Will Matt Ryan bounce back?
By Jacob Yturri
Matt Ryan had a down year last season. Can the former MVP go back to his elite ways?
Let me first state that I think Matt Ryan played well last season. It would not be fair to say that Ryan has played close to the level that Joe Flacco has played since the two entered the league. Without a doubt, the former Boston College quarterback has been a consistently good, sometimes great, player for the Falcons.
Last season, Ryan took a step back. Was it because of a hidden injury? Was the addition of Steve Sarkisian the cause of it? Was Matt Ryan not putting in all of the time he needed to be in the playbook and as a result his play on the field deteriorated?
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Of the three options, I believe the addition of Sarkisian as offensive coordinator was the confounding variable. It also doesn’t help that when Kyle Shanahan was here, Matt Ryan played on an elite level. Therefore, any drop off in production would have triggered concern from the Falcons fanbase.
So if Sarkisian is the reason why Ryan digressed, can Ryan return to form in year two of the same offense?
Yes. Ryan will make a rebound this season. He may not be as electric as he was when Shanahan was his coach but he will be top-five in yards, passing touchdowns,. and completion percentage. The added year of comfort in Sarkisian’s system will do a lot of good,
Additionally, the selection of Calvin Ridley will help Ryan have another weapon he can go to if Julio Jones or Austin Hooper are injured or off the field.