Falcons find positives in QB Desmond Ridder's debut despite struggles
The Atlanta Falcons didn't ignore the good that rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder showed in his debut on Sunday despite his growing pains.
While Ridder took his lumps against a stout New Orleans Saints defense, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith praised the rookie's poise under pressure.
Smith also told Ridder that one game wouldn't define his career.
Ridder only had 97 yards and a 50% completion rate in his first start, but he did drive the team down the field to potentially set up a game-winning touchdown.
However, Ridder threw a dime on fourth down in Saints territory to wideout Drake London that the latter coughed up for a game-sealing fumble.
The Cincinnati alum was much harder on his performance than Smith was.
Ridder will get three more opportunities this season to show the Falcons that he could be the starting quarterback of the future.
The team plays at Baltimore on Christmas Eve before closing the season with a two-game stand at home against Arizona and Tampa Bay.
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