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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > October > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRyan focused on leading Falcons to wins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If nothing else, Matt Ryan sounds mature, which is a good sign for the Falcons.
Actually, that’s a great sign.
After all, you don’t want your rookie starting quarterback to sound overwhelmed, especially when he’s the most visible guy on an NFL team dominated by youth and inexperience. You want your rookie starting quarterback to sound like Ryan.
Let’s start with this: Courtesy of at least six dropped passes by his receivers on Sunday in Charlotte, Ryan continued his four-game pattern of going from a nice performance to a shaky one and then to a nice one and then to a shaky one.
You know, just like your average rookie starting quarterback.
Even so, when it came to the Falcons’ error-filled loss of 24-9 to the Carolina Panthers, Ryan answered every question with confidence, direct eye contact and no sense of alibiing about his performance or those of his bumbling teammates.
You know, just like your average veteran starting quarterback.
“I think the biggest thing is when you get your chance in the red zone, you’ve got to execute and take advantage of it, because you’re not going to get down there every series,” said Ryan, referring to the Falcons’ inability to score a touchdown against the Panthers despite moving inside their 20-yard line twice. Not only that, the Falcons were 2-for-13 on third-down tries.
Added Ryan, “Without question. Without question I’ve got to get better in both of those situations. I think quarterback play is measured on third down and in the red zone, and I’ve got to do a better job in both of those situations.”
Yes, Ryan does. He also struggled in both of those situations during a 24-9 loss in Tampa, the only other decent team that the 2-2 Falcons have faced this season. In contrast, the Falcons clobbered Detroit and Kansas City, both among the meek.
All Ryan knows is that he wants to keep getting better. He plans to do so by forgetting that he was a splendid player at Boston College and remembering that he was chosen as the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft by the Falcons and given a $72 million contract for a reason: To get the job done sooner than later.
“Those college days are done,” Ryan said flatly. “The college memories are there, and they’ll be nice to think about in a couple of years, but right now, there is just a lot of focus on trying to win these NFL games.”
“Focus” is the operative word here, and it sounds like Ryan has it. • More coverage: Matt Ryan page
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By RT Dub 29
October 1, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
What I cant believe it. Terrance Moore is trying to make an impression……The FALCONS are going in the right direction. Keep up the good work Birds. As far as you Mr. Moore, I am sure a column to down the birds will follow this one.
By tierawn
October 1, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
You say the Falcons only beat the Chiefs and Lions, who are “meek.” But weren’t the Falcons supposed to be “meek” too? Every major publication picked the Falcons to be the worst team in the league. They’re definitely not that. But in your column following Sunday’s loss to Carolina, you say the Falcons aren’t a good team. Well, they’re better than the media gave them credit for when the season started, but yet, you continue to focus on what the Falcons aren’t doing.
Typical of AJC columnists to focus on what the local team ISN’T doing right - even if the team is making serious strides.
That’s sad.
By Joe
October 1, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
What nobody’s slamming T? Is everybody too worried about the financial meltdown. Good. T, keep up the good work. One day the readers will realize it’s an OPINION column.
By Russ
October 1, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Good article Terrance.
Don’t let all the haters get to you.
By This Gets Old
October 1, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Without getting the ball to the TE and RB’s more in the passing game the team will have trouble scoring TE’s against quality teams.
Easier to put eight in the box if the defense knows you’re not going to try and get a TE or a RB alone on a LB.
By Daryl
October 1, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Torrence, based on your last article, you must be a “sell-out.” First of all, “error-filled” football, are you kiddling me? Carolina practically gave the falcons that game. The officials apparently were on the falcons side. The final score should have been 31-3, as I so astutely predicted. And secondly, Ryan is just an average quarterback. I can’t understand why you people try to place so much stock in him. No matter how hard he tries or how much his fans wish upon him, he will never be anything more than average. You know, is has something to do with the “laws of nature.” And finally, Arthur Blank didn’t help Ryan’s situation any by paying that kid $72,000,000.00. Most NFL players resent that; especially the defensive ones. In games, these same defensive player will make his job that much harder. This proves my point about Arthur Blank. He doesn’t know anything about football and is desperate for respect around the league. Oh yea, one more thing. “Poise” isn’t something you’re born with or develop over time. It’s something you acquire. It’s like love, is comes and it’s going. Young boys generally don’t have it. “STOP THE HYPE AND START THE FIGHT. BRING BACK MICHAEL VICK TONIGHT.”
By Peachtree John
October 1, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Focus is a good word. Matt is not the only player who needs to keep his focus. While we trust that the coaching staff has its’ focus where it should be, the rest of the team must focus more than ever in order to improve. My wife tells me that I get intense when I’m focusing on a project. Here’s to the Falcons becoming INTENSELY FOCUSED and staying that way for the rest of their careers.
By Bob in SF
October 1, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
The Falcon’s WR’s had much more to do with Ryan having a bad day than Ryan did. White and Douglas had some huge drops. When you’re a pro WR and the QB puts it on your hands there is no excuse not to catch it. For the Birds to have any hope this weekend the WR’s need to step up and bring their “A” game.
