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Some Guy
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Following Michael Vick as the Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback might not represent even half the battle for Matt Ryan.
Just being a rookie quarterback in the NFL is tough enough.
Ryan, drafted third overall from Boston College, says the best advice for how to approach this challenge came from his offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey.
"He sat me down the first or second day," Ryan says, "and told me, 'It's not about proving anything to anybody else. It's proving it to yourself. And don't put added pressure on yourself to show up and be all-pro right away. You just have to know that, when you look in the mirror, that you've put in an honest day's work.' "
Falcons coach Mike Smith won't rule out Ryan starting, meaning he'll enter training camp in a wide-open competition to unseat veteran Chris Redman. Ryan, tutored by Mularkey and position coach Bill Musgrave since the draft, doesn't dare mention a timetable for cracking the lineup.
For me, it's simple, day-to-day goals," he says. "I can't think about that long-term stuff."
He certainly has a grasp of the scrutiny that comes with his new job. His six-year, $72 million contract — which exceeds those of several accomplished veteran passers — was cited by many from the day he signed it as a reason the NFL needs a rookie wage limit.
"It's really just a representation of how the system is set up," Ryan says. "I have a lot of respect for the older guys in the league and what they've done. Those guys have put in their time."
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