Marc Trestman: Desmond Ridder 'Big Reason' Why Falcons Are Atop NFC South

Atlanta is 4-3 on the season.

CINCINNATI — UC great Desmond Ridder had a rough start to his first full season as an NFL starter, but the Falcons quarterback still has his team in first place among NFC South teams and is starting to stack improvement.

Former NFL head coach Marc Trestman likes what he's seeing from Ridder and broke it down for The 33rd Team.

"Ridder’s footwork and base in the pocket have become more consistent and disciplined," Trestman wrote as part of a longer piece. "Also, he’s playing with a visibly elevated confidence that was not consistently on display in 2022. Last December, I noted that Ridder needed to improve his staging of the ball. At times, he held the ball away from his body and below the waist, causing his release to be elongated, which negatively affected his accuracy.

"This season, his staging of the ball is closer to his body and is higher, with the ball’s tip at the ‘V’ of his neck. This improvement has resulted in a quicker release, leading to improved anticipation and increased accuracy. The boost to his accuracy and anticipation has led to more explosive throws into tight windows."

Ridder ranks 24th in total QB efficiency for this entire season (EPA/play + CPOE composite), but the numbers agree with Trestman lately.

The former UC quarterback is sixth leaguewide in efficiency since Week 5 began, ahead of names like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.

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