Falcons HC Arthur Smith hilariously embraces new 'lifestyle change'

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith showed up to his team’s training camp this week sporting a new look.

The usually clean-shaven Smith arrived at the podium Wednesday showing off his best Burt Reynolds with what he described as a “lifestyle change.”

#Falcons HC Arthur Smith is sporting a new look this season with a mustache.

"It's a lifestyle change. It's not for everybody." 😂

pic.twitter.com/Rbm8MobrIm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 26, 2023

“It’s a lifestyle change,” Smith said. “It’s not for everybody.”

For Atlanta’s sake, hopefully a lifestyle change will help to bring for wins to the franchise coming off a 7-10 campaign in 2022. It goes without saying, however, that if Atlanta is to take the next step in 2023, second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder will have to have a breakout campaign. The 2022 third-round selection (74th overall) out of Cincinnati made four starts in 2022, going 2-2. He threw for 708 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions on 63.5% passing.

Smith said that Ridder, among others, has something to prove.

“We all have something to prove, and that includes Desmond ,” Smith said, via Scott Bair of the team’s website. “He has four starts under his belt. It’ll be a different team that we line up with this year. Fundamentally, there are things we’ve asked him to do. [Offensive coordinator and QBs coach] Dave Ragone has challenged him. He’s very confident but he has to go out there and prove it.

“With all the quarterbacks, we’re looking for them to take another step.”

Desmond Ridder looking to make jump for Falcons in 2023

Unlike during his four-game cameo at the end of the season, Ridder will have the opportunity to work with tight end Kyle Pitts, the team’s No. 4 overall selection in 2021. Pitts missed seven games last season with a right MCL injury that required surgery. With Pitts back in action Wednesday, Ridder finally got some work in with his No. 1 target.

“For me, it was about getting some of the new guys in there and getting everyone acclimated to how I throw the ball and how it comes out,” Ridder said. “Having Kyle in there as well, I mean, we didn’t get many reps this season. I wanted him to get used to me and for me to see how he runs routes and how he works in space.”