Wide receiver Calvin Ridley set the Atlanta Falcons’ rookie record for touchdown receptions and led the NFL’s first-year players in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in 2018, earning a spot on the NFL All-Rookie team.

That wasn’t entirely satisfactory for the former Alabama standout.

“I definitely think I’m a really good receiver, and I think I could be really good in this league and, obviously, help my team win games and put up some good numbers” Ridley said during a Thursday press conference. “I want to do good for me and the team, but I definitely think I should be playing at a high level, and that’s the standard for me.”

Falcons wide receivers coach Rakeem Morris said that attitude would help Ridley improve on his rookie season.

“I don’t know if he’s ever going to be able to satisfy himself,” Morris said. "I think he’s kind of been like that his whole life. I think that’s what drives him. I think that’s what makes him better. I think that’s what makes him come to work every day with a purpose.

"So Calvin, when you're talking about his rookie season, he came on the scene and had a bunch of touchdowns. He had to figure out how to play like an NFL player for 16 straight weeks when you go through that lull of this hurts, this aches, this is that, then he comes out of it. Then he's going back on the track. So I think with Calvin saying that he didn't have the season that he wanted as a rookie player, I think he's talking about being consistent all the way throughout, not having the player of the month, but the player of the year kind of status.

"So I think he's searching for greatness, and I'm going to try to help him get there because he puts in all the effort, he gives you all the work and there's no doubt in my mind he's going to be successful. When you sit back and see what he did last year as a rookie and you see the people's records that he broke, how productive he was as a receiver just compared to the greats, you can't help but go 'Wow.' When you look at the whole body of work instead of the every-day body of work, you're like 'That's pretty impressive.' Calvin tends to focus on the mistakes. He tends to focus on the drop or two he had as opposed to focusing on what he did right, which is good. He can look back at that later when he's done playing this game."

Ridley caught 64 passes for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018, breaking the Falcons' rookie record of nine TD receptions established by tight end Junior Miller in 1990.

Ridley became the 17th player in NFL history with at least 10 TD receptions as a rookie. The list includes former North Alabama standout Harlon Hill in 1954, Pro Football Hall of Famers Mike Ditka, Bob Hayes and Randy Moss and recently retired New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. The previous two players to reach the milestones were wide receivers Mike Evans with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Odell Beckham Jr. with the New York Giants.

After not catching a pass in his first NFL game, Ridley caught six touchdown passes in the next three, when he had 15 receptions for 264 yards.

Ridley said he thought the length of the NFL calendar wore him down. Six of his eight lowest receiving-yardage totals in 2018 came in the second half of the season.

“I think when I got past about the 11th game because we went from OTAs, training camp and then -- what is it? -- preseason and then right into the season, so there was no really breaks,” Ridley said, “even though I was good then, but I got kind of a little tired, so I’ve got to work on that to be better for this year.”

Morris said the Falcons' staff has to be careful not to let Ridley wear himself out in practice.

“Calvin is a worker,” Morris said. “He goes extremely hard. You have to slow Calvin down. There are times where he’s going so hard, going so fast, but you have to say, ‘Whoa, Calvin, let’s just do these things today. Let’s do this and focus on this today.’”

Ridley said he's conscious of trying to find a sustainable pace for his preparations this year.

“Sometimes I overdo stuff,” Ridley said. “I work so hard, and by the time the game comes, I’m tired already from the week. But just slowing it down, getting more mental reps and just getting my body more prepared for the games and the long season. That’s pretty much what (Morris) was saying.”

Satisfied with his rookie year?



No way. @CalvinRidley1 is putting in the WORK for year 2 in the 🅰️. pic.twitter.com/XX6PvenriM — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 29, 2019

One thing that has slowed down for Ridley this offseason is the game around him as he's become "more comfortable in the system."

“I thought I played fast last year, but I’m definitely playing a lot more faster,” Ridley said. “I see it better, I understand exactly what the coaches want and what (quarterback) Matt (Ryan) wants, so I feel a lot better.”

After Friday's practice, the Falcons have three more OTA workouts next week followed by mandatory minicamp on June 11-13 before the Atlanta veterans get a break until training camp opens in late July.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.