The FalconsLife message board on AtlantaFalcons.com is where die-hard Falcons fans go to talk, share ideas and discuss every imaginable topic concerning the Falcons.
During the offseason we'll take a look at a hot topic on the Talk About the Falcons department of FalconsLife and examine what's on the minds of Falcons fans.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan's first play in the NFL was one Falcons fans won't soon forget. After becoming the first rookie quarterback to start the season for the franchise since 1975, Ryan hit receiver Michael Jenkins on a 62-yard touchdown pass against Detroit. It propelled the Falcons to an unlikely 10-6 season and a spot in the playoffs during a season when they were expected to win far less.
Ryan's had more than a few moments in his career with the Falcons that classify as memorable and that inspired ThunderCookie to ask the FalconsLife message board what their favorite Matt Ryan moment is.
Ryan's first pass took most of the commenting votes, but there a few others that will stay high atop other fans' Ryan memories.
ThunderCookie bypassed Ryan's first pass in lieu of another moment from Ryan's rookie season. In Week 6, with 11 seconds remaining, Ryan took the field needing to get the Falcons in field goal range. A 26-yard pass, again to Jenkins, did just that. And just like that, the Falcons hit the field goal and took the win from the Bears.
A few fans mentioned more broad Ryan moments, citing his ability to engineer the offense out of the no huddle, something the quarterback's shown an ability to do during his four seasons.
FalconinPA brought up a memory from the 2011 season. Against Detroit, Ryan appeared to injure his ankle and the life was taken out of every Falcons fan's sails. A Ryan injury could have disastrous effects on Atlanta's season and every fan knew it.
"One of mine was last year in the Detroit game when he was hurt and I actually thought he was done," FalconinPA wrote. "The injury looked bad, but he hobbled back on the field and held his own."
Ryan did in fact return to the game and helped lead the Falcons to another victory.
Of course memories are great, but it's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately kind of NFL and as soon as one memory is made, another one needs to be created. FalconinPA echoed what many in the fanbase, as well as around the team, have spent the offseason saying after three losses in the playoffs in four years.
"Hopefully we can add his first time leading us to a playoff victory very soon," FalconinPA wrote.
That's a sentiment everyone agrees with and when it happens, Ryan's list of memorable moments will get even longer.
