Falcons Young Core Connecting 'On and Off the Field'

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder spoke on NFL Live on the development of this young team.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is working to build a rapport with his teammates entering his second season. 

Alongside third-year tight end Kyle Pitts and second year wideout Drake London, the signal caller suited up in four games with this young core last season, but is doing everything - on and off the field - to ensure the chemistry is there on Sunday's. 

"For me, it was just about keep developing that relationship with [London] and obviously build that relationship with [Pitts]," Ridder said on NFL Live. "Whether it's playing golf on the weekends or actually being out there and working on our crafts together and just growing that connection together both on and off the field."

And despite there being doubt surrounding the first-year starter, Ridder and his teammates have shown no shortage of confidence surrounding his talent and leadership.  

Along with playmakers in Pitts and London, Ridder is also surrounded by arguably the league's best running back tandem in rookie Bijan Robinson and second-year back Tyler Allgeier. 

"[Robinson's] explosiveness," Ridder said. You obviously see it on his film from Texas, but just seeing it in person ... his ability to play anywhere and do anything is just really huge."

Looking to win the first NFC South for the first since 2016, the Falcons will need to improve upon a 2022 campaign where they ranked No. 24 in total offensive yardage - starting with Ridder.

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Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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