The John Ross Dichotomy

[GodFather]

If you've been listening to the media, Bengal beat writers and podcasters, fans its hilarious how they go 180 degrees on the drop of a hat. When John Ross played all we heard was, "This guy cant catch" "He looks lost out there" "He is a complete bust"  "Put Tate in hes more dependable"


Then.....

When he is inactive and benched  the same people are saying "Why isn't John Ross playing, hes fast" "John is a first rounder and we aren't utilizing him" "We have a talent sitting on the bench other teams could use and we will regret it"


Where does everyone stand with the Ross dichotomy?

[Whatever]

(10-22-2020, 05:21 PM)GodFather Wrote: If you've been listening to the media, Bengal beat writers and podcasters, fans its hilarious how they go 180 degrees on the drop of a hat. When John Ross played all we heard was, "This guy cant catch" "He looks lost out there" "He is a complete bust"  "Put Tate in hes more dependable"


Then.....

When he is inactive and benched  the same people are saying "Why isn't John Ross playing, hes fast" "John is a first rounder and we aren't utilizing him" "We have a talent sitting on the bench other teams could use and we will regret it"


Where does everyone stand with the Ross dichotomy?

Pretty simple.  Our WR's suck as a group.  When a position group sucks, the cry is always "Put in the guy on the bench.  He can't be any worse.". It doesn't matter if they've seen him play before or not.  

[bengaloo]

My thoughts are that whatever he did in the first few games last season we could really use right now. But that small sample size of his potential has been overshadowed by the drops, giving up on routes, and in general just not playing hard. I like Ross but I think its best for both sides to move on at this point.

[*bengalfan74*]

I've seen all of Ross I need to see. Cut him, trade him, put him on Ebay. I have no desire to see him half assing routes, dropping passes, or anything.

It's over

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

If a guy can't catch, can't run the right route, and gives up on his route when he IS running the right route... there's no point in him ever being on the field as more bad things will happen than good.

[Wes Mantooth]

I'm not a big John Ross fan. Shocker, I know. That said, I do wonder if he can, or could have, been better used.

I think we can agree that he's proven that he can't play the role of a traditional 1st or 2nd option. He drops too many passes, he's not dependable, and he's really too small to go up and outwork guys for balls.

But I really have to wonder, could we not do more to play to his strengths? Why not run more things for like: hitch routes, quick outs, reverses? Why not try him as a punt or kick returner?

I just think the creativity has been sorely lacking. And as much as I'm ready to move on, and I've long been willing to label him a complete bust, I still think he's talented enough to be worthy of seeing some use week to week.

If I'm being honest, I would take an active John Ross over an active Mike Thomas 10/10 out of times. Obviously a lot of people on here disagree, and so does the coaching staff, so maybe I'm just wrong. But I still believe this staff, along with the previous one, did a terrible job getting him involved.

They both try to use him like a tradional receiver, and he's just not. And having streak down the sideline isn't nearly creative enough to take full advantage of his speed and quickness. I would not at all be surpised to see him go elsewhere and carve out a unique role for himself.

[KillerGoose]

(10-22-2020, 05:46 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm not a big John Ross fan.  Shocker, I know.  That said, I do wonder if he can, or could have, been better used.

I think we can agree that he's proven that he can't play the role of a traditional 1st or 2nd option.  He drops too many passes, he's not dependable, and he's really too small to go up and outwork guys for balls.

But I really have to wonder, could we not do more to play to his strengths?  Why not run more things for like: hitch routes, quick outs, reverses?  Why not try him as a punt or kick returner?

I just think the creativity has been sorely lacking.  And as much as I'm ready to move on, and I've long been willing to label him a complete bust, I still think he's talented enough to be worthy of seeing some use week to week.

If I'm being honest, I would take an active John Ross over an active Mike Thomas 10/10 out of times.  Obviously a lot of people on here disagree, and so does the coaching staff, so maybe I'm just wrong.  But I still believe this staff, along with the previous one, did a terrible job getting him involved.  

