In a season marred by disappointment, the Tennessee Titans may have found a glimmer of hope in the unlikeliest of places: a breakout performance from star wide receiver Calvin Ridley. After a lackluster start to the season that saw him post just 183 receiving yards through six games, Ridley took it upon himself to shake things up ahead of the Titans’ Week 8 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
A Change in Routine
Frustrated by his own performance and the team’s 1-5 record, Ridley decided it was time for a change. “I went to work this week and changed my whole schedule to play better,” he revealed after the game. “We all need to do that, do things a little differently than we probably have been doing.”
For Ridley, that meant getting back to basics. He spent extra time catching passes from the Jugs machine, even drawing the attention of offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who spotted him putting in work outside of regular practice hours.
“I look out and Calvin’s out there with his helmet on with one of the equipment guys,” Callahan said. “They’re firing the Jugs and caught probably 200-some balls.”
– Brian Callahan, Titans Offensive Coordinator
Reviving an Old Trick
In addition to the extra reps, Ridley dusted off an old training tool: tennis balls. Drawing on his experience working with them alongside former Jacksonville Jaguars teammate Evan Engram, Ridley incorporated tennis ball drills to sharpen his hand-eye coordination. The arrival of a new tennis ball launching machine, dubbed the “Lobster,” couldn’t have been more timely.
Wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert encouraged Ridley to lean into what had worked for him in the past, and the results spoke for themselves. Tolbert estimated that Ridley caught over 300 balls per day in the lead-up to the Lions game.
A Pregame Ritual Reborn
Ridley’s renewed dedication extended to his pregame routine. Two hours before kickoff, he was on the field with Titans speed training coach John Shaw, catching tennis balls and working on over-the-shoulder grabs from various angles. The extra preparation paid off in a big way.
A Career Day and a Catalyst for Change
Against the Lions, Ridley tied his single-game career highs with 15 targets and 10 receptions, amassing 143 yards in the process. It was the Titans’ first 100-yard receiving game of the season, and Ridley did it all in the first quarter alone.
While the Titans ultimately fell short in a 52-14 rout, Ridley’s performance stood out as a bright spot and a potential catalyst for change. Callahan made a point of showing the team footage of Ridley’s extra work, hoping it would motivate others to follow suit.
“It’s great seeing that from a vet who has been in the league a long time. It inspires us to be our best.”
– Jha’Quan Jackson, Titans rookie wide receiver
The Road Ahead
For Ridley, who signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans in March, the pressure to perform is ever-present. But he insists that his motivation lies elsewhere. “I just want to win, man. Losing sucks,” he said plainly.
As the Titans prepare to face the New England Patriots in Week 9, Ridley plans to maintain his revamped approach, ready to take on whatever challenges await him. Whether it’s a matchup with standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez or the weight of his team’s expectations, Ridley is determined to rise to the occasion.
Only time will tell if Ridley’s breakout game was a one-off or the start of something special for the struggling Titans. But one thing is certain: in a season desperate for a spark, Calvin Ridley has shown that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to reignite the fire.
