When Falcons fans see No. 2 lined up behind center, they feel confident. They are confident Matt Ryan will check into the right play, throw to the right receiver and put the Falcons in position to win.
Since Ryan came into the league in 2008, he has done nothing but win. Despite taking over a franchise down on its luck with serious quarterback baggage, the Boston College graduate came to Atlanta and helped turn the Falcons’ fortunes around immediately. Before Ryan arrived in the Peach State, the Falcons had never won more than they lost in back-to-back seasons, had never been to the playoffs three times in four years and had never been guided to the postseason by a rookie. Four seasons later, all of those goals had been accomplished.
He started his career in style with a touchdown toss on his first NFL pass. Since then, it has been mostly success and production from Ryan and his teammates.
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE …
Prior to his fifth season in the league, Ryan decided to improve his level of strength and conditioning. In the offseason, he added seven pounds of solid after working with Falcons Director of Athletic Performance Jeff Fish to become a more physical player.
“I’ve been working hard on that and getting with Jeff Fish now that we’re back to make sure that I’m ready to go,” said Ryan. “(I’m) ready to be strong in December and January. I want to be able to play my best football at that time. That’s one of the things I’ve tried to figure out and analyze myself: how do I get myself to be playing my very best when your very best is needed? I’m still working on getting there.”
While some critics have doubted Ryan due to his 0-3 playoff record, there have been many other quarterbacks to have struggled in the playoffs early in their careers. Peyton Manning, for example, began his playoff career 0-3 as well.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has been impressed with the franchise centerpiece’s offseason regime and commitment to improvement.
“Matt’s approach to this offseason has been admirable,” said Dimitroff. “He has really set out to strengthen himself physically and understands the importance of being strong and having endurance down the stretch. He’s put more time in here this offseason than anyone.”
The biggest difference in Ryan’s offseason routine was one very simple adjustment.
“It’s weight training, getting in there and training with weights,” said Ryan. “It’s learning to condition myself in the way that we play football and in a way that is productive to how we are playing football.”
CRUNCH TIME …
While the added muscle will help Ryan year round, he geared his conditioning program towards one very specific time of the year. The 6-foot-4, 227-pounder is focused on improving performance during playoff time.
“The main focus was trying to be in the best possible shape to really play at a high level in November, December and January,” Ryan said. “It’s a league where one team and one quarterback are happy at season’s end. We haven’t been that one team yet. But we’re primed and ready to be a great football team.”
Ryan’s coach, Mike Smith, has been with him in Atlanta since the start of his NFL career. The two came here in 2008 and ushered in the start of a new era in Falcons history. In their first season together, the pair combined to turn the franchise around and make the playoffs. The 11-5 record was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL that year. But it was just the beginning for the pair.
And, as the trio enters its fifth season together, Smith is pleased with his quarterback’s effort to improve despite quite a bit of early success.
“I don’t know if they’ve taken a before and after picture, but you can definitely see the noticeable difference with Matt,” said Smith. “If you’re stronger at the beginning of the season, you’re going to be stronger at the end. It’s very important for us, because we feel like we’ve got to be more consistent and play better at the end of the season.”
There is no doubt the Falcons front office is pleased with its signal-caller. While some quarterbacks see their performances go up and down like a thermometer from season to season, Ryan’s play has been as consistent as the temperature in the Georgia Dome. And to Dimitroff, Ryan has proven his wares.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Matt is an upper-echelon quarterback,” said the Falcons GM.
THE NEXT STEP …
In Manning’s sixth season, the Colts finally won a playoff game under the former No. 1 overall draft pick. Ryan is entering his fifth in Atlanta and arguably has the best surrounding cast he’s had. With Julio Jones in his second season and Roddy White in the prime of his illustrious career, Ryan has a lot of toys to play with. White is perhaps the best wide receiver in the league, and now has Jones to draw attention away from him. As a rookie, the Alabama product caught eight touchdowns, a number that led all rookies. Jones was also second amongst rookie behind A.J. Green in receptions and yards.
Joining the receiving duo is future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez at tight end and Harry Douglas at wide receiver. With Ryan’s arm and a corps of ample receiving options, the Falcons seem poised to have success stretching the field this year under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
“Defenses are going to have to respect that and realize that we can do it at anytime,” Gonzalez said. “It’s going to open things up underneath. The more those guys can stretch the field — you put them on the outside and let them run and let me work the middle with Harry (Douglas) on the other side, it’s a good combination. It’s a good place for us to be, and with the way Matt’s throwing the ball, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Falcons fans can agree, especially after watching Ryan efficiently throw for 23-of-31 and 299 yards in the 40-24 season-opening win over Kansas City, that watching Ryan direct the talented offense is a thing of beauty.
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