Rookie QB Ryan in spotlight as Falcons open minicamp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- There were signs Saturday that No. 7 jerseys might become yesterday's fashion for Atlanta Falcons fans.

Some fans attending the Falcons' opening day of minicamp wore No. 2 jerseys in early tribute to the team's new hope at quarterback, rookie Matt Ryan.

The Falcons used a committee approach to replace Michael Vick during the 2007 season, but the team is hoping Ryan will be his long-term replacement and its new franchise player.

Vick's No. 7 has not been given to another Atlanta player since he began serving a 23-month prison sentence after pleading guilty last year to federal charges of bankrolling a dogfighting ring. Vick has been suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and faces state dogfighting charges in Virginia.

Vick still has fans in Atlanta, but Ryan's No. 2 is the new attraction at the merchandise tent.

"It's pretty cool to see people wearing your jersey, I'm not going to lie to you," Ryan said. "It's nice. I appreciate their support. Hopefully, I can play well and get more 2 jerseys in the stands."

The quarterback's top billing on the team was obvious at the end of the first practice.

Other rookies collected veterans' helmets and gear to take off the practice fields, the job expected to be filled by first-year players.

'It's just nice to have that over and settle in,' Matt Ryan says of his first practice. (US Presswire)

Ryan, however, was asked to join some of the team's top veterans for an autograph session.

Make no mistake. From Day 1, Ryan is one of the team's stars, if not the biggest star. Such is the expectation that goes with being the third overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Ryan is the future, and Saturday's two practices gave the former Boston College star his first opportunity to prove that future can begin in his rookie season.

"I thought Matt threw the ball well out there," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Like anybody going out there on his first practice, I thought he was a little bit nervous and had some jitters."

The jitters were obvious to others, including veteran receiver Brian Finneran, who is making a comeback from two knee surgeries. One of Ryan's first passes was an unimpressive completion to Finneran.