Ryan embracing new home in Atlanta

[WCW]

Ryan embracing new home in Atlanta
By Jay Adams - jadams@macon.com

FLOWERY BRANCH --Matt Ryan didn't get much sleep leading up to Saturday.

The nerves and anticipation of wondering where he would be living and playing were too much to keep him from getting more than two or three hours of sleep a night.

Saturday night, however, he got plenty.

The tension was relieved shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday when the Atlanta Falcons drafted the Boston College quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft.

"You just don't know where you're going to go in the draft," Ryan said during a Sunday morning news conference at the Falcons' training facility. "The past couple of days, I think I got about three hours (of sleep) here and there, waking up in the middle of the night, wondering where you're going to be."

Ryan, who was one of six players invited to attend the draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, embarked on a whirlwind before making his way to Atlanta.

After a brief photo opportunity on the stage at Radio City, Ryan was whisked backstage where he spoke with members of the Falcons' front office and was then barraged by questions from the media.

"And then a flight down to Atlanta - home," Ryan said. "A flight home."

Ryan has already embraced a city that seems torn about whether the Falcons should have taken him or opted for star LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who was still on the board when Atlanta picked. The Falcons passed on Dorsey, who was taken fifth overall by Kansas City, but the front office has already put its full trust in Ryan to win over the fan base.

Ryan jerseys went on sale on the Falcons' Web site shortly after he was picked Ð the jersey displaying the number "8." The Falcons are hoping, in no uncertain terms, that Ryan can make Atlanta forget about No. 7.

Michael Vick was never mentioned by name Sunday morning, but it was clear the front office was moving in a purposeful manner - including by drafting Ryan - to rid the organization of Vick's memory.

"We're doing everything we can do to put our house - your house - in order," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said before heaping praise on to Ryan.

Speculation prior to the selection of Ryan centered on the possibility of Vick returning to the Falcons when he is set to be released from prison next summer. Vick was the first item in a long list of misfortunes for the Falcons last year when he was indicted and subsequently sentenced for his role in a dogfighting ring in Virginia.

Blank spent about eight minutes Sunday morning before introducing Ryan and the Falcons' other first-round selection, offensive tackle Sam Baker, addressing the fans.

"We're putting the pieces together, and we want to ask our fans and the Atlanta community to be one of the integral parts of the pieces of our success," Blank said.

The front office again stressed the great amount of intangibles Ryan has - leadership, intelligence and football ability - although Ryan's nickname at Boston College was never uttered.

Ryan was known as Matty Ice to his college teammates for his cool nature in the pocket and his ability to freeze opposing defenses.

"Matt's our franchise. He's the future quarterback for us," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said, apologizing ahead of time for using insider terms familiar to him when he was director of scouting for the New England Patriots. "He brings leadership, intelligence, major skills on the field. He brings the ability to have accuracy short and long, intermediate (passes). He has a very nice feel in the pocket and very good savvy."

There still has been no indication of whether Ryan will be the starter right away, but Dimitroff did say Ryan's "presence will be felt immediately."

[fan4ever]

Glad for ya, WCW...

hope he does well and y'all can move past the Vick episode!!

(Except when he's facing the Bucs Defense, of course!)

[Gray Mule]

Falcons had several needs, including a replacement for M.V.

We apparently, from all reports, picked a good one.Got some more much needed pieces too.

Not where they will be come kickoff to begin the new season, but it's a start.

Recently, the last place team from previous season ends up winning the division. Falcons are next!!