Matt Ryan: A Glorious Rookie Year, But Where Does He Go From Here?

Wow. Matt Ryan just tore it up his rookie year for the Atlanta Falcons. After being named AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Ryan has shown that Rookie quarterbacks can indeed make an impact and lead an NFL team to success. Well, at least some success. The Atlanta Falcons went 11-5 in 2008 after going – well, let’s not talk about 2007. Anyhow, as great as he played his rookie year, can he continue to progress his sophomore year? The biggest thing holding him back may not be his own progress – it may be that of the opposing defenses.

Nobody game plans for a rookie quarterback. “Matt who?” they asked? “Yeah, that kid from Boston College. Ok, I remember hearing something about him. Now we have to figure out how to stop the Falcon’s running game!” said the defensive coordinators of opposing teams. But that’s going to change in a big way next season. Matt Ryan showed he can play. He showed he’s dedicated. He has the skills. He has the leadership qualities. And for now, he has the confidence. But will that push him to the next level in the NFL in 2009? Good question.

Ryan’s numbers faded a bit toward the end of the season, throwing seven of his 13 interceptions in the last five games. He didn’t have a quarterback rating over 100 in any of those games. Obviously the NFL plays a lot more games than they do in college ball, and as the season wears on, the rookies may begin to wear out. But more than that, I believe the defensive coordinators had figured out by that point that Ryan was no fluke. This rookie was for real, and he could play. They had to stop Turner’s running game, but they also had to stop Ryan’s passing game, and they seemed to be pretty effective in doing so down the stretch.

But Matt has that first year under his belt now, and with his confidence, his work ethic, his team, a playoff game, and a full year of experience behind him, that tailwind may just help lift him to the next level in the NFL. Then again, it would be far from the first time that a rookie or backup quarterback came in as a gunslinger with nothing to lose and wimpered out soon after when the pressure, and the expectations, began to mount. No more free passes for Matt Ryan – now he’s expected to be an excellent NFL quarterback.