Calvin Ridley’s goals in Tennessee aren’t complicated. The Titans veteran receiver says he wants to help the room, push the younger players around him and, above all, win.
That message fits a wideout group that has picked up new depth with additions like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, but Ridley still expects to be a major piece. He’s heading into his eighth season overall and his third with the Titans, and he made it clear what matters most to him.
“I just want to win, man. I just want to be a good help to my team, to my room, to the young guys; encourage them, and just win,” Ridley said.
“If we can win games, that’ll be the best thing for me. I don’t really care about individual success as long as we win.”
Health, though, is the other big part of the equation. Ridley dealt with multiple injuries last season, including a fractured fibula, and he said staying on the field is the key to everything else.
“I just want to see myself stay healthy. If I stay healthy, I’m gonna be a good player on this team; I’m gonna contribute to this team, strengthen my body, that’s all I got to do,” Ridley said.
He also had a brief setback recently after getting a stomach bug from eating Chipotle, though he recovered quickly. Ridley lost 15 pounds but has since put most of it back on, and he was a full participant in Saturday’s Training Camp practice.
At 31, Ridley is the veteran in the group, and head coach Robert Saleh said the expectation is for him to keep evolving, not just lean on what he’s already done.
“I know he’s the veteran in the room, he’s had success in this league, he’s been around for awhile, and he’s had a really nice career, but he just needs to be him. The challenge for him at this age is to find a way to get better and contribute in different ways,” Saleh said before practice.
Saleh also said Ridley has looked sharp and youthful after pushing through the ailments that bothered him during OTAs and last season.
“He looks youthful; he’s pushed through all the ailments he had during OTAs from through last year; he looks really good, so looking forward to seeing how he acclimates and integrates into the offense” Saleh said.
Saturday marked the first open practice for fans, and the Titans will be back on the field Monday with pads.
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