Patriots head coach easily spots one of the Titans biggest offensive frustrations this season
NASHVILLE – With the Tennessee Titans set to take on the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium this weekend, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is already clued in on Tennessee's biggest offensive frustration of 2024. Getting the ball to Calvin Ridley has been a problem for Tennessee. It's not hard to notice, but not easy […]
NASHVILLE – With the Tennessee Titans set to take on the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium this weekend, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is already clued in on Tennessee's biggest offensive frustration of 2024.
Getting the ball to Calvin Ridley has been a problem for Tennessee. It's not hard to notice, but not easy to explain. After giving Ridley a $92 million contract in the offseason, Ridley had one or zero catches in three of Tennessee's first six games.
There have been many theories about Ridley's lack of production. Maybe it's a lack of effort on his part. Maybe he's not being used correctly in the offensive scheme. Maybe the chemistry with the quarterbacks isn't there…Or maybe he just hasn't been given a chance to make plays.
After a monstrous performance in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions – 10 receptions (career-high) and 143 receiving yards – it's looking more like Ridley is doing his job just fine. When he's targeted consistently and given a chance, the results are there.
"There's no question, as you go through the film, #0, [Calvin] Ridley, there's no question why he was one of the top free agents, and everyone wanted an opportunity to have him on their roster," said Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo when previewing the Titans in a press conference earlier this week. "This is a guy who is heavily targeted. At the same time, he's open a lot on film, sometimes doesn't get the ball, but he is open a lot on film, and that's going to be a challenge. We talk about marrying up the rush and the coverage, and that's what we're going to continue to preach."
A guy that's open a lot, but sometimes doesn't get the ball….That's what Calvin Ridley is to opposing coaches that watch Titans tape from an outside perspective. And therein lies the frustration Titans fans, coaches, and players (namely Ridley) have been feeling during the season.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he found new ways to use Ridley against the Lions and manufactured matchups against man coverage that would allow Ridley to create seperation. But at the end of the day, it seems to be the quarterback play (and the poor pass protection) that has stood in the way of Ridley getting the ball after he does his part on his routes.
Repeating Ridley's success is essential for the Titans moving forward. But it's a silver lining that it doesn't seem to be an issue with Ridley at all, and more an issue with how the Titans have played around Ridley.
Whether it's Will Levis, a veteran bridge option, or a highly-touted rookie at quarterback for the Titans next season, Calvin Ridley is looking like a valuable member of this team. That has become abundantly clear recently, but it also makes his slow start to the season that much more frustrating.
What the Tennessee Titans actually must repeat from embarrassing loss to Lions
Titans needs to run this back.
