NEW YORK - At long last, the wait is over for former Boston College football stars Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilus.
The 2007 ACC Player of the Year made BC football history as the highest -drafted player ever, selected No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Falcons at the 2008 NFL draft on Saturday. The selection also makes him the first top-10 draftee since linebacker Mike Mamula was selected seventh in 1995. Ryan joins elite company in being only the fifth Eagle ever to be chosen in the top 10.
Although Ryan justifiably received a majority of draft-day attention, the achievement of his chief protector should not go without mention. A projected late-first or early second-round pick, Cherilus was selected 17th overall by the Detroit Lions. He becomes the highest-selected BC lineman since Damien Woody was picked 17th by the Patriots in 1999, a tremendous accomplishment given the number of gifted linemen who pass through BC's program.
The Lions targeted Cherilus from the beginning. His size, instincts, and durability - evidenced by his record 51 straight starts at the Heights - should serve the former captain well in the pros.
Ryan, one of only six players invited to the draft, spent his whirlwind of a day in familiar form: cool and confident, while taking the imminent future in stride.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, some predicted him to go No. 1 overall by the Miami Dolphins, while other experts forecasted the former Heisman Trophy candidate to fall as low as No. 8, becoming a Baltimore Raven. Thankfully for Ryan, his time in the green room elapsed quickly.
Over the past few months, Falcons owner Arthur Blank closely observed Matt Ryan at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. He also flew up to Boston to watch Ryan in a private workout and evaluated his character over dinner. Ryan did not have a clear idea as to where he would begin his pro career until Saturday, though, when Blank called with the good news.
As a wide-eyed, eager, and visibly relieved Ryan sat in his press conference, he demonstrated the poise that helped him pass for 9,313 yards over his college career. Realizing the insurmountable amount of external pressure on his shoulders, Ryan emphasized the importance of not worrying about circumstances outside of his control.
After a dismal 4-12 campaign last season, the Falcons desperately need Ryan to serve as the new face of their franchise in the midst of Michael Vick's dogfighting scandal. Add to this a new coach in Mike Smith and one of the highest player turnover ratios in the league this past off-season, and it becomes crystal clear why a player and person of Ryan's caliber is so coveted by this team.
He acknowledged critics who argued that his 19 interceptions as a senior made him a risky top-five draft pick. Given the bleak track record of rookie quarterbacks in the NFL, Ryan admitted that above all else, he must improve upon his decision-making to make a smooth transition from college to the pros.
"For me, it's all about going down and working as hard as I possibly can and making sure that I earn the respect of my teammates and just doing everything I possibly can to try to get on the field next year … I'm going to get down there and learn the playbook, learn the offense, and work on making good decisions," Ryan said.
Through all the change within the Falcons organization and his own life, Ryan's goals remain constant and within his control.
When asked if fans will unfairly compare him to Vick, he again stressed that, "I've got to focus on what's important. And that's playing the quarterback position well … I'm just another part of the Falcons organization," he said. "I'm going to go down there and just be one of the guys."
The quarterback also spoke fondly of his days at the Heights. In particular, Ryan learned a great deal from going through the coaching change from Tom O'Brien to Jeff Jagodzinski after his junior year.
"The one piece of advice I got prior to the [switch] was that the one constant to major college football and the NFL is change," Ryan explained. "So you have to be able to deal with it, and I think that the transition of going from one staff to another will really help me out in the future as an NFL quarterback."
He insisted that the two most important lessons learned at BC that he will draw upon most to guide him in the NFL are the importance of team chemistry and being a dependable teammate.
"I had some great teammates up at BC, and I think that if you've got good team chemistry in the locker room and you're a good teammate, then guys respect you. And I think that creates on-the-field chemistry as well."
Embracing change in football and in life, striving to be an excellent teammate, and working tirelessly to earn playing time immediately is Ryan's mantra.
When wondering how Ryan developed such a high "intangible" value, look no further than his repeated goal to "earn the respect of my teammates." Although counterintuitive to many athletes in professional sports, a determination to simply be one of the guys is the source of a unique leadership quality that Ryan possesses.
After watching the quarterback compile a 25-7 record as a starter at the Heights, it is reassuring for fans to see that as Ryan shifts from the life of a college athlete to an instant millionaire, he carries himself with the same humility and professionalism that they grew so accustomed to seeing.
Ryan's size, arm strength, and accuracy certainly helped him extend his playing career beyond the collegiate level.
What made him a top-five draft pick, though, are these character traits that make him arguably the most NFL-ready football player BC has ever produced.
What does the future hold for Ryan? Will he live up to the hype as the new face of a demoralized franchise? Will he ever win a Super Bowl? Only time will tell, but by concentrating solely on improving his game and earning his teammates' respect, Ryan opens the door to endless possibilities.
"I'm so happy to be part of this organization and can't wait to get started next week," Ryan said.
Be the first to comment on this article!