Football Matt Ryan rookie of the year

melbar · 12-30-2008, 12:55 PM

NEW YORK -- Matt Ryan is more than the face of the sensational turnaround by the Atlanta Falcons. He also is the best member of a superb rookie crop, earning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Tuesday.

Matt Ryan, QB
Atlanta Falcons

2008 Statistics
Comp. pct.: 61.1
Yards: 3,440
TD/INT: 16/11
The quarterback from Boston College, selected third overall in April's draft, was a landslide winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Ryan became the third quarterback in five years to win the award; before that, no quarterback ever took the honor.

He joins Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Vince Young (2006) as top rookie quarterbacks.

"I'm certainly flattered," Ryan said. "There's a number of guys who had great rookie seasons this year, so to even be mentioned in that light is nice. It's certainly a great honor, and I think it speaks to what we did as a team this year."

Ryan was chosen by Atlanta as the centerpiece of its rebuilding effort following a dismal 2007 that saw quarterback Michael Vick incarcerated for dogfighting and coach Bobby Petrino leave after 13 games for Arkansas. A starter almost from the first snap he took in preseason, Ryan was brilliant in leading the Falcons to the playoffs with an 11-5 mark a year after going 4-12.

"I think that's the biggest thing. We had success and we were able to get a wild-card spot, so that was the huge thing for us this year," Ryan said. "Now that we're in we have a chance like everybody else. Hopefully we can make the most of it.

Ryan ranked 11th in passer rating at 87.7 and had 16 touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions. But it wasn't the numbers as much as his command of the huddle and his cool under pressure that impressed his teammates, opponents -- and the voters.

Ryan collected 44 votes, far in front of Titans running back Chris Johnson with three. Broncos tackle Ryan Clady had two votes and Bears running back Matt Forte got one.

Atlanta Falcons
» Video | Schedule | Stats
» Roster | Depth chart | Transactions
» Official site: AtlantaFalcons.com
The balloting doesn't indicate the outstanding depth of the rookie class on offense. Running backs Steve Slaton of Houston, Tim Hightower of Arizona, Ray Rice of Baltimore, Jonathan Stewart of Carolina, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice of Dallas, Peyton Hillis of Denver, Kevin Smith of Detroit and Jamaal Charles of Kansas City all were contributors. So were wide receivers Eddie Royal of Denver, DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia, Davone Bess of Miami and Donnie Avery of St. Louis.

Another rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco of Baltimore, helped lead his team into the playoffs.

Add in tight ends John Carlson of Seattle and Dustin Keller of the Jets and the strength of the first-year crop is impressive.

And Ryan was the cream.

"Obviously the big question was how well Matt would perform as a rookie quarterback," Falcons veteran linebacker Keith Brooking said. "We knew there'd be bumps in the road, but it's unbelievable what he's done in such a short period of time with the guys on our offense."

Demonpenz · 12-30-2008, 12:56 PM

Dorsey was a close second

**cdcox** · 12-30-2008, 12:57 PM

He's lucky Thigpen is in his second year. /truefan

beach tribe · 12-30-2008, 12:57 PM

Man, was I wrong about him.

Apologies to Brock who said he would be a franchise QB.

Shox · 12-30-2008, 12:57 PM

Wow. That is kind of amazing. QB ROY 3 out of 5 and NONE prior. I think this reflects the change in the college game to much more pro style passing offenses.

Micjones · 12-30-2008, 01:00 PM

Great story... Happy for Falcons fans.
We'll have that kind of success story very soon...I hope.

chiefs1111 · 12-30-2008, 01:10 PM

he did a great job this year,he deserves it...

Mr. Laz · 12-30-2008, 01:18 PM

i'm sure glad we lost the coin toss /Herm

beach tribe · 12-30-2008, 01:56 PM

I hope we get Stafford, and he turns out to be our Ryan. Nothing could impact this team more than a franchise QB of their level.

Basileus777 · 12-30-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shox

Wow. That is kind of amazing. QB ROY 3 out of 5 and NONE prior. I think this reflects the change in the college game to much more pro style passing offenses.

That's certainly why Vince Young won it.

Deberg_1990 · 12-30-2008, 02:02 PM

Im sure glad we drafted Dorsey over Flacco.

beach tribe · 12-30-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Im sure glad we drafted Dorsey over Flacco.

In 2010 this post may lose it's sarcasm.

Demonpenz · 12-30-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

In 2010 this post may lose it's sarcasm.

Shit can change real fast, ryan might get figured out next year.

