Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is from Exton, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.
“I was an Eagles fan growing up,” Ryan admitted.
He knows all about the Eagles being 8-1 against the Falcons under coach Andy Reid.
“We haven’t had a lot of success against them the last couple of years,” Ryan said.
Other connections include:
- Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick was originally drafted by the Falcons in 2001 and spent seven seasons in Atlanta from 2001-06.
- Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud and Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson were college teammates at California.
- Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and safety William Moore starred on defense at Missouri from 2006-08, while teammate Jeremy Maclin, now an Eagles wide receiver, starred on offense.
- Eagles safety Colt Anderson, Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann and safety Shann Schillinger were teammates at Montana from 2006-07.
- Eagles running back Ronnie Brown is from Cartersville.
- Eagles punter Chas Henry played at East Paulding High.
- Eagles cornerback Trevard Lindley played at Hiram High.
- Eagles quality control assistant coach Matt Nagy, was the star quarterback of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League.
