The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 29-10 this past weekend, but prior to the game, Fox Sports NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw ripped into Falcons head coach Arthur Smith for the way he has handled his team’s signal-callers this season.
Smith has vacillated back and forth between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke throughout 2023, and heading into Week 16, he announced that Heinicke would be the starter for the remainder of the year.
Heinicke responded by going 23-for-33 with 229 yards and a touchdown in a rather impressive performance against the Colts, but Bradshaw thinks that Smith has done Ridder wrong.
“I have no respect for Arthur Smith,” Bradshaw said. “Messed with that young quarterback Desmond Ridder like that, and you set him back. Play the young man. Leave him alone. Don’t lie to him. And [Smith] lied to him. And he needs to get his butt whooped! Nothing upsets me more than when someone lies to me.”
Ridder began the season as the Falcons’ starting quarterback, but things have not exactly worked out for the second-year pro. In 13 appearances and 12 starts, he has thrown for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 63.3 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 82.2.
The 24-year-old was replaced by Heinicke in Week 8 after being evaluated for a concussion in the middle of his team’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. Heinicke then took the starting job from Ridder until Heinicke himself bowed out with an injury in Week 10, forcing Ridder back under center.
Apparently, Ridder did not play up to Smith’s standards, resulting in Smith going back to Heinicke against the Colts (and for the rest of the year).
Ridder, who played his collegiate football at the University of Cincinnati, was selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He made four starts during his rookie campaign, totaling 708 yards and a couple of touchdowns while completing 63.5 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 86.4.
The Falcons are 7-8 and will take on the Chicago Bears next weekend.
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