It is not very often that you have an NFL quarterback come into the league and see success in their rookie year. It is even more rare that you have a rookie quarterback start for their respective teams on opening day and start the whole season. It is a miracle when you have this happen to two young quarterbacks in the same season. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan performed just that in 2008, and are now performing even better in 2009. Which of these two young quarterbacks is the best?

matt

The case for Matt Ryan, or “Mattie Ice” as he is so often referred to, is a solid one. He took an Atlanta Falcons team in 2008 that was horrible just one year earlier, and took them to within one game of the NFC South title. Not only was he solid throughout the year, he was better than solid. He actually went out and drove an offense that was fairly pitiful into a top notch unit.

So far in 2009, Matt has developed into one of the best NFL quarterbacks period. His calm presence in the pocket seems to be rubbing off on his teammates as well as they have taken a stand in the NFC South. Matt is throwing the football with much more confidence and has his team near the top of the standings once again.

The case for Joe Flacco is equally impressive. Flacco actually took the Ravens to the AFC Championship last year, and is the only rookie ever to win two playoff games in their first year. That is pretty heady stuff considering the Ravens are known for their defense. The one knock on Flacco in 2008 was that he had an easy offense and the coaches did not stretch him.

So far in 2009, Flacco has shown that this was not necessary. He has the Ravens near the top of the standings and also on top of many statistical categories. He is a very strong armed quarterback that is also blessed with fantastic decision making skills. That combination is rare in the NFL, and even more incredible in a rookie. Flacco has shown that he is for real as well.

Trying to pick between these two young quarterbacks is tough, but I have to give the nod to Flacco on this one. The reason is simply because Flacco seems to do more with less than Ryan. Matt Ryan has Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner, Roddy White and a great cast of receivers around him. Flacco has Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and several average receivers at best save for possibly Derrick Mason. Flacco gets it done anyway.

Both of these young quarterbacks are sure to be stars if they continue their climb this season. They both have all the little intangibles that makes a superstar NFL quarterback. Some day they might be the Dan Marino and John Elway of this generation. You never can tell. They are certainly off to a great start.