By WRBL Staff
The Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Chris Redman has edged out rookie Matt Ryan and will start at quarterback in the Atlanta Falcons' preseason opener Saturday night at Jacksonville.The Associated Press
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Stumble It!Based on how often he has worked with the first-team offense in training camp, Ryan, the NFL's No. 3 overall draft pick, probably will be the first quarterback to replace Redman in the exhibition game.
D.J. Shockley and Joey Harrington are essentially battling for the third-string job, but Falcons coach Mike Smith wants all four quarterbacks to play against the Jaguars.
The Falcons signed Ryan, a former Boston College standout, to a six-year, $72 million contract last month that includes about $34.75 million in guarantees.
Smith, a first-year head coach, and Atlanta's new offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, won't rush Ryan onto the field, but the rookie's accuracy and understanding of the scheme helped him surpass Shockley and Harrington on the depth chart.
