For Gene Frenette, the Jaguars' acquisition of former Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley comes down to a matter of low risk and high reward.
Ridley took to Twitter in March to say “I don’t have a gambling problem” and that he only bet $1,500 on games. That still doesn’t excuse a horrendously bad decision, since athletes know the potential dire consequences and the terrible look for anyone who bets on their sport.
Baalke told a contingent of Jacksonville media on Wednesday that he was"confident in the due diligence" the team did on Ridley. He also acknowledged that part of their strategy for acquiring Ridley now was to get the jump on other NFL teams that might wait to pursue him after he's reinstated, thus possibly driving up the price tag.
But it’s reasonable risk, as opposed to a crazy one, which is why this deal made sense for the Jaguars. For now, all the Jaguars had to give up for Ridley was a 2023 fifth-round draft pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder, which could rise to third round if he meets certain incentives or a second-round choice in the event the Jaguars sign him to a contract extension.
Ridley has the ability to change speeds and accelerate like few NFL receivers. That’s a commodity the Jaguars haven’t had since five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Smith retired in 2005. There’s a good reason why Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson are banking on Ridley. Evidence from the Jaguars’ history books suggests it’s a gamble worth taking. Since Smith’s departure, the Jaguars have had only three receivers with 1,000-yard seasons — Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns in 2015, and DJ Chark in 2019. That’s it, only three receivers and three 1,000-yard seasons over a 16-year period.
With the Jaguars mired in a five-game losing streak after a 2-1 start, news of the Ridley trade provides the bonus of uplifting a frustrated fan base.
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