Atlanta owner Arthur Blank and the Falcons were looking for the anti-Michael Vick, and they think they have him in the 6-4, 221-pound Ryan, a Penn Charter and Boston College graduate. It's a reason why Ryan was selected third overall by the Falcons in the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday afternoon, and it's where, it seems, Ryan knew he was headed all along.

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.

"We didn't get into too much detail about the past; all I'm really concerned with is trying to get on the field and earn the respect of my teammates, getting those two things done," Matt Ryan said. "I know there's going to be a lot of adjustments I'll need to make, but I think decision-making will be my biggest adjustment. For me, it's getting down there to Atlanta and working as hard as I can to get on the field next year."

The Vick situation is "something I can't worry about," continued Ryan, who might be in a unique position to start against his favorite childhood team, the Eagles, when the Falcons visit Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 26. "It's about doing everything I can to stay on the field."

Ryan could be in for some hard times ahead.

"I think he's going to be a good player, but one of the big questions that Atlanta asked his college coaches was if he gets the snot kicked out of him, will he get back up and his college coaches all said yes," said Fox NFL analyst Brian Baldinger. "The other big thing is you won't get anyone more different than Vick than Matt. You can't blame Arthur Blank for thinking that way."

The twist about the draft on Saturday was that Ryan had visions of Brady Quinn in his head, waiting around to be picked. It turned out Ryan didn't have to wait long at all - just as it seems, he may not have to wait long to achieve a lifelong dream of being a starting NFL quarterback. *

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