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Monday, August 18, 2008
Ryan to start vs. Titans: Sign of things to come?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — This is going to be short because I’m on deadline, but coach Mike Smith named rookie Matt Ryan the starter for Friday’s game against visiting Tennessee.
Ryan will play into the second half, which is typical for starters around the league. The third preseason game is viewed as the most crucial for regular-season preparation.
That said, Smith declined to say if Ryan would be the starter when Atlanta opens its season against visiting Detroit Sept. 7.
Even so, all indications are that Ryan looks to be like he’ll be the guy. He’s taken more snaps with the first-team offense than Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley in two preseason games and he has taken them mostly against first team defenses.
If Ryan can handle some of the blitzes, coverage schemes and pressure the Titans are going to throw at him, it would seem highly likely that the Falcons’ quarterback of the future would be the quarterback of the present.
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