FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Rookie of the Year honors are part of history, but Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan isn't letting the success of an 11-5 season go to his head.
Ryan shocked the NFL last season, throwing a touchdown on his first professional pass, finishing the season with an 87.7 quarterback rating, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns and leading the reborn Falcons to a playoff appearance.
Now in the middle of his second mini camp, Ryan isn't taking anything for granted.
"I remember being in here last year and your head is swimming trying to learn the plays and get used to the practice schedule," he said when asked about his rookie experiences.
Ryan hopes to improve his decision making and learn more from a coaching staff that underwent few changes during the offseason.
"I think it's huge for us to have the staff continuity that we've had (and) to have the roster continuity that we have," the quarterback said. "We have a lot of guys back from what we've done last year and that helps when you come into situations like this. We're not learning a new offense, we're just fine-tuning what we did last year."
The Falcons spend a large amount of time at mini camp reviewing aspects of the 2008 playbook. The system is the same and rookies must catch up. That consistency -- among other factors -- have coaches more confident than ever in the 6-foot-4 signal caller.
"I think Matt was a lot more relaxed today just like I was a lot more relaxed than last year," Head Coach Mike Smith said after the team's first mini camp practice. "I think Matt has a real good understanding of what we want to get done as a football team, not only on the offensive side but the defensive side and special teams. Matt has an understanding of the big picture and I think that's really important.
"There's going to be a lot of competition out there for roster spots but that's one of them I think is pretty much sewed up. In terms of Matt, I think he's going to continue to mature. I think all great quarterbacks in this league -- the ones that play consistently from year to year -- are great decision makers and accurate with the football. I think those are things Matt wants to focus on here in this offseason."
New tight end Tony Gonzalez, a 10-time Pro Bowler, complimented Ryan on his leadership skills while running back Michael Turner said the 23-year-old's composure has an effect on the entire team.
"The confidence level is way up there now," Turner said. "He knows what he's doing. This whole team is more comfortable with each other right now."
INJURY REPORT: Falcons first-round draft choice Peria Jerry left Saturday morning’s practice after bumping his knee during drills. Smith said the team’s medical staff will continue to evaluate the defensive tackle Saturday evening. He expects further test results before the end of mini camp.
Other Falcons returned to practice, including kicker Jason Elam, while Smith started giving players in the "Over 30 Club" scheduled breaks in the morning and afternoon.
"We tried to go through our Over 30 Club and not give everybody the same day off," Smith said. "(Brian Finneran) had this afternoon off. This morning Tony (Gonzalez) had it off. Yesterday afternoon it was (Todd) McClure and Gonzalez. I'm trying to get Mike Peterson into that club, but he tells me he's not 30."
SAFETY IN NUMBERS: Some members of the media expect rookie safety William Moore to compete for a starting position during training camp. For now, he's working as a reserve.
But he's trying to show coaches some reasons why the team selected him in the second round of the 2009 Draft.
"It's very intense," he said. "The speed of the game is a little different than college but I knew I could adjust to it. The worst thing you can do is not show effort so I've been doing my best to go fast every snap."
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said Moore will play strong safety for the Falcons, but his speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds at the Combine) provides some flexibility. Moore returned four of his 11 career interceptions for touchdowns and left Missouri with 284 career tackles.
VOICES HEARD: More than 80 fans submitted and voted on questions about mini camp. Many were answered while some are still left to be determined as the team starts making decisions for the 2009 season.
ATTENDANCE MARK: More than 1,600 fans attended the Falcons Saturday-morning practice, making it one of the most popular mini camp practices of recent memory. More than 1,000 fans packed the grounds for the afternoon practice and were treated to autographs and a special post-practice game.
2009 MINI CAMP COVERAGE:
- NOTEBOOK: Gonzalez ready to get to work
- NOTEBOOK: Ryan looks to stay strong in year two
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Jerry Leaves After Knee Bump
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Learning the Ropes | 'A Very Spirited Practice'
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Six Tryout Players in Camp | Now... Do it Backwards
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Quick Chat with Pat Yasinskas | Post-Practice Fun
- TIGHT SPIRALS: Quick Hits from the First Practice
- TIGHT SPIRALS: Checking From Mini Camp Day Two
- TWITTER: Follow the AF.com Team from Flowery Branch
- PHOTOS: More images from mini camp on Flickr
- YOUTUBE: Gonzalez at Workouts | Wide Receiver Drills
- YOUTUBE: Mixed Drills from Mini Camp | QBs and Pass Routes
- INTERVIEWS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Gonzalez | Ryan | Jerry | Moore
- INTERVIEWS: Peterson | Baker | White | Turner | Sidbury
- NFL NETWORK: Steve Wyche recaps Gonzalez first day with the Falcons
- CAMP: More information and news from mini camp
