How much should the Atlanta Falcons pay Matt Ryan?

2012 regular season: Ryan passed for the fourth most yards in the league at 4,719, ahead of the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. He finished fifth highest for yards per game at 295. Flacco posted 3,817 total yards passing and 239 yards per game on the season, both good for 16th in the league respectively.2012 postseason: Obviously total yards would be predicated on how many games any individual quarterback played, based on things like initial seeding or how long that players team lasted in the playoffs. That said, Ryan posted 323 yards per game in the playoffs, the second highest of any quarterback who participated. Flacco, who finished for nearly double and quarterback in total yards, finished the postseason averaging 285 yards per game.Since 2008: Ryan has a career total of 18,957 passing yards. Flacco trails with 17,633. However Ryan does have nearly 150 more attempts.2012 regular season: Ryan led the league with a completion percentage of 68.6. Flacco ranked 19th with a percentage of 59.7.2012 postseason: Ryan was second among his peers with at 70.1 percent, Flacco finished eighth highest at 57.9 percent.Since 2008: Ryan has posted a completion percentage of 62.7. Flacco stands not far behind at 60.5 percent.Passer rating has long been considered the gold standard for quarterbacks since 1971. It is calculated using the players completion percentage, passing yardage, touchdowns and interceptions.2012 regular season: Ryan posted a passer rating of 99.1, which ranked as the fifth highest in the league. Flacco posted a passer rating of 87.7, ranking 12th.2012 postseason: Flacco led all quarterbacks with a passer rating of 117.2. Ryan's 105.2 rating was the second highest.Since 2008: Ryan has posted an average passer rating of 90.9 , Flacco trailing slightly at 86.3.View the list »
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons watch quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Falcons warm up before taking on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on January 20, 20

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Just how much is Matt Ryan worth?

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It's a question that's worth literally millions of dollars and could ultimately determine the future of the Atlanta Falcons for the next decade. And unfortunately questions of that magnitude never seem to come with easy or "right" answers.

March 5, 2013, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Atlanta could potentially pay Ryan upwards of $140 million dollars.

While the article doesn't give exact specifications to what the contract would entail, it does remind us that in 2004 Falcons owner Arthur Blank once made Michael Vick the highest-paid player with a ten-year, $130 million dollar deal.

Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com reported March 4, 2013, that Ryan "should get Joe Flacco money."

The same Joe Flacco who is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and that just signed a six-year, $120 million dollar contract. A contract which makes him the highest paid player in the history of football.

It's not real surprise though, Ryan and Flacco have been tied to each other and compared relentlessly since entering the league together in 2008. Ryan was selected third overall by the Falcons and Flacco 18th overall by the Ravens.

With that, let's compare their production from the 2012 season and over the course of their entire careers and you can decide for yourself just how much you think Ryan deserves.

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  • Passer rating has long been considered the gold standard for quarterbacks since 1971. It is calculated using the players completion percentage, passing yardage, touchdowns and interceptions.2012 regular season: Ryan posted a passer rating of 99.1, which ranked as the fifth highest in the league. Flacco posted a passer rating of 87.7, ranking 12th.2012 postseason: Flacco led all quarterbacks with a passer rating of 117.2. Ryan's 105.2 rating was the second highest.Since 2008: Ryan has posted an average passer rating of 90.9 , Flacco trailing slightly at 86.3.
  • 2012 regular season: Ryan led the league with a completion percentage of 68.6. Flacco ranked 19th with a percentage of 59.7.2012 postseason: Ryan was second among his peers with at 70.1 percent, Flacco finished eighth highest at 57.9 percent.Since 2008: Ryan has posted a completion percentage of 62.7. Flacco stands not far behind at 60.5 percent.
  • 2012 regular season: Ryan passed for the fourth most yards in the league at 4,719, ahead of the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning. He finished fifth highest for yards per game at 295. Flacco posted 3,817 total yards passing and 239 yards per game on the season, both good for 16th in the league respectively.2012 postseason: Obviously total yards would be predicated on how many games any individual quarterback played, based on things like initial seeding or how long that players team lasted in the playoffs. That said, Ryan posted 323 yards per game in the playoffs, the second highest of any quarterback who participated. Flacco, who finished for nearly double and quarterback in total yards, finished the postseason averaging 285 yards per game.Since 2008: Ryan has a career total of 18,957 passing yards. Flacco trails with 17,633. However Ryan does have nearly 150 more attempts.
  • 2012 regular season: Ryan ranked fifth in the league among quarterbacks for total passing touchdowns, posting 32 total. He threw 14 interceptions. Flacco ranked 17th in touchdowns with 22 total. He threw 10 interceptions.2012 postseason: Ryan threw for six touchdowns and three interceptions in two games during the playoffs. Flacco threw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in four games.Since 2008: Ryan has thrown for 127 touchdowns and 60 interceptions. Flacco has thrown 102 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.
  • At the end of the day, players will always be judged on championships. The body of work gets lost in the mix and whether it's right or wrong rings become the only thing that truly stand the test of time.After all, the postseason is where players are given the opportunity to place their names among the greats.Postseason totals since 2008: Ryan 1-4. Flacco 9-4, one Super Bowl MVP.Those totals may not tell the whole story, but that is history does not care about the whole story, it does not always paint a fair picture. We will see if Matt Ryan can continue to rewrite his playoff history in 2013.
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, Atlanta Falcons Examiner

Daniel Nicks, a former beat writer for Rant Sports and editor for the Lake Show Life, is just an average guy who enjoy sweet tea and spending quality time with his TV. As a Georgia native, he looks forward to connecting with Falcons fans as they continue their journey for a Super Bowl. You can...

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