Born-a-Falcon Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Ryan hungrily, speedily absorbs informationBy STEVE WYCHEThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionSunday, August 31, 2008Here is some insight as to why Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates and the coveted starting job.During the preseason, after ingesting hours of footage of upcoming opponents, Ryan skipped any downtime and began to dissect video of the Detroit Lions, the Falcons’ season-opening opponent Sept. 7 at the Georgia Dome.“Oh, I’ve taken a look at some Lions tape,” he begrudgingly confessed last week. “Just trying to get a head start.”Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, an astute and organized teacher who connects every dot to the last detail, has quietly raved about Ryan’s dedication. In fact, Musgrave said Ryan is such a natural for the position that his method of mastering the craft might simply be innate.“I still have a long way to go and lot of improving to do, but I think I’ve made some strides,” Ryan said.Quite a few.During Ryan’s first minicamp, two weeks after the Falcons drafted him third overall, the Boston College product routinely threw the ball behind receivers. He hung balls in the air, in turn hanging receivers out to get hit hard by a surging safety.Receiver Roddy White routinely would walk back to the huddle mumbling for Ryan to get the ball out of his hands sooner and not get so much air under it. Ryan was no longer in college, where he would have to loft balls and wait for slower receivers to run under them.By the time training camp started two months later, the ball was coming out earlier, receivers weren’t having to wait, and most important, the passes were on the money.“I’ve gotten better in understanding the offense, getting familiar with what we’re trying to do as a team, what’s expected of the quarterback, and I’ve gotten better recognizing defenses in the NFL,” Ryan said. “The field is different. The numbers are [located] different. The hashmarks are different than they are in college. I’ve gotten better at [understanding] that. You have to grind in the film room. … Take mental pictures of what coverages look like and what certain players do in different situations.”As quickly as Ryan has established himself, he’s fully aware things are about to change. The regular season will provide schemes he hasn’t seen on film and players far more eager to put the $72 million rookie in his place.He’ll take it early and get better, Musgrave said. When it comes to mistakes, he’s not a repeat offender.“We feel like, as a staff, that he is the best quarterback,” coach Mike Smith said. “We owe it to the guy and to our football team to make sure the best player is out there.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Good read, thanks for posting. I'm liking that he's already in the film room watching the lions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1FalconsFan Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Good read, thanks for posting. I'm liking that he's already in the film room watching the lions!I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Good read, thanks for posting. I'm liking that he's already in the film room watching the lions!He doesn't need to worry about the Lions.The hammer's coming week 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm1 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 I am very excited about Ryan. Now i'm just waiting for someone to come in and say "lets see it in the regular season" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm1 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 He doesn't need to worry about the Lions.The hammer's coming week 2 By week 2 you'll already be 0-1 in the division. By week 3 you'll be 0-2 in the division Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordtobigbird Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 if we start 2-0 i cant even imagine the shock on most of the football world's face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 By week 2 you'll already be 0-1 in the division. By week 3 you'll be 0-2 in the division Dreamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kal Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 I hate talking about Vick, but this is why I feel confident about this franchise. He may not be blessed with the arm strength or speed but Ryan is constantly bettering himself and doing as much as possible to make people around him better.His attitude has won me over every time I've heard from him and anytime I hear anything about him and on draft day I doubted the pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm1 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Dreaminprophetic dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izo#2883 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Nice read.Im gonna say this so its over with: "Lets see it in the regular season". There, I said it (but do I mean it??).I like the fact that he does these things on his own initiative. Very mature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 He doesn't need to worry about the Lions.The hammer's coming week 2 Looking ahead gets you burned, don't tampa know that too? :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Dub Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 It's good to know that if this guy struggles in his career, it won't be because of lack of effort and dedication...As much as I loved Vick, these types of reports hardly ever surfaced about him and his work ethic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorryWart Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 That's my boy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bozoatl Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 He doesn't need to worry about the Lions.The hammer's coming week 2 Beware the scary hammer ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltstorm1 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 He doesn't need to worry about the Lions.The hammer's coming week 2 Oh and when you do see Jesse could you get an autograph for me. Thanks. Ya'll make sure to tream him nice now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Beware the scary hammer ! I'm afraid.... :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 To say Matt Ryan is CEREBRAL is an understatement. He is constantly "surveying" and "analyzing" the situation and the field when playing.His preparation will be second to NONE. Whatever it takes. Then, there is his personality. ZERO ego, tons of confidence, great athletic awareness and ability, and something you can't coach...................natural leadership and a desire for excellence.Now you see why TD and staff were so very high on him before the draft.All this being said, he hasn't played a single down of football in a regular season NFL game. Zip.............nada.TIME will only tell if all his possitive attributes will translate to winning games, starting at 1 PM, Sept. 7, 2008, at the Georgia Dome.I wouldn't miss it for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Bill Musgrave is one of, if not THE best QB coaches in the NFL and what a great match between him and Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 I'm afraid.... :unsure:Were going to get the "Fresh Fish" Chant going when y'all decide too stop bye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring It Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Bill Musgrave is one of, if not THE best QB coaches in the NFL and what a great match between him and Ryan.I second that, sir !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Were going to get the "Fresh Fish" Chant going when y'all decide too stop bye. Oh, I'm not afraid of the bucs, I'm just afraid of a pink, squeaky instrument of mild annoyance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamPlayer1 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 At the draft I went OOKKK we'll see, but Ryan continues to impress me. He seems absolutely determined to be a fine QB. "We'll see!" : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Oh, I'm not afraid of the bucs, I'm just afraid of a pink, squeaky instrument of mild annoyance. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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