Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Desmond Ridder will start in Week 5 against the Texans.
Despite all of social media calling for Ridder’s benching in Week 4 against the Jaguars, Smith stuck by his guy through what was arguably the worst start of his career. Ridder took four sacks, threw two interceptions, and led the Falcons to just seven points on the afternoon, looking overmatched throughout much of the day. Despite a willing-and-able veteran in Taylor Heinicke behind him, Smith is willing to stick with Ridder for at least one more week. However, if he struggles in Week 5, it will be interesting to see if Smith opts to start Heinicke in Week 6 against the Commanders, who Heinicke spent the previous three seasons with.
Not surprising, although I can totally see Heinicke taking the field in the second half next week - or so I hope as a Pitts/London owner.Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Desmond Ridder will start in Week 5 against the Texans.
Despite all of social media calling for Ridder’s benching in Week 4 against the Jaguars, Smith stuck by his guy through what was arguably the worst start of his career. Ridder took four sacks, threw two interceptions, and led the Falcons to just seven points on the afternoon, looking overmatched throughout much of the day. Despite a willing-and-able veteran in Taylor Heinicke behind him, Smith is willing to stick with Ridder for at least one more week. However, if he struggles in Week 5, it will be interesting to see if Smith opts to start Heinicke in Week 6 against the Commanders, who Heinicke spent the previous three seasons with.
AtlantaFalcons.com’s Scott Bair believes Falcons head coach Arthur Smith won’t have a “quick hook” with Desmond Ridder.
Ridder has been among the worst starting quarterbacks through four weeks. He has three touchdowns and three picks, and the league’s third lowest completion rate over expected. Only Zach Wilson and Daniel Jones have a lower EPA per drop back than Ridder. “Pulling him for good in Week 5 would be surprising, and maybe a little hasty, if there’s a commitment to developing Ridder for the long-term,” Bair said, adding that he “could see a scenario where Ridder struggles and Taylor Heinicke would get called in from the bullpen to give the Falcons a spark in a particular game.” Heinicke’s willingness to throw into tight windows could probably lead to more production for Drake London and Kyle Pitts, neither of whom is fantasy relevant with Ridder under center.
People keep writing stuff like this and Arthur has like zero inclination to pull him.Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Desmond Ridder will start in Week 5 against the Texans.
Despite all of social media calling for Ridder’s benching in Week 4 against the Jaguars, Smith stuck by his guy through what was arguably the worst start of his career. Ridder took four sacks, threw two interceptions, and led the Falcons to just seven points on the afternoon, looking overmatched throughout much of the day. Despite a willing-and-able veteran in Taylor Heinicke behind him, Smith is willing to stick with Ridder for at least one more week. However, if he struggles in Week 5, it will be interesting to see if Smith opts to start Heinicke in Week 6 against the Commanders, who Heinicke spent the previous three seasons with.
And likely won’t.Guy hasn't even played a full season
Smith’s unwavering loyalty to Ridder will be his downfall.
I think winning more games with Heinicke than he would with Ridder is plenty incentive. But benching his appointed starter this early in the season would be an admission of failure in his mind (rather than the willingness to adjust that good coaches do).Unfortunately there is no incentive for Arthur to make a QB change with the team sitting at 3-3 in a very winnable division.
Sucks having him on your bench knowing he could be having big games and it sucks more when he does have big games. I can’t start him but continue to hold just in case.London is obviously a top WR talent and is just being wasted in this offense.
I think winning more games with Heinicke than he would with Ridder is plenty incentive. But benching his appointed starter this early in the season would be an admission of failure in his mind (rather than the willingness to adjust that good coaches do).Unfortunately there is no incentive for Arthur to make a QB change with the team sitting at 3-3 in a very winnable division.
Heinicke isn't amazing but he's shown more with his time with Washington than Ridder has with Atlanta. He's actually looked like a competent QB at times. It's not exactly a given but there are plenty of instances where the backup stepped in and did a better job than the incumbent.I think winning more games with Heinicke than he would with Ridder is plenty incentive. But benching his appointed starter this early in the season would be an admission of failure in his mind (rather than the willingness to adjust that good coaches do).Unfortunately there is no incentive for Arthur to make a QB change with the team sitting at 3-3 in a very winnable division.
Is this a given? Heinicke isn't good either. They see these guys in practice. If the difference was meaningful Heinicke would already be playing
He looks like dog crap out there.Arthur challenged him to play better and he has back to back 300 yard games.
Having watched Heinicke in every game for my WAS team, don't hold your breath for him to put up better numbers. He can definitely float some weak armed loopers towards players, but it's usually not the ones wearing the same color jersey. A career 7:5 TD:INT ratio is not good. And he's lucky it was that. I forget the PFF stat but he had a crazy number of passes that should have been intercepted. he plays hard but he lacks NFL level skillsHeinicke isn't amazing but he's shown more with his time with Washington than Ridder has with Atlanta. He's actually looked like a competent QB at times. It's not exactly a given but there are plenty of instances where the backup stepped in and did a better job than the incumbent.I think winning more games with Heinicke than he would with Ridder is plenty incentive. But benching his appointed starter this early in the season would be an admission of failure in his mind (rather than the willingness to adjust that good coaches do).Unfortunately there is no incentive for Arthur to make a QB change with the team sitting at 3-3 in a very winnable division.
