Third-year Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has confronted some scrutiny over the previous couple of weeks. The Falcons have dropped three of their previous 4 video games, and second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder was benched in favor of veteran sign caller Taylor Heinicke.
Ridder was elevated to the beginning place for the ultimate 4 video games of the 2022 season and began for the primary eight video games of this season. He was pulled from a Week 8 matchup with the Tennessee Titans at halftime and Heinicke dealt with the quarterback duties for the rest of the sport.
Heinicke was then named the beginning quarterback for the Week 9 video games in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. Heinicke completed the sport with 268 passing yards and one landing in opposition to one interception. Regardless of struggling a loss, Atlanta scored a season-high 28 factors. Heinicke’s efficiency seems to have given Smith the boldness to proceed to have him begin — at the very least in the meanwhile.
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Desmond Ridder #9 and Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up previous to enjoying the Miami Dolphins in a preseason sport at Onerous Rock Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Photographs)
The Falcons go on their bye after this week’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, which ought to give Smith and the teaching workers ample time to evaluate the quarterback scenario.
On Wednesdays, Smith stated the quarterback determination is “my accountability and what they pay me for.” He stated he doesn’t need uncertainty on the place to proceed by way of the season.
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“So proper now, within the quick time period, we really feel the place we’re at, all the things we’ve bought happening proper now, we really feel Taylor provides us the very best probability,” Smith stated earlier than including: “We’re not going to play musical chairs.
“With the bye, hopefully we’ll get this win and may take a second to actually consider earlier than we make that dash to the tip of the season.”
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith speaks to facet choose Don Willard (58) in the course of the second half of an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Picture/John Bazemore)
When requested if having a second sport with Heinicke main the offense will present sufficient of a chance to make a agency determination, Smith stated: “Yeah. Except one thing unexpected or harm occurs.”
Smith additionally acknowledged the significance of this weekend’s sport in opposition to Arizona.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes the ball as Washington Commanders defensive finish Chase Younger (99) defends in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Picture/Butch Dill)
“We’ve bought an enormous sport within the season developing,” Smith stated. “There’s nothing extra vital than this one Sunday in Arizona. We’re going to get able to do all the things we are able to to win this sport.”
Ridder dedicated 12 turnovers — six interceptions and 6 misplaced fumbles — this season. He has handed for 1,701 yards with six touchdowns and rushed for 139 yards with three touchdowns.
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In the meantime, Heinicke joined the Falcons this offseason after beginning 24 video games the final two seasons with Washington. He signed a two-year take care of the Falcons in March.
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When pressed on the elements he’s contemplating within the quarterback determination, Smith stated, “There are some issues I’ll hold non-public, for higher or worse.” He added “possibly I’m overprotective” in guarding these particulars.
“However yeah, there’s so many issues that go into it,” he stated. “It’s not all on the quarterback and generally it’s the matchups, it’s the best way issues are trending. I believe on the finish it’ll all work itself out the best way it ought to.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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