San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
‘Matty Ice’ sees heir apparent
Former MVP watches Purdy operate Shanahan’s offense with similar results
The foundation of Kyle Shanahan’s offense hasn’t fundamentally changed in the seven years since Matt Ryan was directing it, but there has been plenty of redecorating.
Ryan, 38, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history, noted Friday some of the ways Shanahan’s system has evolved since he became the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. For all the tweaks and additions, however, Ryan still can watch the 49ers this season and get flashbacks.
“There are a lot of things with the crossing routes, short posts, the timing and rhythm off play-action,” Ryan said. “It’s one of those things where you look at it and it’s like, ‘Man, I do remember that. And it was nice .’” In fact, it was great. In 2016, Ryan, then in his ninth season with the Falcons and his second year with Shanahan as his offensive coordinator, led a turbo-charged offense that scored the ninthmost points (540) in NFL history. Ryan was named the NFL MVP and posted the seventh-highest passer rating (117.1) in league history.
That season gives Ryan, now a CBS analyst after playing his 15th and final season last year, a unique perspective as he watches something similar unfold in 2023. The 49ers enter Sunday’s visit to Arizona on pace to score 496 points, which would rank second in franchise history. They are averaging 6.74 yards per play, which would rank fifth in NFL history, four spots ahead of the 2016 Falcons (6.69).
Shanahan has acknowledged the 2023 49ers offense is in the conversation with the 2016 Falcons as the best he has had in his 20 seasons as a play-caller. And that’s likely because Brock Purdy is the best QB he has had since Ryan, who ranks among the top 10 in NFL history in passing yards, completions and passing touchdowns.
Asked about the musthave qualities for a QB in Shanahan’s offense, Ryan began by emphasizing a trait that might be Purdy’s best, one that explains why he’s an NFL MVP candidate with a passer rating (116.9) nearly identical to Ryan’s in 2016.
“To me, I think it’s timing,” Ryan said. “Particularly in what they want to do in the play-action pass game — so much of it requires trust and timing and getting the ball out early. I think that’s one of things you see with Brock. He’s been excellent in that area, letting the ball go in the timing of the play.
“It’s something Kyle stresses all the time. Receivers are on steps on certain routes. And it’s about the footwork and timing as a quarterback. You have to let the ball go with a great level of trust, not only in your receivers, but in the scheme.”
Of course, not all plays resemble a symphony. Ryan hailed Purdy’s ability to extend plays amid crumbling pockets, usually escaping while keeping his eyes downfield to throw. In addition, Purdy is proficient at the on-therun passes that are required in an offense heavy on bootlegs and movement off play-action.
“Brock does an excellent job of using his legs to still be a passer,” Ryan said. “I think that’s something
else that is essential. He’s certainly more athletic than I was — there’s no question about that. But one of the things you have to do in Kyle’s scheme is to be able to throw the football on the move. And although I wasn’t the most athletic guy, I was a pretty good thrower on the run. Athletic enough.
“Brock’s ability to get outside the pocket takes some of the stress off the offensive line and the pass game.”
In 2016, Ryan led an attack that included All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones (1,409 yards) and dynamic pass-catching running back Devonta Freeman, who rushed for 1,079 yards and had 54 receptions. The rest of the supporting cast, however, was composed of lowerwattage players such as running back Tevin Coleman and wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel, who expertly filled specific roles.
Purdy, of course, is surrounded by a veritable allstar team that includes
four All-Pros (running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, left tackle Trent Williams) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has had consecutive 1,000yard seasons.
Ryan was asked about the belief that Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 draft who leads the NFL in passer rating, completion percentage and yards per attempt, would struggle without such an elite support system.
In his response, Ryan, whose nickname was “Matty Ice,” referenced Purdy’s poise. And ability to create. And he also discussed what Shanahan often told him during their two seasons together. Shanahan took responsibility for scheming pass-catchers open on first and second down outside the red zone. On third down and inside the 20-yard line, when throwing windows shrink considerably, Shanahan would tell Ryan that is when QBs had to “make their money.”
“Everybody is dependent on the guys around them,” Ryan said. “That’s how this game works. But you can’t take away from the fact that Brock is the guy doing it. He’s out there making those plays when they’re there. But, man, he’s made plays when they’re not there and made things happen.
“I look at him and see a guy who seems to be unflappable. Regardless of what the situation is, he’s completely steady and even-keeled. So he makes plays when they’re there. He makes plays when they’re not. He makes plays on third down. He makes plays in the red zone. And he’s got a calm demeanor. What else do you want?”
In 2016, the Falcons fell painfully short of the title they wanted. After averaging 40 points and 457.5 yards in playoff wins over the Seahawks and Packers, respectively, they lost 34-28 in overtime to the Patriots in the Super Bowl, squandering a 25point, third-quarter lead.
“Our playoff run was pretty good,” Ryan said, “outside of the last quarter in a Super Bowl.”
Still, the 2016 season, which included the most painful moment of Ryan’s career, also included countless moments that were unlike anything else he experienced in his other 14 years in the NFL. Seven years later, it’s a feeling that Purdy and his teammates might share.
“It definitely felt different,” Ryan said. “And it felt different because of the level of belief. Not that you ever feel that you’re not going to score. But I think the difference that season is we knew we were going to score.”