DESMOND RIDDER

"There will be changes made. We've got to look at everything," Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said after Sunday's loss. Could QB Desmond Ridder replace Marcus Mariota?

A vast majority of the quarterback changes made in the offseason have not worked out for NFL contenders looking to stabilize the position and win right away.

Panthers in line for a top pickIn the latest NFL mock draft by Yahoo Sports' Charles McDonald, he had quarterbacks C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, Bryce Young of Alabama and Will Levis of Kentucky going in the top six. Not that Stroud, Young or Levis are sure things, but you'd rather take your chances on them than any other viable QB option for 2023 and beyond. Falcons and Panthers struggle at QBAtlanta's quarterback is Marcus Mariota, and they want him to throw as infrequently as possible. But the truth is, for the Panthers' future, a loss wouldn't be the worst outcome, even if nobody will say it.

Meet Me at the Logo is a series where Charles McDonald argues a take he’s passionate about after each week in the NFL. The more games that the Falcons play, the more it’s apparent that Mariota is a backup-caliber quarterback. There’s just a lot of potential going unrealized in the passing game. That’s right, third-round rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder should get a chance to start. There’s no reason to think that the Falcons’ run game would fall off by making Ridder the starting quarterback.

Desmond Ridder shook off an interception on his first throw to lead the Atlanta Falcons to their first home preseason win since 2016, 28-16 over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — (AP) — Marcus Mariota led Atlanta to scores on two of his three drives in the Falcons' 24-16 loss against mostly New York Jets backups Monday night. He got wide open on Bryce Hall, who's competing with rookie Sauce Gardner for a starting job at cornerback, to put the Falcons at the Jets 9. But Mariota led Atlanta into the end zone on the next possession. He also led the Jets with 33 yards rushing on six carries. The next drive featured five more penalties — four on the Falcons, with one declined — and Atlanta settled for a 30-yard field goal.

Marcus Mariota led Atlanta to scores on two of his three drives in the Falcons’ 24-16 loss against mostly New York Jets backups.

A baseball player punched an opponent following the 2A state championship game.

Desmond Ridder's drive to be first begins with an early start at his Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp apartment. “I told Desmond, ‘Don’t be so loud in the morning,'" FitzPatrick said after Saturday's session. Ridder, the Falcons' third-round pick from Cincinnati and the second quarterback selected in last month's NFL draft, says he knows no other way.

(AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — The Latest on the NFL draft. ___The second day of the NFL draft ended appropriately with another wide receiver being selected. ___Breece Hall got his moment — and hug from Roger Goodell — on stage at the NFL draft. ___Houston defensive tackle Logan Hall is the first selection of the second round of the NFL draft, by the Buccaneers. Former Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker was the first overall pick by Jacksonville and ex-Bulldogs defensive tackle Jordan Davis was the 13th overall pick.

NFL Draft Football Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon points after being selected by the Chicago Bears during the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Jae C. Hong)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken in the NFL draft. This is the first draft since 2000 that only one quarterback went in the first two rounds: Pickett this year, Chad Pennington to the Jets back then. But they used the second slot in the second round to grab North Dakota State's Christian Watson, who averaged 20.4 yards per reception in his career. Through three rounds, nine players from the national champion Bulldogs were taken, with six from runner-up Alabama.

NFL Draft Football Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon points after being selected by the Chicago Bears during the second round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (Jae C. Hong)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken in the NFL draft. A full 54 spots after Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh went 20th to the Steelers on Thursday night, Ridder was taken by Atlanta. It's the latest since 1996 for the second QB to go: Bobby Hoying went 85th that year. But they used the second slot in the second round to grab North Dakota State's Christian Watson, who averaged 20.4 yards per reception in his career.

It took 42 selections Friday before a second quarterback was taken in the NFL draft.

Malik Willis of Liberty became the third quarterback taken in the NFL draft when the Tennessee Titans took him in the third round with the 86th overall pick.

This year's quarterback class isn't as heralded as last year's or even next year's.

Kenneth Walker III believes NFL scouts may be shortchanging this year’s running backs contingent.

Senior Bowl Football American Team quarterback Malik Willis, of Liberty, throws a pass during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill)MOBILE, Ala. — (AP) — The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. Winfrey wore a jersey signed by teammates and got to follow in the Senior Bowl footsteps of Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a 2014 alum of the game. “I've been dreaming about being in the Senior Bowl since I was a little kid,” Winfrey said. “I saw Aaron Donald dominate the Senior Bowl and I wanted to be the next to do that.”Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked.

Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked. He led Cincinatti to 44 wins in his career and to the College Football Playoffs this season, ending with a semifinal loss to Alabama. He collected a wide snap and ran left for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Then Ridder rolled right and hit Colorado State tight end Trey McBride for a 6-yard touchdown late in the second. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team’ had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday. “We didn't come out here to lollygag through it," Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe said.

A shirtless Cincinnati Bearcats fan quickly became a meme after the Alabama football team's defense held UC to a field goal during the CFP semifinal.

Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes while mostly avoiding Cincinnati's standout cornerbacks and the Crimson Tide beat the Bearcats 27-6 in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday. It was the sixth semifinal victory in a row for the Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide will play either No. 3 Georgia, the previously undefeated team Alabama beat for the SEC title, in the national title game Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. Going into the Cotton Bowl, the Crimson Tide were averaging 147.6 yards per game, their lowest total in 15 seasons under Saban.

Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes while mostly avoiding Cincinnati's standout cornerbacks and the Crimson Tide beat the Bearcats 27-6 in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl on Friday. It was the sixth semifinal victory in a row for the Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide will play either No. 3 Georgia, the previously undefeated team Alabama beat for the SEC title, in the national title game Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. Going into the Cotton Bowl, the Crimson Tide were averaging 147.6 yards per game, their lowest title in 15 seasons under Saban.

Top-ranked Alabama is headed to another national championship game.

The breakthrough Bearcats held up pretty well despite Ridder's offense going nowhere for long stretches Friday while the Alabama running game overwhelmed them in a 27-6 loss that ended an undefeated season. 4 in The Associated Press and CFP rankings) were held without a touchdown for the first time since a 42-0 loss to Ohio State in the second game of 2019. Alabama had 302 yards at halftime when the Bearcats came in allowing 305 per game. The Bearcats settled for the first of two field goals — their only scoring — before three consecutive three-and-outs. With the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter, the Bearcats failed again on fourth down.

Desmond Ridder and the breakthrough Cincinnati Bearcats have stalled on the big stage against top-ranked Alabama.

With Ridder and former Alabama running back Jerome Ford, Cincinnati (13-0) is the only team to win every game this season. “We had a nice season, undefeated season ... (we) need to be us and do what we do. “As a football team, we feel like we’ve earned our way here. We feel like and know we belong here,” said Denbrock, in his fifth season at Cincinnati after coming from Notre Dame. “This group of seniors, and this football team in particular, did everything that people asked them to do to get to this point.”___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

The biggest game week in Cincinnati history has arrived.

Texas A&M holds the lead in the race for the national recruiting title in college football.

AAC Championship Football Houston quarterback Clayton Tune, center right, is sacked by Cincinnati's Joel Dublanko during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, are in position to become the first non-Power 5 team to qualify. Cincinnati: Despite being 12-0, the Bearcats have mostly relied on help from other teams to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. They got more assistance earlier on Saturday when Baylor held on to beat Oklahoma State in the BIG 12 championship game. Cincinnati: A possible berth in the College Football Playoff.

Jerome Ford rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes as No. 3 Cincinnati broke open a close game in the third quarter and rolled past No. 16 Houston 35-20 in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and No. 4 Cincinnati completed a perfect regular season by beating East Carolina 35-13.

APTOPIX SMU Cincinnati Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)Cincinnati moved into position to make the College Football Playoff on Tuesday night, climbing a spot to fourth behind Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama. A team from outside the Power Five conferences has never been selected for the semifinals in the previous seven years of the College Football Playoff. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Cincinnati has moved into position to make the College Football Playoff, climbing a spot to fourth behind Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama.

SMU Cincinnati Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder points skyward as he celebrates a touchdown by running back Jerome Ford during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. 3 Cincinnati roll past SMU 48-14 on Saturday. After Cincinnati forced SMU to punt on its first possession, Ridder found Tyler Scott wide open for a 53-yard scoring pass on the first play from scrimmage. Following a partially blocked punt by Wilson Huber, the Bearcats took over at the SMU 25 and Jerome Ford's 4-yard run made it 14-0 with 5:32 left in the first quarter. Alec Pierce caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Ridder and the Bearcats led 27-0 at halftime.

Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes, ran for another score and even caught a TD pass to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past SMU 48-14 on Saturday.

TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes to break the Cincinnati career record and ran for a score to help the No. Gino Guidugli, now Cincinnati’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, had 78 scoring passes from 2001-04. He had a 55-yard TD run with just over a minute remaining and finished with 72 yards on six carries. USF took a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter when Mangham had a 2-yard TD run. ___More AP AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes to break the Cincinnati career record and ran for a score to help the No. 2 Bearcats beat South Florida 45-28 on Friday night.

Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes to break the Cincinnati career record and ran for a score to help the No. 2 Bearcats beat South Florida 45-28 on Friday night. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 American Athletic, No. 5 CFP), one of four unbeaten FBS teams, has started the season with 10 consecutive wins for just the second time in school history. The Bearcats also did it in 2009, when they got off to a 12-0 start.

Tulsa Cincinnati Football Cincinnati defensive lineman Jabari Taylor (90) celebrates after securing a fumble in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. 2 Cincinnati held off Tulsa 28-20 on Saturday. “It's about winning against a team that is a much better football team than their record shows.”Shamari Brooks ran for 132 yards for Tulsa (3-6, 2-3), and Anthony Watkins added 105. When Tulsa was stopped short on fourth down at the 4, it appeared the Bearcats would just run out the clock. Cincinnati outgained Tulsa 165-36 in the first quarter but was outgained 120-66 in the second.

