Falcons coach Raheem Morris roasts Desmond Ridder: ‘If we had better quarterback play … I might not be standing here’

If there was any doubt about Desmond Ridder’s future as the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback, Raheem Morris put it to rest on Tuesday.

The new head coach spoke candidly at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis about Ridder’s play last season. He didn’t specifically mention Ridder by name. He didn’t have to.

“If we had better quarterback play last year in Atlanta, I might not be standing here,” Morris told reporters.

Morris was hired this offseason to replace Arthur Smith, whose Falcons lost 10 games in each of his three seasons as head coach. To Morris’ point, Smith might still have a job had Ridder played better last season. But he didn’t, and the Falcons are in search of a new quarterback.

Morris believes Falcons can win next season

Morris made his statement in the context of the talent that does have a future with the Falcons. He credited the team’s front office past and present including general manager Terry Fontenot with acquiring talent that he believes gives the Falcons a chance to compete next season. If they find a quarterback, that is.

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“Now, it’s time to implement a couple new things, go out there and find out who’s gonna be the triggerman for us and put ourselves in a position to win,” Morris said. “I’m not afraid to say that we have the ability, and we’re capable of going out there to win next year. If we do some of the right things, make the right moves, we can do that.

“And that’s not an arrogance. That’s not a cockiness. That is more of a credit to the people who are in the building with me still and the people still and some of the people who are not there now.”

Raheem Morris did not mince words about Atlanta’s quarterback play last season. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

That talent includes running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, each of whom was selected with a top-8 pick in his respective draft. The pressure is on to capitalize on those…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-02-28 02:33:41

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