ajcsportstalk

By Chris

May 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Wow that was fast. I’m not used to the Falcons signing their top pick so fast.

By Ado

May 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Well, It sure doesn’t hurt that he will be there in camp during the offseason. He’ll be in camp on time, so we’ll see if he can win a job over those other 3 guys we have… Given that he was a #3 pick, I would expect him to win a job and get thrown into the fire just like Peyton Manning was his rookie year. Hope it works out, Go Falcons.

By Blaze

May 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

My confidence in trusting Dimitroff/Smith grows daily. Signing Matt Ryan this quick indicates that the team means business. The last thing we needed was to have a holdout situation like Oakland last year. Now we can move on & sign Baker, Lofton, Jackson, Douglas.

6 yrs, $48 million is not bad for a FRANCHISE QB. I believe that Ryan with the combinations of his skills, coaching scheme & team talent, will be Manning-like & will deserve more than $50 in a few years.

GOOD JOB FALCONS; WE BELIEVE IN NOW

By Falconsfan

May 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

I think it is very good that they signed him early. Now they can forget about contracts and get him on the field practicing. We all knew what happened to Jarmarcus Russel last year. Dimitroff did a good job signing him early, no distractions. Go Falcons!

By The Dean 21

May 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

I’m not surprised at all. I’m sure the coaching staff is eager in getting him ready for the season. He was not drafted to sit on the sidelines at all. Matt Ryan will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons 2008 season. YOU heard it right here from the Dean.

By Gary

May 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

It can’t hurt to sign Ryan quickly. As for the price, that’s what you have to pay for a QB drafted that high. You just hope he proves he’s worth it. I’m still not sure about that. I’d still like to see what DJ can do and hope he will be able to finally compete for a job. His career in college and the pros seems to be snakebit, but I still think he has the skills to be a quality NFL quarterback.

By Philip

May 20, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

I’m glad the Falcons management had the foresight to get this done well in advance. Now can all the Falcons Fans move on and throw their support behind Ryan and this team. Let’s enjoy Sunday’s.

By Billy

May 20, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

I think we all know that Ryan was gonna have a hefty price tag. But, the important thing is: he’s signed and will not miss anything. Looks like the Dimitroff/Smith era is off to a good start.

By gabuldawg

May 20, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

I wish the NFL would go to a Salary Cap with preset amounts for each spot in the draft. It’s ridiculous to throw 72 million at a player who hasn’t shown a thing on the field yet. Make them prove their worth the first two or three years and then sign them to a long term contract. It’s not like they will threaten to go to the Arena League if they don’t get more money. If he is a bust, he screws up the Salary Cap for years. Pro Sports has gotten completely out of control!

By Rod

May 20, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

I hate the falcons!

By dtzr1

May 20, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

I see the large contract and can only cringe .Hopefully we are not strapping ourselves down because we need to be able to work on both offensive and defensive lines .

By Tron

May 20, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Hey unproven, what vet should the Falcons have traded for? In your highly educated opinion, rather than drafting Matt Ryan, which starting NFL QB do you think the Falcons should have traded for, and what should they have given up for said QB? Who would you like? Brady, Manning, Manning, Hasselbeck, Roethlisberger? Or perhaps someone like a Chris Sims, Charlie Batch, Trent Green? Exactly what would you have done if you ran the Falcons?

By m

May 20, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Why that much money for an untested player. This is why am sick of all this sports. You pay so much for untested players meanwhile the vetrans have to pull teeth to get a new contract with higher pay.

By Unbiased_Blogger

May 20, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing how you people think it’s ok now to pay a quarterback that kind of money. I guess green isn’t the only color you like :)

By A.Richey

May 20, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

A lot of money for a qb who has never played a down of pro ball.I tell you what he better be ready for fast defenses and stunts by the d lines because the o line is like my favorite cheese.Swiss has a lot of holes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Get your health insurnace matt if vick as fast as he was kept running for his life you know you got some issues with running from a turtle!!!!Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

By JMar

May 20, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? We paid $4 million more in guaranteed money than Jamarcus Russell, who went #1 and signed the biggest rookie contract ever? This is ridiculous…

By Skeptic Tank

May 20, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Great draft choice, great way to sign him up and get him on the practice field. You gotta LOVE Dimitroff and the new way of doing Falcons business. Don’t expect a miracle this year. But realize RIGHT NOW that this is the way a successful franchise is born.

