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Getting to know 4 rookie Falcons

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/11/08

Four of the newest Falcons sat down to talk with Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter D. Orlando Ledbetter about where they come from and what they do when they're not out trying to impress their new NFL coaches. Here's a sampling of what they're about:

MATT RYAN

Q. What's so special about Philadelphia?

A. It's a great area to grow up. Everybody knows about the cheesesteaks, but my favorite sandwich up there is the chicken cheesesteak.

Q. What's your favorite type of music?

A. All kinds of different stuff. I'm into a little bit of rap, country.

Q. Do you know the BC fight song?

A. I know parts of it. I've got to start working on it so that I'm ready for camp.

Q. Do you remember any words to the Penn Charter High fight song?

A. "Penn Charter, Penn Charter. Fight harder, fight harder." That's part of it.

SAM BAKER

Q. What's something interesting about your hometown?

A. My high school has six guys in the NFL that I played with.

Q. What type of music do you listen to?

A. I listen to Christian rock and rap, too.

Q. Who are some of your favorite artists?

A. I like Jay-Z.

Q. Have you gotten to see much of Atlanta?

A. I've seen Flowery Branch. That's it.

CURTIS LOFTON

Q. Where are you from?

A. I'm from Kingfisher, Okla. It's a town of about 5,000. I graduated in a class of 73. There are more cows than people.

Q. What type of things do you like to do away from football?

A. I like going to the shooting range. Fishing. I speak at FCA [Fellowship of Christian Athletes] events. I go to watch movies.

Q. Have you seen "Iron Man" yet?

A. Yes. I really liked it.

Q. Going to see "Speed Racer"?

A. No, I don't think so. That's not my style.

CHEVIS JACKSON

Q. What's a misconception about your hometown, Mobile, Ala.?

A. That's where Mardi Gras originated. People think it's New Orleans because they do it bigger. But Mardi Gras in Mobile is pretty good, and that's where it originated.

Q. What's in your iPod right now?

A. Well, I went to school at Louisiana State for four years, so I'm a big Lil' Wayne fan right now. I've got some Jay-Z, a couple of [Young] Jeezy songs in there.

Q. What do you like to do in your spare time away from football?

A. Play video games. I don't do too much. Just chill out and play video games.

Q. Which games?

A. The sports games. Madden. Basketball. Not too much those shooting games. I don't do those.

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