Matt Ryan Joins the Greg Hill Show!
Former QB and BC Legend, Matt Ryan, is in town for the ALS challenge anniversary!
What does he think about the Pats potentially starting Maye week 1? Ryan: "I'm a believer that you should play young guys
What does he think about the Pats potentially starting Maye week 1? Ryan: "I'm a believer that you should play young guys
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00In the 10th year celebration of the Ice Bucket Challenge, it is Matt Ryan.
00:06Matt, thanks for being on this morning.
00:08Thank you guys.
00:08I like that little intro to the, uh, cold as ice.
00:11Yes, sir.
00:12Matty ice.
00:12How was the trip over from Logan?
00:14Did it take four hours?
00:15It's not good.
00:17It's not good guys.
00:19All this construction they've done for the last quarter of a century.
00:23Hasn't figured out how to get you back into the city, uh, in a, in an easy
00:27Well, you got a couple of eagles on the show in Curtis and Courtney and, uh, of
00:31course the great Jermaine Wiggins.
00:33And I think Wiggy wants to start this morning.
00:35Yeah, Matt, I, my question is, and I think you're the perfect person to answer
00:39this because we've been arguing about Drake May and your situations are similar.
00:45Third overall pick coming to a team that, uh, had only won four games, new coach.
00:51How important, and we talk about, I talk about live reps and Drake
00:56mays, not getting many with the ones.
00:58How important was it for you to be able to get thrown in there with the ones
01:05and kind of basically learn on the job where it seems like Drake may is sitting
01:12in the back waiting, just, I guess maybe take us down that road a little bit.
01:17Yeah.
01:17I, you know, I think every situation is, is different.
01:20Um, but speaking from my own personal experience, you know, this is, this is
01:25like the hot topic right now, should we sit quarterbacks, uh, and let them
01:29develop or, or, you know, go let them play and, and kind of figure it out on their
01:33own, I thought there was tremendous value, um, to, to being thrown right into
01:38it and, and kind of figuring it out as you go.
01:41Um, and I feel like most of, of my progression, you know, during training
01:46camp, heading into that first season was, was, I mean, it was massive day to day.
01:51Right.
01:51The things you're learning, the looks you were seeing, just the
01:54amount of reps I was getting.
01:55I thought that was, was huge for, for my growth and development.
01:59And then really, you know, even through that first half of the season, first
02:02three quarters of the season, my rookie year, you know, I was getting better
02:05week to week and, uh, so I thought there was tremendous value to it.
02:09Um, I think you could argue both sides of it for sure.
02:13I'm excited though.
02:13I'm going out to, uh, to check out practice tomorrow, uh, over
02:17in Foxborough and, and take a look.
02:19And so, you know, I'm, I'm excited to see it, you know, in person and what he can
02:22do and, uh, just on top of that, all of the changes that are going on, uh, with
02:28the organization as well for the first time in, you know, a quarter of a century
02:32that, that they've got all of the changes that they've had, it's going to be
02:35interesting to see, I'm a believer that you should play young guys.
02:38I think with the current climate of, of how contracts are set up and the salary
02:43cap, um, you know, you've got this four or five year window, uh, where essentially
02:48if you draft a young quarterback and you feel like he can play, you're
02:52playing with him for free.
02:54And so I think there's a ton of value to that.
02:56And I think, you know, you want to get as much experience for him as possible.
02:59And I think live reps are the best way to do it.
03:02Speaking of the changes here, did it surprise you that Arthur
03:05Blank passed on Bill Belichick?
03:09Well, I mean, when you think about the success Bill has had, I think.
03:13Anybody passing on him, right.
03:14Is, is, uh, surprising.
03:16I think that when you consider where Atlanta is at and what they want to do
03:20and kind of, you know, they've got their own quarterback situation as well with,
03:25with them signing Kirk Cousins and then drafting, you know, Michael Pennix, I
03:29think they're, you know, they're really looking long-term, uh, and trying to get
03:33stability in that organization, you know, for, for the next decade, decade plus.
03:37And, and I think, you know, considering all of that, I wasn't necessarily shocked
03:42that, that they went in a direction with the younger coach.
