Entering the draft, many prognosticators put Ryan as the highest-rated quarterback and he was the first quarterback taken, after Miami selected Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and the Rams took Virginia defensive end Chris Long, the son of Villanova graduate and Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long. It's speculated that Ryan probably earned between $8 million to $10 million more by being selected third by the Falcons, rather than dropping to eighth, where the Baltimore Ravens were hoping to get him.
Ryan led Boston College to a 24-9 record in three seasons as a starter, and was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year after throwing for 4,507 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 11.54 yards/per completion.
What impressed NFL scouts and amped Ryan's draft status was the fact that he didn't have a real game-breaker at wide receiver at BC.
Atlanta was in terrible need of a quarterback, with Vick imprisoned on federal charges of operating a dogfighting ring, and with the mediocre pair of Joey Harrington and Chris Redman returning. Ryan has a chance to start sometime next season. He also has a chance to erase the damage done to the Falcons organization by the Vick situation.
Blank himself met with Ryan twice, the first time right after the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and again in Boston, where Ryan worked out privately before 13 members of Atlanta's organization.
According to Mike Ryan, Matt's father, Matt came away from both meetings feeling sorry for Blank, who personally blamed himself for the current situation of his team.