Tulsa’s Steven Anderson fumbled as he was reaching for the goal line on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Jabari Taylor recovered for a touchback and No. 2 Cincinnati held off Tulsa 28-20.

Cincinnati Tulane Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Desmond Ridder twice connected with tight end Josh Whyle for touchdowns, and No. 2 Cincinnati remained unbeaten with a 31-12 victory Saturday over a struggling but feisty Tulane squad that kept the game competitive deep into the second half. Cincinnati looked primed to pull away when Evan Prater intercepted Horton's screen pass in Tulane territory, but Macon Clark intercepted Ridder several plays later, returning it to midfield. Tulane: Heading into the season, Tulane was expected to contend for a fourth straight bowl bid.

Desmond Ridder twice connected with tight end Josh Whyle for touchdowns and No. 2 Cincinnati remained unbeaten with a 31-12 victory over struggling Tulane.

UCF Cincinnati Football Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) carries the ball as he breaks a tackle against UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. 3 Cincinnati roll past UCF 56-21 on Saturday. The all-time series was tied 3-3 coming in, with the Bearcats winning the previous two meetings by a combined six points. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Jerome Ford rushed for a career-high 189 yards and four touchdowns to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past UCF 56-21.

No. 3 Cincinnati will try to show it belongs among the nation's elite teams.

The University of Central Florida Knights will play in the team’s biggest game of the season as UCF goes to Ohio to play against the No. 3 Cincinnati Bearcats at noon on Saturday.

Temple Cincinnati Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)CINCINNATI — (AP) — Desmond Ridder threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns and No. 5 Cincinnati routed Temple 52-3 on Friday night for its 23rd straight home victory. Ford had an 8-yard touchdown run to help the Bearcats build a 17-3 lead at halftime. Temple muffed another punt and the Bearcats cashed in with Tyler Scott's 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown that made it 31-3.

Desmond Ridder threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns and No. 5 Cincinnati routed Temple 52-3 on Friday night for its 23rd straight home victory.

Cincinnati Notre Dame Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder runs from Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. 9 Notre Dame 24-13 Saturday in a game the Bearcats hope can be the centerpiece of College Football Playoff resume. Cincinnati took advantage of three turnovers by Notre Dame in the first half to jump out to 17-0 lead. Jack Coan's pass was intercepted in the red zone by Ahmad Gardner on ill-advised throw under pressure that ended Notre Dame first and best drive of the half. Notre Dame: At Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score late in the fourth quarter as No. 7 Cincinnati capitalized on its big opportunity and beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13 in a game the Bearcats hope can be the centerpiece of a College Football Playoff resume.

Cincinnati Indiana Football Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) celebrates as he runs off the field following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. 12 Notre Dame as they aim to break up the Power Five's monopoly on College Football Playoff bids. Especially in a season when some of the usual superpowers in college football have looked less than super. “We’re going into the Big 12 in a couple years, but this can solidify us as a top-10 program.”___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP's college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

No. 8 Cincinnati took one small step toward playoff contention by rallying to beat Indiana.

Jerome Ford rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns and Desmond Ridder passed for 243 yards and two TDs to lead No. 7 Cincinnati past Murray State 42-7.

The Big 12 says BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston have been invited to join.

Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny, offensive player of the game, stands with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. 6 Cincinnati its only loss of the season with a dramatic 24-21 victory in the Peach Bowl. Daniels, a Southern California transfer, passed for 392 yards while improving to a perfect 4-0 in four starts for Georgia. Podlesny’s winning kick tied a Peach Bowl record for longest field goal and gave Georgia a 22-21 lead. “I would feel much better if we just played our best game,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.

Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor (11) is stopped by Central Florida defensive back Richie Grant (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

7 Cincinnati Bearcats in front of a limited home crowd, the UCF Knights weren’t able to come out on top during the last home game of the season. TOUCHDOWN — #UCF takes back the lead over #Cincinnati. — UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) November 21, 2020UCF’s defense answered the call and caused Cincy to punt to close in the third quarter. TOUCHDOWN #UCF — the Knights score and bring it to a 3-point game after a successful two point conversion. pic.twitter.com/2mTX7rIkUL — UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) November 22, 2020UCF suffers its third loss of the season, falling to 5-3 on the year and 3-3 in AAC play.

Cincinnati wide receiver Michael Young Jr. holds the ball up as he scores a touchdown during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against East Carolina, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. 7 Cincinnati rout East Carolina 55-17 on Friday night. The preparation has been good.”In Cincinnati's three-point victory at East Carolina last year, the Pirates scored 43 points and piled up 638 yards. “Desmond Ridder is a talented quarterback," East Carolina coach Mike Houston said. After punting on three of its first four possessions, East Carolina (1-6, 1-5) drove 58 yards in three plays, pulling to 14-7 on Keaton Mitchell's 18-yard run.