Every week, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez faces off against the opposing team’s top receiver.
“I love it,” Gonzalez said. “It’s the best way to improve. Facing the best means you’ll see high-caliber talent weekly. These receivers are NFL-level, so it’s always a challenge. It’s fun and only makes me better.”
On Sunday, Gonzalez is expected to line up across from Tennessee Titans star Calvin Ridley.
“He’s a talented receiver and fierce competitor. Runs great routes,” Gonzalez noted about Ridley on Thursday. “He’s a real playmaker. As a defense, we’re excited to face him.”
Head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized that Ridley is the primary threat to watch in the upcoming game.
“There’s no doubt, from watching the film, that #0, [Calvin] Ridley, is special. It’s clear why he was a sought-after free agent,” Mayo said. “He’s frequently targeted, but sometimes doesn’t get the ball even when he’s open. That’ll be a challenge.”
Mayo pointed out one of the Titans’ main offensive struggles in 2024: getting the ball to Ridley.
“He’s been vocal about wanting more targets, but that’s just his competitive nature,” Gonzalez said, defending Ridley. “As a defense, we want to face the best, and as a receiver, he wants the ball. His comments aren’t disrespectful; he just loves to compete.”
These are the challenges Gonzalez thrives on. Going up against top receivers allows him to showcase his skills.
“He has a dogged mentality and refuses to let his matchup win. He wants to be great and puts in the extra work to achieve it,” said cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino. “His dedication is impressive. He’ll take additional reps, even scout team reps. He’s focused, thorough with his film study, and excels in the classroom.”
In Week 8, Gonzalez faced Jets receiver Davante Adams and limited him to just one catch on four targets, forcing an incompletion.
Watching Gonzalez go head-to-head with Ridley this weekend should be exciting.