03:45What, which do you think he will regret, regret more that decision or maybe a
03:50premature celebration on the sideline during a Superbowl?
03:58Yeah, I think probably the premature celebration.
04:01We all could have used that, uh, game to end just a little bit sooner.
04:05Wiggy was saying he thinks that you, I was saying you probably
04:07don't think about that, Kate.
04:08Wiggy says he thinks you think about it every day.
04:10I don't.
04:11Oh yeah.
04:11I mean, I lost the Carol.
04:12I mean, I was in Carolina when we lost the Superbowl, Superbowl 38.
04:16And I think about that and being up 28 to three, that's completely different.
04:20It's like, oh yeah, this is Oz in hand.
04:22So I know he's, do you still think about it?
04:25Yeah.
04:25Yeah.
04:26I mean, I come on anytime I'm in new England, I'm reminded of it.
04:29So I think about it more often when I'm up here, uh, for sure.
04:33But it, it, it definitely is.
04:34I mean, I think as a player, right, you have all of the, uh, you know, these
04:38memories and, and for me, it's always the, the, the tough ones, uh, that you
04:43remember the good times, you know, you, you kind of celebrate them and move on.
04:46But the, the hard ones are the ones that last.
04:48And so, you know, it's, it's tough as part of, part of the deal, part of, uh,
04:53you know, playing in, in the most competitive environment in the world.
04:56And, uh, certainly disappointing.
04:58I'm not sure I'm completely over it, but, uh, we'll get there hopefully someday.
05:03Matt, there were rumors that the Falcons were all in on bill and then
05:06the crafts reached out to them and maybe blackballed, uh, bill
05:10for lack of a better term.
05:11Do you have any inside scoop on if they were in on him and what may
05:15have conspired behind closed doors?
05:18I don't have anything, you know, more than, than you guys, right.
05:21Um, you know, I know there was interest.
05:23I know there was multiple interviews and, and, uh, they certainly considered it.
05:28Um, I don't know anything about, you know, the conversations with, with, uh, Mr.
05:33Craft or, or anything like that.
05:35But, um, I think ultimately the decision for the organization, at least how I
05:39understand it is, you know, that they felt like they, they wanted to, to try
05:44and create, you know, a sustainable situation for the next decade, decade
05:48plus, and they feel like they've done that with Regan Morris, Matt.
05:51I know, uh, we've been talking about the Falcons and everything, and you're in
05:55town for, uh, maybe the greatest Eagle of Pete Frady's BC football.
05:59Looks like it has a optimistic future with Bill O'Brien taking over.
06:03Have you spoken with Billy and, and what are your thoughts on the
06:05hire for, for Boston college football?
06:07Well, I love it and I have, I was, uh, up for practice, uh, during the
06:12spring and got to speak with the team and kind of sit in meetings and talk
06:16with, with Bill, um, and, and I'm optimistic too, I think, you know,
06:20Boston college is, listen, the, the, the landscape of college football has
06:24changed so much, uh, since I played at BC and it's a, it's a different
06:28environment that you're competing in.
06:31But I've always felt like BC, uh, is a unique place and, uh, it requires
06:36people that, that know how it operates.
06:38And I think Bill being from the area, uh, St.
06:40John's prep, you know, alum and, and a guy that knows this area wants
06:44to be here, wants to be in this area.
06:47Uh, I think it's huge.
06:48And then you look at, you know, his, his track record as a coach, right.
06:53And, and where he's been the stops along the way, whether it's, you know,
06:56his time spent in new England and the NFL, whether it's his time as a head
06:59coach, uh, in, in major college football at Penn state or in the NFL with
07:03Houston and, uh, time spent at Alabama.
07:05I think all of these things, you know, seeing it, uh, you know, done
07:09different ways is, is really going to benefit him.
07:12And I think his, his tie to the area, his ability to recruit this
07:15area, keep, you know, the best players in new England, keep them here in
07:18new England and, and then go, you know, find a way, uh, like they did with
07:22me to find kids from Pennsylvania and New Jersey or Ohio, that was kind
07:26of always the blueprint, uh, for our success at BC and, and I think
07:30Bill's going to get back to that.
