Calvin Ridley: A Triumphant Return

Jeff Bell's Calvin Ridley: A Triumphant Return Jeff Bell Published 07/14/2023

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Calvin Ridley is already winning. In Jaguars' camp, there is a buzz about Ridley. Trevor Lawrence is ready: "But just to get to know him as a person and just to see his work ethic and how hungry he is to get back into play and how happy he is to be a part of our team, I think that's been the coolest part of having him here."

Ridley's return has been a journey.

The suspension for gambling is one thing. The recent suspensions from the Detroit Lions show players are still learning to operate in a world of changing legalities around sports betting.

But Ridley's real triumph is his mental health journey. His letter in the Player's Tribune is a must-read. The statistics around depression are harrowing. One in ten men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half will seek treatment—meanwhile, four times as many men die than women die by suicide yearly. Ridley's bravery shows men who are struggling they are not alone.

Now it is time to show there is a way forward.

Elite Production

Ridley's 90-1374-9 line from 2020 puts him in rare company. Over the last ten seasons, players who have accomplished that stat line per the Footballguys Historical Data Dominator:

Player Seasons
Davante Adams 3
Stefon Diggs 1
Justin Jefferson 1
Cooper Kupp 1
Travis Kelce 1
Calvin Ridley 1
Michael Thomas 2
DeAndre Hopkins 3
Antonio Brown 3
Odell Beckham Jr 1
Brandon Marshall 1
Jordy Nelson 1
Emmanuel Sanders 1
A.J. Green 1
Demaryius Thomas 2

That list is about as fluke free as it comes, filled with legitimate star players. But the starkest part is how few players accomplished those numbers multiple times, with only Davante Adams, Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Antonio Brown, and Demaryius Thomas accomplishing it multiple times.

Now it is time for Ridley to join that group.

The Path Back

The elephant in the room. The suspension. The list of players who missed an entire season due to suspension is, in a word, interesting:

Player Length Return
Plaxico Burress 2 seasons 45-612-8 with Jets
Michael Vick 2 seasons Became Eagles starting QB for 3.5 seasons
Ray Rice 2014 Never played again
Adrian Peterson 2014 1,485-11 (third-best career season)
Terry Glenn 2001 56-812-2
Jeff George 1996 Led NFL in pass yards with 3,917 in 1997
Donte Stallworth 2009 2-82-0

Players do not forget how to play football when forced to sit out for a significant time. On the contrary, several players have used the time out to develop increased motivation or increased appreciation for the ability to play again, delivering some of the better performances of their careers.

Will there be an acclimation period? Absolutely. The Jaguars are already accounting for that, urging Ridley to take it slow and easing him up on reps. But Ridley's approach speaks to that increased desire to perform, saying, "I really only know one speed," in response to the slow process.

Ridley may start the season slowly. But discounting his overall production when no significant physical injury is involved is not supported by the history of players his caliber.

But returning to the top, given Jacksonville's talent, is still being determined.

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