Falcons name Matt Ryan opening day starter

[WraithSentinel]

I admit I was pissed off when the Falcons took him #3 overall. I know it is preseason. I am liking what I see out of him. Depending on how the OL holds up. Ryan has some weapons to work with on offense. The running game is going to be a strength and the WR core to me at least looks like it could be good to very good.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/f...age_tab_newstab

Falcons name Ryan starting quarterback

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Rookie Matt Ryan will open the regular season as the Falcons’ starting quarterback. The decision was made over the weekend and will be announced by coach Mike Smith after today’s practice.

Ryan will make his regular-season debut Sept. 7 against Detroit at the Georgia Dome. The last rookie quarterback to start the regular season was Houston’s David Carr in 2002. Carr went 4-12, getting sacked a whopping 76 times.

Ryan was drafted No. 3 overall out of Boston College and signed to a $72 million, six-year contract to eventually become the starter. The future became the present after three preseason games.

Ryan won an open competition over veterans Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley. At the outset of training camp, Smith said he would play each quarterback with the first team and make a decision afterward unless he felt there was enough “clarity” to move sooner.

Clarity arrived after three preseason games in which Ryan, who took the majority of snaps, completed 32-of-52 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He made his first start Friday against Tennessee and completed 15-of-21 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Ryan has been praised by teammates for his leadership, diligence and huddle presence as well as his ability to make plays.

There has been no announcement regarding the depth chart at quarterback.

[Deeman]

I'm not a big Falcoln fan but I would rather watch Ryan, instead of freaking Joey Harrington.

[Eddielives]

Well good luck to Ryan. It's going to be a tough order to be a rookie starting at qb. If the O line isn't as good as it has looked in the preseason, he could have his confidence shattered by a few hard sacks. Every mistake he makes will be put under a microscope, especially by some of the fans still donning their #7 jerseys. I just hope doubters/haters will give him a fair shake considering the very early stages we are at with rebuilding.

[EazyRoc]

Ryan is the best quarterback on our roster. He'll be good this year with a decent line and good running backs. Our receivers aren't great, but they are definitely servicable. Our TE is there for blocking, but he migh t be able to make a few plays in the passing game. Mughelli better live up to his salary!

[WraithSentinel]

The main problem I see out of the OL so far in PS is they love to committ dumb penalty that just kills what drive the Falcons have going. Ryan has been marching the offense down the field and the OL just stops it with those dumb penalty.

I don't think confidence is going to be much a problem with Matt. They guy is already earning the respect of teammates and is showing great leadership. It is going to be tough for him. I think he will be able to handle it.

[EazyRoc]

The main thing I like about Ryan is he has the "Brady"-ness to him. If the game is on the line, there is no other guy I would want than Tom Brady, or Matt Ryan in this case. It's almost like he plays his best under pressure, and that is something very few quarterbacks are gifted with.

[DrReality]

There was really no other choice to make. He is the man of the future and the sooner the future gets here the better off we are.

[atlhawks321]

the falcons are going to be a 2-4 win team this year so they might as well give matt ryan some experience

[Zone034life]

Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton and Chevis Jackon should all start as rookies IMO. Ryan is already a better leader and player than any other QB on the falcons roster. He will lead them to success in the future.

[EazyRoc]

Chevis Jackson won't start. I don't think he's better than Grimes or Houston, but who knows he could get there. He's got good instincts, but he's just not a very quick CB. He might even play better as a FS.

[mattlanta]

The main thing I like about Ryan is he has the "Brady"-ness to him. If the game is on the line, there is no other guy I would want than Tom Brady, or Matt Ryan in this case. It's almost like he plays his best under pressure, and that is something very few quarterbacks are gifted with.

Not to sound mean or anything, but Matt Ryan hasn't shown one hit of being clutch at all this year. He's shown that in college, but we've yet to see that come over to the 'big' leagues.

Matt Ryan, Curtis Lofton and Chevis Jackon should all start as rookies IMO. Ryan is already a better leader and player than any other QB on the falcons roster. He will lead them to success in the future.

What about Sam Baker? Or Biermann? I think the Beer Man should start over Jamaal Anderson. He's already got better football instincts, better 'engine' as they call it... he keeps that motor running!

[EazyRoc]

Not to sound mean or anything, but Matt Ryan hasn't shown one hit of being clutch at all this year. He's shown that in college, but we've yet to see that come over to the 'big' leagues.

What about Sam Baker? Or Biermann? I think the Beer Man should start over Jamaal Anderson. He's already got better football instincts, better 'engine' as they call it... he keeps that motor running!

Obviously, that is what I meant. Although it might not have been that obvious, considering you didn't understand me. Anyways, yes, he hasn't done that in the NFL. However, he's got intangibles that can't be taught and I don't think he'll lose it because he's playing against bigger and stronger players now.

[Zone034life]

Chevis Jackson won't start. I don't think he's better than Grimes or Houston, but who knows he could get there. He's got good instincts, but he's just not a very quick CB. He might even play better as a FS.

Disagree with you about Jackson. When Chris Houston continues to miss tackles you will want him out of the game. Houston also has poor ball skills. Grimes and Jackson played well tegether when Houston was out. Remember the Falcons will play alot of cover 2 and speed isn't as important as it is in man 2 man.

