Matt Ryan Is A Savvy Investor

by Dave Choate on Jul 2, 2008 1:35 AM EDT in Falcons News

When I saw the Atlanta Journal-Constitution headline blaring that Matt Ryan had responded to Roger Goodell's comments about rookie contracts, I saw the following sequence playing out:

1. Matt Ryan says Roger Goodell is stupid.

2. Matt Ryan is found dead.

Thankfully, he reigned himself in and the second scenario seems unlikely to happen. Instead, we got this typically savvy statement from the media-friendly Ryan:

Matt Ryan isn't apologizing for benefiting from a system that allows top NFL draft picks to receive massive contracts. Even so, he appreciates where Roger Goodell was coming from last week when the commissioner questioned paying millions in guaranteed salary to rookies who have yet to play a down in the league.

"You can also understand the other side of it, the concern of veterans who have been in the league 10, 12 years and proven themselves but not seen the money," Ryan said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I can understand both sides."

I wouldn't normally waste an entire post on this, but I think this illustrates something about Matt Ryan that is absolutely critical to the business side of this franchise. Before he ever takes the field, Ryan is proving to be a solid quote, a quiet and model citizen, and a guy you can probably build a PR campaign around. Sure, he's pretty vanilla, but vanilla beats the hell out of becoming the poster boy for the Atlanta Police Department's Major Crimes Unit.

That's critical because he's going to become the face of this franchise whether or not he wants it. He may not see the field until the end of this season, but he's setting himself up for success by getting the franchise behind him. It's not going to feel like a blessing when he's taking his licks out there, but Ryan is in a situation where he'll be the undisputed starter within a year and has an owner willing to spring both the big bucks and the unrequited love that any QB dreams of.

It's a bit early to tell, but so far Ryan's handling this well. Even if his contract is way too huge.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ryan speaks...

...and says exactly the right thing. Falcons management has said all along how smart Ryan is and, God help me, I believe them this time. The kid lacks for nothing in the IQ department.

He doesn’t seem inclined toward systematic, premeditated criminal behavior either. That’s a real plus with QBs these days!

I hope we get a competent OL together next offseason, so we can start seeing Ryan earn all that money in 2009. Let’s all hope he makes the right choices along the way.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Jul 2, 2008 2:12 AM EDT reply actions

Living up to the name Matty Ice

’...he’s setting himself up for success by getting the franchise behind him.’

This is a good point, but not really important so much as it is to get the fanbase and community behind him. The franchise was behind him from day one when they signed him to 72 trillion dollars. They really have no choice but to be behind him with that kind of money on the line. The fanbase and community however, is an entirely different story, and simple fenceline type comments such as these are exactly what helps that relationship grow into a very positive one.

I may still not agree with the choice of Ryan over Dorsey, but it’s good to see some neutrality for once and it’s definitely something I can get behind.

by Jesse28 on Jul 2, 2008 8:37 AM EDT reply actions