Desmond Ridder will be the Falcons’ starting quarterback this Sunday.
That was Head Coach Arthur Smith‘s answer to growing questions about the second-year QB’s ability to lead the team to victories after a messy first half of the London game that led to a Jaguars 23-7 victory. A loss many are pinning on Ridder’s performance.
“Obviously,” said Smith, “I wouldn’t be sitting, pontificating about what went on in the game if we were making a change.”
Ridder’s performance in the first two quarters was heavily scrutinized, having gone 9 of 14 for 73 yards and getting sacked 3 times (4 times in the entire game.) He threw two pick-sixes, one of which was returned by the Jaguars for a touchdown.
Coach Smith said he monitored Ridder’s performance and response to adversity after the less-than-satisfactory first half. He said Ridder “came out firing” in the second half.
