DEL.ICIO.USBartkowski impressed with rookie Ryan’s play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, October 10, 2008
Flowery Branch — It was some 33 years ago that a highly touted rookie quarterback opened the season as the starting quarterback for the Falcons.
That was Steve Bartkowski. The former Falcon has been impressed with the play of Matt Ryan, another highly touted rookie quarterback who currently has the team off to a 3-2 start.
File
Steve Bartkowski, Falcons’ first overall draft selection of 1975, had a 4-7 record as a starter and 45.1 completion percentage. He threw 13 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. He was sacked 19 times that season and finished with a QB rating of 59.3.
Rich Addicks/raddicks@ajc.com
Rookie Matt Ryan, the third overall draft pick by the Falcons in this year’s draft has a completion percentage of 54.2 and a 3-2 record in his first five starts. He has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions and has been sacked seven times.
“He’s obviously done everything that they asked him to do and more,” Bartkowski said. “He looks like he’s a five or six year veteran out there, not a rookie.”
There is very little history of rookie quarterbacks having immediate success in the NFL. But Ryan has managed to win as many games as Peyton Manning did as a rookie starter in 1998, when he led the Colts to a 3-13 mark.
“He’s managing the game,” said Bartkowski, who posted a 4-7 record in 11 starts. “He’s making really good, accurate and smart throws. I just couldn’t be more pleased as I watch him play.
“I don’t know that you could ask him to do any more than what he’s done these first five games. He’s shown tremendous poise and great confidence in his own abilities and the guys around him.”
Bartkowski senses that Ryan has the team’s support: “That’s what really makes a difference.”
The Falcons finished 4-10 during the 1975 season, as Bartkowski was backed up by Pat Sullivan.
“It was wild,” Bartkowski said. “No matter how prepared that you feel like you are, it is a tremendous step up from the college ranks. Everybody talks about the speed of the game and its faster, bigger and stronger than it’s ever been today. It’s a huge adjustment period.”
Bartkowski had to battle through an injury as a rookie.
“I missed four games in the middle of the season with a dislocated left elbow,” Bartkowski said. “It actually dislocated on me four different times during that span.”
Some of Ryan’s success can be attributed to his teammates and the play of running back Michael Turner, who leads the league in rushing.
“A lot of it depends on how good the guys you are playing with,” Bartkowski said. “I think there is a lot better football team here right now than might have been when I came to Atlanta. That helps.”
With a strong running game, the Falcons can minimize Ryan’s throws and opportunities to make miscues.
“If we can keep that between 18 and 25 throws a game it’s going to make his life a whole lot easier,” Bartkowski said. “It’s always nice to see the protection come through like it did last week. I don’t think he was sacked one time last week.”
Bartkowski, who’s in the construction business and a member of the franchise’s board of advisors, also tips his hat to the coaching staff.
“That’s probably the thing that I look at most closely is the overall team effort,” Bartkowski said. “I think [head coach Mike Smith] has gotten everybody going. I think it’s great.”
Bartkowski led the Falcons to two consecutive victories over New Orleans (14-7) and San Francisco (17-3) in weeks three and four of the season.
“I don’t guess that I really ever did (get comfortable as a rookie),” Bartkowski said. “Every game was a challenge. Even though I came out of passing offense at the University of California and I thought I’d seen everything. They were throwing stuff at me week after week that I’d never seen before.”
Ryan has been a diligent student of the game and has spent countless hours with offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave.
“I think the preparation is a lot different today than it was back then,” Bartkowski said. “I think there is much more film study that goes on today. Just the overall evolution of preparation in the NFL I think has made tremendous advancements.”
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