By Peter

May 20, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

OK great…….. hopefully in 3 years he will be a NFL player, and not a bust or Killed behind a sorry line !

Odds are this was not a good pick, and spending that money on him, only means we have less money to work with on the real problem…..

The Defense…..

Well only time will tell, but I don’t think he was the choice, I want to see how he looks compared to Dorsey after 3 years as well.

By DAWGS

May 20, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

WAY TO MUCH MONEY

By Orlando

May 20, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Alex Smith, Cade McNown.

What do they have in common? They were QBs who got their college stats based on a passing system.

Can someone tell me how Matt Ryan, who had almost zero 1st Rd talent around him, is going to be anything like these guys?

The Falcons signing him now shows they are serious about making this work. They now have their leader in place. Now if they can get Baker and Lofton signed those are at least two guys who may start the opener.

Great job Dimitroff!

By Falcon Freddie

May 20, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

$72 MILLION??? $35MILLION just for showing up? Me thinks they should have spent some of that money on a new Offensive Line. Let’s see, they cut Joey Harrington (for good cause) and then bring him back three days later with a bigger check. They cut Alge Crumpler without getting anything for him. Yeah, I can see real wisdom in this. If I were an underpaid lineman, it would make me work harder. Joe Horn is right, “Where’s the door?”

If this was anybody but the Falcons, I’d question what the front office was thinking, but I’m not going to accuse anyone in Atlanta’s organization of thinking.

If Atlanta is going to fill the Dome, they better be giving away 100 gallons of gas with every ticket!

By Rob

May 20, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Matt’s Agent must be a great salesman. Matt is not a quality QB. I know Ryan Leaf is probably patting Matt on the back at this moment.

By Saul

May 20, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Its not too early (apparently) to start a list of Dimitroff’s Boners:

Cutting Crumpler and keeping Joe Horn

Over paying Matt Ryan…even if he turns out to be good. Unless he pulls a Big Ben, he is overpaid.

Not finding a BEEFY DT in the entire 2008 draft that could make the team.

Anyone seen any others?

By Former STH

May 20, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

All you folks who think this is such a great contract…will you be at the Dome on the 31st? Did you get your invite?? Its a Clearance Sale on your own special SEAT!! WOOHOO!! You can pick out your very own location!! All for the low-low price of…..it varies, and you get lunch and you get to meet Matt!! LOLOL!! So yeah, let’s see you folks put YOUR money behind your support! Buy tickets!! Only 50,000 left!! Call now and maybe you can go pick out your own seat on the 31st!! LOL..then maybe they’ll stop clogging up my email inbox begging me to buy tickets.

By Chubbyboy

May 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

Will you guys drop the DJ Shockley competing for a starting job. I would be shocked if he even makes the roster!!!!

By Falcon Freddie

May 20, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

You’re too nice Lynne. $72,000,000.00 wow. Is there really a blue print to winning here? Making an investment like this and not putting a line in front of him? Reminds me of Steve Bartkowski in the early days. I would keep all four QBs, they should all get playing time. Maybe one of them could punt or something to stay on the team. I’d hate to have to bring back Vinny Testerverde again :(

By Lynne

May 20, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Hey….does anybody think this reeks of Rich McKay or is it just me?

By Saul

May 20, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Well by the numbers we have:

Jake Long: 5 years at 57 mil = 11.5 mil per

Matt Ryan: 6 yrs at 72 mil = 12 mil per

Joe Thomas (2007 # 3) 5 yrs at 43 mil 8.6 mil per

Ryan’s agent negotiated a 5% INCREASE over the 2008 # 1 and a 40 % increase over last years # 3.

Must have been a hell of a night at the Cheetah!!

