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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year yesterday by the Associated Press. I think Falcons owner Arthur Blank had hoped for Matt to have a shot at the starting quarterback position this season when the team drafted him third overall back in April. But I’m sure he didn’t expect this kind of success this soon — not for Matt and not for the Falcons as a team as the prepare to play the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals Saturday in a Wild Card Playoff game. As one would expect, Matt was typically well-spoken of the award:

“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.”

I’m sure Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of the guys Matt was talking about. It had to be a close call. Nevertheless, Matt had a great season by any player’s standards, but especially for a rookie QB. He completed 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had a respectable 87.7 passer rating and also contributed with 104 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. His 3,440 passing yards ranks sixth in a single-season in Falcons history and he became only the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to have over 3,000 passing yards. Impressive.

When you think about what the Falcons organization and the fans went through in watching their supposed savior quarterback Michael Vick being led off to prison and their proud franchise reduced to jeers amidst the embarrassment of former head coach Bobby Petrino, this has to be an especially proud moment. From 4-12 in the basement of the NFC South last season to 11-5 and a Wild Card berth this season, the team can look to their Rookie of the Year quarterback as a building block for many years to come.

Source: AtlantaFalcons.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Matt Ryan NFL Offensive ROY

Ultimately, Coach Petrino’s departure was for the best. His “leadership” was under serious question before he quit. But walking out on his team after 13 games was unconscionable.

Taking over the team as interim head coach is Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary coach Emmitt Thomas. I know the Atlanta Falcons will play hard for Coach Thomas because they respect him. It won’t matter as much whether the team wins or loses these next three games. But it will matter how hard they play. Coach Thomas said:

“Like I told them, play well and then I’ll really know how you feel about the situation ….. I’m honored and excited and nervous and happy to have the opportunity. It’s an opportunity for myself and the other coaches and coordinators to try to rally these guys and get them going to play competitive football the rest of the season.”

Will Coach Thomas be a viable candidate once the season is over? Let me put it this way. I think he is more than a viable candidate, but I don’t think he’ll get the job. Certainly, some consideration will be given to how things go the next three weeks, but I think it will take a minor miracle for him to beat out coaching candidate favorites like Mike Singletary or Marty Schottenheimer to name just a couple.

Check out Allison’s take over at BCS Frenzy.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Falcons Players React to Bobby Petrino’s Departure, Emmitt Thomas Takes Over Team