FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Few question the collection of Matt Ryan's physical abilities. Accurate touchdown passes and game management were just two highlights of his skill set that got him drafted No. 3 overall by the Falcons. But ability alone doesn't make an NFL quarterback.
It takes poise to take the field week after week against some of the best athletes in the world. It takes the rare combination of thick skin and a sponge-like mind.
That's where Ryan stands apart.
"There's going to be some series where you play well and there's going to be some series that you don't," the rookie said earlier this week as he prepares for his first regular-season start against the Detroit Lions. "You can't get too high or too low during the ride through the season. You have to stay even keeled and keep grinding. That's what I've tried to do through every level I've played at and I don't think that's going to change in the NFL."
An overactive short-term memory has been the demise of many an NFL quarterback. But Ryan has already shown an ability to take a mistake, learn from it and forget it ever happened.
That could be a valuable asset in Sunday's game as he faces a Lions defense that recorded 12 sacks in an undefeated preseason. Detroit may not have many big names in the secondary, but they have Ernie Simms at outisde linebacker (134 tackles in 2007) and a scheme based on Tampa Bay's successful cover-two defense.
"I think he has shown a lot of poise," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "After the interception in the Indianapolis game before halftime he just shook it off. We talked about it after the game and he said he was glad he got that out of the way in the preseason. He haa got a very good outlook about the game of football. He is a guy that has a good understanding of playing quarterback in this league. He has worked hard and I think he is mature beyond his years. It will be a great season for him to come in and be our leader."
With so much focus on his ability and learning curve, Ryan's leadership style has gone mostly unnoticed. He purchased a new sound system for the locker room before he was named the No. 1 quarterback and quickly adapted to the NFL-style of leadership.
Look closely on Sunday and you may see him leading a brief strategy session with his offensive line between series. Something else to add on the list of Ryan's early accomplishments.
"I believe in Matt 100 percent," outside linebacker Keith Brooking said. "Everything that I have seen from him from the moment he walked through those doors in April is that he is ready to take over the offense and lead us to success."
CHANGING FOCUS: While Falcons news centers on Ryan and where Roddy White and other receivers could make an impact, the Lions are looking to maximize the play of wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams.
But first, they want to keep the ball on the ground.
The addition of Rudi Johnson offers definitive proof of the Lions' efforts to bolster an anemic running game. Success there could open up the passing game and a play-action threat the Lions have struggled to fully realize.
Johnson, who spent the first eight years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, joined Detroit earlier this week to add an established player to the backfield. Rookie Kevin Smith sits at the top of the depth chart.
“It is a heck of a deal," Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said of Johnson and his 5,742 career rushing yards (48 touchdowns). "He is a very good football player. He is a proven player. The biggest thing we are doing right now is spending time with him at practice to see if we can get him in a groove. He is a good person and a good character guy. He is excited about being here in Detroit and going to work.”
Detroit ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game last season (80.5) so new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto, a veteran offensive line coach, won't waste time trying to establish the run.
In an equally impressive shift in philosophy, the Falcons hope to power the offense with the legs of Michael Turner and the speed of Jerious Norwood.
Atlanta rushed for more than 100 yards in a game once last season, but gained more than 100 yards on the ground in each of this year's exhibition games. A successful running attack addresses several concerns, including taking pressure off a rookie quarterback, wearing down the defense and avoiding an overdose of Detroit's receivers.
"It's all about trying to keep the ball as long as possible," fullback Ovie Mughelli said. "To do that we want to run the ball. We know they're going to be blitzing the heck out of Matt because he's a first-year quarterback. We also know that we have a lot of experience in our running back group and our offensive line. We feel we can run the ball effectively, get first downs, keep the chains moving and essentially keep the ball out of their hands."
The Falcons rushed for 561 yards in the preseason (169 yards from Turner). The team also picked up 11 more first downs than its opponents and controlled the ball, on average, for more than 30 minutes each game. Last season the Lions ranked last in opponents points per game and opponents total offense per game.
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: The Week 1 Saint Joseph's Injury Report is light for both teams.
For the Falcons, linebacker Coy Wire (ankle) and center Alex Stepanovich (back) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Safety Thomas DeCoud (ankle) was limited in team drills.
THE SKINNY: Even with multiple success stories -- and a 2-2 record -- from the preseason, the Falcons feel they have something to prove.
"The games count now," Brooking said. "They're for real now but you try to maintain your same work habits, intensity and what you bring to work every day. When we step out on the field on Sunday the tempo increases. It's what we play for. It's a great way to start too, playing at home in front of our home town crowd...
"The expectations have always been very high for this team since we brought this team together in March. It's obvious the expectations on the outside aren't there but, at the end of the day, what matters is what we do out there on Sunday."
Smith put any talk of technicalities or specific players to rest Wednesday when he revisited the philosophy of most successful football teams.
When Sunday's game is over, look for bloody noses.
“I know that we are going to bring a team that is ready to fight," Smith said. "We will be very, very aggressive. We have already set a tone of the type of football team we want to be and that is a physical one. Throughout the preseason we have done that. It is a group that will not back down from anybody.”
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and colors to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Lions...
- The Falcons will be suiting up in red jerseys Sunday afternoon.
- Falcons running backs coach Gerald Brown will face his brother, Lions assistant head coach/passing game coordinator, Kippy Brown.
- The Lions lead the overall series between the teams 23-9 with the Falcons winning three of the last six meetings.
- A win Sunday would be the first opening-day win at the Georgia Dome since 2005.
- Turner is the owner of three of the six longest touchdown runs in Chargers history.
- The Falcons offensive line, as a group, is 22 pounds heavier than Week 1 of last season.
- Sunday will mark Todd McClure's 97th consecutive start
- Thirty-six more tackles for No. 36 (Lawyer Milloy) and the veteran will have 1,500 for his career.
- Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux's one career interception came against the Lions in 2006.
MORE FALCONS-LIONS COVERAGE:
- GAME CENTER: Preview coverage from NFL.com
- INJURY REPORT: Falcons-Lions injuries for Week 1
- NOTEBOOK: Secondary preparing for athletic Lions secondary
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Lions-Falcons video features
- FEATURE: Shockley-Finneran touchdown key to rehab
- NEWS: Falcons trade for Foxworth
- BLOG: J. Mike talks about time spent with Foxworth
- TRANSACTIONS: Review the Falcons official 2008 transactions page
