Desmond Ridder progresses

[NorthGaBoy]

I liked what I saw from Ridder in pre-season.  I also saw a couple of fundamental flaws.  He was throwing occasionally from a square position and he sometimes did not have balance because his feet were not set properly.  My guess was that the Falcons were starting "He who disgraced himself and quit in the season" (HWDHQS) because they wanted to correct the fundamental flaws, give Ridder time to learn the offense, and acclimate to the NFL.

What I saw from Ridder in his first 3 starts was that the fundamentals were corrected.  What I saw today was arm strength and accuracy I did not know Ridder possessed.  Then, one of the announcers mentioned the quick flick Ridder showed on some passes.  He commented that Arthur Smith has stated they did not know Ridder had that until he started showing it in practice.  It is JMHO, but I think correcting those fundamentals have improved both speed and accuracy on his passes.  So everyone, please extend your thanks to HWDHQS for giving the Falcons the time to bring out the best in Ridder.

I know I saw a pass travel incomplete for 60 yards.  I saw several passes that had very high velocity and were tight on the spot.  I no longer question whether Desmond should be our QB1 next season.  I know I will hear about it being only 1 game, Tampa playing backups, a meaningless game, etc.  But, we cannot deny the mental toughness.  He has learned this offense.  He spreads the ball around.  When he makes a mistake, he comes right back and makes a good play.  This guy has the stuff.  Now, lets build a better line and get a few more play makers. 

Dean Pees, you have built the foundation for a good defense and next season you will have the budget to make it work.  Don't think too long.  Just come back one more season.

[SwampyMux12]

The 40 yard throw to London told me all I need to know about his arm strength.

Also, backups or no, he was operating under pressure throwing to Drake London and a bunch of guys. Mycole Pruitt is his #2 target...

[PokerSteve]

Dean Pees, you have built the foundation for a good defense and next season you will have the budget to make it work.  Don't think too long.  Just come back one more season.

AS ain't going to let him get away. He has to stay until this D is an asset to his Boss.

 

[bossFALCON™]

I agree with you on Ridders footwork, I’ve mentioned this in each of his starts and he seems to improve it from game to game. This is why he has some of those inaccurate throws every so often.

He’s improving every game though. Did you see that imcompletion to #80 late in the game? He threw that bomb so easily. I think the kid is going to be really really good. Just wait until we add Pitts to the mix…

[FalconFan13]

Gotta give Pees some credit though with as little talent and cap space on his side of the ball we have given him.   He actually just put up the best points per game this defense has had since 2017.  22.3 PPG isn't honestly that bad and would be around the 10th to 15th in the league in most years.   Gave up alot of yards but held teams to a respectable PPG total and with this talent we have thats a solid job.  He was a legit bend but don't break defense with very little talent.

[falcon22]

I saw these stat comparison in Twitter. We got to be patient, but it is trending up and he is younger than Ryan:

"Matt Ryan: - Didn't reach 200 yards until his 6th game - Had 2 TDs (to 2 INTs) in his first 4 games - Didn't have a completion % over 70.0 until his 6th game."

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

[Dirtybirdhundo]

He looked so good I like this dude get him some more weapons and better pass blockers we aight man 

[bossFALCON™]

14 minutes ago, falcon22 said:

I saw these stat comparison in Twitter. We got to be patient, but it is trending up and he is younger than Ryan:

"Matt Ryan: - Didn't reach 200 yards until his 6th game - Had 2 TDs (to 2 INTs) in his first 4 games - Didn't have a completion % over 70.0 until his 6th game."

I love Matt but I don’t think his performance and Ridders performance were all that much different. Matt had a much better team with a ton of vets (Abe, Milloy, Brooking, Finn, etc.), but Ridder has come up in clutch situations as well. How many 4th down throws has he converted?

again not saying Ridders better, but Matt didn’t start to deliver the big statistical games until his 4th/5th season.

[Dr Long Shot]

56 minutes ago, FalconFan13 said:

Gotta give Pees some credit though with as little talent and cap space on his side of the ball we have given him.   He actually just put up the best points per game this defense has had since 2017.  22.3 PPG isn't honestly that bad and would be around the 10th to 15th in the league in most years.   Gave up alot of yards but held teams to a respectable PPG total and with this talent we have thats a solid job.  He was a legit bend but don't break defense with very little talent.

Nope, this has nothing to do with our defense and everything to do with our ball control offense. We rank either last or second to last in every single per drive defensive statistic. (points, time of possession, yards). On offense we rank #1 in time of possession per drive. Our defense was again a disaster despite having a pretty easy schedule defensively. No pressure, can't stop the run, don't force turnovers. 

[Hokies&Falcons]

He showed the arm off prior to the draft, but for whatever reason many people kept sleeping on his arm talent. 

People made a big deal out of a big time throw by Willis and Ridder came out and at least matched it.

 

[FalconJim]

Yes, what's not to like about The Riddler's Progression?!?!?!  We have a Winner in this guy, and I can't wait 'til next season to see his full potential ---  🙂  

[FalconFan13]

8 minutes ago, Dr Long Shot said:

Nope, this has nothing to do with our defense and everything to do with our ball control offense. We rank either last or second to last in every single per drive defensive statistic. (points, time of possession, yards). On offense we rank #1 in time of possession per drive. Our defense was again a disaster despite having a pretty easy schedule defensively. No pressure, can't stop the run, don't force turnovers. 

