Desmond Ridder warns NFL that Falcons are on the up: "We're gonna be pretty explosive"
It was finally time for a change at the Atlanta Falcons as veteran quarterback Matt Ryan was shown the door last year and moved to the Indianapolis Colts.
The team had struggled for multiple seasons, seeing one playoff game since January 2018. The Falcons put their faith in Marcus Mariota, but more importantly, they looked to the future as they selected quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round of the draft.
It was announced this offseason by Falcons head coach Arthur Smith that Desmond Ridder will be the starter in 2023. Ridder played four games in his rookie season due to Mariota picking up injuries. He threw two touchdown passes and no interceptions in his four games, in a run-heavy Falcons offense.
Ridder was asked about his hopes going into 2023 and what he thinks of his team-mates. here's what he said (via NFL.com):
"As an offense, you look for explosive plays, and get 'em anyway you can, whether that's to Drake (London), whether that's to Kyle (Pitts), a guy like Jonnu (Smith), Mack Hollins, it doesn't matter.
"But then when you can just hand the ball off and give it to a guy like Tyler Allgeier or Bijan (Robinson( or C.P. (Cordarrelle Patterson) and let them go, it just makes my job a lot easier.
"So when they drafted Bijan, I just knew that this offense has something to be explosive. We're able to go out there, and whether it's the run game, pass game, play-action, doesn't matter - we think that we're gonna be pretty explosive."
Ridder said that the offense plans to be exciting and explosive in 2023:
"However that comes, we just want to be explosive. Whether it's in the run game, the pass game, whatever it may be, obviously this is a game where you got to put points up on the board, and that's something that we want to do as an offense.
"All the while taking care of the ball, controlling the game, just doing what you have to do to go out there and win. So from the Falcons offense, we can just go out there, just play our hardest and expect to be explosive."
The Falcons selected superstar running back Bijan Robinson with the eighth pick of the draft and they also selected OT Matthew Bergeron to help protect Ridder. The highest-drafted tight end of all time Kyle Pitts is also on the roster, and Drake London had a great rookie season in 2022. Mack Hollins and Jonnu Smith are also good pieces the Falcons picked up this offseason.
Atlanta Falcons can win the NFC South division in the 2023 NFL season
Has the NFC South division ever been in as much turmoil as it currently is?
The greatest quarterback of all time Tom Brady has retired and Tampa Bay has turned to Baker Mayfield to lead the team in 2023.
The first pick in the draft Bryce Young is leading a new era of optimism in Carliona but this will be his first year in the NFL, and he will need time to develop.
The Saints have brought in Derek Carr after he was forced out of Las Vegas. The Saints are the favorites according to many to win the division and host a playoff game.
The NFC South meets the NFC North in the schedule this year and their AFC matchup is the South division, another uncertain division. The road for Atlanta to reach the playoffs for the first time in six years is right before their eyes and they need to grab the opportunity.
It will be interesting to see if they have what it takes when the season kicks off in September.