Falcons rookie Ryan balances offseason workload


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/29/08

Since a month before the April draft until just more than a week ago, Falcons' rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has obliged nearly every voluntary request of his free time while tending to every major and minor mandatory detail of his profession.

Radio and newspaper interviews between mini-camp workouts, television appearances after offseason practices, public appearances any time the team asked. The No. 3 overall draft pick from Boston College, to put it mildly, has been a busy man.

AP
Among Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan summer activities was a tour the Hall of Fame to acquire a better understanding of pro football history.
 
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For the next month, though, "Matty Ice" gets the chance to chill. Offseason workouts recently ended around the NFL and players have the next few weeks to get in their last shot of personal time before training camps start in late July.

"I am headed to the Jersey shore with my family at North Wildwood to relax and just hang out with them," Ryan said in an e-mail that was conveyed through the Falcons' media relations department. "I am going to be looking at my playbook and watching film as well."

Balancing down time and work time is a fine line that, if tilted, would swing to the football side for Ryan. He fully understands that he is Atlanta's quarterback of the future — as if his $72 million contract wasn't validation — and knows he's got to put in the work.

In order to stay sharp over the next few weeks, Ryan said has enlisted his brothers Mike and John to be his receivers.

"I will not go more than two consecutive days without throwing before camp," Ryan said.

Ryan said he hasn't scheduled any workouts with the team's receivers because he understands those players have things to do during this quiet period. Still, "I will definitely be on the phone with [quarterbacks coach] Bill Musgrave and [offensive coordinator] Mike Mularkey over the break."

Ryan remains behind projected starter Chris Redman on the depth chart but coach Mike Smith said he wants Ryan to compete as if he could be No. 1.

Ryan has cleared his slate of several potential distractions that should let him solely focus on football — when he wants to — in order to establish himself once training camp begins.

He's already purchased a house in Gwinnett County and gotten situated with a lot of the personal changes that accompany a new job and relocation.

Where he found time before now is anyone's guess.

"It has been a busy couple of months," Ryan said. "The good thing is that things have really slowed down the last couple of weeks. I feel a lot more comfortable in practice and I am getting familiar with the Atlanta area."

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