07:32Are you, when, when you you're at the age you're at, I'm at the age I'm at,
07:36which is 57, you look at Aaron Rogers.
07:39Are you surprised that, that, uh, that he's still doing it?
07:43I'm not surprised, you know, knowing, uh, what, what kind of player he is.
07:47And, and just, um, you know, I think a lot of times the narrative
07:53gets skewed with him, right.
07:54Um, but he takes such incredible care of his, of his body, uh, of his mind.
08:00I mean, he does it his way for sure.
08:02Um, but he's found a way to do it, uh, that, that works for him.
08:06And it doesn't surprise me.
08:07I played against that guy enough, uh, to, to never discount
08:10or, or never count him out.
08:12And so, uh, there are mornings where I wake up, I'm only 39, not 57, but, uh,
08:18you know, there are mornings I wake up and I'm like, man, I can't
08:21believe he is still doing it.
08:22Uh, but, but it's, it's definitely impressive.
08:25I'm like anybody.
08:27I mean, you know, excited to see what this Jets team is going to be.
08:31I mean, you guys know what being in the AFC East, uh, it's,
08:35it's going to be interesting.
08:37That defense was really good last year.
08:38The offense was inept, but I think when you add, uh, Aaron to the mix
08:43and what he can do, I think that's a scary team in the AFC East.
08:46You made a successful transition to television with CBS.
08:49How do you think Tom Brady will do?
08:51I think Tom will do great.
08:52Um, I really do.
08:53I think, you know, given, given his knowledge, uh, which is second to none.
08:57I mean, it's, he's got incredible insight.
09:01I also think he's a guy that, um, whatever it is, uh, he's going to do, he's going
09:06to put his complete effort behind it and he's going to be incredibly well prepared.
09:09And so, uh, like everybody else, I'm looking forward to, to kind of hearing,
09:14you know, what he has to say, how he's going to commentate games.
09:17I, I think he's going to learn a ton, you know, in that first year.
09:20You know, my, myself doing it last year, calling games, uh, the, the growth from
09:25the beginning of the year to the end of the year, significant, really learning
09:28the technical side of it, uh, to me was the hardest part, right.
09:32And, and kind of figuring out how to get in and out, listen to the producer,
09:35understand camera angles, uh, what plays well for viewers, uh, with different
09:41camera angles and, and really learning how to drive that, uh, to me is the
09:44key, you know, as, as a color guy.
09:46And I think he'll pick that up quickly, but I think his insight will be awesome.
09:50Players who do it sometimes say the hardest part for them
09:52was criticizing other guys.
09:54Was that hard for you?
09:56I mean, I think there's a way to be critical without being malicious.
10:00You know, like I often viewed it the same way I would view
10:04watching my own game tape, right?
10:05There, there's certain stuff that, you know, there are plays you should have made.
10:08And, and so, um, I kind of viewed it that exact same way of, if I were
10:14critiqued myself this way, I'm comfortable critiquing, you know, someone else.
10:18I also think that it comes, it comes down to a level of preparation.
10:23Like I'm not a massive fan of just making a hot take, you know, without
10:28having watched a ton of, of the film and what they're doing during the season
10:32and talk to them about some of the things.
10:34I think, I think all of those things make it, you know, a little bit more,
10:38uh, easy to, to be critical, uh, when you need to be.
10:42Speaking of guys joining TV, you surprised Bill Belichick is going to be on TV with
10:47Pat McAfee and with this, uh, underground, what was it called underdog
10:50underdog, uh, network, uh, this fall.
10:53Yeah, I think given, you know, given, given how he was, uh, for so long, I
10:59think it's going to be fascinating to see kind of the, the other side of him.
11:02And, and that's part of it, right.
11:04Whether you're a head coach, uh, or you're a quarterback, you, you know,
11:08when you're, when you're on the other side of, of the microphone, right.
11:13Answering the questions, you've got to protect the organization.
11:15You've got to protect your teammates, your staff.
11:18You've got to be able to do those things and build it his way.
11:20But, uh, I think being able to, to get into the, the behind the scenes with
11:25Bill, right, what he was like, uh, in the locker room with those guys in team meetings.
11:29I think that's going to be fascinating to watch.
