FLOWERY BRANCH — One of the first drills the Falcons do every practice is the quarterbacks throwing to two or three different receivers from different spots toward the red zone.
Matt Ryan, AJ McCarron and Feleipe Franks rotate throwing to the receivers, working on accuracy and the receivers’ catching ability. In years past, the first man up would be Julio Jones, but this year, the first receiver to take reps is Calvin Ridley, who enters his fourth season in the NFL, all with the Falcons.
For the first time since his Alabama days, Ridley is his team’s go-to receiver.
“I had some games without Jones, and I think I’m ready for that role,” Ridley said. “I’m more than ready for that role. I can’t wait to make plays and do what I can for my teammates.”
He was making plays at Falcons training camp Tuesday in the first practice with pads on. Beyond the offensive-only drills, Ridley caught over-the-shoulder catches from Ryan and McCarron as the Falcons’ top defenders guarded him.
Ridley was quick on his routes, making cuts and finding open space for Ryan to sling the ball past the defender.
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
In 11-on-11 simulation, Ridley caught a few balls that were wielded through small openings.
“There’s good competition,” coach Arthur Smith said. “There are guys who you see their confidence building. Those are some tight-window throws. It was good.”
Filling out the receiving corps that took a lot of the first-team reps was Christian Blake, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Asked about how the Falcons will try to replace Jones’ size, Ridley said their receivers will find success differently than Jones did.
“We have a ton of speed in there, a ton of guys who can make plays, and I’m excited for the football world to see the guys we have, too,” Ridley said. “We’re real wide receivers. We have skills. We can pretty much do anything big and small receivers can do. We can beat press, we can play zone football, we can go up and get the ball and we can catch and run. We can do it all.”
Ridley made the most of his reps Tuesday, which weren’t as many as he would have liked as he comes back from a foot injury that sidelined him toward the end of the 2020 season. He had minor foot surgery in early June.
Smith said that Ridley understands that taking fewer reps is part of the process.
“With Calvin, there is a long-term plan,” Smith said. “The thing about Calvin is you have to pull him back. He understands the big picture, and you bring him along. He got good reps today, and we’ll see how he rests.”
Regardless of the big picture, Ridley still wants to participate on the field as much as possible.
“It’s pretty tough right now for me,” Ridley said. “I want to be where I want to be, and I think I should be somewhere right now. I’m not used to getting held back a little bit. I know I have something going on, but I’m ready to start working and be where I need to be.”
Off-the-field, Ridley has been a huge asset in developing and teaching many of the younger receivers and other members of the Falcons’ offense. Players approach him, asking how he would have handled the play, and Ridley walks him through his thought process and skill set.
The type of leadership Ridley has displayed is crucial for the team’s success, his quarterback said.
“He’s always been a good leader, by the way he works, by the way he prepares, and guys notice that,” Ryan said. “You don’t always have to be the guy talking all the time or giving speeches and stuff like that. Honestly, I think it’s more important to show what you’re all about, and he does that and works really hard.”
Though he has younger talent around him that might ease some of the attention on him, Ridley still is expected to be the No. 1 pass-catcher for the Falcons.
Smith hopes all of his players want to be “the guy” and expects Ridley to continue to show why he’s capable of doing just that.
“You want to see him improve and get better from Week 1 to Week 18,” Smith said. “I don’t know a professional athlete who doesn’t want to come out here and be a starter. You can make a nice living, but I think if you asked them, and I don’t want to speak for them, I think most of these guys would want to start.”
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