Rookie Ryan poised to start team's new era

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Tom Pedulla

ATLANTA -- In reality, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is very much a rookie as he adjusts to the warp speed of the NFL game and learns the complexities of offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's system.

In other aspects -- his poise and maturity and the efficiency with which he is performing in the face of enormous expectations -- he acts the part of a 10-year veteran.

"In a lot of ways, he doesn't act like a rookie," says running back Michael Turner, in his fifth NFL year but first with the Falcons. "Guys respect him."

Coaches and players respect Ryan to such a degree that coach Mike Smith cited the progress he has made in naming him the starting quarterback when rebuilding Atlanta opens the regular season Sept. 7 against the visiting Detroit...