Matty Ice: Falcons QB Armed and Ready to Set the Fantasy World on Fire

2010 Review

Though it wasn’t the most inspiring of seasons as far as fantasy numbers are concerned, Matt Ryan’s third year in the league was certainly a step in the right direction.

Before the 2010 NFL season kicked off, the Atlanta Falcons were predicted by many to be one of the elite teams the league had to offer. Among the myriad of reasons for this particular forecast was the expected continuation in the maturity of QB Matt Ryan—a supposition that would not go unrealized.

As a first-round pick (third overall) in 2008, Ryan was already diagnosed as a good team leader who was clearly more advanced than most for his age. With a sophisticated demeanor and a propensity to stay cool under pressure, it was easy to see how the 6’5” kid from Pennsylvania eventually came down with the nickname of “Matty Ice.”

His development over his first two seasons in the league was apparent to all those around him, though unspectacular when you look at the numbers. Many hoped to see the Atlanta QB climb into the elite clique of quarterbacks by the end of 2010, and though his abilities far surpass his years, Ryan continued to linger just outside the upper echelon by season’s end.

That’s not to say Matty Ice didn’t have a great year, because he did.

In fact, Ryan set career marks in every single statistical category, including the ever-important department of total fantasy points. His 357 completions bettered his previous mark by nearly 100, while his completion percentage grew to a steady 62.5 percent. He didn’t quite get to 4,000 passing yards, but his 3,706 did end up as the ninth-best total in the league.

Ryan’s greatest fantasy improvement might have been in his touchdown total, as 28 would tie him with Aaron Rodgers for the sixth-most in the NFL.

All in all, Ryan was at the very least consistent throughout 2010, never sinking below double-digit fantasy points in any week while throwing for at least one TD in 15 of 16 games.

Would I be confident going into the 2011 fantasy season with Matt Ryan as my starting QB? Well, confident may not be the word I would use, but with his game on a steady rise, the addition of rookie stud WR Julio Jones and Roddy White possibly taking over as the Grand Poobah of fantasy wide receivers, I’d say my attitude towards the situation would be one of enthusiastic anticipation.

Still, I wouldn’t lose my cool over it.

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2011 Pros and Cons

(+) Ryan has one of the most complete sets of tools around him to work with

(+) The addition of rookie WR Julio Jones to established skill position players RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez gives Atlanta one of the most feared offenses in the NFL

(+) OC Mike Mularkey continues to trend more towards the pass with a more mature Matt Ryan at the helm

(+) The Falcons have a great offensive line for pass protection (ranked third in sacks allowed in 2010)

(+) Besides missing two games with turf toe back in 2009, Ryan has been healthy throughout his career and does not seem prone to injury

(+) Ryan’s major statistical numbers continue to trend upward as he gains more experience

(–) Matty Ice has yet to prove he can climb into the Fantasy Elite, though 2011 should give us a nice idea if he ever will

(–) As usual, Atlanta has one of the tougher schedules against the pass this season

(–) Ryan’s completion percentage (62.5 percent) still leaves a bit to be desired, though his low number of interceptions thrown (nine) shows his maturity as a decision-maker

For the rest of Matt Ryan's Player Profile, CLICK HERE

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