3 Things Falcons fans learned about Desmond Ridder in preseason win

2. Ridder’s decision making leaving the pocket

The second biggest part of Ridder’s game that jumped out re-watching his snaps the second time through was the decisions he made to leave the pocket. Many rookie quarterbacks are used to being the best athletes on the field and will look to run before they pass. For an athlete like Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray, this is rarely a bad decision. However, Ridder isn’t the scrambler either of those quarterbacks are and obviously needs to be a pass-first quarterback who can use his legs when he needs to.

This Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers in the first halves of their careers. Two players who looked to pass first but had the speed and athleticism to leave the pocket and pick up yards when needed. Ridder showed this level of decision-making against the Lions in his debut leaving the pocket only when he was forced out or there were no open options.

Ridder didn’t simply take off if his first read wasn’t readily available he attempted to hang in the pocket and find the next open man. For a rookie quarterback to show this level of poise in the pocket in his preseason debut was impressive.

Desmond still finished the game with 59-rushing yards despite looking to pass first pointing to his speed and athleticism.