FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Matt Ryan is serving as both quarterback and unofficial player-coach in his 10th NFL training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.
Either way, he’s a leader.
Coming off a season in which he was voted The Associated Press 2016 NFL’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, Ryan has never been more established as a team leader. He enjoyed his best season in 2016, setting personal highs for yards passing and touchdowns, while leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl.
The leadership shows in Ryan’s one-on-one teaching moments with rookie wide receivers Josh McGee, Reggie Davis and Marvin Hall. For Ryan, it’s about precision, and that’s the lesson for the rookies.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leads the team through an agility drill during Military Day at team football practice on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)“It’s a part that he’s good at,” coach Dan Quinn said Sunday. “He’s really clear on where he expects the player to be for the throw. For the player, it’s ‘I know Matt needs to put the ball here, so I can’t cut the route short.’ It’s that player-to-player communication that is so critical. … He’s so good at it.”