Can you show me the chart for offensive time of possession?  Im looking it up and so far i can't find one that has us #1 most of them have us in the 13th to 17 range or about middle of pack.   Would love to see the charts you are looking at to find this info.

[Dr Long Shot]

8 minutes ago, FalconFan13 said:

Can you show me the chart for offensive time of possession?  Im looking it up and so far i can't find one that has us #1 most of them have us in the 13th to 17 range or about middle of pack.   Would love to see the charts you are looking at to find this info.

Pro football reference team page. Per drive stats for offense and defense can be found in the team stats. We are number 1 in time of possession per drive and dead last defensive time of possession. 

[FalconFan13]

5 minutes ago, Dr Long Shot said:

Pro football reference team page. Per drive stats for offense and defense can be found in the team stats. We are number 1 in time of possession per drive and dead last defensive time of possession. 

Is it where it shows avg time per drive?    I see it says 3.02 for offensive avg time per drive and 3.06 for opponents avg time per drive.  Those look to be bout even for offense and defense.  If so thats crazy that 4 seconds is the difference between 1st and last thats insanely close but pretty awesome.

[nomak]

He's pocket awareness is what sold me on Ridder today. 

[THEHEADCOACH]

41 minutes ago, bossFALCON™ said:

I love Matt but I don’t think his performance and Ridders performance were all that much different. Matt had a much better team with a ton of vets (Abe, Milloy, Brooking, Finn, etc.), but Ridder has come up in clutch situations as well. How many 4th down throws has he converted?

again not saying Ridders better, but Matt didn’t start to deliver the big statistical games until his 4th/5th season.

While I agree Ryan and Ridders are comparable. Ryan did not have a much better team. Both have good running games,nothing much to throw too,and mediocre olines. While one defense was young and one old as dirt, both were about as effective as the other..I would say they are both very comparable situations. 

[Dr Long Shot]

4 minutes ago, FalconFan13 said:

Is it where it shows avg time per drive?    I see it says 3.02 for offensive avg time per drive and 3.06 for opponents avg time per drive.  Those look to be bout even for offense and defense.  If so thats crazy that 4 seconds is the difference between 1st and last thats insanely close but pretty awesome.

Your not understanding the stat. This tells you our drives are the longest both on offense (we control the ball) AND on defense (we can't get off the field). The reason we don't give up a ton of points isn't because we are good at defense, it's because our games feature very few possessions. Someone already posted about how 2022 Falcons had a historically low number of possession. 

[FalconFan13]

Just now, Dr Long Shot said:

Your not understanding the stat. This tells you our drives are the longest both on offense (we control the ball) AND on defense (we can't get off the field). The reason we don't give up a ton of points isn't because we are good at defense, it's because our games feature very few possessions. Someone already posted about how 2022 Falcons had a historically low number of possession. 

Nah i understand that part of it it just was crazy that the longest drives in the nfl per drive are only a little over 3 minutes at 3.02.    Makes sense that at 3.06 it would be dead last since we are the longest at 3.02.  our defense is on the field longer than our #1 ranked offense in top which is not a good thing.   Just thought it was crazy that it was only a 4 second difference i thought our defense would be way worse than our offense on that not just 4 seconds XD 

[skullkrusher07]

I think he's earned the right to be QB1 going into the next season.

[Dr Long Shot]

22 minutes ago, FalconFan13 said:

Nah i understand that part of it it just was crazy that the longest drives in the nfl per drive are only a little over 3 minutes at 3.02.    Makes sense that at 3.06 it would be dead last since we are the longest at 3.02.  our defense is on the field longer than our #1 ranked offense in top which is not a good thing.   Just thought it was crazy that it was only a 4 second difference i thought our defense would be way worse than our offense on that not just 4 seconds XD 

Oh gotcha. I mean in my mind it would make perfect sense since both are the highest marks in the league, but I think I get what you're saying. 

[A Dog Named Brian]

He’s going to continue to work on honing his craft, I look forward to his off-season progress and seeing it translate next year. 

[mc]

Ridders 2nd td pass was his 4th read

 He started on the right side.  His progressions are fast. 

[gazoo]

Ridders unmentioned gift is being able to make smart, quick decisions and instantly get the ball out quickly and with force. There is no delay.This is not something a lot of the best QBs coming out of college can do, this is an NFL thing, and Ridder has it.

Its in a Drew Brees kind of way. Shuffles around back there enough to make these amazing plays, as soon as a receiver is about to be open “boom” decsion made and ball out quickly, accurately and with velocity.

Hes our starter next year

[falconidae]

2 hours ago, A Dog Named Brian said:

He’s going to continue to work on honing his craft, I look forward to his off-season progress and seeing it translate next year. 

I remember, after Vick's first year as a starter, I was thinking, when that man learns how to play QB, he'll be amazing. Vick never did learn.
 

I think that Ridder will be amazing next year.  I love the touch he had on the TD passes today. Love his composure, his presnap reads, his quick decisions, and the zip on his passes when he needs it.  He may be a work in progress, but there's a lot to like about his game.