What Titans' Calvin Ridley is doing to make Cam Ward's rookie season easier

Yahoo

4 days ago

Heading into Year 2 with the Titans, receiver Calvin Ridley has a different feeling about the offense.
There's confidence that comes after being in a system for a year.
"I know the offense," Ridley said July 23 as the Titans opened training camp. "Second year in the offense, I feel confident, way more confident. I really like our quarterback. I'm excited to play and make some plays."
The veteran receiver doesn't just feel more comfortable.
He wants to be a leader among his position group and is looking to help make rookie quarterback Cam Ward's job easier.
"Just give (Ward) confidence," Ridley said. "Being in the right spots, catching all the passes no matter where he throws them and just communicating, watching film after practice."
While Ward is a rookie, Ridley's job hasn't been too difficult so far.
"It's his timing," Ridley said. "His timing is up to date. He whips it, he's confident, it's smooth. It's an easy, catchable ball."
The wide receiver room has a much different feel than last season. The Titans picked up Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson and drafted Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor.
There are still some familiar faces among the position group, but with a year as a Titan under his belt, Ridley wants to take charge.
The former Falcons receiver had Julio Jones to teach him in Atlanta, and now it's his turn.
"I was raised around Julio," Ridley said. "He was the tone setter. It's easy to watch him do it and motivate myself to come out here and lead my guys. They follow right behind you."
But it's a two-way street. Ridley knows that just because he's older doesn't mean he can't learn from others around him.
"They pick my brain, but we all pick each other's brain," Ridley said. "I pick their brains sometimes because they know more than me sometimes. I like what they do and they like what I do. It's a group effort of brain-picking."
Now, it's about making sure the offense is ready to go when the season starts.
"I want to see the offense flow smoothly," Ridley said. "I want to see no penalties. I want to see us get in and out of the huddle, make plays and no drops. I want to see an efficient offense."
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Effort won't be a difficult ask. With a new quarterback leading the charge, all of the wide receivers are ready to catch passes from Ward.
"Those guys are hungry," Ridley said. "All our guys are hungry right now. They're all itching and scratching to get reps and in that starting lineup and make plays for us. They're going to compete."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans training camp: Calvin Ridley on Cam Ward, Year 2 in offense