Deberg_1990 · 12-30-2008, 02:11 PM

Surprisingly,

Flaccos numbers are not that far off from Ryans.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795

Basileus777 · 12-30-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Surprisingly,

Flaccos numbers are not that far off from Ryans.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795

Flacco improved as the season went on, he played well in the 2nd half of the season. Ryan's numbers slowed down a bit.

12-30-2008, 12:55 PM
melbar Hillbilly Pharoh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Branson MO. Casino cash: $10004900	Matt Ryan rookie of the year NEW YORK -- Matt Ryan is more than the face of the sensational turnaround by the Atlanta Falcons. He also is the best member of a superb rookie crop, earning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Tuesday. Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta Falcons 2008 Statistics Comp. pct.: 61.1 Yards: 3,440 TD/INT: 16/11 The quarterback from Boston College, selected third overall in April's draft, was a landslide winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Ryan became the third quarterback in five years to win the award; before that, no quarterback ever took the honor. He joins Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Vince Young (2006) as top rookie quarterbacks. "I'm certainly flattered," Ryan said. "There's a number of guys who had great rookie seasons this year, so to even be mentioned in that light is nice. It's certainly a great honor, and I think it speaks to what we did as a team this year." Ryan was chosen by Atlanta as the centerpiece of its rebuilding effort following a dismal 2007 that saw quarterback Michael Vick incarcerated for dogfighting and coach Bobby Petrino leave after 13 games for Arkansas. A starter almost from the first snap he took in preseason, Ryan was brilliant in leading the Falcons to the playoffs with an 11-5 mark a year after going 4-12. "I think that's the biggest thing. We had success and we were able to get a wild-card spot, so that was the huge thing for us this year," Ryan said. "Now that we're in we have a chance like everybody else. Hopefully we can make the most of it. Ryan ranked 11th in passer rating at 87.7 and had 16 touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions. But it wasn't the numbers as much as his command of the huddle and his cool under pressure that impressed his teammates, opponents -- and the voters. Ryan collected 44 votes, far in front of Titans running back Chris Johnson with three. Broncos tackle Ryan Clady had two votes and Bears running back Matt Forte got one. Atlanta Falcons » Video \| Schedule \| Stats » Roster \| Depth chart \| Transactions » Official site: AtlantaFalcons.com The balloting doesn't indicate the outstanding depth of the rookie class on offense. Running backs Steve Slaton of Houston, Tim Hightower of Arizona, Ray Rice of Baltimore, Jonathan Stewart of Carolina, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice of Dallas, Peyton Hillis of Denver, Kevin Smith of Detroit and Jamaal Charles of Kansas City all were contributors. So were wide receivers Eddie Royal of Denver, DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia, Davone Bess of Miami and Donnie Avery of St. Louis. Another rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco of Baltimore, helped lead his team into the playoffs. Add in tight ends John Carlson of Seattle and Dustin Keller of the Jets and the strength of the first-year crop is impressive. And Ryan was the cream. "Obviously the big question was how well Matt would perform as a rookie quarterback," Falcons veteran linebacker Keith Brooking said. "We knew there'd be bumps in the road, but it's unbelievable what he's done in such a short period of time with the guys on our offense."
Posts: 2,148

12-30-2008, 12:56 PM	#2
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-363864	Dorsey was a close second __________________
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12-30-2008, 12:57 PM	#3
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-558231	He's lucky Thigpen is in his second year. /truefan
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12-30-2008, 12:57 PM	#4
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $3918036	Man, was I wrong about him. Apologies to Brock who said he would be a franchise QB.
Posts: 21,429

12-30-2008, 12:57 PM	#5
Shox Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $10005765	Wow. That is kind of amazing. QB ROY 3 out of 5 and NONE prior. I think this reflects the change in the college game to much more pro style passing offenses.
Posts: 718

12-30-2008, 01:00 PM	#6
Micjones Whose house? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $10005180	Great story... Happy for Falcons fans. We'll have that kind of success story very soon...I hope. __________________ It's like when I'm right I'm right, when I'm wrong I could been right, so I'm still right cause I coulda been wrong.
Posts: 15,344

12-30-2008, 01:10 PM	#7
chiefs1111 In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-2296834	he did a great job this year,he deserves it...
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12-30-2008, 01:18 PM	#8
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	i'm sure glad we lost the coin toss /Herm __________________
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12-30-2008, 01:56 PM	#9
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $3918036	I hope we get Stafford, and he turns out to be our Ryan. Nothing could impact this team more than a franchise QB of their level.
Posts: 21,429

12-30-2008, 02:02 PM	#11
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $154454	Im sure glad we drafted Dorsey over Flacco. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,627

12-30-2008, 02:11 PM	#14
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $154454	Surprisingly, Flaccos numbers are not that far off from Ryans. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795 __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,627