After 14 seasons, Matt Ryan was beloved by coaches, teammates and fans for his quality play in Atlanta.
Well, do it again in Indianapolis.
For the first time since his rookie season, Ryan is learning a new playbook at an unfamiliar training facility with routines he has never developed before.
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After just two weeks of training, the Colts couldn’t be more impressed with the results.
“When you have someone with Matt’s experience, you can say, ‘This is what we wanted,’ but you have to trust your intuition. will tell him to do what he’s done in his career,” Colts manager Frank Reich said after Thursday’s practice. “There’s a mentality, there’s confidence. You want to go out and play. You’re setting the pace from meeting to deciding play.”
Reich and general manager Chris Ballard wanted it when they traded a third-round draft pick to Atlanta in March for the 37-year-old quarterback. The greatest quarterback in franchise history is now available.
Indianapolis, on the other hand, had five starters on opening day in five different seasons and needed someone who could add stability and leadership. The Colts missed the playoffs last season, losing their final two games.
Ryan has brought an impressive resume with four Pro Bowl selections and four Super Bowl appearances. He ranks in the top 10 in NFL history for his yards passed (59,735) and touchdowns his passes (367).
But the match video convinced Reich and Ballard that Ryan was still dominant, still an elite player, and could make a difference for a young team.
So far it hasn’t disappointed.
“Once the pre-game meeting is over, he rushes everyone into the line,” said left tackle Matt Pryor. “In order to dominate the offense, you have to get it on track quickly, because the defense thinks, ‘I have to hurry.’ And that might throw the defense a little off balance.”
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