NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
DESMOND RIDDER #10 - QUARTERBACK - LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
74 YDS •
1 TD •
0 INT
74 YDS
1 TD
0 INT
Bair Mail: On Bijan Robinson, Desmond Ridder and long-term QB plans, how to win NFC South and more We also discuss Dave Ragone's role in the Falcons offense in this Friday mailbag.
As Falcons struggle to score, Arthur Smith wants to be 'more lethal' near goal line
Atlanta's biggest stars aren't involved near the goal line and the team isn't finding the end zone, leaving the coach to explain his playcal...NOVEMBER 9, 2023
Atlanta Falcons' Arthur Smith wants to avoid 'musical chairs' at quarterback
Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith says he expects to be able to make a firm commitment to a starting quarterback following Sunday's game at...NOVEMBER 8, 2023
Falcons left searching for answers after losing five of past seven games
Atlanta has questions at QB, RB and now on defense after a disappointing loss to the Vikings on Sunday, the team's fifth in seven games.NOVEMBER 6, 2023
Falcons still evaluating QBs Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder after loss to Vikings
Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith said his decision to start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback in place of Desmond Ridder this week was not a permanent oneNOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Desmond Ridder and Jessie Bates III speak to media ahead of Vikings matchup The Atlanta Falcons Desmond Ridder and Jessie Bates III speak to the media following practice about preparations ahead of the Vikings game.
NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Watch: Falcons' Desmond Ridder on being benched Falcons’ Desmond Ridder on being benched
NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • AJC.COM
For now, Falcons shift to Taylor Heinicke over Desmond Ridder as starting QB
With four losses in the past six games, the Falcons are making a change at QB, but coach Arthur Smith said it's still a fluid situation.NOVEMBER 1, 2023
WATCH: Breaking down the Falcons' decision to start Heinicke over Ridder The Falcons are going with Taylor Heinicke instead of Desmond Ridder, after their 4-4 start and Ridder's recent struggles with turnovers.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • AJC.COM
Falcons bench Desmond Ridder, announce Taylor Heinicke as starter against Vikings
Taylor Heinicke has moved past turnover-plagued Desmond Ridder as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota VikingsNOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Benched for Week 9 Head coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that Ridder has been medically cleared but will serve as the top backup to Taylor Heinicke in Sunday's game versus the Vikings, Tori McElhane...
Impact Smith noted that the decision to start Heinicke over Ridder for Week 9 was made with the short-term in mind. Ridder was forced out of last week's loss to the Titans in the first half and evaluated for a concussion, and even after he was medically cleared to return, the Falcons stuck with Heinicke at quarterback to finish out the contest. Smith is seemingly still taking a cautious approach to Ridder's health, though the Falcons will allow him to suit up Sunday in a backup capacity. Even if the starting decision was made solely with Sunday's game against Minnesota in mind, if Heinicke is able to show well, he could end up sticking as the team's No. 1 signal-caller going forward. Through eight games, Ridder has turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) and compiled just nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing).
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke to start vs. Vikings, Desmond Ridder to serve as backup The Atlanta Falcons are starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Arthur Smith announced. Des...
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • NFL.COM
Bair Mail: On Kentavius Street, Grady Jarrett, Desmond Ridder and special teams issues The Falcons quarterback situation obviously a hot topic heading into Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Schultz: Falcons' best chance to win now might be Taylor Heinicke, not Desmond Ridder Coach Arthur Smith's priority is to win this week, and though Ridder has shown improvement, he has an NFL-high 12 turnovers in eight games.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Not guaranteed Week 9 start Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was non-committal Monday when asked whether Ridder would start Atlanta's Week 9 game against the Vikings, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports. "We...
Impact Smith's comments seemingly refer to Ridder's health, even though the quarterback passed all concussion tests when he was checked during halftime of Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans. Ridder played the entire first half of the game, leading Atlanta to just three points over seven drives while completing eight of 12 pass attempts for 71 yards to go with 26 yards on the ground and a lost fumble. Though Ridder was cleared to return for the second half, Taylor Heinicke stepped in at quarterback and performed far more effectively, producing points on four of his six drives. Given that Ridder has turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) through eight games and the Falcons now are sitting at 4-4 on the season, Smith appears to be seriously considering the prospect of moving the second-year signal-caller to the bench. Expect Smith to shed more light on the Falcons' plans at quarterback for Week 9 when the team resumes practicing Wednesday.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
What we learned in NFL Week 8: A.J. Brown making history; the Falcons' QB quandary
Does A.J. Brown have a case as the NFL's best receiver? Have the Falcons benched Desmond Ridder? And will the Pats trade at the deadline? He...OCTOBER 30, 2023
On Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke and defense loss to Tennessee Titans | Falcons Final Whistle
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • YOUTUBE
Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder, Matthew Bergeron & others speak to media following Titans matchup The Atlanta Falcons speak to the media following the Falcons 23-28 loss to the Titans.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
QB Desmond Ridder Explain me through what was going on with protocols.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • TENNESSEETITANS.COM
Pulled as precaution Ridder completed eight of 12 passes for 71 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans. He added three rushes for 26 yards.
Impact Ridder didn't appear in the second half of the loss, though after the game, coach Arthur Smith disclosed that his quarterback had been checked for a concussion. Despite being cleared to return, Smith, opted to play it safe, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. That means Ridder is likely to return to his starting role in Week 9 against the Vikings. As for his performance, Ridder was inefficient even in a positive matchup and also lost his sixth fumble in his last six contests.
OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
'This is Desmond's Team': Smith, Heinicke Back Ridder as Falcons' QB Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke supported Desmond Ridder as the team’s starting signal caller afte...
OCTOBER 29, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM
'This is Desmond's Team': Smith, Heinicke Back Ridder as Falcons' QB Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke supported Desmond Ridder as the team’s starting signal caller afte...
OCTOBER 29, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Falcons' Ridder not benched for performance reasons, coach says Ridder cleared concussion protocol, but the Falcons decided to stay with Heinicke in the second half after he got off to a fast start.
OCTOBER 29, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Falcons' Taylor Hienicke on replacing Desmond Ridder The Falcons inserted the backup quarterback to start the second half in a 28-23 loss to the Titans Sunday.
OCTOBER 29, 2023 • AJC.COM
Falcons make quarterback change, going with veteran Taylor Heinicke over Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder was benched at halftime in favor of veteran Taylor Heinicke as Atlanta's offense looks for a spark vs. Titans.
OCTOBER 29, 2023 • USATODAY.COM
