ATLANTA — The date was April 26, 2008. Matt Ryan and Jake Long both anxiously awaited hearing their names called at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
Both were certain to go early in the NFL Draft, both tabbed by teams to be future franchise cornerstones.
They didn’t think they’d be teammates. It took a decade.
The Miami Dolphins selected the offensive tackle, Long, first overall in that 2008 draft. Ryan went to the Falcons two picks later.
On Tuesday, Atlanta signed the four-time Pro Bowl tackle.
Cue the old R&B duo Roberta Flack and the late Donny Hathaway, because the two former first-rounders are now “Back Together Again.”
Ryan said he and Long worked out at the same facility in Arizona in preparation for the 2008 draft and they got to know each other pretty well.
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback says he is thrilled to now have Long as a teammate and future protector.
“He’s been a great player for a long time, and hopefully he can come in here and learn the system and help us out,” said Ryan.
Long played in and started the first 48 games of his career, but he has dealt with numerous injuries over the past few seasons, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year as a member of the St. Louis Rams.
He’s ready to play… and ready to be on the field with Ryan.
“I’m excited. Matt’s a helluva quarterback. I’ve known him for a long time and watched him from afar. He’s one of the elites and I’m very excited to play for him,” said Long.
The 6-foot-7 315-pound Long will not play in Sunday’s first road game of the year, at the New York Giants, as he continues to learn the Falcons’ playbook.
But don’t be surprised to see him ascend to a starting position on the line as soon as he and the coaching staff feel he has sufficiently caught up.
WSBTV
