Falcons make Ryan rich, why they did it
May 21, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Sports
NFL Football at its best. NFL Football at its craziest.
The new face of the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan
Image details: 2008 NFL PLAYERS Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot served by picapp.com
One day Matt Ryan is playing my Michigan State Spartans in a bowl game and the next day Matt is inking a contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
The name “Michael Vick” was conspicuously absent.
Atlanta is owned by Arthur Blank, an owner that desperately wants to move on, as they say. It is time to forget the Michael Vick era. What better way than to draft a new quarterback, to give the team a new face, and to get him signed and in uniform quick.
Matt Ryan, the No. 3 pick in last month’s draft, signed a $72 million, six-year contract Tuesday. The announcement of the new deal came with smiles, confident talk of the future and no mention of Michael Vick, the first pick in 2001 who signed a $130 million extension, the richest in the league at the time, in December 2005.
Team owner Arthur Blank and the Falcons were especially eager to sign Ryan, avoid a holdout and help the franchise move away from the Vick era with new general manager Thomas Dimitroff, new coach Mike Smith and now a new quarterback.
It is always dicey taking a quarterback with one of the top picks. Ask my Detroit Lions and Joey Harrington. It does not always work out.
Darren McFadden
To make it even more risky, Atlanta passed on Darren McFadden, more of a sure thing at running back and most likely soon to be one of the league’s stars. You can bet there will be some criticism of the Falcons if Matt Ryan comes out of the gate slowly while Darren McFadden gets off to the races. Matt may face some struggles with the lack of offensive weapons on the Falcons and an anemic offensive line, so expect some criticism.
Matt Ryan guarantee
The Falcons are putting all their marbles on the line with the contract that Matt Ryan received. It is for 6 years.
Ryan is guaranteed $34.75 million. His guaranteed money is $4.75 million more than that given to Jake Long, the No. 1 overall choice who also is represented by Condon.
Ryan worked behind quarterbacks Chris Redman and Joey Harrington at his first minicamp with the team this month, but he’s getting paid to be the starter. He said he’ll enter training camp expecting to play immediately.
NFL Football Matt Ryan factoid - The 6-foot-5 Ryan ranked third in the nation with his school-record 4,507 yards passing in 2007.
The Falcons are sending a message that the Michael Vick and his 23 month sentence for being involved in dog fighting era is over.
Atlanta wanted to be sure to avoid the holdouts that often affect the career of quarterbacks and the team’s morale, as in JaMarcus Russell last year with Oakland.
“It’s highly unusual to get a first-round pick this high in the first round signed in the month of May, and it’s indicative of the kind of person he is,” Blank said.
“We’re anxious that he be part of the team and show that kind of leadership.”
Ryan said he wasn’t surprised to have the deal done so soon.
“I knew everyone had made the commitment and wanted to get it done,” Ryan said. “I’m just excited and happy. … I’m proud of the fact I’m an Atlanta Falcon.”
Are the Falcons doing the right thing?
Well, PR wise, it was time to move on and they have done it in a bold way. If Matt succeeds we will all say how bright Arthur Blank and the Falcons were. And if he fails? Ever heard of Ryan Leaf?
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So in order to send a message that the Vick era is over, the Falcons pick a guy who did absolutely nothing spectacular in college, pick him at #3 and overpay him amid a backlash in ticket sales…..I’m sorry, what was the message again?
Geez, Falcon fans are feeling a little bit bitter today.
Nobody said it was a smart move. It was just what they did to move on.
“Nobody said it was a smart move”
Well……….when you’re right, you’re right.
>> “Matt may face some struggles with the lack of offensive weapons on the Falcons and an anemic offensive line.”
Gee, bad Offensive Line, where have we seen that before? Oh yeah – the 2002 Detroit Lions when Joey Harrington was thrown to the wolves. Their OL has been lousy for years. One of the few worse OL’s has been the Texans, ask David Carr.
Harrington actually played decent last year under Bobby The Quitter. No protection, OK throw short passes and move the ball. Unfortunately not enough TD’s. Now the Falcons have 3-time loser Mike Mularkey running the Offense…. good luck Matt!