January 15, 2026
Photo and Article by Allison Smith
On Thursday, January 15, Atlanta Falcons Legend Todd McClurejoined 92.9 The Game’s “The Morning Shift” with Beau Morgan,Mike Johnson and Ali Mac.
Johnson and McClure played on the offensive line together in Atlanta from 2011 and 2012. McClure also played with new President of Football, Matt Ryan, for 4 years, 2008 to 2012. Their teammates voted them both Offensive Captains at the end of the 2008 season. And now, both are in the Falcons Ring of Honor.
McClure’s first impression of just seeing Ryan, a kid out of Boston College, realizing McClure had been in the league, with the Falcons, for 8 years at this time. McClure thought, “He’s scrawny,” he can’t possibly hold up to the hits and the toll that the NFL takes on the body. But Ryan did, and McClure “loved that no matter how beat up or hit” he was during the game, usually because of O-Line mistakes, Ryan never made anyone feel like it was their fault, never made them feel inferior, “he was always encouraging.” McClure would see him in the training room after a game, Ryan barely moving. McClure would think that he wouldn’t play the next week, but Ryan always did. Ryan actually only missed a couple of games in his 13 years with the Falcons, playing and starting in 232 games, including regular and post season.
McClure told a story of 2008 training camp. Ryan had just been drafted and was in competition for the starting Quarterback job with Chris Redman. The QBs were rotated in and out. The Offensive Line was a tight group, Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl, Sam Baker, and Tyson Claybo. They were cutting up in the huddle, had Running Back Michael Turner giggling about something. (If you know Turner, that wouldn’t be hard.) Ryan steps in as a rookie and says, “Shut the F… up.” Instantly they were all – ok, we got somebody right here. Then Ryan led the team to the playoffs, losing in Arizona. Johnson laughed that Ryan may not have jumped on anyone that first year in fear that “Harvey or Tyson might beat him up.” McClure agreed.
On the hiring of Ryan for the President of Football role, McClure said, “Could not ask for anybody better, with work effort, preparation wise, and the care for an organization to turn this around.”
The first that McClure, who lives in Lousiana, heard of the possibility of Ryan and this role, was from his father who lives in Atlanta. The elder McClure called his son and asked “Have you heard Matt might be coming back?” Mudduck said, “Man, this is special, he didn’t have to do this,” he seemed happy with the CBS job and certainly isn’t doing it for the money. Ryan is a true competior and loves the next challenge. He really wants to get this team turned around….unfinished business. Get that ring that evaded him in his playing career.
Morgan inquired about McClure’s opinion of the current O Line play. Looking at their play from a fan’s view, not diving in and watching film, McClure commented that (Matt)Bergeron and (Chris) Lindstrom are athletic, they really go. It is important to have a veteran on the line likeJake Matthews (who is currently on the team and played with Ryan from 2014 to 2021). Depending on the scheme the new coach runs, can make them even better. Just need to get Running Back Bijan Robinson to the line of scrimmage cleaner and let him do his thing. Overall, impressed with the group up front.
Asked what really qualifies Ryan for this PoF role, McClure said that he is just a born leader. The first time in the huddle he was not intimidated. He is not intimidated by any body and that will propel him. He is not afraid to talk to anyone in the room. He is not afraid to make decisions that may hurt feelings, which is going to be needd to turn this organization around. He’s going to have to make some unpopular decisions, for the right reasons. Ryan is not taking this job to climb a ladder, to move to a bigger and better role/team in the future. (Which we heard in the introductory presser ‘would only do this for this team.’) Ryan wants to make this team better.
As a personal note – having spoken to many former players in the past couple of years, they really get what it is like being a Falcon fan after they retire and are watching these games like the rest of us. See so much potentenial but not winning….or losing in the craziest ways.
Asked if he was chosing the next coach, McClure’s opinion (as a fan with no weight) noted that the Offensive Coordinator was actually more important that then Head Coach. (Jeff) Ulbrich, current Defensive Coordinator, has done a great job with lots of talent. Need to sign some Free Agents back, but “don’t touch that.” Need to find the OC that fits Bijan, he’s one of the best players in football. If the HC can bring in the right OC, he can be a dictator or not, but need the offensive mind to run this program right.
Johnson recounted some of his best memories with his O Line teammates. McClure has been raising bulls since his playing days, so the O Line sitting in the locker room together with “Sam, Blalock, Ramburg” trying to name some of the bulls. “Sam wanted to name one Scottie Flippin after Scottie Pippen.” Another suggestion was “High Five.” McClure laughingly recalled that in training camp “there were never 2 more miserable guys than Joe Hawley and Mike.” They looked like they wanted to go sell used cars, but game day, they came out and played. He recalled that this was one of the “funnest groups ever.”
It was great to hear teammates laugh and have some private jokes that we didn’t get. It is clear that everyone that knows Ryan thinks this is great for the organization and direction of the team.
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