I was going to post this Sunday night because of the way the game went, but I decided to sleep on it for two days so I could gather my thoughts on what transpired Sunday. This won’t be like my other posts, but I will still give some thoughts on the good and the bad from both QBs. If you have kept up with my posts to any degree, please stay as neutral as possible and look at the big picture.
The first half: Ridder had the good QB option run for the 20-yard gain while also making a few pretty good throws on the first drive. The fumble, I do not think, had anything to do with “rookie mistakes,” as I have mentioned, and I think he has to learn how to hold on to the ball. He has to have stronger hand strength than that. The few sacks he took I felt were part bad O-line play and part horrible luck. When he was back peddling and took the sack near the goal line, for instance, there was no way he could throw that ball away. It would have been intentional grounding.
The second half: Henicke for sure gave the team a spark. He seemed confident in the offense and had good chemistry with the skill players. He got a bit lucky from time to time. The deep ball to Van Jefferson should have been intercepted, and the sack he took the facemask was super lucky that it ended up being called roughing the passer (but that was the correct call). Also, that throw to Scottie Miller in the corner was E L I T E!!!
The important part you want to read:
Arthur Smith said that Ridder was taken out because of health concerns and concussions. You know what? I am going to take Smith at his word for that. If he didn’t play Bijan because he had a headache and hadn’t slept well, he wouldn’t jeopardize the health of the QB he is trying to develop. I also appreciated how Taylor was in his press conference after the game, supporting Des and saying he’s just here to help him. But here is the problem: If Ridder was only taken out due to health, he should be back out there next week if he is healthy. I don’t think any part of Sunday’s first half was a benchable performance. Yes, the fumble made me angry, but I felt like the offensive line was getting dominated on blitz packages. But there is a much bigger issue at hand here.
I knew the second Taylor went in that the offense would play better. He has been in the league for over seven years and has played almost a season and a half worth of starts as a “productive” QB. Taylor would always win you more games than Des would this season. I say that not as a knock to Des either; he has been learning on the job. It just is part of the process. Now fans and teammates have seen Taylor and what this offense can do. I always say that this offense should score in some way, shape, or form 3 times every half. With Taylor in there, they scored 4 of 6 times… and potentially could have been 5 of 6 had Jefferson caught the ball.
What is this season about now? Is it about winning today, or is it about winning tomorrow? The correct answer to that question is yes, and that is what is so hard about the NFL. If you put Ridder back out there, you are saying that this year was all about seeing what you have in him and giving him the total sample size I mentioned, regardless of the results. WHICH IS WHAT YOU DO WITH A YOUNG QB YOU THINK COULD BE THE ANSWER! If you put Henicke back out there, then you want to win this year, and they will probably go on a fun little run into January. This was the absolute worst-case scenario for this season. Not Ridder being a bust (he was a third-round pick, and we lost nothing by taking him), but him having a minor precautionary injury that showed just how far behind he is compared to a serviceable veteran that sparks controversy. To me, if you put Taylor out there, that feels more like a fireable offense for Smith than if he put Ridder back out there. They spent all offseason committing to Ridder, and you would pull the plug after week 8? You gave up on the plan the front office sold to everyone, including the players, and that doesn’t bode well.
Personally? I never understood why Henicke wasn’t the full-time starter in Washington and why they let him go. I know he threw 15 interceptions in 2021 but it was not on the kind of talented team he is on now. He also went 5-3 last year when called upon. It is Tuesday, October 31st, when I am writing this (Happy Halloween!), so the starter will be announced tomorrow for the week 9 game against the Vikings. I will support and cheer on whoever they put on the field cause that’s the kind of fan I am and the kind of fan I encourage you to be.
So who would I put out there next week? Idk I’m just a college student who watches film breakdowns instead of podcasts like other people my age. I am just really glad I don’t have to be the one to face the consequences if it doesn’t work out for the Falcons.