Ryan 'feels great' with 3 preseason games to go

By George Henry

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Aug. 13 2012 6:55 p.m. MDT

This photo taken Aug. 9, 2012 shows Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) working against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Atlanta. Ngata is carrying a few extra pounds at training camp in an effort to drop a few quarterbacks toward the end of the season. Ngata weighs 342 pounds, about 12 more than his reporting weight a year ago. The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle says he lost some of his strength late in the 2011 season, in part because he weighed 335.

John Bazemore, Associated Press

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Summary

As he prepares for his fifth season as starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan is grateful for all the rest he can get.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As he prepares for his fifth season as starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan is grateful for all the rest he can get.

The Falcons' coaching staff films each pass Ryan throws in practice before and during the season to give the team an exact number of the wear and tear on his right arm.

It's an approach Atlanta started in 2008 when general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith were hired and Ryan was drafted with the NFL's third overall pick.

Ryan has missed just two games in his career, and none since Week 14 of 2009.

Every little bit of rest helps Ryan, who passed for a franchise single-season high 4,177 yards last season. His arm was far more affected, however, by the 24 sacks and 84 hits he absorbed from opponents.

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