Falcons tab Ryan starting QB
Sports Network | August 24, 2008
Flowery Branch, GA (Sports Network) - Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan will be the team's starter for its opening game.
According to a report on the Falcons' Web site, Ryan will get the nod against the Detroit Lions on September 7. Ryan, the No. 3 overall pick from this year's draft, has impressed in preseason play.
In a start against Tennessee on Friday, Ryan threw for 102 yards and one touchdown on 15-of-21 passing. He is the club's leading quarterback in the preseason, having thrown for 277 yards and two scores while completing 32- of-52 passes.
Ryan was competing with Chris Redman and Joey Harrington, who had started Atlanta's first two preseason games.
Ryan was a high draft pick after a stellar career at Boston College, where he threw for 9,313 yards and 56 touchdowns, and earned ACC Player of the Year honors as a senior and Heisman Trophy consideration. His career completions and attempts set school records while finishing third in the school's all- time record book in passing yards and completion percentage. Ryan finished his collegiate career with a 3-0 record in bowl games.
The Golden Eagles finished eighth in the nation in total offense last year as Ryan finished with 4,507 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, both single-season school records.
Ryan later signed a six-year contract with the Falcons, that was worth a reported $72 million with $34.75 million in guaranteed money, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
