To My Quarterback - from a fan!

[Tandy]

I just want to say this is what I've observed:

He works hard, he plays smart and he plays with minimal protection and under heavy pressure in many, many games.

He will never have gaudy numbers because he is a TEAM first player and all about what is best for the team. He'll destroy his completion percentage by throwing away a pass instead of losing yards with a sack or taking an interception turnover by throwing into too heavy coverage. He'll hand the ball off on the goal line to get our RB the TD when he could easily pass it in to pump up his numbers.

He leads the team every week. He is regarded as the UNDISPUTED leader by the team. They accept him and they follow him. They believe in him. You can see it and hear it from all of them.

Every week that we have a great week, someone gets accolades - Tony G had an amazing game, Roddy White had an amazing game, Harry was a beast, did you see Weems making every catch, Turner was awesome, Snelling was a beast, etc., etc., etc.. So many times, it's a different player on the team in that given week.

There is one force behind all of those accolades - and I think he likes it that way just fine. He's about making those around him better and getting the win when it's over - no matter how ugly it looks or what he has to do. He doesn't ask for or claim glory - he's overly critical of himself and the first to praise those around him. If someone drops a ball or makes a mistake - he'll go right back to them. They know he trusts them and believe in them - and they'll come through for that. He makes them a part of what's going on. How many times has a player like Roddy or Gonzo said - Matt told me before the game (or on the sideline) - if we get this look - we do this, etc., etc.

Sometimes, he tries too hard. He's so competitive and so determined to get us a win - he makes critical mistakes in the game - throwing an interception or trying to get away from too much pressure and ending up sacked or fumbling. Those are more about controlling his emotions during the high points than anything. That will come with time as he continues maturing into a completed package.

In the beginning of the game - you see the same thing - he's emotional - hyped up. He tends to overthrow the ball or over-react. As the game goes along a little - he settles in and becomes deadly.

He has been overly criticized and held to unbelievable standards while trying to learn the game. He's been unfairly judged just because he happened to be drafted after a very controversial ending for a very loved QB.

Since he's been our QB - he has the strongest work ethic, as much or more heart than any other player on the team and he continues to get better.

You can like him, you can hate him or you can shrug him off - but he is the QB of our team - and barring injury - he will be for years to come.

On the field - he's a General. He's the most amped up guy on the field and on the sidelines. He's a cheerleader, analyzer and a winner.

He's going to get better - but don't expect to see him standing up on a podium pounding his chest. He'll defer every win to a player or players who stood out today while quietly standing in the background applauding them.

Thank you Matt Ryan. This fan appreciates you for what YOU do!