New York -- The suspense -- and the Michael Vick era -- are over.

With their first pick in the NFL draft Saturday, No. 3 overall, the Falcons selected Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.

AP

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff calls Matt Ryan a 'prototypical quarterback.'

Your Turn Do you agree with the Falcons' choice of Matt Ryan?   Yes   No Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

MORE FALCONS / DRAFT Moore: Ryan pick 'highly debatable' Bradley: Trust Dimitroff Interactive: Rate recent Falcons No. 1 picks VOTE Photos: Top Falcons picks Video: Falcons draft Ryan Blogs: From NYC, Flowery Branch Falcons' picks: Ryan • Baker • Lofton • Jackson • Douglas • DeCoud • James • Biermann • Brown • Fontenot • Zinger More draft news RELATED STORIES Falcons' Harris recovering after surgery  NFL commissioner turns focus to Michael Vick's future  Falcons sign sixth-round pick Adkins         • More Falcons

"I would characterize it this way; as we've been saying for a while, we have to move on, and we're moving on as if Michael is not here," team owner Arthur Blank said. "We retain his rights, and at the right time we'll deal with that."

The choice of Ryan, which came with LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey available, brings Atlanta its quarterback of the future. It was a role Vick was thought to have secured. However, his conviction and imprisonment on federal charges related to dogfighting changed the franchise's direction.

Hence, the choice of the 6-foot-5 right-hander from suburban Philadelphia. Ryan started 34 games, completing 837 of 1,347 passes for 9,313 yards with 56 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He won ACC Player of the Year last season as a senior.

"We had options for sure and obviously, as it has been written, Glenn Dorsey was a legitimate consideration," first-time general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "We respect the ability of both players. It came down to us, as far as a tipping point, us considering the value of that position and the need that we had. But most importantly we decided that the skill set that Matt Ryan possessed, along with his intelligence and leadership ability, we were excited about going in that direction."

The Falcons also moved up in the first round to draft Sam Baker, an offensive tackle from USC. With their remaining pick in the second round, the Falcons drafted inside linebacker Curtis Lofton of Oklahoma.

Ryan understands his link to Vick is inevitable.

"All I can do is try as hard as I possibly can," Ryan said. "I was a fan like everybody else last year, and I watched from a distance what went on. I don't know everything that went on. All I can do is go in and try and earn respect from my teammates, play well and learn the playbook."

Ryan will be part of a campaign to continue the new face being put on the Falcons. So much of what was -- Vick, Bobby Petrino, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, Wayne Gandy, DeAngelo Hall and Rich McKay -- has been expunged or reassigned.

Ryan said he is eager to be part of the change.

"I was really excited when they did call," said Ryan, who said he spoke, in order, to Dimitroff, new coach Mike Smith and then Blank. "I wanted to be in Atlanta and I'm happy I'm there."

While Ryan could forever be linked to Vick, Dimitroff will forever be linked to Ryan. It was his first draft pick, and he made it at the game's most high-risk position.

"This guy is a prototypical quarterback," Dimitroff said. "He can stand tall in the pocket. Again, he's very intelligent. A big-time leader. He has the accuracy at all levels. He's a game winner. In the end, he'll take a shot in the face and get up. He's a persevering, hard-nosed quarterback."

Dimitroff reiterated that Blank did not influence the selection of Ryan.

"In the end he made it very clear to us that this decision was my decision and Coach Smith's decision," Dimitroff said.

Added Blank: "The only way I'm involved in making the pick is by his hiring those people and making sure everybody has everything they need in terms of support. There were a number of people at the top of the [draft] board I would have been happy with."

Now the clock starts on when Ryan will make his regular-season, on-field debut. Chris Redman is the starter, for now. Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley, who is returning from knee surgery, will compete for the backup job. If Ryan can pick up offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's offense, he could be thrust into action early.

Atlanta has to make sure it has fortified other positions before putting the marginally mobile Ryan in harm's way. That's why the Falcons traded two second-round picks and a fourth-rounder to Washington to move up to No. 21 in the first round to select Baker. He will compete to start at left tackle.

"If he's the best player, whether if he's a rookie quarterback or a rookie offensive lineman or a rookie linebacker, we want those guys to come in and compete," Smith said.

Dimitroff acknowledged the Falcons flirted with the idea of making a trade with St. Louis to move up to No. 2 to take Dorsey, but it was a short discussion because Ryan was who they wanted.

Smith said the decision was finalized Thursday, but it could have been sealed a few weeks ago when Blank, Smith, Dimitroff and Mularkey had dinner with Ryan in Boston the day before a workout and an interview. They all came away smitten.

"In our meeting he had an opportunity to sit down with Mike Mularkey and [quarterbacks coach] Bill Musgrave and let him get up on the board and see what he could do," Smith said. "It's real easy to evaluate a guy and how he throws the ball. When you sit him down in a meeting situation -- they really tried to stump him. They really gave him some difficult stuff in terms of trying to find out what he knows and what he doesn't know. He was outstanding on the board. He's very cerebral."