By BooYah
October 1, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…
The tone of this article was eerily positive.
…Must’ve been written by a ghost-writer.
By DAWGNTEXAS
October 1, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Woooow Terance what do you expect him to say. If the Falcons can get a quality when against a good opponent, the team confidence will go through the roof and who knows what will happen in the Not For Long League(NFLL). The only teams that consistently stay at the bottom are those that have no confidence. I believe that this Falcon team has the ablity to complete with any team in the NFLL, they just have to gain the confidence in themselves.
By Bug Killer
October 1, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
This column coming from Terence Moore almost sounds like an admission of being wrong in bashing Ryan before the draft, during the draft, after the draft, and during the last 5 months of the year because Matt Ryan wasn’t Moore’s favorite, Glenn Dorsey.
Now, if we could just get Terence Moore to admit how woefully wrong he was about Jamaal Anderson, that the Falcons should have gone with the 19 year-old stout defensive tackle from Louisville, Okoye, then Terence Moore may be on the way to some real improvement, and may turn into a real boy one of these days.
As for me, I’m not holding my breath.
By AtlSouthside
October 1, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Falcons 4-12 at best. Even their non-conference games are tough.
Green Bay Chicago Philly Oakland - they can beat Denver Minnesota San Diego St. Louis - they can beat
By Dentster
October 1, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Ryan has the tools to be Atlanta’s best ever quarterback. Give him time and skill players around him…..I think he’ll live up to that contract!
By Brian
October 1, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Falcons were picked by EVERYONE, including you Stupid, to be among the meek as well. So you look pretty stupid by denying them credit for victories against “the meek.” IDIOT
By Falconbuzz
October 1, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Terence,
You hit the nail on the head with this article. I think Ryan can be one of the NFL elite if he maintains this much poise the whole season. I don’t think we’ll win more than 7 games this year to get in the playoff hunt..but as a fan I’m not seeking that. I’m seeking consistency at the quarterback position and building with draft and adding key free agents..If you put the right group of guys around Matt Ryan I think he will become one of the Elite. He has got to get his footwork down and not throwing off his back foot. He does that a lot when he is pressured.. hang in the pocket and utilize footwork will make him more accurate especially on 3rd down when he is getting pressured. I love my beloved Atlanta Falcons! I just want to win!
By Robb
October 1, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your observations. I share your optimism and hope the Falcons play with the intensity and intelligence shown in previous weeks. Having a coaching staff that can react beyond scripted plays would help as well as skill players that avoid reading their own press.
By falcon_21
October 1, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Terence, is that you???
You still have time to get season tickets for the remainder of the games. Keep the faith and guess what, CHANGE is GOOD!
By dave
October 1, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Terence. Good column. I had a good feeling about Ryan before the draft and I think he is better than advertised. I would like to see the no-huddle more this week. Falcons have a chance to win this week if Rodgers is out.
dave
By RAY ZADD
October 1, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
after all these years, love what falcons are doing. good job
By Dennis
October 1, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
And so why are comments not going through?
TM censoring comments like “Gee, that must have really been painful for you to write, Terence”.
By Remembering Bartkowski
October 1, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Matt Ryan is the real deal. It may take him awhile to become the polished, complete product. Then again it may not. I know what a good quarterback looks like (hence the moniker). I remember being more than a little upset at hearing that my beloved Falcons had traded Brett Favre (who at that point had only played in a couple of preseason games). Give the kid some space. He’ll make you proud.
By harry
October 1, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
You are still an idiot!
By stringer63
October 1, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I’m confident that Ryan will be very good with time. He is poised and in control. With more help from other aspects of the team, he will be one of the best in the league sooner than many think.
The O-line looks much better as far as pass protection - just need to open more holes for the running game against the better teams. While our run defense looked pretty good, we didn’t lay a hand on Dehlome (sp?) last Sunday. He was free to relax and find his open receiver. We have to find a way to get better QB pressure against the better teams. That will help our young CB’s as well. We desparately need another strong DE to compliment Abraham.
By Billy
October 1, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Good article. I think Ryan will be a great QB.
By ga_tech_92
October 1, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Well said
By Tron5000
October 1, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Even after struggling, Ryann comes off as a mature young man with a good head on his shoulders. He seems to have the physical gifts to be a really good QB in the league, and his mental make-up will go a long way in contributing to his overall worth. I think we made the right pick with the kid, I think starting him right away was the right move, and I think a few years from now we will all be very, very happy that Atlanta chose him with the #3 pick. Hell, I’d have chosen him at #1.
By TheJama
October 1, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
I’ve got nothing but good vibes coming from #2. Now if our wideouts could actually catch a few passes that hit them right in the hands we might have something special. Good teams don’t have that problem and it is something we have to correct if we are to challenge our opposition on Sundays.
By tierawn
October 1, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
It’s absolutely pathetic on the AJC’s part that Moore can write imflammatory garbage and the readers have a space to post comments, yet, the comments aren’t posted.