Falcons’ Arthur Smith on Third-Down Conversions: ‘Good To See’

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith was encouraged by the team's success on third down in their second preseason game.

The first drive for the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals Friday ended with quarterback Desmond Ridder throwing an interception, but there was still a positive to take away from the drive. 

Though Ridder's interception came on third-and-goal, the Falcons recorded two impressive third-down conversions earlier on the drive. On 3rd-and-12 from the Cincinnati 37-yard line, Ridder connected with receiver Drake London on an excellent back-shoulder throw. Later in the drive, Ridder scrambled for seven yards on 3rd-and-five. Both plays impressed coach Arthur Smith. 

“Yeah, that's the thing, playing from the pocket, you guys have heard me talk about that, the pressure of it," Smith said. "But when you can extend plays, that's such a big advantage in this league. The way they have to rush you, and the rush plans you'll get. Des is a fast guy. He's got a feel for that. You saw it a little bit last year at the end and you saw it a little bit tonight. It changes, like I said, some of the calls they'll make and how they have to try to contain you. So, it was good to see.” 

Even though he ended the drive with an interception, Ridder only played one series Friday. Evidently, Smith saw what he needed from Ridder on the game's opening drive, despite the sour ending. In total, the second-year quarterback completed seven of nine passes for 80 yards and the interception. 

Obviously, the Falcons are hopeful that Ridder will take a major step forward in 2023. They've built a tremendous core of young skill-position talent, including the aforementioned London, tight end Kyle Pitts and running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. If Ridder is just competent, the Falcons will have a real shot to win the wide-open NFC South. 

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