Matt Ryan to be named Falcons starter

If Kurt Warner's potential ascension to the starting role in Arizona is set to be the shock of the pre-season, then the revelation that the Falcons are about ready to thrust Matt Ryan into the mix should surprise nobody.

When the Falcons drafted Ryan, we liked it. He has the arm, he has the physical talent, and most of all, he's an intelligent guy who just does not feel pressure. It would be easy to hold Ryan out while the team inevitably loses this season, but we doubt that's what Ryan actually wants. The guy is ready to lead his franchise, in the same way the Peyton Manning knew he was ready to lead the Colts.

The baptism will be harsh, but 'Matty Ice' is ready for it. He does not 'want' to win per sé, but the advantage to having a guy with Ryan's temperament on the field is that when the chips are down, he will not change his demeanour, nor will he get frustrated to the point where he lets it affect his game.

All in all, we meant to write this gushing praise earlier in the day, but the various injuries got in the way. Now that he has been named starter, it seems an appropriate time to say 'we would have told you so, if only you'd asked'.