Lid of course T Rex should start. I may have forgot to mention his name but he has earned the job at LT. As for the beer man he will be the third down specialist. He and Ab will be a force off the edges. Jamal can't rush the passer but he will be important on first and second down stopping the run. That still is the most important thing for any defense.

I also am for Dahl and Clabo starting on the right side. Those cats play with a mean streak the falcons o line hasn't seen in a long time. Forney's best dayz are behind him and weiner is fresh off his injury.

[EazyRoc]

You know what, you're right about Chevis. I forgot that we are running cover 2 team, where ball skills mean more than speed. However, Houston's man skills are still better than Jackson's. Of course, that's because Houston has a full year of the game under his belt, but Chevis could surpass him for that starting spot. I remember catching him in a few games last NCAA season. He does have great instincts, and could be a very solid player in the cover 2 scheme. I also agree about Biermann. He'll be a liability in rushing situations, so he should be simply be a situational pass rusher. For all the knocks against Anderson, he's actually very good against the run. I remember reading an AJC article about how the OL are crosstrained to play different positions, and I also remember a 'squawker mentioning Forney playing C. I think that should be an interesting experiment, and if he's still got the quickness, he'd be good as a C. Of course, he'd have to be better then McClure or whatever his name is. I have really liked what Clabo has done in the pre-season. He did a good job sealing off blocks when the Burner broke out those big runs. I really think our offensive line is better than advertised.

[Dexmethylphenidate]

I don't know about this... I'd like them to build his confidence level a bit (the "I can do it better than Redman" when he sits on the bench for several games) and let him start around mid-season. They probably aren't going to the playoffs so it's best to develop him slowly. How many QB drafted top 10 overall ever been successful when starting from day 1?

Edited August 25, 2008 by SignJoshOrGetOUT

[mattlanta]

I don't know about this... I'd like them to build his confidence level a bit (the "I can do it better than Redman" when he sits on the bench for several games) and let him start around mid-season. They probably aren't going to the playoffs so it's best to develop him slowly. How many QB drafted top 10 overall ever been successful when starting from day 1?

Peyton Manning started day one. He sucked the first season, but look how good he is today. And what does benching him got to do with raising his confidence? If anything, Ryan will get a little bit anxious, but I doubt his confidence level will get any higher than it is right now. He's got a confidence that's got a humble kind of sense to it. I think he'll do just fine.

[DrReality]

I had concerns about Ryan starting if we didn't put a decent line together, but that seems to be happening. The O line has shown steady progress, which is what is needed, so they can give Ryan a chance. He will take his lumps . . . . . but the sooner the better.

[Dexmethylphenidate]

Peyton Manning started day one. He sucked the first season, but look how good he is today. And what does benching him got to do with raising his confidence? If anything, Ryan will get a little bit anxious, but I doubt his confidence level will get any higher than it is right now. He's got a confidence that's got a humble kind of sense to it. I think he'll do just fine.

Yeah he got confidence right now... maybe too much confidence; when he has 3 or 4 dismal games in a row, how will he adjust to it? How will the coach handle it? It's better to be benched early than later.

At any rate, I like the open competition idea from coach Smith. I'm looking forward to see how Ryan handle the situation.

[frosgrim]

Starting Ryan in game 1 is a bit of a risk, but after seeing him in pre-season its the right choice.

As mentioned the O-line was the only reason not to start Ryan off the bat, and that issue seems to be handled.

I have seen some comparisons of Joey Harrington and Matt in other message boards. I just don't see that the situations are that similar. Harrington was billed from day 1 as the savior of the Lions. Second, the Lions didn't surround Harrington with good talent, including a good O-line. Third, Harrington was a product of a college QB factory that makes QBs look better than they actually are.

Ryan comes into the Falcons with less hype, has a better O-line, and much better receivers than that Lions team. Ryan also is a product of a ball-control offense where he was charged with managing the game and producing wins at the end of games. In all Ryan comes from a better college background for producing an NFL calibre QB.

I am looking forward to the season actually. I don't really care if the Falcons loose 13 games, just as long as they show progress and tenacity.

[Gray Mule]

Let people keep thinking Falcons will not win many games this season. I have saw some say

anywhere from one to three wins for the entire season.

Come on! Falcons won four last season. Does anyone REALLY believe that this team, right now,

isn't better than last years? Can anyone REALLY believe that last season's head coach, who

left the team high and dry before the season was over, was a better head coach than the present

coach? Were all the assistant coaches THAT much better than this year's?

Matt Ryan won't be any good his first year? Just because he's a rookie, don't sell him short. Sure,

he has a lot to learn. He's smart. He WILL learn. Potential, that overused name, is his. From what

we've read, his team believes in him. His coaches believe in him.

From what we've observed in pre-season, we expect this year's Falcons to be in every game. Some

we will win. Some we will lose. But, at the end of the game, expect these Falcons to be "Right there"

every time. For many years, Falcon's final score would be 20-17. Sometimes they had the 20 and

sometimes they had the 17. That may well be this year's Falcons.

Last season Falcons had a lot of individual players. This season is more team oriented. That may

be the biggest difference. That and a much improved offensive line to go with our rookie QB.

From worst to first has been the rule in the NFL South for a long time. Falcons were on the

bottom last year. Our turn to be on top!!

GO FALCONS!!!!