Desmond Ridder
FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jared Bernhardt catches a 21-yard pass for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Detroit. Just two years after being honored as the nation’s top college lacrosse player, Bernhardt is trying to make it as an NFL receiver with the Atlanta Falcons. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Ex-Maryland star Bernhardt tries switch from lacrosse to NFL

By Paul Newberry 22 hrs ago

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) scrambles during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ridder leads Falcons to late victory over Lions 27-23

By Dave Hogg Aug. 12, 2022 09:21 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts waves a signed football at the fans during the NFL football team's practice on Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Goal-setting Pitts eager to build on brilliant rookie season

By Paul Newberry Aug. 10, 2022 01:38 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom (63) and offensive guard Justin Shaffer (75) participate in a drill during NFL football training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, July 29, 2022. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Smith in no hurry to settle on Falcons' starting O-line

By George Henry Aug. 06, 2022 02:02 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Casey Hayward (29) looks on during the NFL football team's training camp on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons defensive guru Pees determined to raise expectations

Aug. 01, 2022 04:10 PM EDT

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Column: Heady times for the NFL's bottom feeders

By Paul Newberry Jul. 29, 2022 06:02 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus (17) and Drake London (5) take part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Mariota, Ridder dominating QB snaps at Falcons training camp

Jul. 28, 2022 03:06 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Auden Tate takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons open camp with low expectations, open positions

By George Henry Jul. 27, 2022 02:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith looks on during their NFL minicamp football practice Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons rookie QB Ridder impresses Smith as a quick learner

By Charles Odum Jun. 15, 2022 04:03 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, left, stands next to head coach Arthur Smith during NFL football practice Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons backup QB Franks trying new hybrid role at tight end

By Charles Odum Jun. 09, 2022 05:00 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith walks across the field during NFL football practice Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons QB Mariota willing to be mentor but hungry to start

By Charles Odum May. 26, 2022 05:16 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder runs a drill during their NFL rookie minicamp football practice Friday, May 13, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons QB Ridder early to rise — and lead — at rookie camp

By Charles Odum May. 14, 2022 04:18 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick wide receiver Drake London (5) runs during NFL rookie minicamp football practice, Friday, May 13, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' London embraces health, contract at rookie minicamp

By Charles Odum May. 13, 2022 04:15 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons first-round NFL football draft pick Drake London, center, a wide receiver from USC, holds up his jersey with general manager Terry Fontenot, left, and head coach Arthur Smith, right, at the team's practice facility Friday, April 29, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Falcons release RB Mike Davis after disappointing season

By Paul Newberry May. 02, 2022 04:01 PM EDT

North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu takes selfies with fans after being picked by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Panthers turn to defense, speed on final day of the draft

By Steve Reed Apr. 30, 2022 09:06 PM EDT

Former Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder watches the game action from the field during an NCAA football intrasquad scrimmage, Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Falcons add BYU RB Allgeier to offensive-themed draft class

By Charles Odum Apr. 30, 2022 08:26 PM EDT

Jake Kline, of Missouri, shows off his new Indianapolis Colts chain at Fremont Street Experience as the NFL football draft is in town Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Colts take WR Pierce with 1st draft, plug offensive holes

By Michael Marot Apr. 29, 2022 09:01 PM EDT

Los Angeles Rams fans cheer before the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Seemed forever for QBs to go in 1st 2 rounds of NFL draft

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2022 08:09 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons 2022 NFL first round draft pick Drake London, a wide receiver from Southern California, speaks with the media at the Falcons Practice Facility Friday, April 29, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Cincinnati's Ridder is Falcons' pick as possible future QB

By Charles Odum Apr. 29, 2022 08:00 PM EDT

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis walks to the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Round 2 of NFL draft has plenty of tantalizing possibilities

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 29, 2022 03:09 AM EDT