Is this a given? Heinicke isn't good either. They see these guys in practice. If the difference was meaningful Heinicke would already be playing
I would like to see it on the road. I have no confidence in him rallying the Falcons outside.London and Pitts have started to do some stuff the last couple games.
Ridder is throwing the ball a lot.
Maybe he is improving?
Yes I know he threw 3 interceptions in his most recent game. Thats ungood.
But maybe he is getting better for him anyways?
At least he didnt forget his keys and cut his leg open kicking in a patio glass window?
I mostly just joking with my previous post and I dont really think he is a long term solution for the Falcons or any team. He is likely destined ti become a back up QB and who knows? Maybe if he hangs around long enough he plays at the best he can when he turns 28 or something if he gets another chance to start at that point of his career?I would like to see it on the road. I have no confidence in him rallying the Falcons outside.London and Pitts have started to do some stuff the last couple games.
Ridder is throwing the ball a lot.
Maybe he is improving?
Yes I know he threw 3 interceptions in his most recent game. Thats ungood.
But maybe he is getting better for him anyways?
At least he didnt forget his keys and cut his leg open kicking in a patio glass window?
Because ATL is a talented offense being held back by their QB and coach.Dude just plain sucks.....why are we even talking about this guy?
Plus, Heinecke's main weakness is his arm strength, and the Falcons almost never throw deep, so why should that matter here?Heinicke isn't amazing but he's shown more with his time with Washington than Ridder has with Atlanta. He's actually looked like a competent QB at times. It's not exactly a given but there are plenty of instances where the backup stepped in and did a better job than the incumbent.I think winning more games with Heinicke than he would with Ridder is plenty incentive. But benching his appointed starter this early in the season would be an admission of failure in his mind (rather than the willingness to adjust that good coaches do).Unfortunately there is no incentive for Arthur to make a QB change with the team sitting at 3-3 in a very winnable division.
Is this a given? Heinicke isn't good either. They see these guys in practice. If the difference was meaningful Heinicke would already be playing
Plus, Heinecke's main weakness is his arm strength, and the Falcons almost never throw deep, so why should that matter here?
I am not watching the games.Anybody who points to any yardage stats as progress for this guy isn’t watching the games. He throws the worst picks imaginable. Up there with Mac Jones. Costing them games.
He won so all is good in Arthur’s world with Ridder.
He cost them at least 2 TDS and a FG. Game never should have been that close. Kid has flashes with a live arm, but his awareness is dreadful.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said, “I promise you, I’ll come in on Wednesday and tell you who’s starting,” when asked about Desmond Ridder starting in Week 9 against the Vikings.
Smith was a bit all over the place in his Monday presser, citing Ridder’s health as the team’s top concern while also failing to commit to Ridder as the team’s starter if healthy. Ridder was cleared to return in Sunday’s Week 8 loss to the Titans, but Smith opted to keep veteran Taylor Heinicke in to finish things out. Smith cited Ridder’s health as the reason for not letting him go back in, but when a quarterback turns the ball over 12 times in eight games, it’s fair to question the legitimacy of that claim. We’ll know by Wednesday whether or not it will be Ridder or Heinicke taking the reins in Week 9.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said the team will evaluate the QB position this week and said his top concern is the health of Desmond Ridder.
Ridder left Sunday’s contest against the Titans to be evaluated for a concussion but cleared protocol. Despite being cleared to return, Smith opted to ride with Taylor Heinicke the rest of the way, citing health concerns as the reasons for keeping Ridder out. Playing in relief of Ridder, Heinicke threw for 175 yards and one touchdown while completing 12-of-21 passes and leading multiple scoring drives. When asked if Ridder would start in Week 9 if healthy, Smith said, “I gotta swee where he’s at, that’s the best I can give you.” Ridder’s performance through eight weeks warrants a benching if Smith opts to make the switch. It will be interesting to see which quarterback receives first team reps when they take the practice field on Wednesday.
Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter said the team doesn’t “plan to close any quarterback doors at [the] NFL scouting combine.”
It sounds like the Falcons are willing to do anything they deem necessary to secure a top rookie in this year’s draft if that’s the route they ultimately decide to take. Currently holding the No. 8 overall pick, the Falcons could have enough draft capital to trade into the top three if that’s what’s required to secure their guy. Former third-round pick Desmond Ridder has played in 19 career games since being drafted by the Falcons in 2022, throwing for 3544-14-12 while adding another 257 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. At this stage in his career, Ridder looks more like a serviceable backup than a quarterback who is going to change the trajectory of an. With a chance to potentially draft a franchise quarterback in this April’s draft, the Falcons are smartly keeping the door open for whoever that may be.
There's a big of a leap in there.Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter said the team doesn’t “plan to close any quarterback doors at [the] NFL scouting combine.”
It sounds like the Falcons are willing to do anything they deem necessary to secure a top rookie in this year’s draft if that’s the route they ultimately decide to take. Currently holding the No. 8 overall pick, the Falcons could have enough draft capital to trade into the top three if that’s what’s required to secure their guy. Former third-round pick Desmond Ridder has played in 19 career games since being drafted by the Falcons in 2022, throwing for 3544-14-12 while adding another 257 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. At this stage in his career, Ridder looks more like a serviceable backup than a quarterback who is going to change the trajectory of an. With a chance to potentially draft a franchise quarterback in this April’s draft, the Falcons are smartly keeping the door open for whoever that may be.