In the first 35 years of their existence, the Atlanta Falcons had very marginal success in the NFL.

The future seemed bright when the team drafted Michael Vick out of Virginia Tech in 2001.  A 2007 dog fighting arrest abruptly ended the Vick era in the ATL.

After a lost season in 2007, the franchise was reborn with the arrival of quarterback Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith.

'Matty Ice' has won a lot of games and led the Falcons to the playoffs in three of his first four seasons, but he has yet to win a playoff game.

Outside of Atlanta, Ryan gets little scrutiny from the national media.  It's a much different story in Atlanta.

John Michaels covers the Falcons for Sports Radio 790 'The Zone' in Atlanta.

Michaels loves the progress of second year receiver Julio Jones, loves that Tony Gonzalez is ageless, but won't love 'Matty Ice' until he comes through in the playoffs.

More From 600 ESPN El Paso