have the Colts, Ravens and Jets number as well.  They sure pick good teams to beat up, and it will likely come in handy in January.

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2.  Atlanta Falcons (7-2) Atlanta is for real, but if a team ever needed home field for the playoffs it was this team.  Matt Ryan is showing what a franchise quarterback is supposed to be

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3.  New York Jets (7-2) The Jets are going to wear themselves out playing into overtime every week.  But they keep on winning.  Playing two game in five days in the next 2 weeks will show if they are as good as their record.

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4.  Philadelphia Eagles (6-3)  An absolute thrashing of Washington on Monday Night proved that the Eagles made the right decision letting Donovan McNabb go in a trade.  What to do with Michael Vick next year is the next question.

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5.  Baltimore Ravens (6-3)  Tough loss on Thursday for the Ravens, but seriously has any team griped about being ripped off by the refs more than the Ravens?

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6.  Indianapolis Colts (6-3) The Colts didn’t look sharp on Sunday, but when playing the Bengals most teams don’t need to.  They continue to plug people in when someone gets hurt.  We all expect this from Peyton and company but for how much longer?

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7.  Green Bay Packers (6-3) The Packers are hurting but they keep on winning.

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8.  New Orleans Saints (6-3)  The Saints are looking up at Atlanta in their own division and may have to take the wild card route at this point to make the playoffs.  However, there is still a lot of football left to play.

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9.  New York Giants (6-3)  The Giants drew the short straw when they were forced to play Dallas inspired by their change in coach.  How the Giants bounce back next week against Philadelphia will show how good this team can be.

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10.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) The Steelers are banged up on the offensive line and it showed last night as Big Ben was roughed up.  They have had a rough four game stretch going 1-2 in primetime games.  They are going to need to plug some holes on the O-line if they want to make a run in the playoffs.

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Updated NFL Power Rankings: Week 11 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

NFL Bold Predictions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1.  Baltimore Ravens (6-2)  Baltimore took care of the Dolphins at home and stopped Miami’s four game road winning streak.  They appear to be the best the NFL has to offer, but this season that isn’t a vote of much confidence.

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2.  New York Giants (6-2) The Giants put on a clinic against Charlie Whitehurst and the Seahawks.  There is no doubt now that they are the best the NFC has to offer at this point and
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3.  New York Jets (6-2) Big win for the Jets against the Lions.  They didn’t play well enough for three and a half quarters to deserve to win, but made plays when they needed to and cashed in on their opportunities.

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4.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) The Steelers are winning games but they aren’t looking very dominate in doing so.  They capitalized on Cincinnati’s mistakes Monday but was unable to win convincingly

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5.  New England Patriots (6-2)  New England looked absolutely terrible against a tough Browns team.  Tom Brady was off all day and the defense forgot it was Sunday.  Peyton Hillis had a field day running all over the Patriots defense.  The Patriots will need to regroup before next Sundays showdown with the Steelers

6.  Atlanta Falcons (6-2) Atlanta won another divisional game and Matt Ryan looks unbeatable at home.  The Falcons are definitely in the conversation for the best team in the NFC half way through the season.

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7.  New Orleans Saints (6-3)  The Saints took care of the Steelers and then turned around and finished off Carolina with ease.  They don’t look like they have the same swagger they had last season, but the Saints have not had a Super Bowl letdown yet this season.

8.  Green Bay Packers (5-3)  Green Bay put on a show against a miserable Cowboys team and look to be one of the NFC’s best.  The question surrounding Green Bay is whether or not they are healthy enough to finish the season on a positive note.
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9.  Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)  Big win for Michael Vick and the Eagles against Manning and the Colts.  Vick is likely playing his way to a lucrative contract after the season with his decision making and ability to create plays with his feet.

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10.  Indianapolis Colts (5-3) Peyton and company had a chance in Philadelphia late, but they couldn’t pull off the victory.  The loss of Anthony Gonzalez to IR and a concussion to Austin Collie were to much for the Colts to overcome.  Manning has done amazing things with very little talent around him, but it may be catching up to the Colts now.

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Updated NFL Power Rankings: Week 10 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football