Picking a quarterback early in the first round isn't always a sure thing (see: Leaf, Ryan), but the Falcons appear to have a slam dunk in Matt Ryan, left. The rookie has helped resurrect a franchise that was a mess one year ago (from Michael Vick going to jail to coach Bobby Petrino bolting back to the college ranks). ? Ryan's stats are impressive: 2,940 yards, 92.0 passer rating, 62 percent completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions. But taking a team from 4-12 to playoff contention in one of the league's toughest divisions (NFC South) is a bigger feat. ? Several have contemplated whether Ryan is the greatest rookie quarterback of all time. We're not saying he's the next Joe Namath, Dan Marino or Peyton Manning, but this is how his first year stacks up against four others:
Case for: Taking over midway through his first season, Marino went 7-2 as a starter, leading the Dolphins to the playoffs. He was the first rookie quarterback to start in the Pro Bowl, and his numbers spoke for themselves - 96.0 passer rating was second best ever for a rookie, as was his completion percentage (58.4).
Case against: Marino was handed the keys to a team that reached the Super Bowl the year before. And his first start didn't come until Week 6.
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