Falcons sign rookie QB Ryan
editor1 |May 20,2008
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia (Ticker) -- Matt Ryan apparently will
be paid very well to become the new face of the Atlanta Falcons.
Ryan and the Falcons officially agreed to terms Tuesday on a
six-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but ESPN.com reported that
Ryan received a $72 million deal, including $34.5 million in
guaranteed money.
Following an outstanding career at Boston College, Ryan was
selected third overall by the Falcons in last month's NFL draft.
The 6-5 Ryan will be counted on to replace the disgraced Michael
Vick with the Falcons, who are reeling from a nightmarish
season in which they finished 4-12.
Ryan threw for 4,507 yards with 31 touchdowns last season in
leading the Eagles to an 11-3 record, but he also had 19
interceptions. The reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of
the Year, he passed for 9,313 yards and 56 TDs in his
collegiate career.
Selecting Ryan instead of defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey - widely
considered the top overall talent in the draft - was a clear
public-relations move by the Falcons.
Ironically, the Falcons were in the dilemma only because Vick,
their former franchise quarterback, was suspended indefinitely
by the NFL and currently is serving a 23-month jail term for his
role on federal dogfighting charges - an incident that
triggered a downward spiral for Atlanta in 2007.
First-year head coach Bobby Petrino bolted the team after just
13 games to return to the college ranks last December.
A week later, Falcons owner Arthur Blank later was spurned by
Bill Parcells, who agreed to take over as the team's director of
operations - only to change his mind less than 24 hours later
and join the Dolphins in a similar capacity.
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