Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 29, 2015 20:52:12 GMT
When Matt Ryan and offense get there, Roddy White says watch out
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Matt Ryan's decision to publicly scrutinize his own footwork rather than use an excuse such as injury or a new offense for inconsistency with his throws through seven games didn't surprise Atlanta Falcons teammate Roddy White.
"That's what he's supposed to do because that's what great quarterbacks do," White said of Ryan taking ownership. "It's a new system and we're all trying to figure it out and grasp what everybody needs to be doing. We will play better, as a whole.
"We're 6-1 and we feel like we are a long way away from where we want to be. When we get there, watch out."
Ryan cleared up speculation about his being injured during his weekly radio appearance on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, he expanded on some of the technical aspects of his game, saying he is playing with an OK base and balance but needs to be better.
"I think playing this position comes down to fundamentals," Ryan said. "It's about being solid with your technique. That doesn't change -- really in my opinion -- at any position. Technique is first and foremost. So for me, it's about making sure we're in the right spots where we need to be. I feel like I work hard on that every week, but that's got to be a point of emphasis this week. And we'll do that."
Ryan never mentioned the numerous dropped balls by his receivers, with at least one player near the top of the league in drop percentage. And Ryan never talked about times when his targets didn't get the proper depth on a certain route, or when the pressure from an unblocked defender threw off his timing. It's just not in his character to point the finger elsewhere. He's always been accountable.
Quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur, who orchestrates the drills to help keep Ryan on top of his technique, appreciates Ryan's approach.
"I just think any good quarterback, that's what you're consistently striving for is perfection," LaFleur said. "I don't care if it's Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, they're always working on the fundamental part to make their game as good as it can be.
"There are specific drills that we always work on, like a base-back drill that we do once a week. For them, it's all about muscle memory. But more than anything else, we just try to rep the footwork that each play entails because the footwork is different on every play. We're just trying to constantly work on getting better at that for the rhythm of each play."
The new system implemented by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, of course, features more movement and out-of-the-pocket plays than Ryan had been accustomed to in recent years. But such a change in philosophy doesn't mean Ryan's mechanics suddenly have been totally thrown off.
It does take some adjustment, however.
"Absolutely," LaFleur said. "You're talking about a guy who has played in an established system for years. Now you have a new system, so to speak, coming in and teaching him new technique, different footwork. It's always going to be work in progress.
"We're always going to strive for perfection. He's a perfectionist. And I love that about him."
Ryan and the Falcons averaged 18.7 points per game over the last three contests after averaging 34.3 in their first four. The 56 total points in the last three games is as many as they scored in last year’s home game against Sunday’s opponent, Tampa Bay (56-14 in Week 3).
Ryan, who has thrown for 2,002 yards (172 of 267), nine touchdowns and six interceptions, is getting more accustomed to a balanced offense with NFL leading rusher Devonta Freeman (621 rushing yards). According to ESPN Stats and Information, Ryan's nine touchdowns are tied for his fewest through the first seven games of a season in his career. The Falcons drop back to pass on 59.9 percent of offensive plays (22nd in the NFL), their lowest dropback percentage in the last five seasons.
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Matt Ryan's decision to publicly scrutinize his own footwork rather than use an excuse such as injury or a new offense for inconsistency with his throws through seven games didn't surprise Atlanta Falcons teammate Roddy White.
"That's what he's supposed to do because that's what great quarterbacks do," White said of Ryan taking ownership. "It's a new system and we're all trying to figure it out and grasp what everybody needs to be doing. We will play better, as a whole.
"We're 6-1 and we feel like we are a long way away from where we want to be. When we get there, watch out."
Ryan cleared up speculation about his being injured during his weekly radio appearance on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, he expanded on some of the technical aspects of his game, saying he is playing with an OK base and balance but needs to be better.
"I think playing this position comes down to fundamentals," Ryan said. "It's about being solid with your technique. That doesn't change -- really in my opinion -- at any position. Technique is first and foremost. So for me, it's about making sure we're in the right spots where we need to be. I feel like I work hard on that every week, but that's got to be a point of emphasis this week. And we'll do that."
Ryan never mentioned the numerous dropped balls by his receivers, with at least one player near the top of the league in drop percentage. And Ryan never talked about times when his targets didn't get the proper depth on a certain route, or when the pressure from an unblocked defender threw off his timing. It's just not in his character to point the finger elsewhere. He's always been accountable.
Quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur, who orchestrates the drills to help keep Ryan on top of his technique, appreciates Ryan's approach.
"I just think any good quarterback, that's what you're consistently striving for is perfection," LaFleur said. "I don't care if it's Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, they're always working on the fundamental part to make their game as good as it can be.
"There are specific drills that we always work on, like a base-back drill that we do once a week. For them, it's all about muscle memory. But more than anything else, we just try to rep the footwork that each play entails because the footwork is different on every play. We're just trying to constantly work on getting better at that for the rhythm of each play."
The new system implemented by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, of course, features more movement and out-of-the-pocket plays than Ryan had been accustomed to in recent years. But such a change in philosophy doesn't mean Ryan's mechanics suddenly have been totally thrown off.
It does take some adjustment, however.
"Absolutely," LaFleur said. "You're talking about a guy who has played in an established system for years. Now you have a new system, so to speak, coming in and teaching him new technique, different footwork. It's always going to be work in progress.
"We're always going to strive for perfection. He's a perfectionist. And I love that about him."
Ryan and the Falcons averaged 18.7 points per game over the last three contests after averaging 34.3 in their first four. The 56 total points in the last three games is as many as they scored in last year’s home game against Sunday’s opponent, Tampa Bay (56-14 in Week 3).
Ryan, who has thrown for 2,002 yards (172 of 267), nine touchdowns and six interceptions, is getting more accustomed to a balanced offense with NFL leading rusher Devonta Freeman (621 rushing yards). According to ESPN Stats and Information, Ryan's nine touchdowns are tied for his fewest through the first seven games of a season in his career. The Falcons drop back to pass on 59.9 percent of offensive plays (22nd in the NFL), their lowest dropback percentage in the last five seasons.