Matt Ryan Maturing Before Our Eyes

[RFlagg]

He doesn't lead the league in any major statistical category. In fact, he isn't even top 5 in any of them. He's making a run at the Top 10 in most categories, but is only there in Completions, Attempts, Yards, Touchdowns, and Interceptions. He currently ranks 13th in Completion Percentage, 20th in Yards per Attempt, and 12th in both Sacks and QB Rating. However, Matt Ryan has led the Falcons to the top spot in th most important position of all: Overall Record.
The Falcons currently sit at 6-2, half a game up on the New Orleans Saints for the lead of the NFC South, tied with the NY Giants for the best record in the NFC & tied with the Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, and NY Jets for best record in the NFL. They own wins over the two teams chasing them in the NFC South, including when they defeated the defending Super Bowl Champions in New Orleans, and while not solely responsible for any win this season, Matt Ryan has turned from a game manager into a solid starter at QB in his 3rd season. In those two division games, Ryan is a combined 43/66 (65.2%) for 463 Yards, 7.02 YPA, 3 TD and 0 INT, which breaks down to a 100.8 QB Rating.
Ryan has protected the football well, a major issue for him last season when he threw 14 interceptions, including 11 in 6 games. Ryan has taken control of the huddle and in the process has become the leader the Falcons offense has been looking for. The Falcons offense is built around the run, but teams can no longer stack the box and try to stuff Michael Turner. Matt Ryan is beginning to prove he can beat a team through the air if they do that.
If the Falcons being at the top of the NFL isn't proof enough that Ryan is bringing the Falcons along, consider the chart below which compare the first 8 games of each of Ryan's firt 3 seasons:

Code:

        W    L    T    CMP    ATT    YDS     CMP%     YPA     LNG    TD    INT    SACK    RAT
2008    5    3    0    133    277    1661    58.6%    7.32    70     9     5       12     85.4
2009    5    3    0    156    257    1784    60.7%    6.94    90     13    10      12     82.2
2010    6    2    0    180    288    1949    62.5%    6.77    46     13    5       13     90.2

While he may not have been the most popular pick at the time that he was drafted, Matt Ryan has grown into the QB the Falcons need.

[DemBirds]

He's fairly consistent in his pocket presence and TD passes over the last 3 years. That's kind of interesting, especially the sacks.

[evo]

this time last year, he threw for 13 TD and 10 int... Fast forward 1 year later, still 13 TD but ONLY 5 INT.

SWEET!

[DemBirds]

It's good to see him protecting the ball again, he had some bad games last year. Not all of them his fault, but still.

[Radical]

So... how many of you back in 2007 wish we could get a season like this out of a QB?

3898 yards, 26 TDs, and 10 INTs with a 62.5 completion percentage?

Oh, by the way, those numbers compare with Tom Brady's during his Super Bowl winning years, except a little better in the yards and interception department.

[I Am The Truth]

I'll echo all these sentiments, but I also would like to draw attention to his YPA. It has been decreasing every year.

7 YPA is regarded as a benchmark, so if he can get it above there...we will see even more improvement to go along with his other improving metrics.

[RFlagg]

(11-09-2010 04:57 PM)I Am The Truth Wrote:  I'll echo all these sentiments, but I also would like to draw attention to his YPA. It has been decreasing every year.

7 YPA is regarded as a benchmark, so if he can get it above there...we will see even more improvement to go along with his other improving metrics.

YPA is a bit of a tricky stat. It depends heavily on YAC to get to the magical realm of "7". One or two broken tackles could easily get a QB there. For instance, based on Ryan's 257 attempts last season, he would have needed 1799 yards to average 7 YPA. He was just 15 yards away. This season, based on his 288 attempts, Ryan would need 2016 yards, he's 67 yards under that.

[xstealth]

Matt is making smart choices and protecting the ball, really impressed with how he is playing...

[babuka]

Next year when the Falcons can get him some better pass blocking offensive lineman and another receiver or two who can create seperation besides Roddy White, he is going to be playing really well. And his YPA numbers should go back to 2008 level or even higher.

[kibitzer]

Nice post, Randall!