Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn did not shy away from showing his excitement toward this year’s rookie class and in Tuesday’s seventh session of organized team activities, he sees both defense and offense coming together.
In an article from Falcons’ beat writer Will McFadden, wide receiver Calvin Ridley continues to not only impressed the coaching staff but also players in the secondary. The former University of Alabama star caught his first touchdown reception on a crossing route from Kurt Benkert.
While cornerback Desmond Trufant told McFadden on how he thinks Ridley looks “polished,” Quinn used a term that all Crimson Tide fans used to identify the first-round pick.
“Des may say he sees polished, I probably see explosive,” Quinn said per McFadden.“I see a really aggressive player who’s really going for it in a big way. I don’t know if I would say polished yet, but I would say he’s definitely further along than most.”
Hailing from Coconut Creek, Fla., the former five-star was impressive in high school and during three seasons at Tuscaloosa. Despite not being selected in the top-10, his career of 2,781 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns on 224 catches speaks for itself.
Listed at 6-foot, 189 pounds, Ridley is an aggressive route runner with reliable hands and exceptional speed in space.
The addition of him with Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Austin Hooper, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman should make it virtually impossible for quarterback Matt Ryan and Atlanta’s offense to be held out of the end zone next season.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
