Falcons 'Noncommital' on QB Desmond Ridder?

[me4falcons]

1 hour ago, atljbo said:

I agree... I don't see this as a negative... They just like holding there cards close.

If you heard the owner who is more talkative he basically said what he said... 

[RetroRoq]

I seem to remember AS coming to town and saying that all positions would be evaluated even Julio and Ryan, but that Ryan had to work on being quicker.

Ryan worked on being quicker.  Not quick enough, got traded the next season.

Julio stopped talking to people in the org until he went on TV and was "outta there"

 

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

[raumin]

As much as we want AS and company to publicly crown Ridder AS has to keep things close. So much can happen between now and next season why show your hand now. As great as Ridder has looked is it unthinkable that there could be another "Ridder" in the draft that has an even better skill set or higher ceiling? Ridder was one of the QBs coming out that was labeled as the closest to being NFL ready. That's another way of saying "His ceiling is close to his head". Would AS be attracted to another QB who is raw, has a higher ceiling, better tools, but can come in and be effective while continuing to develop? Or maybe AS just wants to keep the heat on Ridder so we get the best version of him when he takes the reigns.

[falconidae]

5 hours ago, jetpac said:

My take is simple if that’s your guy (Ridder) you want to give him every reason to go in to the off-season confident and ready. I don’t know of any successful team that was so non committal to their “future starting” QB

See how you're reading that statement? That exactly how Smith wants other teams to read it.  It actually has no information about what they're going to do in the draft or free agency about QB.

 

4 hours ago, jetpac said:

Plans for? He specifically mentioned Free Agency. Also, any team concrete in there QB plans has no desire to be non-committal on their starting QB. AS was as bullish on Mariota being QB1 last off-season there was no need to question it. IJS

Smith was  bullish on Mariota when there no other option. That's not the case here. 

Why should Ridder  need to go into the offseason knowing he's the guaranteed starter? 

Why should the Falcons publicly declare they're going with Ridder at QB before the draft? 

 

 

[papachaz]

4 hours ago, Arturo.Zise said:

Gotta keep other teams thinking we might be gong QB at 8 if there is one there. Trade down currency becomes stronger.

[Rings]

Everything a team says after their season is over and through the draft is a lie and purposely vague.  It’s meant to not give opponents any clue on what the plan is, nothing more, nothing less.  

[kschreck]

The only thing he said was that he isn't saying anything.

Certainly the team needs another QB

[Wjcorner]

This was more of a non commitment either way, than a lack of commitment just to Ridder. Basically saying he ain't showing his cards on any position group. Which is smart.

 

Btw, why do people always say you make a team think you're going QB to make another team trade up with you? You can push the draft board down by getting them to leapfrog you, but it's always been the team who doesn't want the QB, in a position to get him, usually being speculated as the trade spot. I.e., Bears and Cards, not Lions and Texans.

[Sponge]

[gazoo]

4 hours ago, jetpac said:

It’s possible. But why blow smoke for Ridder? I’d assume it be easier to just say he’s the guy. No?

I trust that whatever you do for a living has absolutely nothing to do with negotiating on other peoples behalves. Seems the concept of “leverage” escapes you entirely.

[Mister pudding]

5 hours ago, Arturo.Zise said:

Gotta keep other teams thinking we might be gong QB at 8 if there is one there. Trade down currency becomes stronger.

Or free agent QB prices may rise if a team thinks there are other interested parties 

[TheRisen999]

6 hours ago, jetpac said:

My take is simple if that’s your guy (Ridder) you want to give him every reason to go in to the off-season confident and ready. I don’t know of any successful team that was so non committal to their “future starting” QB

Yea.. that’s a Arthur Smith thing. Probably one of the only things I don’t like about him.  If that’s your guy then say that. But for all we know Ridder has already been told he’s the guy behind the scenes ( though I doubt it). I do agree that you don’t want all your plans to be out there but I hate all QB position being in limbo. 

[NorthGaBoy]

6 hours ago, jetpac said:

My take is simple if that’s your guy (Ridder) you want to give him every reason to go in to the off-season confident and ready. I don’t know of any successful team that was so non committal to their “future starting” QB

I have rarely seen a more misguided post. And, this thread is not about the Falcons being non-commited on Ridder.  It is about the Falcons keeping their strategy in house.  I fully support the Falcons position on this.

