General Manager Thomas Dimitroff
Opening Statement:
“Thanks a lot for coming this morning, I know it’s early. I’m going to do a little bit of a recap. I feel we stuck to our plan yesterday. It was system specific and needs-based. I am excited about our three gentlemen that were drafted yesterday. Starting out with Matt Ryan. Matt is a franchise future quarterback for us. We are really excited about having him on board. He brings leadership, intelligence, major skills on the field. He brings the ability to have accuracy short and long, intermediate. He moves very well in the pocket, he is very savvy and his presence on this team will be felt immediately. We are very excited about that. Following up in the first round we are excited about going forward and being aggressive toward Sam Baker. Sam is a left tackle and has the versatility to play other positions on the line. He’s got nice, quick feet and good hips. He really moves around well. He’ll be able to protect Matt. He’s got leadership ability. He comes from a highly heralded program and we’ll love his presence on the left side of the line or anywhere else he may be playing given his versatility.
“Following up with our next pick Curtis Lofton. He brings big time leadership to this program. He’s an athletic guy, very rangy and a hard-nosed player who’s going to show up inside. He has versatility to move in and out. We feel very strong about what we have. We feel great that these guys are adding not only on the field but have the presence off the field. We are very fortunate to acquire three guys who will have a nice presence in the community as well. We definitely thank you guys for sticking by us and watching down the stretch. We are excited about today. We have eight picks and a lot of work to be done. To give you a little guidance, we’ll focus on the passing game both defending it and strengthening it.”
Head Coach Mike Smith
Opening Statement:
“I appreciate everyone coming out today. I think we’ve had an extremely good day yesterday with the players that we were able to add. We are real excited about that. I think all along our goal and our plan has to been to add tough, physical, passionate football players and I know that we did that yesterday. I also know the three guys that we drafted are guys that the whole community of Atlanta will be proud of. They have outstanding character and we’re real excited about them coming. In terms of talking about each one of these guys, we all know Matt and what he’s been able to do. I said in the beginning that we wanted to have passionate guys. Matt is a very passionate football player. In the NFL the last 2-3 minutes crunch time and that’s when games are won or lost. You can see Matt’s passion throughout his career in Boston College and how he brought his team back to victory. That’s the kind of player we want on our football team. We’ve got to have guys that can not only protect the quarterback, but can block for our running back. I think we’ll have a very strong running game. Sam Baker fits that mold. Sam started at the University of Southern California. He started 49 out of 52 games at a prestigious university that has won a couple national championships while he was there. He’s going to be a great addition. He’ll not only protect Matt but he’s going to open up some holes for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. Our third acquisition yesterday, Curtis Lofton is a tackling machine. Head coach Bob Stoops at Oklahoma stated that he’s the best linebacker that’s come out of that program and they’ve had great linebackers through the years. We’re real excited about the day today. We’re going to add eight guys potentially and I’m most excited about getting the whole football team. Our 2008 team will be in place when we start our mini-camp on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of May. With that said, I’d like to introduce our #1 draft pick Matt Ryan.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan
Opening Statement:
“I’m really excited about being here in Atlanta. I’d like to thank Mr. Blank and his family, Thomas Dimitroff, Coach Smith and everyone associated with the Falcons for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to becoming part of the Atlanta community, getting involved and getting to know everyone here. Yesterday was a whirlwind and I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up.”
Q: Can you take us back through yesterday and the whirlwind of activities that brought you here today?
A: “I was up in New York for the draft. I was with my family, sitting backstage when I got the call. I first spoke to Thomas and he let me know that I was going to become a Falcon. I was pretty excited about that. My face got beet red, as it usually does when I get all fired up. Then I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Smith and Mr. Blank. As soon as I walked out on to that stage, it really felt like it was happening. That was the first time it really felt real. After that, a whirlwind media tour, then a flight down to Atlanta—home, a flight home. Then I’m here today at this press conference now.”
Q: Could you share with us some of the things Coaches Mike Mularkey and Bill Musgrave were trying to stump you on during the white board session?
