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The Atlanta Falcons are 1-5. In the odd sport of football, the quarterback often gets the blame for poor records — just as they get the praise for a good one. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has gotten his. Is it so bad that Atlanta should trade him?
Deep breath: N-O.
Let's repeat that: N-O.
The third time is a charm: no.
Ryan has thrown seven interceptions and his 102.7 passer rating is a downgrade from 2018. However, he leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (15), second in yards (2,011), third in completion rate (72.1%) and ninth in yards per attempt (7.8). Trading him is a delusional thought process, because, while he hasn't been a world-beater, he isn't the issue in Atlanta.
The defense is.
Let's take a gander at some defensive statistics to prove that Ryan doesn't have help on the other side of the ball. If you've seen Falcons games, you are all too aware of this notion. Let's prove a point.
Falcons pass defense rankings:
- Passing yards allowed per game: 271.2 – 27th.
- Successful first down rate: 38.5 – 28th.
- Passer rating: 119.2 – 30th.
- Sacks: 5 – t-31st.
- Interceptions: 2 – 26th.
- Touchdowns allowed: 15 – 31st.
- Completion rate allowed: 71.4% – 30th.
Falcons run defense rankings:
- Rushing yards allowed per game: 117.7 – 20th.
- Rushing first downs allowed: 47 – 29th.
- Touchdowns allowed: 7 – 20th.
- Rush attempts allowed per game: 30 – 26th.
The Falcons defense can't cover the pass or the run. That is not Matt Ryan's fault. Though injuries have not been nice to their defense, it is the fault of head coach Dan Quinn, who also happens to be their defensive play-caller. Far too often, on tape, the Atlanta defense looks confused, Grady Jarrett is the only defensive lineman creating constant pressure and the secondary is far from where it was during their Super Bowl run.
None of that is on Matt Ryan. None. I repeat. None. Why is it a question that he should be traded or not? Widespread panic is a logical answer. The thought of drafting Tua Tagovailoa, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love or whoever piques your interest is another. But, the Falcons would have to be ignorant to make that move. They don't need a quarterback. They need help on defense.
Ryan can do things better. However, the Falcons should not be looking for an immediate replacement for the 34-year-old in the 2020 NFL Draft, barring unforeseen circumstances. Instead, they should be looking to bolster their defense in any which way, including a potential shake-up to their coaching staff. Again, Ryan is not the problem. The defense is.
