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Rookies' Success A Bit Of A Surprise

The Associated Press

Ryan, a first-round pick out of Boston College, has rare poise and keen football intelligence for an NFL rookie.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

TAMPA - Even the guy who pulls the levers on Atlanta's draft board admits he is surprised how quickly Matt Ryan has developed as a pro.

Rookie quarterbacks flourishing with first-year coaches are a rare sight in the NFL, where patience with young passers has long been considered a staple for success.

"Prior to this season, I would have thought the evolution of our quarterback would have taken a little longer," says new Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, the former New England college scouting director who gave Mike Smith his first opportunity as an NFL head coach. "Matt and Mike have a very impressive relationship. They hit it off from the start, and there's a lot of communication between them."

For much of this glorious season, that communication has started with Smith saying, "Good job, Matt" following another Atlanta victory.

Ryan has led an embattled franchise to an 8-5 start, and the former Boston College standout is the first NFL quarterback since the 1970 merger to start the first six games of his rookie season and post at least four wins.

In Baltimore, another rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco, is displaying similar poise as the Ravens and first-year coach John Harbaugh host Pittsburgh today in an AFC North showdown.

The 2008 season marks the first time since 1971 - when Archie Manning opened for the Saints and Jim Plunkett won the job in New England - that a pair of rookie quarterbacks started in Week 1.

Ryan and Flacco each benefit from a potent ground game, and the last time a rookie passer enjoyed their degree of success, Ben Roethlisberger was winning his first 14 starts with the 2004 Steelers.

"Did I think Matt would be successful ... yes," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said. "But as much of an optimist as I am, it's remarkable what he's done as a rookie."

When the Falcons inexplicably came out throwing at Tampa in Week 2, Ryan misfired on his first nine pass attempts before settling down in a 24-9 setback.

"Our quarterback grew up that day, because he did not have a great experience in the first half, but he came back and drove us down the field on three separate occasions," Smith said.

The Bucs can expect more of a ground-oriented attack today in the Georgia Dome, where Ryan boasts a 5-1 record and a startling 107.2 passer rating.

"It's a hard league to start in as a rookie," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said, "but Ryan's one of those rare guys. Unfortunately, the Falcons drafted him. He's a good quarterback - and it looks like he's going to be a great one."

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