Falcons’ Ryan anxious to face hometown QB McNabb

Flowery Branch — Growing up in the 1990s in Exton, Pa. outside of Philadelphia, Matt Ryan watched and admired Donovan McNabb.

Ryan had heard about Roman Gabriel, Norm Van Brocklin and Ron Jaworski, but McNabb was his guy.

Ryan will get his chance to face his favorite Eagle when the Falcons play McNabb and Philadelphia at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

McNabb wasn’t an instant hit in Philadelphia, where on draft day in 1999 the fans wanted the team to select Ricky Williams with the No. 2 pick in the draft.

“I was there when he was drafted,” Ryan said. “So I’ve followed him through high school and when I was still in college.”

McNabb’s demeanor on and off the field won over Ryan.

“I was just impressed with how he dealt with a tough city,” Ryan said. “That is a passionate place and he’s been so professional throughout the entire thing. It’s been impressive how he conducts himself off the field.

“And then on the field he’s been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for close to a decade. When you can do that, it’s very impressive.”

Ryan plans to meet McNabb and chat him up after the game.

“I’ve never spoke to him - met his parents - but never him,” Ryan said. “I look forward to saying that I’ve had a lot of respect for him.”

McNabb has been impressed with Ryan’s play this season. During his rookie season, McNabb was not a full-time starter.

“My second year, I was still going through some of the things he’s going through now,” McNabb said. “I tip my hat to him because he’s been playing pretty well and he’s doing a great job. Look for great things to happen for Matt Ryan.”

Dirty reputation

Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan has a reputation as a dirty player.

“If you are standing around the pile Runyan might hit you late,” defensive tackle Grady Jackson said. “You just have to keep your composure, line up and on the next play take it out on them.”

In 2002, Runyan said he has a perfect job, instead of going to prison for doing what he does, he gets paid.

Man on man

Because the Eagles blitz so much, Falcons receivers expect to see a lot of man-to-man coverage.

“It puts those guys on an island sometimes,” wide receiver Brian Finneran said. “But they’ve got some good guys so they feel like that can play like that. When they bring all that pressure, they’ve got to man up.”

Dazzling script

Eagles coach Andy Reid scripts his first 15 plays and the Falcons are ready to see some wild formations and plays.

“In the beginning of the first quarter, they give you a lot of looks within the first 15 plays and you don’t know what to expect coming out of that,” cornerback Chris Houston said.