Sports

QB CORNER: Q&A with Matt Ryan

Oct 26, 2013

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hopes to carry the team to its second consecutive victory after it started the season 1-4, and running back Steven Jackson and left tackle Sam Baker could return from injuries.

The Falcons edged the Cardinals 23-19 last season at the Georgia Dome.

Here’s a brief Q&A involving Ryan and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter.

Q: Are you expecting Patrick Peterson to cover Harry Douglas one-on-one?

A: Yeah, it's definitely a possibility with what they've shown throughout the year. Patrick Peterson has matched quite a bit throughout the year. Depending on who we have out there at the wide receiver position. Certainly, he can match Harry, or he can match somebody else. We'll prepare for both and adjust to whatever shakes out in the game.

Q: What makes Peterson such a great defender?

A: First and foremost, he's extremely physical at the point of attack. He's really good in press coverage. He's very good at getting his hands on the wide receiver, jamming them off their release and not letting them get into their route, which disrupts timing for a quarterback.

Q: What do you see from Tyrann Mathieu on the film?

A: He’s a talented player. They use him in a bunch of different spots. In their nickel he comes in and plays in the slot and is a good blitzer. He’s effective. He’s got good ball skills, too. He’s a guy who made a ton of plays in college with the ball in his hands, and he’s also done a good job in his first season in the NFL.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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