Atlanta Falcons Coach Dave Ragone Praises QB Desmond Ridder's 'Instincts' in Running Game

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone believes that Desmond Ridder's legs are a vital part of his game moving forward.

The Atlanta Falcons returned to the win column and the leading position in the NFC South last week, and even though things weren't perfect for quarterback Desmond Ridder, it was enough to get the job done.

Ridder tossed two interceptions and a score in his return to the starting quarterback role in Atlanta, but he also utilized his legs in the 24-15 win over the New Orleans Saints, carrying the ball seven times for 30 yards. Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone recently discussed what Ridder brings to the table when he's able to be a part of the rushing attack.

“Sometimes, we overcomplicate it," Ragone said. "I would say that when a quarterback runs for positive yardage, what is he relying on? His instincts. So, if you’re relying on your instincts and you’re getting positive results from it, typically you stay in a pretty good flow.

"And the most important thing is you’re moving the ball forward. If you’re running it, throwing it, or all of those things, you want the defense to have to make adjustments to you than the vice versa.”

Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Although Ridder's legs are a productive part of his game, it's not necessarily been in the official attack plan since the bye week. Instead, it's more about attacking a specific defense from the New York Jets on Sunday.

“I think when you’re going through and you’re looking at your players, and each week, you’re going into a situation of how we’re going to attack this defense," Ragone said. "Sometimes, what you have envisioned works better than others. It doesn’t mean there was a bad thought or you’re trying to do too much. Sometimes, the defense does have that say, and they took it away."

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Ridder appears to be the current answer for the Falcons at quarterback after losing the starting job to Taylor Heinicke earlier this season. He and Atlanta will take on the Jets at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the game will be televised on FOX.