Jags’ Pederson has injury updates on Jones, Little
WR working hard to gain chemistry, make big plays
Calvin Ridley is still working.
On the heels of the Jacksonville Jaguars' victory over the Buffalo Bills that saw Ridley catch seven passes for 122 yards, a season-high, the sixth-year wideout is looking for more.
“I'm still working; how about that? I'm still working, man. I thought I was really good, but I'm still trying to get better,” Ridley said Sunday in postgame. “I'm getting better; how about that? I'm in my sixth year, and I'm still getting better. I think that's something good to see.”
Certainly, that's what the Jaguars would like to see as Ridley gains chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, something the receiver said has always been there.
“We practice no matter what, if it's two targets a game, we practice like it's 10 targets a game. We definitely have the chemistry. We're ready to make the plays and do whatever we have to do to help the team
win,” Ridley said.
Against Buffalo, Ridley tied with WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram for a team-high eight targets. Against the Falcons in Week 4, Ridley received just two targets, catching both for 38 yards. Sometimes it’s as simple as the team calling his number.
“Coach was calling my number and I was trying to make the plays, and Trevor was making some great throws,” said Ridley.
So far this season, Ridley has been as advertised. He is second on the team in receiving yards (333) and has the thirdmost catches with 22. He also is tied for a team lead in receiving touchdowns (two) with Zay Jones.
Ridley has the most yards per reception with 15.1 YPR through five games, something that Jacksonville needed a bit more of last year.
“He does add to that, he obviously has great speed. He’s got a reputation; I think a lot of times reputation plays into the way people defend people in this league,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said earlier this season about Ridley.
“We’ll lean into that a little bit, but I do think he adds a definite speed, vertical threat, whatever you want to say, in addition to the guys we already have.”
The Jaguars have already seen that come to fruition as documented by his YPR. He ranks 13th in the league in YPR among receivers with at least 15 catches this year. That was also put to the test late in the team’s win over the Bills.
‘They went zero’: Ridley helped secure Jags win with 32-yard snag
With the score 18-13 in Jacksonville’s favor, the Jaguars faced a third-andfour with 3:15 remaining in the contest.
The Jaguars lined up in an empty shotgun formation, meaning no back in the backfield with Lawrence, with what was believed to initially be a run call, according to Ridley. Lawrence scanned the Bills’ defense who were lined up in ‘0’ coverage, which is a pure man coverage defense with no deep defender.
The coverage allows for an extra rusher at the expense of deep coverage help — a risk that the Lawrence-Ridley took advantage of.
Lawrence checked to a pass after seeing the coverage giving a hand signal to Ridley, who was lined up in the slot next to Jamal Agnew inside the numbers with safety Michah Hyde one-on-one in man coverage — another risk, and a brutal mismatch.
“They went zero. They put a safety on me, and honestly, I think we were running, I think, but Trevor checked it. He saw the safety on me, gave me a good check, and we made a big play,” said Ridley.
Lawrence takes the snap with immediate pressure from linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who hit Lawrence as he threw Ridley open, forcing him to drive toward the sideline and make the 32yard catch.
The route was perfect, the pass was better and the Jaguars were able to put the game on proverbial ice two plays later thanks to a 35-yard touchdown run by Travis Etienne.
“I was just staring at him like what are we going to do, what do you want to do, and he gave me something, and he made a great throw,” Ridley later added.
It’s something to look forward to.