By NYer

May 20, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

I would say I’m exasperated by that much money being given to a guy that I think will struggle to ever be a big time pro QB, but the fact is that after they passed on Dorsey and mortgaged picks for Baker, not much that the new management does surprises me. It’s as if though they think Ryan is their version of Tom Brady; only problem is that not only he has won NOTHING thus far, he has not thrown A SINGLE pass in an NFL game. The comparisons to Brady are laughable. In his college career, Brady threw 17 interceptions. That is the same amount of picks Ryan threw in his senior season! And the argument that the majority of those picks came as a result of Ryan trying to make a play with inferior surrounding talent should bring little solace when he throws crippling interceptions in the NFL.

I keep hoping that the guys running the show know something that I don’t, and that it’s all going to work out in the end. But from where I’m sitting right now, I think the next 10 years or so will probably be pretty similar to the last 10, but without the glimmer of hope that permeated that decade before it all came crashing down.

“Stop the run.” “Control both lines of scrimmage.” Or maybe not.

Unbelievable.

By Tony

May 20, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

They should never have drafted him. With the offensive line that the falcons have he is going to have a hard time being successful. He does not have the ability to move in the pocket.

By NYer

May 20, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

What exactly has Matt Ryan ever won? I don’t want to come off like somebody who has an irrational hatred of this guy, because he really does seem like a nice guy, but that is not the criteria for picking a guy #3 when the best player in the draft (Dorsey) addresses a pressing need that management seemed focused on remedying.

And please don’t feed me the tired rhetoric about the Virginia Tech game! If I hear one more person base their entire review of this kid on the last 5 minutes of that game, I’ll be sick. I’ve seen him play live, and he came off as a largely unremarkable player; relatively accurate arm, tough guy. But that doesn’t necessitate the #3 pick and a 6 year, $72 million contract! This team is going to be brutal for a while yet, regardless of who plays QB, so why does it seem like management’s perception was that Falcon fans couldn’t tolerate a sound rebuilding process? THEY WILL BE IN A REBUILDING PHASE FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS AT A MINIMUM NO MATTER WHO PLAYS QB!!!

I read that Mike Mularkey helped to sway Dimitroff after they met with Ryan — “I’d take him at #3.” SHOCKING — an offensive coordinator lobbying for an upgrade over Redman, Harrington, and Shockley, and paying no mind to the fact that Dorsey was the draft’s best player! Way to sacrifice long term improvement in the name of instant gratification!

I get so disgusted every time I hear about a new development with this team.

By Tommy

May 20, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

Ryan must have the best agent is the world!…That’s seems like a lot of money for someone that hasn’t thrown a pass yet. Maybe I’m just out of the loop but aren’t rookies under a pay scale? Why is Ryan making and guaranteed more money than the first overall pick?

By Tommy

May 20, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

With the line thay got they better get Lloyds of London to insure his knees and head. This way they can recoup some money in about three three years when the poor kid is out of the league.

How long did it take a bad line to take Bart out of Atlanta? Five - six knee surguries and a couple of replacements he was done. He could throw the ball a whole lot better than this guy.

Invest well Matt, play golf while you can walk! Welcome to no linlanta. Been that way since they drafted Nobis except Mike Kenn.

By von

May 20, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

$72million dollars,give me a break. Matt ryan did not make one play in the NFL and he gets that much moolah. That’s a lot of wasted money the falcons have to throw around. I hope he’s worth it.

By bobby

May 21, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

That’s a lot of money for not even the best player in the draft and what seemed to be the default best QB as this QB class was weak. I know that Falcons must have paid this high amount to show some kind of commitement to erase the Vick coming back noise but did they even negotiate? It’s seems as a number was pulled out the agents head and then the Falcon’s said OK, whatever you are our savior moreso in image than anything else. If Matt does not live up to the franchise tag then this whole draft was a bust. I don’t think that Dimitri knows the dynamics of the Falcon’s fans because if that money and that pick does not show at least promise quickly it will get real ugly. I just think that Matt is the draft and all the eggs in one basket that hasn’t played a doen is scary. Go Falcons——

By zorro

May 21, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Is this a set up or what,why would anybody ask this kid to start the season.That shows me and others that you know very little about pro-football. let me ask you this,so before you asked another question like that think to yourself did they let me write my first editorial right out of college.I didn’t think so.But knee cap brace wearing Ryan have not seen all of the exotic blitz packages from the other 31 N.F.L. teams. And you really asked the coach that question.How about what number of QuarterBacks are they gonna keep,and what the competition was like or did they talk to Grady Jackson yet.

and I’M gone

By Desmond Weston

May 21, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

Another 4-12 or 3-13 season. No offensive linemen, Bunch of vagabonds on the defensive line side, and a weak coach. We signed this guy for how much? Damn Shame.

