INDIANAPOLIS — Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage says he would give this year's top quarterback prospect, Matt Ryan, a similar grade to the signal caller he took with the 22nd overall pick last year, Brady Quinn.

The good news for Savage and the Browns is that they are a year ahead of the curve with Quinn, who sat and learned in his rookie season behind Browns starter Derek Anderson, whom the Browns are trying to sign to a three-year deal to avoid having to place a high, first-and third-round tender before free agency begins Feb. 29.

The good news for Ryan?

His future prospects as a likely top-three pick in the April 26-27 draft increased with the flip of a coin on Friday.

Ryan, from Boston College, considered this draft's golden-boy quarterback and the only sure-fire first rounder, may have gotten as lucky as the Atlanta Falcons, who won the coin flip with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs to determine which 4-12 team picks third.

Suddenly, two teams picking in the top three, the Miami Dolphins, owners of the top overall selection, and the Falcons, could be interested in Ryan, who threw 31 touchdowns and 19 interceptions last season.

"It's exciting for me that a number of teams are looking for a quarterback," Ryan said, "and Atlanta might be one of them. It's a great city. (Owner) Arthur Blank has done a great job. He's made a strong commitment to that city.

"With everything that has gone on during the past year, he has handled it with class. And I have a lot of respect for that organization."

Ryan indicated he's not worried about the large reclamation project facing first-year Falcons coach Mike Smith.

"I don't think one person will be the cause of change down there," he said. "But I certainly think I can help."

Miami's decision likely depends on the evaluation of last year's second-round draft choice, John Beck, by the organization's new front-office trio — executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano. Ryan said he met briefly with Ireland and Sparano on Friday at the scouting combine.

The 6-4, 228-pound Ryan can make all the throws, is a natural leader and is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.

"If you think John Beck can be a serviceable quarterback, then great, you can look elsewhere," Mayock said. "If there's any question there, you have to be looking at Matt Ryan."

Ryan will run, but won't throw at the combine. He said he wants to throw to his receivers during his March 18 pro day at Boston College.

He has franchise-quarterback intangibles, according to new St. Louis Rams executive vice president of player personnel Billy Devaney.

"I like everything about the guy," Devaney says. "The intangibles — everything that it takes to play the position off the field, the leadership, the intelligence, being a team guy. This guy has 'It.'

"Whatever 'It' is to play that position, he's got it. I think this guy is going to be a heck of a player for a long time."

Free-agent shocker? The Washington Redskins have typically been among the biggest spenders in the free-agent market. But that doesn't figure to be the case this year when the frenzy opens Feb. 29. Or so they say.

Don't look for owner Daniel Snyder's private jet, "Redskins One," or "ATM One" as some refer to it, preparing for its usual opening-night flight to whisk one of the most-coveted free agents back to Redskins Park.

"The price you're going to pay in free agency is going to be astronomical," said Washington vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato. "I don't see us being a big player in free agency.

"I know it'll be a shock to some people. But Dan's plane won't be fired up."

No quarterback controversy: New Redskins head coach Jim Zorn conveyed a charismatic presence during his media session.

Zorn was especially impressive when asked if veteran backup quarterback Todd Collins, who led the team to a 3-1 record and into the playoffs after Jason Campbell suffered a dislocated kneecap, would be given a chance to win the starting job. Zorn wants Collins back.

But as the backup. The starting job is Campbell's.

"He's not going to get that chance because Jason Campbell is our starting quarterback," Zorn said. "And I'll tell you why: Jason Campbell must know that he is the starter. I don't want to go into this minicamp, I don't want to go into our training camp with him not knowing, or have this thing up for grabs. … I don't want Jason Campbell to feel like, 'Oh my gosh, if I make one mistake, I'm going to be pulled.

"That's not the way to go into camp or into any football season. He's going to play 16 games. He's going to lead us to the playoffs as far as I'm concerned."

Rams on pace: The St. Louis Rams plummeted from 8-8 to 3-13 last season in large part because starting left tackle Orlando Pace was lost in the season opener to a shoulder injury and has started just nine games the last two seasons due to injury.

Rams coach Scott Linehan said Friday that the seven-time Pro Bowler is expected to make a full return to the starting lineup.

"Orlando is in a very good position to come back and have a very good year for us," Linehan said. "He's close to 100%. Physically, he feels good. It's a matter of avoiding that bad luck.

"Two years ago, he had a triceps injury and last year a shoulder injury. Hopefully, he got them out of the way."

One thing the Rams will be looking to improve in the draft, possibly with the second overall pick, is a weak pass rush. Rams defensive ends combined for just 4½ sacks last season.

"We have to come up with at least one guy — whether it's in free agency, whether it's in the draft, it's a major need, we realize we have to address," Devaney said.

Going back in for a QB: Mayock noted that in three consecutive drafts a team has traded back into the end of the first round to select a quarterback. Three years ago, the Buffalo Bills moved back into the first round to select J.P. Losman. Two years ago, the Redskins did it to pick Campbell, and last year the Browns traded a 2008 first-round pick to Dallas to select Quinn at No. 22.

It could happen again.

"The last three years of the draft somebody has traded up to get a quarterback in the 20s," Mayock said. "If you look at the top eight teams, four of them need quarterbacks and only one of them is going to get one. So those other three teams could be candidates to move back up in the 20s."

Three guys to keep an eye on if that happens: Michigan's Chad Henne, Louisville's Brian Brohm and Delaware's Joe Flacco.