[NorthGaBoy]

5 hours ago, Tribal Chief said:

What if he has informed Ridder behind closed doors and blowing smoke to the media?

Apparently, you do not know what it is like to be the center of the Universe.  If jetpac does not know what the staff is telling Ridder, then no one knows.  And, once jetpac is informed, a public release can be issued.  Then and only then can Ridder be told.  But, no matter what, jetpac must be told first.  That is how being the center of the Universe works.

[Tribal Chief]

Just now, NorthGaBoy said:

Apparently, you do not know what it is like to be the center of the Universe.  If jetpac does not know what the staff is telling Ridder, then no one knows.  And, once jetpac is informed, a public release can be issued.  Then and only then can Ridder be told.  But, no matter what, jetpac must be told first.  That is how being the center of the Universe works.

I post on AFMB and have about 4 people who absolutely despise me. Sir, I am most definitely the center of someone's Universe

[NorthGaBoy]

I was playing poker the other night.  I told the other players I was holding 4 aces.  Then, they all folded.  That should be against the rules.  It is not fair.  I got almost nothing out of that hand.  4 aces became near worthless.  I need a strategy to prevent this from happening in the future.

[JDaveG]

The thing is, it doesn't just affect free agency, it affects the draft.  So they are doing what they've consistently done since they got here, which is refusing to show their cards.  They will scout every QB in this draft and do their due diligence and be sure they're taking the best player at 8, but if they're eying a trade down, they are NOT going to give away leverage by letting the world know "we have our QB."

I'm not saying they do have their QB, only that being noncommittal isn't evidence that they don't.

[atljbo]

When you have a quarterback that you draft and have him under contract for four or five years, that’s a really big deal,” the owner said.

 

 

 

Arthur Blank-

[Bunchy Carter]

57 minutes ago, falconidae said:

 

Why should Ridder  need to go into the offseason knowing he's the guaranteed starter? 

 

 

There's the marketing and media campaign aspect. Prior to OTAs the "faces of the franchise" have an enormous amount of content to create. 

Photos, green screen video, voice overs etc to support the marketing campaign.

The amount of time that goes into planning, editing and producing that sort of effort is AT LEAST a few months 

[Falcons_Frenzy]

It's draft season so now it's time for every team to put on their best 

 

[FalconFanSince1969]

You're seeing what you want to see.... It's draft season aka lying season. Idk why we have to go thru this every year

 

 

[dirtybirds233]

4 hours ago, Tribal Chief said:

Why not? Think about it. The entire sports world expects the Falcons to trade for Lamar Jackson. Why not allow them to keep thinking it so someone else will overpay?

Could also ruin potential leverage in the draft. 

Say Stroud and Levis are there at 8 and there's a team that's super high on one of them. If they think the Falcons are going QB they're going to want that pick, especially if they think the Panthers are going QB as well. If the Falcons came out and said Ridder is their guy, it ruins that leverage. 

It's also highly likely they at least inquire about Lamar and Carr, as will many other teams if for no other reason than to test the waters. Maybe they get surprised by how little the Ravens or Raiders want, and if they have already committed to Ridder....well then it's awkward. 

[Boise Falcon Fan]

7 hours ago, jetpac said:

https://www.si.com/nfl/falcons/.amp/news/atlanta-falcons-qb-desmond-ridder

Dont hate the poster just thought i’d share.

 

When asked about the fate of the quarterback position heading into next season, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith opted to continue hiding his cards regarding a decision. 

“I don’t think it’s smart business strategy ever to give away what your plan is. Everybody is trying to look at their free-agency boards, and there are a lot of decisions to be made. I think you’re in a bad organization if every day-to-day thing (you think) is out there,” Smith said to The Athletic. 

I've thought for awhile that AS isn't totally sold on DR being the guy, and there is far too much smoke around LJ to think they aren't going to at least entertain what it would take to bring him here.

[dirtybirds233]

Just now, Boise Falcon Fan said:

I've thought for awhile that AS isn't totally sold on DR being the guy, and there is far too much smoke around LJ to think they aren't going to at least entertain what it would take to bring him here.

Well of course they will - AS even said a year or so ago that every team is always inquiring on what would need to be given up for any given player. I wouldn't be surprised if you start hearing about the Falcons talking with Carr in the coming weeks either. 

Also, the only smoke around LJ is sportswriters saying we'd be a likely destination given the cap space and draft capital we have. There's been absolutely nothing that has connected Atlanta and Lamar outside of that.