Falcons' Arthur Smith Reveals What QB Desmond Ridder is 'Made Of'

Atlanta Falcon coach Arthur Smith believes that the mental makeup of quarterback Desmond Ridder will be key to any success he finds.

What makes the Atlanta Falcons confident in Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback? 

Aside from the four starts he made for the Falcons at the end of last season, where he proved competent, leading the team to a 2-2 record, and his success at the college level, coach Arthur Smith points to Ridder's mental makeup. 

“Des is made of the right stuff. He’s a guy I think that the three of you guys would like to be a teammate with,” Smith said to Pat McAfee and two of his retired NFL cohosts in a recent interview on the Pat McAfee Show. "He does a good job. The guy won a lot of games in Cincinnati. He’s wired the right way, and we’re excited.”

The Falcons gave Ridder a full offseason to acclimate to his new role of full-time starting quarterback after getting some on-the-job training at the end of last season.

Last Friday's draw with the Cincinnati Bengals provided fans their first look at the former third-round pick since the end of last season. And while the one drive that the Falcons starting offense played didn't end in points, it did show off an offense with several weapons and a quarterback capable of spreading the ball around and making smart decisions. 

While the stat sheet will say Ridder cost the Falcons a chance to put points on the board with an interception, he was simply unlucky as his pass bounced off the hands of Scotty Miller before Bengals edge rusher Joseph Ossai picked it off. 

However, the interception wasn't the only negative of the drive for the Falcons, as penalties also plagued them. The Falcons' offense was called for five penalties on the opening drive, which cost them 38 yards and a potential touchdown, much to the dismay of Smith.

Although even after a strong showing from Ridder in his first preseason appearance against the Bengals, which still left many with a sour taste, fans will have to wait until the season opener when the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers to see him again.

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