The Facts: For most RBs, the 30th birthday has become the witching hour. For QBs, it's becoming the point at which a career enters a new level of possibly high-end performance. Include Ryan on that list. "I think I'm just hitting my stride," he said on Thursday.

Diehards Line: Ryan continued: “I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life at 30. I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself, my body, my game from the last eight years. I feel like that experience is going to serve me well in my 30s. I feel like I’m throwing it better than I ever have, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. My best ball is still in front of me. ...” He's also coming into his own as a leader. As previously noted, Ryan assembled a total of 27 Falcons players together in Fort Lauderdale for a three-day passing camp. Falling during the period on the calendar when teams can’t be involved in such activities, players are allowed to set up such events on a strictly voluntary basis. Ryan’s ability to get so many to agree to come shows that they are willing to follow him the way that franchise QBs should be followed. Ryan also paid picked up the tab for the event. “I put it together,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to ask guys to go out of their pocket. For me, it was a great chance to get everybody together and give them a little fun for a couple days.”