The Falcons are in Miami Garden for joint practices with the Dolphins and are set for the teams’ first preseason contest on Friday. Generally, clubs will play starters sparingly in an attempt to enter the regular season as healthy as possible.
The Falcons are no different. They’ve already avoided disaster twice with Jeff Okudah and Clark Phillips III going down with nonserious injuries, but it’s an inevitable part of the game. On the other hand, for a team with a ton of new starters, it would be wise to get some live action, especially for Desmond Ridder.
Arthur Smith told members of the media that the starters will play eventually in an exhibition, but he’s undecided on whether they will play in Friday’s game against the Dolphins.
Arthur Smith on playing #Falcons starters in the preseason opener: “Our guys will play (in the preseason). TBD about Friday night.”
Says they’ll talk as a staff today to determine for sure, but if Desmond Ridder plays, it’ll be with the first-team offense.
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) August 9, 2023
Depending on the team and their expectations, my choice would vary on whether starters play or not. Teams like the Chiefs, Bills, and Eagles shouldn’t allow a single starter on the field in a meaningless exhibition game. However, the Falcons are a different story entirely.
The defense could feature as many as seven starters with a new defensive coordinator. Moreover, the green dot will be donned by someone new in 2023. Ryan Nielsen’s group should give it a test, whether that takes one drive or one-half of football. On the flip side, there’s less personnel turnover on the offensive side of the ball, but there was at the most important position on the field — quarterback.
Yes, I know Desmond Ridder started four games last year. This is a new offense, though. Ridder should be given a handful of drives to get acclimated to relaying the plays and executing in a live setting.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon
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