3 Reasons the Atlanta Falcons should start Desmond Ridder in week six
By Nick Halden
2. Desmond Ridder is THAT guy no matter who he starts against
While many may argue against putting in Desmond Ridder as the starter against San Francisco it is the wrong outlook. While setting rookies up for success is something both the team and fans want there is also the fact that this is a league defined simply by one fact either you can play or you can’t. If Ridder is the player many believe him to be putting him in against San Francisco is not only the right move but one the team should have made two weeks ago.
Ridder has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback and replace the production Atlanta has missed from Matt Ryan. Look at how the Bears have treated Justin Fields or the Texans have handled Davis Mills. It rarely is about when or where you start but whether or not you have the ability to be a franchise quarterback.
Sure there are outliers like Patrick Mahomes sitting behind Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Farve, however, Atlanta lacks a quarterback close to either of the two veterans. Ridder doesn’t have to come in and be Farve or even Alex Smith. Atlanta only needs him to come and be capable of distributing the ball in a rush-heavy offense that isn’t going to rely on the quarterback to play hero ball. Starting Ridder in week six if the right move for the Falcons giving them their best chance to win and Ridder a chance he deserves to prove he is the franchise quarterback he is believed to be.