Atlanta Falcons: 5 Things to Take Away from Matt Ryan's Preseason Performance

The NFL preseason is a time where fans begin to assess their team.

For Atlanta Falcons fans, the assessment of quarterback Matt Ryan's preseason performance is a good one.

With two preseason games under his belt, Ryan is showing signs of wanting to take it to the next level. Not only taking the team in the playoffs, but also elevating his status as an elite NFL quarterback.

Here are five things to take away from Ryan's preseason performance thus far.

Ryan Is Deadly Accurate

In the time Ryan has been on the field, he's completed 27 of 34 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. That's 79.4 percent of his passes completed.

Even for the preseason, that's a good percentage to see out of your starting quarterback.

This preseason, (among starting quarterbacks) Ryan ranks first in completion percentage, plays of 20 or more yards (eight) and yards per completion (9.7). He also ranks third in passing yards.

Now, I know it's only preseason, but those numbers are nice to see from Atlanta's starter.

Teammates Believe Ryan Is Making the Jump

Future Hall of Famers don't toot the horn of their teammates just for the sake of it.

So, when tight end Tony Gonzalez says that Ryan is on the verge of greatness, you take a moment to listen. In an interview with Daniel Cox of atlantafalcons.com, Gonzalez said:

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He’s always been a really, really good player but I think he’s starting to make that jump to becoming a great player, and one of the upper echelon players of the league. I think that comes with maturity and the simple state-of-mind offense that Dirk (Koetter) brought in here coupled with the players he has around him.

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Gonzalez has been in the league for 14 years and has seen his share of top-notch quarterbacks. The fact that he believes Ryan is capable of making that jump, and is on the verge of doing so, says a lot.

Ryan Is Not Getting Sacked

During the 2011 regular season, Ryan was sacked 26 times, which was 21st highest in the league.

Not only does that say that Ryan's offensive line performed well, it also shows he got the ball out of his hands.

This preseason, Ryan has yet to be sacked and is again getting rid of the ball.

There's an old adage that it's better to throw the ball away and live another down, than risk fumbling on a sack.

Ryan Is Utilizing His Weapons

When you have players like Gonzalez, Roddy White and Julio Jones, life as a quarterback can be good.

Having completed eight passes of 20 or more yards during the preseason, Ryan is utilizing his big-play weapons. Last year, Ryan ranked 10th in the NFL with 55 passes of 20 or more yards.

With basically two No. 1 receivers in White and Jones, teams are having to decide who to double-team. That's a big plus for Ryan and he's taking advantage of it.

This year, those numbers should be more since Jones is in his second year in the league and understands NFL defensive coverages better.

Ryan Is Playing with a Chip on His Shoulder

The current knock on Ryan (and head coach Mike Smith) is that he can't win in the playoffs.

With an 0-3 record in playoff games, some pundits believe Ryan is someone who won't win when it counts. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com:

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In keeping with the NFC South disorder theme, I can't help but worry a little bit about Cam's division rivals, the Falcons. They may be primed for a fall, perhaps a significant one. Atlanta's pass rush lacks beyond John Abraham, now a year older, and Matt Ryan continues to come up small and occasionally seems overwhelmed when the stage gets biggest. His inability to throw for even 200 yards in a playoff game is telling, especially as draft-class mate Joe Flacco wins at least one road playoff game per year despite a far inferior offensive supporting cast.

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Ryan knows some people doubt his ability to win in the playoffs and that puts a chip on his shoulder.

Some players respond to that pressure, while others don't. Atlanta fans are hoping Ryan is the former.