The news that quarterback Matt Ryan is throwing lots of interceptions early in training camp sent Falcons fans in a Twitter tizzy. It’s just practice, but any talk about Ryan interceptions carries weight after he had probably his worst season since his first two in the NFL.
Coach Dan Quinn said he’s not worried about Ryan’s interceptions because of context.
“This is the time to try everything, whether is a different route or a different look,” Quinn said Tuesday after Ryan threw a virtual pick-six during the team period. “It’s also an important part for the defense, too, to know how they get after the ball. For us, this is what this time is all about is getting the timing down and getting the routes right. Some of that happens in our training camp practice. But for us, it’s about the ball, we know that.”
Ryan’s interception on Tuesday came on a play he’s had trouble with at times: a pass to his left outside of the numbers. Ryan floated the pass intended for Julio Jones, leaving cornerback Robert Alford plenty of time to cut underneath and catch it. Ryan finished the 2015 season as the #19 QB after finishing in the top 8 in four of the previous five seasons. (The only miss was the year Julio Jones was injured.) The team replaced a fading Roddy White with Mohamed Sanu, who should serve as a solid if unspectacular second option.