CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Calvin Ridley found himself back in the end zone for the first time since Week 11 and his 75-yard touchdown score tied him with former Falcons tight end Junior Miller for most touchdown receptions in a single-season by a rookie in franchise history with nine on the year.
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"It feels pretty good," Ridley said of tying the record. "I just really want to come out here and help my team any way I can. But when I get those type of plays, it feels good."
His touchdown at the start of the second half set the tone for the rest of the game. Ridley's score put the Falcons ahead for the first time in the game and they never trailed again.
So, what went right for Ridley on the scoring play?
"They thought it was a run and they left me wide open and I made a good play and I finished it," Ridley said.
The past few weeks had been quiet for Ridley after his explosive start to the season. Ridley, like every rookie in the NFL, is still trying to figure out how to navigate his way through the 16-game NFL season.
But Ridley stayed the course and his mentor, Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones, noticed his attitude never steered one way or another.
So what impresses Jones the most about Ridley after almost a full season working together?
His response was simple.
"His work ethic," Jones said. "He continues to keep working. He's going to find his way, he's a young player who has so much [room] to grow. He can do it. At the end of the day, [no one] can hold Cal back but Cal. He can be a great player in the league for a long time."
That he can be and, according to Ridley, as long as he keeps one thing in mind: the sky is the limit for what he can do in his career as a Falcon.
"Just keep my focus," Ridley said. "Don't go get down on myself no matter what. Just come out here and help my team. If I tell myself play for my team, I'm going to play good."
The Falcons face the Carolina Panthers this Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Get your inside look here.
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Atlanta Falcons / Kara Durrette
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RB Ricky Ortiz
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P Matt Bosher
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P Matt Bosher
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P Matt Bosher
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DE Steven Means, P Matt Bosher, CB Desmond Trufant
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TE Logan Paulsen
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DE Brooks Reed
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DE Takk McKinley
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LB Deion Jones
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Dan Quinn, head coach, LB Deion Jones
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S Sharrod Neasman
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DL Jack Crawford
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LB Deion Jones, CB Brian Poole
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DE Bruce Irvin
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Marquand Manuel, defensive coordinator
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QB Matt Ryan
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DE Brooks Reed
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DE Steven Means, DL Jack Crawford, S Sharrod Neasman
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DE Steven Means
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DE Takk McKinley
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S Sharrod Neasman
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DL Jack Crawford
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RB Brian Hill
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K Matt Bryant
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WR Julio Jones
Atlanta Falcons / Lynn Bass
DE Steven Means
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LB Deion Jones
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K Matt Bryant
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DE Takk McKinley
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P Matt Bosher
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