Why Matt Ryan Has an NFL Future with the Falcons

This NFL rookie was picked third in the draft. After five years of college, many teams wanted him. He went behind Chris Long and Jake Long and was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons.

Matt Ryan is ready. He has a good future. I can't wait for him to get there.

Ryan grew up around Philadelphia. He went to a solid Atlantic Coast Conference college in Boston College. He had a big career, including his last season where he brought Boston College to the spotlight of NCAA football and had Heisman talk. He was then put on the cover of EA Sports' 2009 NCAA Football video game.

Some said his great college career was thanks to Boston College's tremendous ability to produce great offensive linemen. When he came to Atlanta though, they realized there were other reasons he garners praise.

He is poised in the pocket. He can hit a crossing pass past linebackers. If he needs to get away from pressure, he finds a way to get away. He has what many would call a quarterback sense.  He knows how to throw a long ball and has great accuracy.

Through his first three games, he has done very well for a rookie with an average team behind him. In the first three weeks he has gone 9-for-13, 13-for-33, and 12-for-18 passing. He has a total of 511 yards passing with two touchdowns and two rookie picks.  He has completed over 50 percent of his passes and has a 70 quarterback rating. He hasn't had a great start, but you can't with the kind of offense he is playing with (other than the running back that is).

Michael Turner was always under the Tomlinson shadow in San Diego. He got some good rushing yards, but he was still No. 2. Then he came to the Falcons, a team that is rebuilding what they can after a Hurricane Michael Vick flew by and pulled apart the organization. In week one he showed he was ready to run with a 220-yard and two-touchdown game.

Every quarterback wants to come into the NFL with a running back whom he can trust to carry the ball. Ryan has a guy like Turner who is still young, but has good experience and has been to the playoffs. What more could you want?

There's another reason that Ryan will succeed. With these fans, there are no expectations right now. Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal cut the organization into shreds and look pathetic. Last year they were awful and had no hopes or dreams. This team now has hope, but they don't realize it yet.

That is perfect for Matt Ryan. He can just play and will get the attention he deserves over time. This team will be good one day. Matt Ryan will be a part of that.

I predict the Falcons will go 7-9 this year. Next year, without any major injuries, I see them getting better. This organization that was just flipped upside down now is starting to stand up again. Why? Matt Ryan, that's why.