Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan wants to stay in Atlanta and is optimistic about the team’s future:
On the turnovers: “We knew coming into it that we had to be efficient and take care of the ball. I tried to push one down the field to Russ. Probably shouldn’t have made that decision. That was a tough one and the pair of fumbles. But those two before the half really hurt. Breathe some life into them and gave them an opportunity to score some points before the half, which is always tough to overcome. It’s disappointing for sure and we’ve got to do better than that as we move into next season. We have to be really efficient and take really good care of the football.”
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
On the season: “I do think there were positives to take from that, in close one-score games we were very efficient. We need to put ourselves in more of those than we did this year. I think that’s the next step. I also think learning how to close some of those games out earlier and figuring out ways to win, where it doesn’t have to be one possession, those are places we can make growth. I’m optimistic. I think we’ve got a lot of good young players. They gained a lot of experience this year. Guys that fought the entire way. I think that is going to serve us well as we continue to grow and build.”
On his future: “I want to be here. I believe in this team. The coaching staff, I think, did a great job. I really feel fortunate to have been here for as long as I have. But I’m optimistic. I really am. I want to be here. I feel good about this group of guys. This coaching staff. Everybody. The direction that it’s going. I really think that we’re going to make improvements this offseason, continue to grow as a team and be better than we were this year.”
On if he’s been given assurances that he’ll be back: “No. I’ve just….we have talked about it. We were playing the season and doing those kind of things. Going through a game plan, week to week. I also know that every year is different. That’s the nature of this league. I feel good about it. I really do. I feel like I’m in a good space. Our team is in a good space. We can improve and be better as we move forward.”
On how much say he has in the offseason: “I understand my role and what that is. I certainly, throughout my entire career have given honest feedback. But I also understand that they have a job to do. It’s their responsibility to find players. To decide who stays, who goes. Figure out contract. Figure out the cap. All of those kind of things. I don’t claim to be an expert in that area.”
On what he’d tell them: “Those conversations are better had in our facilities and behind closed doors. But I’m optimistic. I really am. Arthur (Smith) talked a lot about wanting to create a culture. I think he’s done a very good job of that. He’s created a tough and physical football team. We’re making strides toward that. I thought the fight, the toughness from the guys, the resiliency all year was really good. There is a lot of growth that could come from that with young players being in those situations. Maturity and mental toughness and those kind of things I think a season like this can provide. So, I’m optimistic. I really am.”
On the 4,000 yard streak ending: “Not really, I think I’m at the point in my career…..don’t get me wrong….I’m proud of how look it lasted for sure, but the objective is to be playing now and have the opportunity. From that standpoint, statistical stuff is very nice and I’m proud of it. But at the same time, I really care about winning. I want to be playing in the playoffs and making a push to win a championship. That, to me, is the more important goals as we move forward.”
On how far away from that goal: “I think we are about two or three games away. There were some game that if you just looked at it objectively that’s probably want we needed to do, win nine or 10 games to give the opportunity to get in. Every season is different. There is no crystal ball for us moving forward, but we are not far off, really. Finding ways to win a few games early in the year, too. Where we had chances. Getting off to a good start, all those things are important. They all count as one. Sometimes they sting a little bit more at the end of the year when the picture has kind of unraveled itself to you. But I’ve learned those ones in the beginning of the year are just as important. We are not far off.”
On whether there’s a specific type of receiver he likes playing with: “I’ve played with all kinds of different guys throughout my career. You know, I trust our personnel guys, coaching staff, to find the guys that they feel like fit what we want to do. But, you know, I feel like I’m at a point where I can work with different guys and different skillsets and feel comfortable with that.”
On WR Russell Gage’s last few months: “I think Russ did a good job. I really do. I think battling through injury early in the year kind of takes a little bit of time to get your legs back underneath you. But second half of the season or last six weeks, whatever, I think he’s played well for us. Made a lot of plays and done a nice job. Had a bigger role for us, and I think stepped up and made a bunch of really good plays for us.”
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