Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Addresses Turnover Issues

After turning the ball over six times in the past two games, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and head coach Arthur Smith addressed what must be corrected.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking sole control atop the NFC South. Still, the game wasn’t flawless, nor was the play of quarterback Desmond Ridder, who fumbled three times, something he and his head coach Arthur Smith acknowledged.

“At the end of the day, I’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Ridder said before breaking down what went wrong on the field.

“The one on the goal line – [I] just didn’t get in. You’re antsy to get in. You’re about eight inches away – at the end of the day, just have to come up with it. Later on, right there in the endzone, it was an RPO (run-pass option), so I was going to pass it… back when we’re seven, eight years old playing football, you learn that when you’re running to the left, put the ball in your left hand. When you’re running to the right, put it in the right. So, I was running out to my left, and I thought I was going to throw it. I pulled it down and ran it, kept it in my right hand, and obviously didn’t protect the ball.” 

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder has six turnovers in the past two games / USA Today Sports

Ridder’s turnovers would nearly cost the Falcons the game, but his arm also helped save them from losing it, something that his coach also credited him for.

“I will say this about ‘Des’ – he sat in there and delivered some big-time throws today, especially when we needed it late,” Smith said. “He got the ball to Kyle [Pitts] that essentially won the game. The one on the sack-fumble, I mean, he’s going to throw it. One is on the snap; one is letting up running it, so yeah, we’ll find a way. I promise you we’ll find a way to fix it.”

Although some Atlanta fans have been hoping for a change in the starting quarterback position as of late, it sounds as though, for the time being, the only changes taking place will be in how Ridder attempts to protect the ball going forward. 

If the team hopes to win the division and keep its newfound No. 1 spot in the NFC South, Ridder must limit his turnovers. Six turnovers in two games won't cut it come playoffs. 

For the Falcons to be successful long-term, Ridder must refine his abilities as a passer and rusher, proving that he can be relied upon in clutch moments to play clean football.