rajncajn Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/fal...burst_0521.html Ryan agrees to multi-year contract with FalconsContract could place the No. 3 pick in the range of $48 million By STEVE WYCHE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 05/20/08 Quarterback Matt Ryan, the No. 3 overall draft pick, reached a multi-year contract agreement with the Falcons Tuesday, according to several people with knowledge of the situation. The exact terms were not immediately available, but the contract could pay him in the range of $48 million based on previous contracts signed by players drafted No. 3 overall. Many of the top picks from 2007 signed five- or-six- deals, including No. 3 pick Joe Thomas (Cleveland, five-years, $43 million). The Boston College product, who is participating in offseason workouts at team headquarters, came to terms roughly three weeks after being drafted by Atlanta, further highlighting the change that is taking place with the new leadership at Flowery Branch. The Falcons typically haven't signed their top pick until just before the start of training camp in the late summer - if that soon. New general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who replaced Rich McKay, now the team president, broke from that pattern to make sure the player the franchise hopes will lead it to a new era, won't miss any time that could delay his maturation. Ryan is the second top-three draft pick to reach contract terms. Michigan tackle Jake Long agreed to a five-year, $57.5 million contract before he was officially selected first overall by Miami. With Ryan now in the fold, the only remaining question regarding him will be when he will be in the pocket. Ryan spent minicamp two weeks ago working behind starter Chris Redman and backup Joey Harrington. D.J. Shockley was limited because he is recovering from knee surgery. Coach Mike Smith has not ruled out Ryan starting from Day 1. How Ryan performs in training camp and preseason likely will factor into the decision. Helping Ryan's cause is that he won't miss any practices in a contract dispute, allowing him to be on relatively equal footing with the other quarterbacks on the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Part of me wants the Falcons to have success but the other half want this kid to flop like Ryan Leaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Part of me wants the Falcons to have success but the other half want this kid to flop like Ryan Leaf. For starters his head is screwed on right, so I doubt he goes the way of Ryan Leaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 For starters his head is screwed on right, so I doubt he goes the way of Ryan Leaf. Standing behind the ATL O-line should change that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Standing behind the ATL O-line should change that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Don't encourage him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Wow that is pretty big money. I guess they had to do something quickly, just to try and put the Vick thing behind them as soon as possible, and get Ryan in camp. It is amazing how much these picks can hurt a team if they don't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 :shakinghead: What were the Falcons thinking? They paid an 8% increase over last year's #1 pick for the #3 pick in the draft? I won't even get into the fact that I don't see Ryan as being remotely capable of earning that kind of money (he'd have to be a top 5 QB at a minimum for the predominance of his career). The owners absolutely have to get a rookie wage scale in place to stop this kind of lunacy. Tom Brady signs a 6 year, $60M contract in 2005, and this kid, who hasn't taken a snap in a NFL game and has all the earmarks of being a mediocre QB at best, gets $72M over 6 years? That's just incredible stupidity. Oh, and good luck to STL in signing Long & OAK in signing McFadden now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 :shakinghead: What were the Falcons thinking? They paid an 8% increase over last year's #1 pick for the #3 pick in the draft? I won't even get into the fact that I don't see Ryan as being remotely capable of earning that kind of money (he'd have to be a top 5 QB at a minimum for the predominance of his career). The owners absolutely have to get a rookie wage scale in place to stop this kind of lunacy. Tom Brady signs a 6 year, $60M contract in 2005, and this kid, who hasn't taken a snap in a NFL game and has all the earmarks of being a mediocre QB at best, gets $72M over 6 years? That's just incredible stupidity. Oh, and good luck to STL in signing Long & OAK in signing McFadden now... You can thank Gene Upshaw for that one as well. Scott Fujita, who is a Saints players rep for the players union stated on the radio that Upshaw has been against it for some reason. Fujita said that overall the players feel the CBA needs to be completely reworked and most are willing to lower salaries in order to get some other agreements in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 ATL will never accept him unless he does really, really well, and quickly. After all, he's no Michael Vick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 has all the earmarks of being a mediocre QB at best, gets $72M over 6 years? Come on now, He's overpaid, but he doesn't have the earmarks of a mediocre quarterback... He did a lot more with a lot less talent around him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Part of me wants the Falcons to have success but the other half want this kid to flop like Ryan Leaf. You're shapin' up to be quite the little scumbag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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