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3 Atlanta Falcons to watch closely this pre-season

By Nick Halden

May 14, 2022; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs with the ball during Falcons Rookie Minicamp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2022; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs with the ball during Falcons Rookie Minicamp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) on the field during OTA at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) on the field during OTA at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Desmond Ridder

This inclusion is obvious considering Desmond Ridder is Atlanta’s long-term attempt at answering the Matt Ryan departure. Ridder is going to get his first live reps in Atlanta’s first pre-season game against the Lions and Atlanta fans will be ready to overreact to every play for better or worse. Ridder’s pre-season is far from meaningless despite the inevitable overreaction. Ridder is unlikely to do anything to win the starting job before week one, however, he can set himself up to prove he is ready when Mariota struggles or deals with injury.

Desmond Ridder has all of the raw tools you want in a young quarterback a strong arm, pocket awareness, and the ability to make plays happen with his feet. The concern for Atlanta will be whether or not Ridder is able to catch up to the speed of the next level getting to his second or third read before a leaky offensive line ends the play for him.

The questions for Ridder aren’t going to be about his ability but his decision-making and the speed at which he can learn the Arthur Smith offense. These traits are what fans should be searching for in Ridder’s three pre-season games.

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