AP: Matt Ryan to be Falcons' starting QB this season

[Optimus Moo]

AP just moved this on its wire, so no link yet, but it should appear on websites soon enough.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Matt Ryan will be the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback this season.

The No. 3 overall draft pick was chosen Sunday by first-year Falcons coach Mike Smith, who indicated that Ryan will likely play just the first series of Atlanta’s preseason finale Thursday night at Baltimore.

The Falcons, who went 4-12 last year, host Detroit to begin the regular season on Sept. 7.

Ryan began training camp last month second on the depth chart behind Chris Redman, but the rookie was poised enough in a preseason win Friday over Tennessee to win the job.

The former Boston College star completed 15 of 21 passes for 102 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He directed a touchdown drive on his last series, the first possession of the third quarter, when Brian Finneran caught a 1-yard TD to give the Falcons a 10-3 lead.

Now daredevil2-5 can officially buy a Ryan jersey.

[daredevil2-5]

Checkdown $Ryan's era begins.:pray:

[offtackle24]

aren't they doing this too soon? They're throwing him to the wolves..............

[daredevil2-5]

aren't they doing this too soon? They're throwing him to the wolves..............
To be fair and accurate, since our first game is against Detroit, we're literally throwing him to the Lions :shoot:

Just checked that Week 2 is @ TB where we normally lose by about 17 or 21 or 28, something modest.

[NyNinerFan]

aren't they doing this too soon? They're throwing him to the wolves..............

i know right! OMG! they're gonna ruin him!!! :scarygirl:

[Optimus Moo]

To be fair and accurate, since our first game is against Detroit, we're literally throwing him to the Lions :shoot:

Just checked that Week 2 is @ TB where we normally lose by about 17 or 21 or 28, something modest.

:laugh:

[Fez]

i know right! OMG! they're gonna ruin him!!! :scarygirl:

Mattyxcuses.

[SourdoughTony]

I've been pretty impressed with what I've seen out of him so far.

I think he'll be a good one...

[Hobbes2d]

If the Falcons are smart they will pound the ball this year. Turner and Norwood could be a deadly combo.

[NyNinerFan]

he's played fairly well. i dont think starting him already is a bad idea.

but how can you sayyy that??? he's just a rookie!!
you can't play a rookie quarterback and feed them to the wolves like that.. it's gonna kill him and his confidence!

that HC should be fired for doing something so senseless!!!

[Hobbes2d]

he's played fairly well. i dont think starting him already is a bad idea.

And they really don't have any better options. Chris Redman, Joey Harrington...HA.

[Niners94]

He should sit and learn for at least a year.

[NyNinerFan]

i'm not sure if your being serious or not? or are you mocking the Alex lovers?

i love not using blue. just makes it more fun :laugh:

[NyNinerFan]

And they really don't have any better options. Chris Redman, Joey Harrington...HA.

and neither of those two are better than Tim Rattay :hoppy:

[roleplay3r1]

Is their offensive line any good? Because as much as I've hated on Ryan, I hope he succeeds.

[Ness]

Since Redman has apparently struggled this season then sure, I suppose it's a good idea to make him the opening day starter. Many of the successful quarterbacks in this league have advocated getting put in as soon as possible so you can take your lumps and get more comfortable.

[NyNinerFan]

Is there offensive line any good? Because as much as I've hated on Ryan, I hope he succeeds.

yeah same here.. i've always felt that Brohm was a better player..
it'll be interesting to see how their pro careers turn out.. Brohm was a beast at Louisville

[Hobbes2d]

yeah same here.. i've always felt that Brohm was a better player..
it'll be interesting to see how their pro careers turn out.. Brohm was a beast at Louisville

I don't like either one. Both stared down their receivers a lot and neither have above average arm strength. I like Ryan more than Brohm, but I don't like either one very much.

[Montanafan4ever]

Checkdown $Ryan's era begins.:pray:

I think Matt will be fine.

[Montanafan4ever]

He should sit and learn for at least a year.


Who are they gonna put in front of him? Chris Redman? Joey Harrington?

[Montanafan4ever]

aren't they doing this too soon? They're throwing him to the wolves..............


I disagree. If the Falcons are saying that he's the qb of the future, then they need to start him now. Peyton Manning started for the Colts from the very beginning. Give Matt a break........

[NinerCapHell]

yeah same here.. i've always felt that Brohm was a better player..
it'll be interesting to see how their pro careers turn out.. Brohm was a beast at Louisville

I don't like Brohm too much. Terrible choker under pressure, any semblance of passrush on him and he panics. He also stares his receivers down.

I think Ryan will be a decent starter in the league. Don't know about being anything close to Manning but he certainly has the mental tools that guys like Tim Couch and Alex Smith lack.

Ryan has that IT factor.

[49ersz]

Alex Smith 2.0? I doubt it, I think Matt will be a great QB for the Falcons if they coach him right.

[SBbound49ers]

I dont think starting a rookie QB is a good idea but Ryan has looked good. Im not sure how much better Redman or Harrington are, if at all.

I think they should have waited until week 6 or 7 but this isnt really a bad idea.

[49ersz]

I dont think starting a rookie QB is a good idea but Ryan has looked good. Im not sure how much better Redman or Harrington are, if at all.

I think they should have waited until week 6 or 7 but this isnt really a bad idea.

I don't know how their camp went but Redman looked decent last year when playing.

[SBbound49ers]

I don't know how their camp went but Redman looked decent last year when playing.

He was playing in a spread offense which is what I bleieve he played in at Louisville under Coach Petrino.

[Hobbes2d]

He was playing in a spread offense which is what I bleieve he played in at Louisville under Coach Petrino.

Stefan LeFlors FTW!