Ryan struggling in sophomore season

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By Guy Curtright SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

ATLANTA | The quarterback nicknamed "Matty Ice" hasn't been as cool or efficient in his sophomore season.

Welcome to the harsh reality of the NFL, Matt Ryan.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has been intercepted seven times in the past three games, including three times in Monday night's 35-27 loss at New Orleans. That performance caused the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mark Bradley to question Ryan's true potential.

"What if he's a good NFL quarterback, but not a great in the making?" the columnist wrote.

The Redskins - Atlanta's opponent Sunday at the Georgia Dome - would love to have a "good NFL quarterback" right now. After leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record and a surprise playoff berth last season, however, the bar has been set high for Ryan.

When Atlanta played at Dallas on Oct. 25, former Cowboys star signal-caller and current Fox analyst Troy Aikman called Ryan "one of the best young quarterbacks I've seen" and marveled at how the second-year player "never forces anything."

Ryan, though, had his second consecutive two-interception game in that defeat and also lost a fumble. Maybe the former Boston College standout, taken third in the 2008 draft, isn't so unflappable after all.

After throwing just 11 interceptions while winning NFL offensive rookie of the year honors last season, Ryan has thrown nine picks in less than half a season.

"A lot of times it's from being competitive and wanting to make plays," coach Mike Smith said. "I think that's the thread that has run through the interceptions that have occurred over the last three games. Matt is very competitive and confident in himself and in his receiving corps that we can make plays."

One of Ryan's interceptions at New Orleans was returned for a touchdown, and another killed a drive when it appeared the Falcons were in position for a comeback victory against the unbeaten Saints.