Demanding excellence: Indianapolis Colts QB Matt Ryan is extra like Peyton Manning than you’d suppose – Indianapolis Colts Weblog

WESTFIELD, Ind. – First impressions matter.

They set a tone for a way others will view you and create a baseline for what must be anticipated going ahead.

This brings us to new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, who might have left a really specific first impression with a few of his teammates: That he’s … a jerk?

“Some guys would inform you that I’m,” Ryan stated. “And I’m OK with that.”

Uncompromising and unapologetic, Ryan got here right here to do a job. That job doesn’t embrace timidity. The way in which Ryan sees it, if he makes associates within the course of, nice. And if not, that’s tremendous, too. But, Ryan is being totally embraced by his new teammates, though he’s barely per week into his first coaching camp with the group.

Simply ask them.

Operating again Nyheim Hines stated he sits up and listens when Ryan speaks.

“I can’t describe it. You simply get chills,” Hines stated. “He begins speaking to us, and also you simply take a look at him and go ‘OK, this man is about to guide us to a championship.’”

Tight finish Mo Alie-Cox added: “On the sphere, it’s simply completely different. As quickly as we break the huddle, he’s like, ‘Get set!’ He says it each single play. It’s bizarre to listen to. Nevertheless it’s been a pleasure to have him right here.”

Ryan’s whole persona is a little bit of a contradiction. He flashes that disarming, Hollywood smile that has made him an excellent spokesperson for issues like golf apparel. Equally, followers have lengthy gravitated to him due to his humility and down-to-earth nature.

On the identical time, he has established a repute for depth that Colts gamers are actually experiencing firsthand.

Ryan has been on the town lengthy sufficient for this duality to change into clear. Since his trade to Indianapolis in March from the Atlanta Falcons, he has proven he might be the man who stops teammates in a hallway to quiz them on the main points of the newest offensive set up, as Alie-Cox defined, whereas additionally exhibiting a real want to find out about them as people and forge essential relationships.

Ryan has a relatively easy method of describing this strategy.

“Truthfully,” he stated, “I’m simply being myself.”

After spending every of his earlier 14 seasons with the Falcons, Ryan has by no means needed to make an adjustment this important in his profession.

However he says the fixed turnover in Atlanta lately ready him for a few of what he’s experiencing now. It’s made him extra adaptable, and the teachings are serving him properly in Indianapolis.

“It’s important to do it your method, in any other case it’s unimaginable to pretend it every single day, and it’ll be unimaginable for individuals to belief you,” Ryan stated. “Early in my profession, being round veteran guys who had been genuine, guys like Todd McClure, who was a middle for us in Atlanta, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, these guys actually taught me lots about how you can be knowledgeable and how you can do it in several methods. All these guys are wildly completely different personalities. However you must do it your method as a result of if you’re your self, it makes guys really feel comfy.”

As long as these guys additionally perceive that Ryan’s fiery aspect will sometimes come by way of. A main instance might be present in a 2017 Falcons matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throughout which Ryan – whereas beneath heart – was overheard in the course of the ESPN broadcast screaming at his confused receivers to “get f—ing set!”

It dropped at thoughts the same occasion, when former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning castigated operating again Donald Brown for a missed task throughout a 2009 playoff recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. In the midst of a play, Manning might clearly be heard on the printed screaming, “God rattling it, Donald!”

Maybe that’s why Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne, a longtime teammate of Manning’s, not too long ago cracked that Ryan is so just like Manning that “it makes me virtually need to throw up.”

“Hey,” Ryan stated, laughing on the reminiscence of his in-game outburst, “no less than mine was earlier than the snap.”

However that is additionally severe enterprise. Ryan is 37. Time isn’t on his aspect. The 2016 NFL Most Helpful Participant didn’t come right here to coast into retirement. After averaging 6.3 wins with the struggling Falcons the previous 4 seasons, Ryan arrived in Indianapolis with a definitive goal. And that goal – profitable – will inform how he conducts himself.

It’s already evident in follow. The Colts are flying by way of their follow scripts due to the concerted distinction in tempo and urgency Ryan has introduced. There’s a stage of seriousness in all the things he does.

“We’ve by no means practiced that quick,” coach Frank Reich marveled final week.

Mentioned Ryan: “Look, we’re right here to set a regular in how we function and pull one of the best out of one another. I anticipate the identical from these guys too. Once I want a kick within the ass, they need to let me comprehend it. The nice groups that I’ve been on have been like that. It’s the gamers holding one another accountable to be at their finest. However I do suppose a part of that function is that it’s not essentially calling individuals out, however calling them up. It’s calling them as much as a [higher] stage.”

The message is a well timed one for the Colts. They fell quick final season after a crushing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in January’s season finale that eradicated them from the playoffs. There was a renewed focus all through the group and even public calls for for enchancment from proprietor Jim Irsay.

The group’s late-season flameout is what largely led to the choice to jettison 2021 beginning quarterback Carson Wentz, who was traded in March to the Washington Commanders.

Perhaps Ryan is simply what the Colts want at simply the proper time.

“He calls for excellence, so having the presence, that vitality within the constructing, is one thing that rubs off on you,” operating again Jonathan Taylor stated. “It [forces] you to focus as a result of you already know each time Matt comes into the constructing, he’s going to be laser targeted.”

How’s that for first impressions?