WATCH: Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Finds Drake London in Highlight TD Pass
The expectation for the Atlanta Falcons this season is to win an NFC South division that is ripe for the taking and end their postseason drought. Whether or not the Falcons meet those expectations will largely depend on the quarterback play of Desmond Ridder.
This means if Ridder plays well, you can more than likely conclude that his favorite target from last season, Drake London, is also having a good year.
The now second-year duo impressed during their four games together last season, with the former first-round pick out of USC becoming his favorite target, totaling 25 receptions for 333 yards. ... And judging by a recent practice highlight shared by the Falcons on social media, it seems that chemistry has carried over into camp.
During, what appears to be an 11-on-11 scrimmage, Ridder fired in a tight window touchdown pass to London, who was trailed in coverage by Troy Andersen while running an in-breaking route toward inside linebacker Kaden Elliss.
Despite the tight window, Ridder showed off his arm strength by being able to fire the football into that tight space with the velocity it needed to prevent Elliss from intercepting it or knocking it away. Additionally, London showed his route-running prowess and football IQ by finding the hole in the defense to sit in.
Any success that the Falcons can find through the air with Ridder under center will likely come at the hands of London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
While the Falcons' offense likely won't be one that you can describe as being "quarterback-centric," in the sense that their success will be heavily dependent upon the quarterback, Atlanta needs Ridder to be able to execute when his number is called to stand in the pocket and deliver a pass.
The Falcons have given the former third-round pick a full offseason to get comfortable in the offense and learn what it takes to be one of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the league. After starting the final four games of last season, Ridder already has a sense of what to expect in this upcoming season and will be hoping to show some improvement as he makes his preseason debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kickoff for Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the Falcons will host the Bengals in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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