Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons
Profile of Matt Ryan Boston College and NFL Football Quarterback
Oct 7, 2009
Football careers cannot be created out of a single moment; however, this one—in which Matt Ryan dramatically announced his presence to the American football world—comes awfully close:
It was Thursday night, October 25, 2007. In a rain-soaked Blacksburg, Virginia, second-ranked Boston College, having been suffocated by a swarming Virginia Tech defense, trailed the Hokies10-0 in the fourth quarter. Boston College was outmatched, and had been exposed as a pretender by a perennial power. The game was over. Period.
That is, until Matt Ryan took over the football game, first leading BC on a 91-yard touchdown drive, and then, in the game's final minute, driving BC to the Virginia Tech 25. Which led to Ryan's moment: on 3rd and 20 with only 23 seconds left, Ryan was flushed from the pocket under heavy pressure and scrambled left toward the sideline, then turned suddenly and threw across his body into the right corner of the end zone, hitting Andre Callender for the game-winner on a pass which would project Ryan onto the radar screen of every NFL organization.
Atlanta Falcons Draft Matt Ryan in the First Round After Loss of Michael Vick
The Atlanta Falcons, an NFL football organization in shambles after the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino debacles, had the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Newly-hired General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and first-year Head Coach Mike Smith needed a quarterback. Not a good quarterback. A franchise-changing quarterback. They both looked to Matt Ryan as their man.
When Ryan signed, he became the fourth-highest paid player in the NFL, despite never having played a professional football game. In signing Matt Ryan—and a quarterback—with their first overall pick, the Falcons were taking a gigantic risk. Fortunately, Ryan delivered immediate dividends.
Matt Ryan Leads Atlanta Falcons to Playoffs in Rookie Season
In 2007, under Bobby Petrino (who jumped ship for Arkansas before the season even ended), the Falcons finished a dismal 4-12. But under the leadership of Mike Smith and the play of Matt Ryan, the Falcons were transformed into a playoff team, going 11-5 and earning an NFC Wild Card playoff birth. Matt Ryan, who threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns during Atlanta's playoff run in 2008, looked anything like a rookie. And despite losing 30-24 in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual NFC Champions, the Arizona Cardinals, Matt Ryan set a rookie playoff record for completions (26).
From his first snap under center for the Falcons, Matt Ryan looked like a veteran. On his very first pass, Ryan threw a touchdown strike to Michael Jenkins against the Detroit Lions in front of his home crowd on opening day. The pass, which set high expectations for the rookie, would portend things to come, not only for him, but for his wide receivers as well, including wideout Roddy White, who would receive his first Pro Bowl selection after one year's production on the receiving end of Matt Ryan's arm.
Matt Ryan Starts Sophomore Campaign Strong
After being named a team captain, Matt Ryan has started the 2009 football campaign with 5 touchdown passes versus only one pick in three games, leading the Falcons to a 2-1 record.
In week five against the San Francisco 49ers, Matt Ryan threw for a career-high 329 yards along with two touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown in a 45-10 blowout win against the San Francisco 49ers.
Matt Ryan and Fantasy Football
After Ryan's tremendous rookie season, in which he threw for 3,440 yards, many fantasy football owners are now asking the question, "Should I start Matt Ryan?" It's a good question, particularly with the acquisition of star tight end Tony Gonzalez, which should increase Ryan's touchdown total significantly. However, the true key will be whether the Atlanta Falcons transition to a pass-first team, or whether they will continue to rely on the run to set up the pass.
Look to start Matt Ryan consistently if the Falcons' play-calling consistently shifts to running pass plays over 50% of the time. With Ryan's talent, he should be a lock when that happens.
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