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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > August > 09
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Ryan should be the starter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jacksonville — All of this is a needless tease. It didn’t matter, for instance, that Chris Redman started at quarterback Saturday night during the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Plus, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley will continue to do the unnecessary with cameo roles in what is billed as an open competition.
It’s a sham. It’s also a shame, especially since all of this is zapping away precious reps from the other guy. Sooner rather than later, Matt Ryan will move from his bottom spot on the Falcons’ depth chart to the top for about $72 million reasons. We won’t even mention that he was the No. 3 pick overall in this year’s draft.
Here’s another thing: Ryan completed seven of eight passes at one point in (ahem) relief of Redman, and he also had a touchdown pass of 25 yards along with other nice moments. Remember, too, that this is a franchise that wants folks to see their starting quarterback and think “potential” or “overpaid” or anything else that doesn’t trigger memories of “No. 7” or “dogfighting.”
So you can ignore what Ryan likes to say about the inevitable. “The big thing is, we [the quarterbacks] all have been out here competing, and that’s what the coaches wanted,” Ryan said. “I think everybody has been doing a good job and working hard and trying to be better and trying to be the guy out there on the field.”
Sounds good. The same goes for what Falcons coach Mike Smith likes to say about the inevitable. “Well,” Smith said, easing into a grin, “I think the next three weeks, we’re going to get a lot of clarity in terms of where we are at the quarterback position. To really put a timetable on it, I think it’s a little bit early.”
Actually, it isn’t. Ryan will start this season. And never mind that rookie NFL quarterbacks often have a better chance of juggling a nose tackle on their head than looking productive.
The Falcons have to start Ryan, mostly by default. So Smith’s objective for Ryan in this one was to see if his rookie was looking, well, let’s review what Smith said during the week: “The big thing is poise, and then, of course, execution. Those are the things you want to see, especially with a young quarterback. How they handle the different situations that occur. How they handle the huddle. Right now, of course, we want to see him execute our offense.”
Let’s start with poise: Mostly good. Then again, the Falcons had Ryan spend his nearly 25 minutes in the first half firing in a hurry against Jacksonville’s notoriously potent front seven. He did fumble a snap, and he was sacked twice. Even so, he recovered nicely after his play-action, rolling-to-the-right completion of 13 yards for a first down to Michael Jenkins was overturned by instant replay. Ryan ended the drive with his 25-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White.
What about execution? Not much on Ryan’s first series, exemplified by his first throw of the night sailing wide of White on a screen attempt. Then things changed during Ryan’s second series when he used a cadence that forced Jacksonville defenders to jump offside on two straight plays. That eventually led to White’s score after Ryan pushed the Falcons 74 yards on 11 plays.
Translated: Ryan was decent enough to be named the starter right now.
You know, for better or worse.
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