Alabama looks to avoid over-reliance on Ridley in passing game
NEW ORLEANS — Clemson cornerback Ryan Carter wasn’t shy about handing out compliments when asked about Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley. ‘Explosive,’ ‘another gear’ and ‘special’ were some of the words he used when describing the talented receiver.
That praise comes with a target.
While Carter openly acknowledges how dangerous Ridley can be in Alabama’s passing game, he also likes Clemson’s chances if the Tigers are able to take him out of the picture.
“I think he’s a big reason why they have success, and we’re going to have to do our best to try and limit those big plays,” Clemson defensive back Ryan Carter said. “Calvin Ridley’s just a special player for them, and again, if you take him away it’s a whole different ball game.”
Carter’s remarks are hard to argue. Ridley leads Alabama with 55 receptions for 896 yards to go with three touchdowns. Running back Bo Scarbrough is next among the Crimson Tide’s reception leaders with 14 catches, while receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cam Sims are tied for third with 13 catches apiece.
Even Ridley admits that’s a bit strange.
As soon as Alabama receivers coach Mike Locksley pulls out the reception charts during meetings, the eyes immediately turn toward Ridley. It’s not that the rest of the receivers are upset that their teammate is having so much success, but the disparity is hard to ignore.
“It’s like a weird feeling I get when those charts come up,” Ridley said. “I know these guys are working very hard in practice every day just to go out there and not get involved. It all comes down to you being a good teammate and wanting to win. That’s all there is. That’s what I’m talking about.”
It’s not like Alabama is hurting for receivers either. Jeudy came to the Crimson Tide as the No. 3 receiver and No. 19 player overall in the 2017 class. The former five-star recruit has made the most of his limited opportunities, tallying 244 yards and two touchdowns, including a 36-yard score against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
“Jeudy, the freshman has made a lot of good plays for them,” Carter said. “He’s another that can make plays. He’s quick and fast, just like Ridley.”
Jeudy is one of three freshman receivers to show out for Alabama this season. Henry Ruggs III has seven catches for 175 yards and a team-high five receiving touchdowns, while DeVonta Smith has six receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. The Crimson Tide has experienced options too as Sims is one of two senior starters alongside Robert Foster.
“We try to get everybody the ball. It’s not happening,” Ridley said. “We hope to change that this game. We hope to get better at that. We’ve got guys. We just have to get everybody going. There are good guys in that room.”
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts paused for a moment when asked about a possible over-reliance on Ridley.
“I mean… I guess he gets a lot of catches," Hurts said. "Everybody sees that."
Hurts said he’s not the one calling the shots and said he just executes the play that is called. However, he did state that he feels confident in all his receivers and said, “whoever's number is called, I think they’re going to answer.”
Alabama will need to find other options in the passing game if it wants to break out of its recent funk on offense. During the 26-14 loss to Auburn, the Tigers double-teamed Ridley taking him out of the game for the most part. Despite the extra attention placed on its star receiver, Alabama was unable to find an open man. Ridley was targeted seven times in the game but only came away with 38 yards on three catches. No other Alabama receiver was targeted more than once.
“Teams can cloud me and take me out of the game and it’s hard,” Ridley said. “We try to get guys the ball. It’s not like guys are not open but sometimes some things happen. I can feel like any guy in my room can do it. They all can break out.”
That will need to change as Alabama goes up against a stingy Clemson pass defense that ranks No. 7 in the nation, allowing opponents just 165.1 yards per game through the air. Ridley remains confident that the Crimson Tide will be able to improve its passing attack during the game.
Alabama certainly has the pieces to do so, it’s just a matter of using them.
“I feel like we can definitely go out there and sling the ball around,” Ridley said. “We’ve got guys to do it. Sometimes it just doesn’t work.”