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Matt Ryan’s NFL Audition

Boston College won its eighth consecutive bowl game yesterday, besting Michigan State 24-21 in the Champ Sports Bowl. More importantly, though, Matt Ryan gave all the pro scouts something to look at throwing for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Now I don’t claim to be any draft board Svengali like a certain oil slicked hairdo wearing prognosticator on a cable sports channel, but I’m guessing Ryan could go early in next year’s NFL draft. Where will he wind up?

The new administration in Miami isn’t beholden to Cleo Lemon — or anyone else, for that matter — but I would guess Bill Parcells is looking more at a running back or maybe someone on defense to start his Dolphins rebuilding campaign. And with Marc Bulger and Gus Ferotte still on the roster, quarterback isn’t really a need for the St. Louis Rams. (What they lacked this season was a shaman or a healer to keep guys on the field.)

The Jets probably should be looking for a solution at quarterback, considering the oft injured Chad Pennington is close to being done and Kellen Clemens is a doubtful candidate for QB of the future. New York, though, never takes the player they should so I’m guessing they’ll pass on Ryan and draft an offensive lineman.

Oakland drafted their $31 million man last year and Kansas City says they’re sticking by Brodie Croyle (good luck with that), which is good news for the team that needs, needs, needs a quarterback: the Falcons.

Atlanta’s woes are many and deep, but whoever they find to coach the team (subliminal message: Mike Singletary) is going to need someone other than Joey Harrington or Chris Redman to start the reclamation effort. Ryan would be a good fit because he’s fairly mobile and can take a fair amount of punishment, and that offensive line isn’t getting better any time soon.

(Note to Arthur Blank: A personal check is fine. I figure you’re good for it.)

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