(01-26-2023, 10:42 AM)Jaguarmeister Wrote:

(01-26-2023, 10:05 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: It's hard to imagine Ridley won't be a factor in the 2023 offense taking a step forward.
2nd year in the system for a gifted QB is already a good thing, and Ridley should add gasoline to that fire.

But don't worry...

The haterz-club have already identified Ridley, Travon Walker, Trent Baalke and even Khan as their targets this offseason. We are sure to hear a myriad of reasons why Ridley will disappoint.

Not in the haterz-club, but I need to see Ridley produce and stay out of trouble before I’m gonna get excited about him.  2 years away from football combined with partaking in the cardinal sin of gambling on NFL games.  Also, voluntarily walked away the year he was busted for gambling on games.  It’s just kinda wild.  There’s just a lot of evidence of mental weakness and/or illness.

Even if you disagree with the rule he broke, he’s still demonstrated he doesn’t follow rules he doesn’t agree with which is not a good look and damning evidence of immaturity.  Did not express remorse when busted as well.  It’s just a lot to not only overcome physically, but also will he have grown up mentally and stay out of trouble or not turn into a cancer of “me, me, me” in a locker room that has demonstrated “team, team, team” as the philosophy?  It’s a lot in my opinion.

After watching more video of Ridley, I'm really excited to see what he can do next season. I mean everyone knows he's talented but he's the true number 1 we've been missing and he didn't appear to have an issue sharing the load in Atlanta (i.e. not a diva) which he'll need to do with Zay and Kirk and (I hope) Engram. I don't think being away from the game for an extended period will hurt much (although he will have to knock the rust off no doubt).

The gambling thing is another matter, if he has an addiction issue then it's possible it may come up again but if it was just a youthful indiscretion, then there's a pretty good chance he's learned his lesson.

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