Seething “Tough-Ass?”
May 19th, 2020
When is the last time the 10th leading passer in NFL history had the third-most career throwing yards in his division?
Never, Joe will say.
But that’s the boat Matt Ryan is in with 51,186 yards passing, about 300 yards behind John Elway on the all-time list of prolific throwers. Drew Brees is No. 1 with 77,416 yards and Bucs gunslinger Tom Brady is second at 74,571.
(Yes, Brady’s a “gunslinger.” He’s thrown for more yards per game than Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, and Brady ranks No. 8 in history in that category. Brees and Ryan are ahead of him, as is Jameis Winston.)
Joe brings up Ryan today because he was interviewed on SportsCenter, and before the host even asked him a serious Falcons question, Ryan fielded multiple questions about Brady joining the NFC South and about facing Brady and Drew Brees.
That struck Joe because last week Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told The Rich Eisen Show that Ryan is crazy competitive and painted him as a guy ignited by the chance to be viewed as an underdog QB in the division.
“Matt Ryan is a straight wolf in sheep’s clothing. Like he is a rare competitor; he’s tough as hell. He is 100 percent driven grinder tough-ass,” Quinn explained.
On ESPN, Ryan, 35, threw as much love at the Bucs defense as he did at Brady. “Man, it didn’t get any easier in our division,” Ryan responded. “They’re solid. Tampa’s defense last year was really tough.”
The Falcons play all four of their games against the Bucs and Saints in the final seven weeks of the 2020 season, which is quite a scheduling quirk and sets up the NFC South race to be up in the air until December, especially if Atlanta beats Carolina twice in the first half of the season.
In the meantime, Ryan can stew on Brady and Brees getting all the QB headlines.
May 19th, 2020 at 2:51 pm
LOL
Matt Ryan doesn’t scare or intimidate anyone in the NFL
…..just saying yo!!!!!
May 19th, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Not looking forward to those weeks leading up to the Brady lead Bucs vs The Falcons because so many people live in the past and have totally over used and worn out the whole 28-3 SB fiasco… I bet thats going to get nauseating quickly…
But the competitive games between the Bucs, Falcons And Saints this season should be fun to watch!
May 19th, 2020 at 3:13 pm
I’ve never seen that.
He’s a statue.
May 19th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Yeah……..can you say “Total Fail” on the falcons part in that superbowl.
All the freaking Atlanta Crows had to do was to simply score a few field goals after the 3rd quarter TD and play some defense……that’s it!!!!
but nooooooooooooooooooooooooo………………..
Probably or maybe the worst Superbowl meltdown of any team in the Superbowl Era.
May 19th, 2020 at 3:26 pm
hey @joe surprised you didnt put out an article on (Thanks.–Joe) podcast from about 2 weeks ago. a few tom brady tidbits in there. just a suggestion if you didnt hear or write about it yet.
May 19th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Matt Ryan is the 4th Best QB in the Division right now 1.Brady 2.Brees 3.Winston 4.Ryan 5.Bridgewater
May 19th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Thanks knuck. Didn’t know D.W. had a pod.
May 19th, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Brady have all reached the SB. That sets them apart from the pretenders like Jameis Winston who has yet to even reach the playoffs!
The Saints are clearly talented and poised to make yet another SB run.
The Bucs are now also talented and the Falcons seem very happy with their off season moves and they too are poised for a good season.
Carolina is rebuilding and the only weak sister in the Division. The South is a beast this year.
May 19th, 2020 at 6:33 pm
“grinder tough ass” sounds like an almost gubernator of FL…
May 19th, 2020 at 7:11 pm
I respect Matt …i sat behind him and trash talked him he literally turned back and said watch this..worst thing i ever did was trash talk him
May 20th, 2020 at 7:30 am
Hey sad truth. The sad truth is Winston is a third string QB, not the 3rd best QB in the NFC South. Yo check your sheets.