Falcons Coach Arthur Smith: QB Desmond Ridder Had 'Good Camp'

With training camp and the preseason in the books, Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith assessed the play of starting quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Since being named the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback at the owners meeting in late March, all eyes have been on Desmond Ridder.

Whether it be something as simple as throwing a warmup pass into a stationary net or a legitimate ball during team 11-on-11s, Ridder's every move has seemingly been closely watched and either scrutinized or praise.

It's simply the nature of the beast as an NFL quarterback, especially one who's been handed the keys of an offense with several exciting young playmakers, creating legitimate playoff aspirations within the locker room.

In his lone preseason appearance, coming in the second game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ridder led an effective 15-play, 78-yard drive that was marred by penalties and ultimately fell just short of the end zone after a deflected interception. Ridder, now entering his second professional season, completed seven of nine pass attempts for 80 yards.

Throughout training camp, Ridder continually ascended while drawing praise from teammates and coaches for his leadership, poise, understanding of the offense and ability to extend plays with his legs.

But how does Falcons coach Arthur Smith feel about Ridder's performance this summer?

"Feel good," Smith said. "Feel like he had a good camp. It's the chemistry I think he's developed with the skill players - it will evolve as the season goes on. I mean, people in the roles, where they kind of fit in. Certainly, what we try to do early in the year, he's done a good job."

During Ridder's brief preseason outing, he executed what Atlanta's offense is predicated on - timing and distribution, playing the role of point guard just how Smith intended.

There were complaints from some on the outside about ball placement, as running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts were forced to make one-handed catches on passes thrown behind them ... but Ridder, like he has throughout his entire collegiate and professional career, proved he's able to give his targets a chance much more often than not.

And with the Falcons' vast array of offensive weapons, Ridder doesn't need to be flawless to find success - just look at how well the Falcons moved the ball in his one preseason drive.

But there's more to the story. Ridder has, especially in the latter portion of camp, been more accurate with his locations and made more plays with his arm.

Better yet, the former Cincinnati Bearcats star has taken over as an unquestioned leader not only on the Falcons' offense, but throughout the entire team ... and Smith feels quite confident in the consummate profile forming around his 23-year-old passer.

"He's got real leadership skills," Smith said. "Those are natural, not forced. I think he's done a good job. As camp has gone on, I think he's throwing the football really well. That's what we'll continue to see rolling into Week 1.”

Ridder, who started Atlanta's final four games of last season and completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, will get to make his first Week 1 start on Sept. 10, when the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. EST inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

And while there's still an element of unknown surrounding his long-term future in Atlanta, there's plenty of confidence inside Falcons headquarters it won't be the last.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @ByDanielFlick

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