gazoo Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 'I do think Des' future is bright': What Arthur Smith had to say about Desmond Ridder's 2023 trajectory Ridder started the final four games of the 2022 season for the Falcons. Was that enough of a sample size to be named the starter in 2023? Feb 27, 2023 at 03:04 PM Tori McElhaney Falcons Beat Reporter/Analyst One of the most burning questions surrounding the Falcons during the 2023 offseason hinges upon what they decide to do at the quarterback position. Now in the post-Matt Ryan era, what are the Falcons wanting to do - long-term - at the quarterback position? Desmond Ridder started the final four games of the 2022 season. Did he do enough to be named the starting quarterback in 2023? Or will the Falcons find their QB1 elsewhere? They have options: The Draft, free agency, even a trade if they have someone in their sights. Ultimately, though, the decision about the future of the quarterback position in Atlanta is still up in the air. In an exclusive sit-down with AtlantaFalcons.com ahead of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Arthur Smith was asked about the quarterback position, particularly Ridder. He said based on the sample size of the four games worth of tape he has on Ridder, he's pleased with the young quarterback's progress. "I think the other thing that I thought he did well is that he didn't repeat a lot of the same mistakes," Smith said. "There are a lot of things that go on playing late in the season like that, going on the road. I thought he did a nice job handling those critical downs." Smith said he's seen obvious improvements in Ridder's game, even since the moment he was drafted to Atlanta last year. Getting him on the field for the final portion of the 2022 season allowed Ridder to get back into game-mode. Because of that, Smith said he really saw Ridder handle himself well in the situational football moments, so think third down, fourth downs and inside the two-minute warning. Asked about Ridder's trajectory with the Falcons, Smith said this: "I do think Des' future is bright." Is it bright enough to be named the 2023 starting quarterback for the Falcons, though? Well, Smith didn't want to make that call in February. "We're not naming any starters right now," he said. "There are a lot of things that can happen. We're very excited about Des, no different than we are about Tyler Allgeier and Drake London and the improvements they've made and guys who are currently on our roster. As always, all options are on the table. Anything that we can do to improve this team and help us win - and to ultimately win championships - that's what we're looking for." So, there you have it. No starting quarterback has been named in Atlanta, yet. But Smith did have solid praise for Ridder, someone who is vying for that top spot even at this point in the offseason. TheRisen999, theProf, rounz and 10 others 10 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 This is exactly the way it should be at this point. Ridder is our projected starter unless something too good to pass up on falls in our lap. Herr Doktor, Vandy, celtiksage and 9 others 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetpac Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I hope coaches reluctance YET AGAIN puts an end to the Ridder is the unquestioned starter stuff TAFT loves to run with. As it stands we could draft a QB, trade for one, or run with Des. He's is not the penciled in starter. Spongebob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 Just now, jetpac said: I hope coaches reluctance YET AGAIN puts an end to the Ridder is the unquestioned starter stuff TAFT loves to run with. As it stands we could draft a QB, trade for one, or run with Des. He's is not the penciled in starter. Oh, Ridder is absolutely the penciled in starter. That’s exactly what he is at this point. Tim Mazetti, Chitown2ATL_Falcon, Malachore and 6 others 5 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wjcorner Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Falcons_Frenzy, Lionzblade and Killing Floor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 7 minutes ago, gazoo said: This is exactly the way it should be at this point. AS would be stupid to paint himself into a corner in case something utterly mind blowing presents itself that changes this, but this is exactly what AS should say if he’s already determined Ridder is our starter, barring something you just can’t pass up doesn’t present itself. "If AS has already determined that ridder is our starter he should say that ridder isn't the starter'' Just lmao @ this mental parkour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 32 minutes ago, Wjcorner said: Can you believe AtlantaFalcons.Com actually put Tori McElhaney’s pot stirring article today? I mean, all these sources stirring the pot, I just had to show TATF how far this extends in an obvious effort to calm things down Wjcorner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killing Floor Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 The decision maker who started Mariota 3 (three) NFL professional games after the butt pass, really anything can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rings Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 1 hour ago, jetpac said: I hope coaches reluctance YET AGAIN puts an end to the Ridder is the unquestioned starter stuff TAFT loves to run with. As it stands we could draft a QB, trade for one, or run with Des. He's is not the penciled in starter. Who has he committed to at this point of the off-season yet? Smith is vague on purpose to the public, what he says behind closed doors may be quite different. Anything a team says this time of year has to be taken with a grain of salt. ItsJustMe, The Don™, falconidae and 5 others 3 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rings Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 1 hour ago, FalconFanSince1969 said: "If AS has already determined that ridder is our starter he should say that ridder isn't the starter'' Just lmao @ this mental parkour. How is it mental parkour? This time of year everything a coach of a GM says to the public is likely BS to some extent. The Bears said they may be looking at QBs. They aren’t, imo they should be, but they are trying to drive value of the #1 overall pick up. No one wants to show their hand. It’s very normal and every team does it this time of year. If we don’t want a QB in the draft, but people think we do, it may force their hand to jump us to get their guy forcing another player to fall for us that may not have. Chitown2ATL_Falcon, ItsJustMe, itzthechase and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PriMeTiiMe Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 “As always, all options are on the table.” lamar confirmed to Atlanta Lionzblade, Spongebob, ATLskinjob