Thanks Arthur

By VennieVega

May 21, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this

There should be a rookie salary cap. $72 million for someone who hasn’t played one down yet. That’s a lot of money. $34.7 million is garunteed. I just hope for the Falcons sake he’s worth every penny.

By Rob

May 21, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this

Well, it is obvious the Falcons Mgt think Ryan is the real deal and are betting the future on it. All we can do now is back their decision and support Ryan. NOW LETS PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!

By Theedge

May 21, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this

When are the Falcons going to stop overpaying their players?

By Lawrence

May 21, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this

The US is failing economically and a quarterback is signing a deal for 12 million a year and has never took a snap in the NFL. If the Falcons play 16 games and not make the playoffs, it comes out to 1.3 million dollars a game Ryan makes. I know they have spring training and practice but the price we are paying these athletes is getting rediculous.

By Jimmy

May 21, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it people, the owners have us fans “bent over the table” and we all know it. They’ll pay the players what they want, then we’ll end up paying the price, as always. It’s just like the BCS system in college football—they only way we are going to get them to change the system is to not show up. Hit them in the pocket book, unfortunately, we all know that’s not going to happen.

By RA

May 21, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

This is my slant, for what it’s worth, I don’t believe in paying anyone not named Farve or Manning that kind of money. Now granted, I believe he’s a good kid and I’m highly impressed with his credentials, but at the same time, this guy has yet to throw a pass in a professional game. I’d like to take things back to the old days when you gave your first round pick a decent living, but he had to EARN his big money contract.

By Dave

May 21, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

I am happy we got this deal done at least he will be available in year one unlike Jamarcus Russell was at Oakland. The good thing about Matt Ryan is he sounds like he is the type of QB who will work hard to earn his money by studying tape in the off season and maybe gathering his WRs and developing a rapport, rather than trying to be on Madden or getting endorsement deals. I want a QB willing to work hard to become better rather than just relying on talent as our last QB did, who worked little in the off season.

By jeanE

May 21, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Arthur, you NEVER learn! The guy hasn’t played a down of football! He could be the next coming of Ryan Leaf for all we know! I’m sorry to say, bad pick, bad move, bad bad bad. Defense was the way to go. You are just desperately trying to reinvent the image of this team, it’s all PR!! You win with defense, that has been proven again & again! Who’s going to be the bookend for John Abraham? Stupid stupid. I am still so disgusted. Yuk.

By G

May 21, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Too much money too soon for an unproven QB. Matt is probably Brady Quinn #2. Chris Redman or DJ should start for at least the year. It will take at least 2 years for Matt to develop as an NFL QB. By no means is this guy a Marino, Peyton, or even an Eli. I feel a bit sorry for you Falcon fans. Hope you’re patient.

By Son of a Gun

May 21, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

First off, good move by Blank to get Ryan locked up so quickly.

But this is my response to the Odell Thurman story (There wasn’t enough room):

You people are depressingly stupid. But I shouldn’t be shocked that you’re letting your love for UGA affect the betterment of the Falcons franchise. I need to apologize for not putting pictures in this post. I know most of you won’t read it due to a mind numbingly short attention span.

Let’s rationalize shall we:

“What’s to lose?” Hahaha, wow, …firstly we’d lose even MORE respect for the organization which means we’d possibly get even FEWER prime time games (prime time games=Bigger TV and advertising deals…which means more money for you UGA trollers out there)….It’s funny because we currently have ZERO prime time games on our schedule. We also don’t have a Super Bowl on the horizon. We don’t need to waste time and money monitoring/babysitting this thug and giving him a specialized contract. We are going after mature, hard working team players. It’s not about being a “choir boy.” Morons.

