Great(er) Expectations: Five Questions for Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan

To say rookie Quarter Back Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons exceeded expectations last year is an understatement. An 11-5 record, an improvement of seven wins, and the #5 seed in the playoffs was predicted by no one.

Even I, forever the home team optimist, saw an 8-8 season at best. Rookies at manager, general manager, and QB looked like a recipe for disaster.

Yet Matt Ryan climbed the learning curve in a hurry on his way to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year throwing for nearly 3,500 yards and 16 TDs. Now expectations for Ryan are sky high as the Falcons try to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their history.

Here are 5 Questions for the young stud as he enters his second year in the league and tries to avoid a sophomore slump:

1. What advice would you give the 2009 No. 1 overall draft choice Matthew Stafford on dealing with the pressures of being a top three draft choice and rookie QB in the NFL? What did you do to help you find success in your first year?

Stafford is going into a slightly different situation in Detroit than what Ryan went through last year. The Lions have been bad a long time and went winless last year. Plus the Lions have problems at nearly every position.

That being said, people thought the Falcons were going to be pretty bad last year and its not a franchise known for long-term success. Michael Turner ended up being a great pick-up but the Falcons Offensive Line had a terrible 2008 (One NFL.com blogger memorably said the Falcons 2008 O-line would be "Hell on Earth" for Ryan).

2. How do you expect the play calling to change for you in your second year? Do you feel the playbook was limited for you last year due to inexperience and do you expect it to expand?

You can sum up the Falcons offensive weaknesses in 2009 by looking at two areas:Third Down conversions and the Red Zone. Success in these areas define the elite QBs in the league.

Both areas can also be a magnet for interceptions for young QBs. The Falcons tended to go safe in both areas, often handing the ball to Turner or speedy RB Jerious Norwood.

Matt Ryan will be given more chances in these areas with receivers running routes demanding tougher throws. Still, the Falcons were 10th in the league in points and 6th in Yards per game last year, meaning Ryan and the Falcons Offense don't need to reinvent themselves, just progress. 

3. How will the addition of Tight End Tony Gonzales change the Falcon's offense? What effects have you already seen in practice?

It can't be overstated how huge this addition CAN BE for the Falcons, who got almost no production from TEs last year (211 Yards, 2 TDs). That being said, Atlanta's Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey needs to be careful here.

The Falcons had a good thing going last year. If all goes well the addition of a veteran TE can really improve the Falcons Red Zone stats and allow Ryan a third weapon in the base two WR package.

Turner could be even better with that new passing threat. It could also put pressure on Ryan to try to find his big target, possibly overlooking his WRs. Balance is the key.

4. How did you hold up physically over the course of a 16 game season and do you feel it effected your performance towards the end of the regular season and into the playoffs?

Looking at the raw stats there isn't a ton to suggest that the season took a great toll on Ryan. Yet he did fail to pass for over 200 yards in his final four games (including the playoffs) and although he proved extremely efficient in his completions last year (7.9 Yards per), he averaged only 27.1 passing attempts per game, the 25th most of any QB.
The success of the running game took a lot of pressure off of Ryan but the defenses on next years' schedule will prove more grueling than this year and he'll be asked to throw a good bit more.

5. With the departure of a number of veteran starters, and one year under your belt, do you feel more responsibility to become a team leader?

There is no doubt that Matt Ryan is destined to be the face of the franchise. How many starting QBs aren't? But with that comes greater expectations and a new bulls-eye from opposing defenses.

Atlanta seems to have put the "Vick era" far behind them and welcomed Ryan, but if he hits any big bumps along the way the fans won't be as forgiving as they were last year. Line backer Keith Brooking, a Georgia native and Georgia Tech Alum, has been the most steady face around the Falcons for the last 10 years.

With his departure Ryan needs to become not just the leader of the offensive, but the leader of the team.