and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsJustMe Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Smith keeping his hand close to the vest. Chitown2ATL_Falcon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDaLuvMaker Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 9 hours ago, Wjcorner said: TF and AS out here making confusion gumbo with mystery meat and cheap Dollar Tree seasoning. ItsJustMe, Wjcorner and Chitown2ATL_Falcon 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddies 3rd Cuz Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Same situation when MR2 was here when ask about QB. Arty always leaves the door open to make the team better. Smart move so he doesn't have to eat crow. Hopefully DR earns the label as starting QB moving forward, but how would he not be penciled in as starter right now, it's **** sure not Franks or Woodside. He has to leave room for LJ or another QB via trade draft fa just in case. It's not rocket science Vandy, gazoo, TheRisen999 and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 9 hours ago, gazoo said: We're very excited about Des, no different than we are about Tyler Allgeier and Drake London So this is from Tori’s piece. He’s putting Ridder right there with two other rookie phenoms who broke records. TheRisen999, Doctor Kildare, theProf and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I guess this means they are trading him to the colts. falconsrus, Doctor Kildare, Chitown2ATL_Falcon and 4 others 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetpac Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 10 hours ago, gazoo said: Oh, Ridder is absolutely the penciled in starter. That’s exactly what he is at this point. No he’s not and that’s the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtybirds233 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Idk if Ridder will ever be anything special or even in the 'very good' club, but I'd be shocked if he's not the starter in 2023. Chitown2ATL_Falcon, jetpac, Freddies 3rd Cuz and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetpac Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 (edited) 8 hours ago, Rings said: Who has he committed to at this point of the off-season yet? Smith is vague on purpose to the public, what he says behind closed doors may be quite different. Anything a team says this time of year has to be taken with a grain of salt. He’s just not that guy y’all want him to be Rings. This super smart evasive answering coach. He’s an emotional coach who consistently outthinks himself in critical moments. I’m sure that’ll get me downvotes but the proof is there. AS: Crying to the media about them writing the team off. (Most coaches don’t even acknowledge what gets written in the media. This guy made a narrative of it). https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/11/arthur-smith-continue-writing-our-obituary-we-dont-care/amp/ Last off-season Smith named Mariotta the starter almost immediately, which put an end to the QB competition before it could even begin. (Y’all seem to forget that) He then went on to name Mariotta the starter even after a 5 game losing streak and was smug with the media about it as if he was smarter than everybody. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/marcus-mariota-remaining-falcons-starter-arthur-smith-planning-to-stick-with-struggling-quarterback/amp/ Only to be humbled and dejected the very next week before finally making the QB change. I say all that to say this. I’m not anti Des Ridder. I’m pro choice. If there is a better choice out there - WE HAVE to explore all options . Edited February 28 by jetpac INDFalcon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 10 minutes ago, jetpac said: No he’s not and that’s the point. 'Penciled in' means he's the current guy but it's not set in permanent ink, ie it can be erased if need be. That's literally what he is unless you think Mariota or Woodside are ahead of him right now. TheRisen999, gazoo, Rings and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtybirds233 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 7 minutes ago, jetpac said: I say all that to say this. I’m not anti Des Ridder. I’m pro choice. If there is a better choice out there - WE HAVE to explore all options They will - they wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't and I think that's more or less Smith's point. There will be a time in the next 8 weeks where reports come out that the Falcons are inquiring on Lamar. The same reports will come out for the Panthers, Saints, Jets, Dolphins, etc. just to see what the price is. There will also be reports that the Falcons are interviewing and closely monitoring the QBs at the combine. As for my own opinion, I say roll with Ridder and use this offseason of massive cap space and high end picks to build the team. If Ridder falls on his face in 2023, then at least there's a team built - that's when you go after a QB. jetpac, Thiccolas Cage and TheRisen999 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Been very clear to me he’s our starter next year. Gonna be a long offseason haven’t been this excited about our team since 2017 TheRisen999, Drunken Minotaur Zebra, celtiksage and 3 others 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Kildare Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 9 hours ago, Rings said: Who has he committed to at this point of the off-season yet? Smith is vague on purpose to the public, what he says behind closed doors may be quite different. Anything a team says this time of year has to be taken with a grain of salt. Either that or he likes to kick the beehive and watch all the chaos. Maybe he relaxes by reading this message board. rounz and JDaveG 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtybirds233 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 9 minutes ago, Dirtybird56 said: Been very clear to me he’s our starter next year. Gonna be a long offseason haven’t been this excited about our team since 2017 I wouldn't say very clear, but I don't really see any other realistic options. But I'm with you man, first time I've been excited for a season in a really long time. gazoo and jetpac 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Tzu 7 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 11 hours ago, gazoo said: Oh, Ridder is absolutely the penciled in starter. That’s exactly what he is at this point. Unless a better option becomes available. If Ridder was the unquestioned starter, they would say it. This isn’t a knock on Ridder. I would expect him to be the starter. He played about as well as you could expect. However they did pursue Watson knowing the draft compensation it would cost them so I wouldn’t rule anything out…. As crazy and foolish as it may sound. Spongebob and jetpac 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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