MOBILE, Ala. -- Senior Bowl prospect Matt Ioannidis has a connection to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan that extends beyond the Temple defensive tackle playing college ball in Ryan's hometown of Philadelphia.

"What do I know about the Falcons? One of my best buddies, his cousin is actually the starting quarterback for the Falcons,'" Ioannidis said, referring to Temple quarterback John Loughery.

Maybe Ioannidis will have a chance to play alongside his good friend's cousin someday. True, all the Senior Bowl prospects meet with just about every team this week. However, Ioannidis had an arranged meeting with Falcons national scout Mark Olson following Tuesday's practice.

"I actually spoke to him on the phone [Monday] night, then I got a missed call from him when we were in meetings, and I called him back, so [Tuesday] was the first time I got to speak with him face to face," Ioannidis said.

At least one NFL defensive coordinator said the 6-foot-3, 303-pound Ioannidis had a "very good day" Tuesday. A projected fifth-round prospect, Ioannidis had 10.5 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries this past season.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the Falcons need to bolster both lines this offseason. Quinn found a fifth-round gem in nose tackle Grady Jarrett from Clemson in the draft last season. (The Falcons lost their fifth-round pick this season as result of piping noise into the Georgia Dome.)

Ioannidis isn't overly concerned about draft projections.

"I hang my hat on that I'm the most competitive guy out there every day, and I'm going to outwork people," he said. "A lot of guys say that, but there's just a few of them out there. I'm hoping to be one of them."