Calvin Ridley: I wasn’t pressing, it was just a bad game

Earlier this week, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters he thought wide receiver Calvin Ridley was trying to do a little too much. After Ridley dropped a pair of passes in Week 3, the Jaguars head coach said the receiver was trying too hard to prove himself and he advised him to relax and “just be Calvin.”

On Wednesday, Ridley disagreed with Pederson’s take and dismissed the idea that his recent struggles are indicative of a bigger issue.

“I wasn’t pressing,” Ridley told reporters. “I just dropped two passes, didn’t play my best. That’s all. I wasn’t pressing, though. I’m gonna be honest, I wasn’t pressing. I just didn’t play good. Period.”

Ridley, 28, began his Jaguars tenure with an outstanding first half in Week 1, recording seven receptions, 92 yards, and a touchdown before halftime against the Indianapolis Colts. In the 10 quarters since, the veteran receiver has hauled in just six more passes for 81 yards.

While he disagreed with the notion that he’s trying to do too much, Ridley also made it clear that he’s determined to be a part of getting the Jaguars offense out of neutral.

“I wanted to be someone who helps this offense,” Ridley said. “I want us to get on track and look elite and explosive. I’m getting myself back to square one, pushing forward, and trying to work as hard as I can.”

His next opportunity to do so will come Sunday in London when he faces his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, for the first time since they traded him to the Jaguars last year. Ridley told reporters it’s “just another game” before admitting there might be a little more to it than that.

“It ain’t [just another game], but I’m trying to make it seem normal,” Ridley said with a laugh.

Ridley, a 2018 first-round pick, caught 380 passes for 3,342 yards with 28 touchdowns over four seasons and 49 games with the Falcons.