Calvin Ridley on replacing Julio Jones: ‘I feel like I’ve been ready’
Prior to the 2020 season, Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley predicted he would “easily” top the 1,000-yard receiving benchmark, then went out and did it, finishing with 1,374 total.
The lesson: don’t underestimate the former Alabama star when he says he can do something.
Ridley, Atlanta’s first-round selection back in 2018, averaged 15.3 yards per reception and added nine touchdowns with Julio Jones banged up for most of the year. Fast forward to 2021, Jones has been traded to Tennessee and Ridley will enter his first season as Matt Ryan’s undisputed top weapon.
On Tuesday, Ridley talked about how his experience both playing with and without Jones has prepared him to be the team’s No. 1 receiver.
“I played with Julio, Mohamed Sanu,” said Ridley. “Since Day 1, those guys, I feel like I’ve been moving toward that way of I can do it by myself. Obviously, I’m not by myself because we have other players that are really good, but I feel like I’ve been ready, and I just needed an opportunity to get in those positions.”
With Jones’ veteran presence gone from the locker room and rookie Kyle Pitts coming into the fold, the Falcons will be counting on Ridley to fill a leadership void as well.
He also gave an update on his foot surgery and said he’s “pretty sure” he’ll be ready when players report for training camp on July 27.
If Ridley is pretty sure, you should be too.
