Falcons’ Smith could use Ridder’s ‘reset’ as a key factor in picking a starting quarterback
ATLANTA — As Arthur Smith uses a bye week to consider what he hopes will be his final starting quarterback decision of the Atlanta Falcons’ season, Desmond Ridder’s strongest pitch may have been the confidence he showed when he replaced the injured Taylor Heinicke in last Sunday’s 25-23 loss at Arizona. “I thought it was a good reset for Des,” Smith said of the second-year quarterback’s two weeks as Heinicke’s backup. “Coming back for when we play the Saints to play healthy.” Turnover woes — six interceptions and seven fumbles — might have affected Ridder’s confidence, causing him to hold the ball too long and accept too many sacks, before losing his starting job to Heinicke. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said before the season this was the third year of a three-year plan with Smith, who’s 18-26 overall following back-to-back 7-10 finishes in his first two seasons.
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