FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Maybe the public didn't get to see his initial reaction, but Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan no doubt smiled with relief at some point during last week's NFL draft.
At least that's the impression general manager Thomas Dimitroff left when asked by ESPN if Ryan applauded the organization for drafting a pair of offensive linemen in the first round. Ryan was sacked 42 times last season, the second-highest total in his career.
“He texted me, and actually, he just said, 'Thanks, I appreciate that a lot, wow,'" Dimitroff said of Ryan's response.