RealGM

Posted: **Wed Sep 6, 2023 4:14 pm**

Spoiler:

The Atlanta Falcons made a number of major changes in the offseason. They spent big money adding pieces on defense such as safety Jessie Bates and linebacker Kaden Elliss. With their first pick in the 2023 draft, they selected explosive running back Bijan Robinson.

But all those moves won't amount to much if one thing doesn't happen in Atlanta this year.

Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder has to take the next step as a quarterback, although Randy Mueller of The Athletic is not convinced there is another step to take:

"My concern still starts with the fact Ridder has played a lot of football, becoming the starter at University of Cincinnati his redshirt freshman year and throwing 810 career collegiate passes, which is way more than most. Yet, is there an advancement coming? At this point, he is more of an executor, and not a playmaker. I'm not sure that's sustainable at the NFL level."

The good news is that the Falcons don't have a ton invested in Ridder. And for what it's worth, the 24-year-old was Bleacher Report's No. 1 quarterback prospect in 2022.

If the Falcons are going to have any real shot of winning a weak NFC South in 2023, though, Ridder is going to have to show he's a legitimate starting QB and not just a placeholder.

Bleacher Report

Posted: **Wed Sep 6, 2023 4:23 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 2:55 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 3:00 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:41 pm**

Great pickup off a poor play call.

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 7:31 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 8:08 pm**

More of this please!!!

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 8:10 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 10:37 pm**

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 10:51 pm**

Great win today.
Bates had two INT's.

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Posted: **Sun Sep 10, 2023 11:41 pm**

Posted: **Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:38 am**

Bates will get overlooked by the rb's and the sorry pass game but Jessie maybe a pow candidate.

Posted: **Mon Sep 11, 2023 2:23 pm**

How concerned should we be after Desmond's performance yesterday?

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Posted: **Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:20 pm**

Very... they still can't pass protect for hsit... 1920's football

Posted: **Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:32 am**

Jamaaliver wrote:How concerned should we be after Desmond's performance yesterday?

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I'd like to see more touchdowns (obviously). If anything, I haven't liked our offensive playcalling, since Desmond's first game. There seems to be a struggle and Desmond hasn't been the issue yet.

1...ONE target to London week one?

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Posted: **Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:34 am**

Week 2: Green Bay @ Atlanta

Green Bay is a two point favorite.

We must contain their run game, counter with our own, and pass effectively. Dave Ragone needs to create a better passing game.

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Posted: **Wed Sep 13, 2023 12:27 pm**

HMFFL wrote:I'd like to see more touchdowns (obviously). If anything, I haven't liked our offensive playcalling, since Desmond's first game. There seems to be a struggle and Desmond hasn't been the issue yet.

1...ONE target to London week one?

Bingo. It makes me wonder if the Head Coach and General Manager are on the same page.

Why draft multiple pass catchers in the top-10 of the draft if we aren't going to consistently feature them in the offense? :crazy: