Falcons name Ryan starting quarterback

Flowery Branch — It took four months, but the clarity Falcons head coach Mike Smith said he needed to name his starting quarterback came this weekend.

Rookie Matt Ryan, the third overall draft pick, will start the Sept. 7 opener against visiting Detroit, Smith announced Sunday. It’s not a game-by-game decision Smith said. Ryan projects to start all 16 games.

“We have evaluated Matt through [offseason workouts], minicamps, training camp and over the course of three preseason games,” Smith said. “After reviewing Matt’s progress we feel that he’s won the starting job. … We feel that Matt gives us the best opportunity not only against Detroit but the in long run.”

Ryan said Smith told him about the anticipated decision before practice. Ryan humbly accepted the news. He said he believed he earned the job, a perception he might have to battle since he was drafted so high — to replace imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick — and was awarded a six-year, $72 million contract.

“Anything you get in this game is earned, whether it be a touchdown, a win, whatever it is you earn it in this game,” Ryan said. “In some sense it is satisfying in that light. But trust me, there’s a lot of work ahead. I know that probably just as much as everybody else around here.

“There’s going to be some ups and downs. You’ve got to try and stay mentally tough and try and grind through it.”

Smith declined to name the rest of the depth chart at quarterback. He did say that Ryan would start Thursday’s preseason finale at Baltimore. D.J. Shockley, who saw mop-up duty the first two preseason games and did not play Friday against Tennessee, will replace Ryan against the Ravens.

Entering training camp, Smith declared an open competition at quarterback, between Ryan, Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and Shockley.

Redman took the majority of snaps with the first team early in camp and started the first preseason game at Jacksonville. Ryan, who improved drastically since summer minicamps and offseason workouts, began to work more with the first team.

Though Ryan didn’t start either of the first two preseason games — Harrington started the second — he did take most of the snaps. Ryan started Friday’s 17-3 victory over Tennessee, Atlanta’s first victory this preseason, and played into the third quarter with the first-team offense.

Film review validated to the coaching staff that Ryan was the best quarterback.

“As we went through this process, we had many, many hours of discussion on how we want to go at this,” Smith said. “We feel that Matt’s ready.”

This preseason, Ryan has completed 32-of-52 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

The success rate of rookies who’ve started at quarterback hasn’t been great.

Houston’s David Carr was the last rookie to start from the season-opener. In 2002, the Texans went 4-12 and Carr was sacked a whopping 76 times. Carr never developed and was released in 2007. He spent last season in Carolina and is currently a backup with the New York Giants.

Several other quarterbacks who started as rookies, including Harrington, have struggled. Ryan said he couldn’t worry about the negative trend.

“You have to be concerned with yourself and try and take care of all the things you can control,” Ryan said. “Those things are making sure your preparation is perfect every week, that you’re doing all the work you can to be prepared for a game. I think I’m in a good situation. We have a lot of talented guys on this offense and defense. I’m excited to be a part of that and to get this thing going.”

Ryan’s teammates said they have faith in the rookie.

“He’s done everything right,” wide receiver Brian Finneran said. “From day one he’s come in with the right attitude. He hasn’t done anything in a negative way. He’s worked hard, knows what he’s doing in the huddle, and knows how to run the offense. He’s composed and confident in himself. He’s ready to go. You could tell from day one that he’s able to do it.

“We’re ready for him to be that guy. Be the leader of the team.”

Added center Todd McClure: “I felt like my best learning experience as offensive lineman was when I was out there. You learn by being on the field. I think he’s going to come along quicker by being in early and being out there on the field. I think it’s a good move.”