“It is obvious that most of you don’t know this young man’s background, and his lack of teenage guidance.”
OK this one made me laugh the hardest. I truly hope ‘Ol Timer isn’t being serious. Sarcasm on> You’re so right big man, let’s give him a chance on this team because he had a hard time growing up and we just don’t understand him. That definitely justifies his reasons for being an immature prick in this league the past couple of years. < Sarcasm off. A rough childhood is no excuse for his actions. Odell needs to grow up and you know it. I pray you aren’t a parent.

“He’s got skills!” Aside from the obvious butchering of the English language, this one is pretty dam awful. Sure he has skills….. so did Mike Vick. What’s your point? If you’re in the NFL, you’re going to have skills. With your logic we should bring back Vick because …”he could help on the field.” Why would you take that gamble? We just signed 3 linebackers through the draft. We’re better off using the little money we have left to get help on the D-line. But of course you bucket cuddling retards don’t understand that because you’re blinded by your devout love fest with UGA. Get over yourselves.

“A DUI can happen to everybody.” NO. No it can’t. This doesn’t happen to just anybody. It’s not an accident. Sure everyone is physically capable of committing that crime, but does everyone do it? Of course not. It takes an extremely immature, and mentally weak person to do this sort of thing…especially when you have million$ to lose.

“He just ran into some hard a* types in Cinncy.” Sarcasm on> Awwwww, poor Odell was getting picked on by those mean old rule enforcers. They’re such bullies. I mean why should he have to follow the rules of the NFL AND state laws. Give the guy a break. < Sarcasm off.

Grow up kids. We all know that if Thurman weren’t from UGA we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now. Hypocrites.

By darrell

May 21, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

this is one of a long line of mistakes that the city of atlanta franchises have made …to even pick this average Qb is hillarious….but we will see average Qb in college with a lot of interceptions means terrible pro and a journey man by season 4

By Snook

May 21, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

So the Falcons gave the #3 pick more money than the #1 pick? HaHaHaHaHaHa!!

Just when you think the Falcons organization couldn’t be any more of a joke, they go out and do this! Classic! Sounds like Rich McKay is still the GM afterall!

Enjoy being the bottom dwellers in the NFC South for years to come!!

Matt Ryan is an INTERCEPTION machine!

By Tron

May 21, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Well, I guess all the people who said Ryan was the #1 QB in the draft and would be a great starter in the NFL were wrong. All the draft experts, commentators, GMs around the league, Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and Arthur Blank were all wrong about him. They should’ve just checked this blog. Then they would’ve learned that he’s an “average QB,” “the next coming of Ryan Leaf,” and “Another Great White Dope” (my personal favorite).

Looks like everybody was wrong. The people who do this for a living, all 32 teams in the NFL, were all off the mark. Matt Ryan hoodwinked everybody. Yep, that’s gotta be it.

And for the people comparing his contracts to those of others, Jake Long and Joe Thomas have deals of 5 years (as opposed Ryan’s 6) and they are not QBs. The NFL rookie pay scale is tilted toward QBs, and that is why QBs drafted in the top 7 or so often sign contracts larger than other positions drafted ahead of them.

And for the people complaining about how this is too much money to pay anyone while the economy is in a correction (not a recession…there’s a difference), I hope you’re also spending time on other blogs complaining about the salaries paid to other professional athletes. Check out a Yankees blog and moan and wail about Alex Rodriguez. Go to a Phoenix Suns blog and whine about how you can’t afford gas in your Neon because Shaq is getting paid too much. Pay a visit to a Colts blog and explain how you can;t afford health insurance because Peyton Manning is taking all of your money.

It’s supply and demand, people. Don’t want athletes to make these salaries? Don’t go to the games. Don’t watch them on TV. Stop buying their merchandise. Or just write your Congressman and ask that he form a committee to look into how much athletes should be allowed to be paid. That seems like something they’d like to do.

By Scott Hornibrook

May 21, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

It’s great to have Ryan signed and getting to work this quick on the playbook. As a lifelong fan, I’m glad to see the front office get it done. If you have a front office that gets things done, then your team has a better chance of getting things accomplished on the field. Good job Falcons !