Moving to a new location
AJC blogs are moving to a new technical platform. So check out Terence Moore’s new blog home and bookmark it.
Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > August > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan 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.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By AguilaFan
August 9, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Terence, so if we boil off the fluff, what is your bottom line?: “…Ryan was decent enough to be named the starter right now. You know, for better or worse.…”
That is like doodoo frosting on cake. You must have been in the insurance biz in another life: laying off the bets with reinsurance. Make a stand, man…without the spinning in the wind.
By Jason53
August 9, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
I thought he looked better than expected. Either Harrington or Redman need to be cut soon because giving both of those guys reps is just a waste of time. Shock looked decent and should solidify the 3rd spot.
On a side note…I thought Grimes looked really good.
All in all, pretty good night with the exception of Elam. I hope his leg comes around by week 1.
By JB
August 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Well said Mr. Moore.
In short, Matt Ryan is the man!!
Go Falcons!!
By shane parrott
August 9, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
RYAN LOOKED GOOD. HE WILL BE THE STARTER HE SHOWED GOOD POISE. VERY SMART. I THINK WILL MAKE WISE DECISIONS HOWEVER SHOCKLEY COULD BE USEFUL TO THE TEAM.
By The CessMan
August 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Matt ryan looked decent, I didn’t see enough to convince me that he should be named the starter. Dj Shockley looked just as impressive to me. DJ had a few dropped passes and showed some moves on his feet. He looked very impressive to me
By Tina Gialette
August 9, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Nice job Shock. Way to throw the panic pick in the endzone. What a choke job. Cut him now.
By The CessMan
August 9, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Matt ryan looked decent, I didn’t see enough to convince me that he should be named the starter. Dj Shockley looked just as impressive to me. DJ had a few dropped passes and showed some moves on his feet. He looked very impressive to me. As far as Redman and Harrington, I was not impressed at all. Grimes look really good as well. Over all I think it was a good game, penalties and missed kicks killed us! But the defense went at the ball hard! Good job guys!
By Bk Hawk
August 10, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
You just had to say something about #7 and the name Vi$$. To bad to sad. Go Birds!!!
By Chris
August 10, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Shockley needs to be the number two quarterback on this team. Who is better than him?
By Saul
August 10, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Ryan looked slightly best. I was impressed.
Shock look almost as good. Yes he was playing against backups…but play with them as well…no Roddy.
Redmon looked poor but I didnt see enough. The pick wasnt horrible.
Joey looked the worst. That hit he took on his sneak was hilarious!!
By Skip Floyd
August 10, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan looked decent, but many of his passes were a little off target and the TD was a busted defensive play. He needs a little more time before he is the Starter, but he will be the starter before the year is over.
I think Terence Moore is wrong. Redman should start the season and give Ryan to the bye to get ready.
DJ Shockley looked like he is improving and has a good chance to be the third QB.
Grimes impressed me more than any other player. I think he will be a better football player than D. Hall by the end of the year, and a lot less mouth.
By chuck e
August 10, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Cut Joey now, nice guy but Redman is better and Shock has more potential and is much more athletic.
By Ron Roberts
August 10, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Shockley was 4 of 15 with an interception. And he did what do warrant people wanting him to be the #2 QB???
Let’s see… one QB rallied the team to 10 points in a quarter, but lacked mobility, a nearby university’s rabid fan-base or a huge contract, but let’s get rid of him.
I’m so glad the Falcons are run by football people and not the peanut gallery on these blogs.
By BCS Slave
August 10, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan compared to Redman and Harrington is like comparing apples to oranges. Ryan is a rooking in his first preseason game and he looked better than Redman against the first team Jag defense.Ryan looked better than Rogers in Green Bay and he is a three year vet.
Things will get tougher and Ryan will struggle, but I agree…he is the starter.
By crabapplejoe
August 10, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Did anyone else notice that DJ was 4/15 for 63 yards and the game ending interception. Meanwhile Joey was 5/7 for 64 yards and no picks. How could anyone call DJ’s effort “impressive” and suggest we keep him as the third QB instead of Harrington?
By will
August 10, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
this team needs to leave atlanta they wont win 4games all year ,since 66 we have had too many 4AND 12,MOVE THIS TEAM TO VEGAS.
By Jeremy
August 10, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
You Georgia fans need to get over yourself and Shock. He is a bust, as we all have and will continue to see until he is cut.
By The Truth
August 10, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Thanks Terrence glad to see you have a chance to throw in your normal racial diatribe about everything.
By Fred
August 10, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
We spent 5-6 years hearing about how long it takes some QBs to ‘learn the system’ even when it’s specially tailored to them. Meanwhile, some QBs can, like, read the playbook and ‘get it’ in a few weeks of practice. I think I saw more of the latter last night.
By closfalcons
August 10, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Uhh you tell me, no one notice the passes that was caught of Matt was behind reciever, even Roddy had to adjust to the bad pass for a TD! Now DJ, look really good without the first team. He was throwing darts and running around keeping plays alive. If Redman or Harrington is in front of him on the dept chart it will be a shameful thing. But from the Falcons have we gotten use to that word!
By DMR
August 10, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
OH MY GOD! A rookie QB looked good in a PREseason game!
Hello SUPERBOWL!
gimme a break……
By BirdyDird
August 10, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Ryan looked better than I thought he would! Redman looked exactly like I thought he would. And Joey, let’s not go there…Joey will be gone and Shockley will be our 3rd QB