11:31And, and I think there's a level of personality that's going to come out, uh,
11:35with him and, and, uh, I think it's going to be great for, for fans of the NFL.
11:39Uh, in the Twitch chat, they want me to ask you, Matt Ryan, were you a
11:43Marianne's guy or a city or a city side, city side, city side, equal opportunity.
11:51I'll be honest.
11:51I, I spent, I spent many hours in both establishments and
11:56if you needed food with your beer.
11:58Yeah.
11:58So, you know, if you needed something to eat, you go over to city side, but
12:01if you were there to, you know, to, to partake and to get after it, you,
12:05you went right into Marianne's.
12:07Matt, you were one of the bigger names that took part in the ice bucket
12:11challenge at the beginning 10 years ago.
12:13I can't believe it, but you were probably the biggest to kick things off.
12:17How did you get involved in what's it like to see where it is now?
12:2010 years later.
12:22Yeah.
12:22So I got involved, um, because a buddy of mine, uh, Pete Frady's, uh, tagged
12:28me on one of the challenges and so I was like, all right, I gotta do this.
12:32Right.
12:32Pete, Pete was one of my friends from Boston college.
12:35He's actually one of the first guys I met, uh, on orientation, uh, you know,
12:40as an incoming freshman.
12:42And so, uh, knowing kind of his, his struggle with it and how he was fighting
12:46it and then being tagged in that way, it was kind of, it was like the, the perfect
12:50timing for something to explode, right?
12:52It was the beginning of, you know, kind of the honeymoon phase of social media,
12:57right, where it still was fun.
13:00Uh, it was a little bit less malicious at that time, which was good.
13:03And so I got tagged that did it and then tag some of my teammates and
13:06different guys and, and it took off.
13:09Um, that was it.
13:10It was, it was a friend, uh, who, who reached out, uh, to do it.
13:15And for me, it was like a no brainer.
13:17It was fun.
13:18I was a training camp at the time at, at flowery branch.
13:21So it felt really good after one of the practices, it was, it was probably
13:23something I was going to do anyhow.
13:25So, uh, to, to create awareness for, for ALS, uh, at the time and research
13:30and, and, you know, not only, you know, have something fun for people
13:33to do, but really raise money.
13:34I thought that part was, was awesome.
13:37And to look at it, you know, 10 years later, I think, uh, it's really
13:41important to understand the amount of money that has been raised to find a cure.
13:45Um, but with that, you know, people have, have started to live longer, uh,
13:51struggling with the disease and, and understanding the care portion of it
13:54for the families that, that are, you know, taking care of their loved ones.
13:58It's become incredibly expensive.
14:00Uh, and I think that's what the, the Frady's foundation is, is doing, right.
14:04Is, is finding ways to, to raise money, uh, to help the families that
14:08are going through it because it's bankrupt, uh, a lot of people.
14:11And as people who are struggling with the disease continue to, to live longer,
14:17the, the expense is only going to go up.
14:18So I think it's a really cool two pronged approach, right?
14:21We need to continue to raise money, uh, you know, for the research and they've
14:25done an incredible job of that, but we also have to find ways to support the
14:28families that are dealing with that.
14:30And I give a lot of credit to, to the Frady's foundation for doing that.
14:34Speaking of, of social media, how long after the super bowl loss, did it
14:38take you to start reading comments?
14:43Yeah.
14:43I needed one of those darkness retreats or something like that afterwards.
14:46Uh, I didn't do it.
14:47I didn't know about it at the time.
14:49I wish I did.
14:49Well, it's really, it's really cool that you're doing this and, uh, it's
14:54a really important day over there.
14:56And I, I really appreciate you taking the time with us this morning, Matt Ryan.
15:00Thank you.
15:01I appreciate you guys.
15:02Thank you for having me on.
15:03How many wins for the Patriots?
15:06Put me on the spot.
15:06I'm going to say over four and a half.
15:08Is it?
15:08Oh, you're saying six.
15:09I'm going to say six.
15:10Okay.
15:11All right.
15:12All right, Matt Ryan.
15:13Thanks for taking the optimistic today.
15:15It's only August 1st.
15:16Thank you.
15:17Go Eagles.