Bucs follow Falcons' QB path

The Buccaneers' upcoming opponent knows what it's like to rebuild around a rookie quarterback.

The Falcons improved by seven games to 11-5 in 2008 as Matt Ryan was named a runaway winner as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

With a big lift from Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner, Ryan led Atlanta to an improbable playoff berth before a 30-24 road loss to the eventual NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.

While Ryan started from Game 1 last year, posting an 87.7 passer rating, rookie Josh Freeman is preparing for his fourth NFL start Sunday when the Bucs travel to the Georgia Dome to face the struggling Falcons.

"A lot of other things have to go right, but having a young quarterback to build around is definitely a huge piece of the puzzle," Tampa Bay middle linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "I thought Ryan made a phenomenal improvement throughout his rookie year and whenever you get a guy like that, as a franchise you're a lot more comfortable. That's what everyone is looking for and we've got a guy who is definitely on his way there."

Atlanta has lost four of five after a 4-1 start and Ryan's overall numbers are down, despite the offseason trade for perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.

His average yards per pass attempt (6.62) is well below last season's 7.93 mark, but Ryan scorched the Giants for 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-point second half during last week's 34-31 overtime loss at the Meadowlands.

"Ryan shows a lot of poise," Bucs safety Tanard Jackson said. "I like him. He's not flashy at all, but he makes the plays that need to be made. We feel we have found our guy in Josh. Out of all the first-year quarterbacks in this league, Josh is right up there with (Mark) Sanchez and (Matt) Stafford. We have to play better around him, but Josh is our guy and we know that. We have all the confidence in the world in him."

Ryan impressed teammates and coaches in Week 2 last year when he kept his poise after the Bucs hounded him into a disastrous opening half at Tampa.

The Bucs led 17-3 as Ryan came out throwing and hit on only 3-for-15 passes through two quarters. He was intercepted by fellow rookie Aqib Talib and Sabby Piscitelli while compiling a passer rating of 0.0 at the half.

But instead of folding, Ryan had the Falcons within eight points late in the game before Earnest Graham sealed a 24-9 triumph by racing 68 yards for a score.

"We didn't get off to a fast start down there, but we hung in and kept clawing," said Ryan, who is 11-1 at home. "All of that is in the past. Now, we've got six games left. At 5-5, every goal we started off the season with is still in front of us."

The Falcons chose Ryan out of Boston College with the third pick of the 2008 draft and he quickly made an alienated fan base forget about Michael Vick, throwing a 62-yard touchdown strike to former Tampa Leto standout Michael Jenkins on his first NFL pass attempt.

Freeman won his first pro start Nov. 8, rallying the Bucs past Green Bay, and he played a dynamic second half at Miami before stumbling in last week's 38-7 loss to New Orleans.

"I've been impressed with Josh Freeman," said Smith, who, like Raheem Morris, was a first-year coach determined to nurture a rookie quarterback. "He is a big, strong-armed quarterback that looks like he can make all the throws. There's a learning curve that all players go through, but the quarterback position is the one most scrutinized."

When the Bucs caught up with Ryan the second time around in December, he looked like a different player.

In a 13-10 win that damaged Tampa Bay's playoff hopes, Ryan hit on 15 of 23 passes for 206 yards and directed a game-winning 55-yard drive in overtime.

"We've got our work cut out for us Sunday," said Bucs defensive end Stylez G. White. "Ryan proved to us last year that he's good under pressure."

Freeman's learning curve figures to take longer.

Unlike Ryan, he entered the draft after his junior season. Unlike Ryan, Freeman didn't take a regular-season snap until the late stages of Tampa Bay's seventh game.

"Atlanta knows they've got one of those guys everyone is looking for - and their whole team is more confident because of it," Ruud said. "Josh is still young and he's got a lot to prove, but everybody sees what he can do and that's the exciting part."