A: “We were up in Boston, and had the opportunity to sit down and talk a little football with Bill Musgrave and Mike Mularkey. I don’t think they were trying to stump me, really I think they just wanted to see what I knew. I enjoyed that meeting. A lot of it was basic football, protections, formations, route combinations, progressions. I really enjoyed that meeting.”
Q: How much sleep have you gotten?
A: “I slept really well last night. Prior to that, you just don’t know where you’re going to end up in the draft process, so for the past couple of days, I got two to three hours here and there. Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night wondering where I was going to be. Last night was nice, just to know that I’m apart of this organization, that I’m an Atlanta Falcon. I couldn’t be happier.”
Q: Do you know any of the current Falcons or met any other personnel?
A: “Just briefly, as a fan. In the past, I’ve followed what they’ve done in the off season, but I’ve haven’t had the chance to meet any of the players besides Sam. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. I’m happy, and want to congratulate him because it’s an awesome opportunity for both of us. But I haven’t gotten to meet anybody yet, but really looking forward to getting back down here and getting started on preparing for next year.”
Q: There was a lot of talk about reaching out to the community. How important is it to you to be active in the community, and be the new face of this franchise and be the character of this team?
A: “I think the organization has made a commitment to bring in high character people, and I’m glad to be apart of that. As far as being involved in the Atlanta community, I think it was always something that was important to me while I was at Boston College, being involved, being out there and trying to reach out and help. I don’t think that will change in Atlanta. I’m excited to be down here, to get to know new people, and becoming involved in different people’s lives. Really I just can’t wait to get this thing started. I’m just happy to be here, and can’t wait to be back down for mini camp in two weeks and work in the community. I’m very excited.”
Offensive Lineman Sam Baker
Opening Statement:
“I’d like to start by saying how excited I am to be here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to come here. Thank you Mr. Blank, Coach Smith and Thomas (Dimitroff) just for having me. I’m really excited to be a part of this great organization, to be part of a team again and to have teammates again.”
Q: How was draft day for you, what were some of your emotions involved?
A: “There was definitely a lot of uncertainty at the beginning. It was an emotional roller coaster. When I got the call I was fired up. After my visit, just talking to the coaches, I bought into everything. I was a Falcon even before they called. I was really excited.”
Q: Can you talk about your conversations with Justin Blalock?
A: “I met him a couple years back at the Playboy All-American Game, and he and I exchanged phone numbers. We were talking to each other in and out through the season. When I took my trip I got a chance to visit with him a little bit and talk to him. I think it’s a great opportunity for me to learn from him with him having a year under his belt.”
Q: How do you size up what the challenge is going to be facing some of the defensive ends in the league?
A: “Some of these defensive ends they have here like John Abraham and (Jamaal Anderson) are excellent. They have some good guys down here. I think it’s about competing and practicing, and making the most out of everyday.”
Q: On draft day, there were projections that you would go in the last part of the second round, and then you ended up at No. 21. What are your emotions about being somewhat overlooked?
A: “I wasn’t too worried about where I was going to go. As long as I got my shot, that’s what I wanted. I really anticipated going to Atlanta second round, and that’s what I was hoping for. But to go first round, and to be in Atlanta, is great.”
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff
Q: The commitment I’m sure is there to get these guys signed and into camp. How hard do you all plan to work to get the draft picks signed?
A: “Obviously, that’s our drive and I think we’re going to work very hard to get it done. I’m confident right now that we’ll be very close to having it done by mini-camp. I know Matt wants it done, and I’m confident we will.”
Q: You talked yesterday about defending the pass. Are you talking about receivers, or blockers?
A: “We’re talking a little bit of everything. On both sides of the game, defending the pass and being productive in the passing game. I hate to be evasive with that, it just depends what’s there. I guess what I’m saying it’s both sides of the ball. We want to shore up the running game, defend it, and continue to build and be more and more productive as it goes forward. A lot of names are still on the board that are of interest to us. It just depends how they fall.”
