Super Bowl Update

Jonathan Massaquoi gets to the ball carrier against FAU (Thomas Graning/Troy Messenger/Associated Press)

I was able to get up with former Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, who was drafted in the fifth round Saturday by the Atlanta Falcons. Here's what he had to say...

Massaquoi is from Lawrenceville, Ga., so it was a perfect fit for him to go to the hometown Falcons.

"I wasn't surprised I went to the Falcons," Massaquoi said. "I went to the facility and had a great workout there and knew I would be a potential candidate for their organization. Once the Draft came around, I heard good, positive things from the organization and I knew I could be that guy for that pick. I figured it would be either them or the (Houston) Texans. It's been definitely a dream come true."

Some mock drafts predicted Massaquoi would go a bit higher than the fifth round. While he was certainly excited to get drafted, Massaquoi did think he could have gone higher.

"I'm blessed to have been given this opportunity," Massaquoi said. "My personal opinion is that I knew I was supposed to go a little bit higher and others inside the NFL knew so as well, so I'm coming in with a bit of a chip on my shoulder to fuel that fire so I can continue to stay focused. The door is open for me and this is a situation I can embrace.

"The main thing is to get adjusted to the schedule and do whatever they ask me to do so I'll be able to fill a role on the team."

Massaquoi said he would remain at defensive end in the Falcons' scheme. He also laid out his hopes and goals for his immediate and long-term future.

"I have to set goals for myself and that's what I did when I came to Troy," he said. "My main goal is to be a team player and to gain the respect of my fellow players. My No. 2 goal is to win games, play my role, go to the playoffs and go to the Super Bowl. My personal goals are that I want a shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year and to reach the Pro Bowl. I definitely want to become a potential starter this year."

RELATED LINKS
AJC: ESPN draft guru Kiper gives Falcons a 'C'
Yahoo! Sports: Massaquoi among best fifth-round value picks
CBS Sports: Analyzing the Falcons' draft
CBS Sports: Analyzing the Falcons' fourth pick
AJC: How the NFC South teams fared (with intro comments on Massaquoi)