Congratulations, Falcons! You just drafted your franchise quarterback and won’t have to wrestle with contract negotiations heading into training camp. But here comes the hard part. You’re going to have to choose how to best mold Matt Ryan into the centerpiece he was drafted to be.
THE PEYTON MANNING METHOD
It’s Preseason Game 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville and the eyes of Atlanta are on the Falcons and how they will rebound from last season. It’s a huge game not only because of how good the Jaguars are, but Falcons coach Mike Smith is facing the bloodthirsty defense he coached up for five seasons. This would be a perfect time to start a veteran like Chris Redman or Joey Harrington to get the Falcons off to a solid start, right? WRONG! Get out there and be somebody, Matty!
Peyton Manning didn’t sit Game 1 of the 1998 season. In fact, he didn’t sit a single snap of his rookie year. Sure, Archie’s middle son tossed 28 interceptions in a crummy season for the Colts, but the next season Manning’s quarterback rating jumped nearly 20 points (71.2 to 90.7) and the Colts went from 3-13 to 13-3.
The odds of the Falcons pulling a 1999 Colts are slim (that’s a heck of a turnaround). But what do the Falcons have to lose by giving Ryan the reigns from Day 1? It’s cliché, but there is no substitute for experience; what would be the difference between starting Ryan against the Jaguars or waiting until, say, Week 5 against Green Bay? Are the Falcons going to be favored to win against Detroit, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, or Tampa Bay with Redman as the starter? The sooner Ryan gets snaps, the sooner the Falcons return to respectability.
THE CARSON PALMER METHOD
When teams can afford to let their franchise quarterback sit, it’s often easier on the coaching staff and the player. Palmer was drafted No. 1 by the Bengals but didn’t get to see the field until his second season because Jon Kitna had a Pro-Bowl year in 2003. No one is saying Chris Redman will be in Honolulu in February, but the year as an understudy obviously did Palmer some good, as he rated even higher in his rookie season (77.3) than Manning did in his. That didn’t come without a learning curve, though (18 interceptions).
So what to do? If thrown into the fire, Ryan could take a pounding behind a rebuilding offensive line, but could show some of that Tom Brady-esque moxie that has the Falcons gushing. If he sits, he’d miss that playing time, but not every future star starts immediately (Palmer, Brady). One thing is for certain: whenever Matt Ryan gets on the field, don’t expect miracles. Falcons’ fans should embrace Ryan’s first efforts whether they come in Week 1, 5 or next season. Even if he throws 28 interceptions.
Peyton did.
Horne can be reached at ehorne@scoreatl.com.
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