They both try to use him like a tradional receiver, and he's just not.  And having streak down the sideline isn't nearly creative enough to take full advantage of his speed and quickness.  I would not at all be surpised to see him go elsewhere and carve out a unique role for himself.

This has been my thought process the entire time. I am ready to move on as well, he's a bust. However, he is talented enough to do SOMETHING. It is pointed out over and over but his redzone ability is impressive. Throw those screens to him. Throw those slants, drags to him. Run those end arounds to do him. He has talent and could be used, but it is whatever. He is a bust and isn't going to work out here and that is the reality of it. I agree with you, though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him find some success somewhere as a specialist.

[Yojimbo]

The dichotomy is reality vs blind hope.

The podcast I listen too has not complained about John Ross being inactive. They’ve given up on him too.

Here’s what I think about Ross, he doesn’t like to get hit. It’s why he short arms catches and has drops because he’s always looking for the hit. Reason why he can light up practice too. He knows he’s not getting hit. You CANNOT be a football player if you’re not willing to get hit.

[impactplaya]

Did anybody watch how the Colts were just
Abusing the Bengals lack of lateral speed last week.
Everybody but Hilton was making the Bengals look
Stupid in coverage.
The one.thing that Ross does better than any WR
On this team is seperate and adjust the depth
Of the safeties.
Some of you act like he forgot how to play football
He didnt.
The Bengals 7th grade level offensive minds have
No idea how to get the most out of him.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10-22-2020, 05:21 PM)GodFather Wrote: If you've been listening to the media, Bengal beat writers and podcasters, fans its hilarious how they go 180 degrees on the drop of a hat. When John Ross played all we heard was, "This guy cant catch" "He looks lost out there" "He is a complete bust"  "Put Tate in hes more dependable"


Then.....

When he is inactive and benched  the same people are saying "Why isn't John Ross playing, hes fast" "John is a first rounder and we aren't utilizing him" "We have a talent sitting on the bench other teams could use and we will regret it"


Where does everyone stand with the Ross dichotomy?

I was carrying the torch years for Ross, but I am done.

[Rubekahn29]

(10-22-2020, 05:58 PM)impactplaya Wrote: Did anybody watch how the Colts were just
Abusing the Bengals lack of lateral speed last week.
Everybody but Hilton was making the Bengals look
Stupid in coverage.
The one.thing that Ross does better than any WR
On this team is seperate and adjust the depth
Of the safeties.
Some of you act like he forgot how to play football
He didnt.
The Bengals 7th grade level offensive minds have
No idea how to get the most out of him.

Yeah thats not it. Tee Higgins is starting to flourish, Boyd has been super successful, Tate has his career year last year. Ross has sucked under two coaching staffs, and two QBs. He doesn't have it man. Leg it go. He has talent, but lacks the mental capacity to match it. 

[Essex Johnson]

(10-22-2020, 05:46 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm not a big John Ross fan.  Shocker, I know.  That said, I do wonder if he can, or could have, been better used.

I think we can agree that he's proven that he can't play the role of a traditional 1st or 2nd option.  He drops too many passes, he's not dependable, and he's really too small to go up and outwork guys for balls.

But I really have to wonder, could we not do more to play to his strengths?  Why not run more things for like: hitch routes, quick outs, reverses?  Why not try him as a punt or kick returner?

I just think the creativity has been sorely lacking.  And as much as I'm ready to move on, and I've long been willing to label him a complete bust, I still think he's talented enough to be worthy of seeing some use week to week.

If I'm being honest, I would take an active John Ross over an active Mike Thomas 10/10 out of times.  Obviously a lot of people on here disagree, and so does the coaching staff, so maybe I'm just wrong.  But I still believe this staff, along with the previous one, did a terrible job getting him involved.  

They both try to use him like a tradional receiver, and he's just not.  And having streak down the sideline isn't nearly creative enough to take full advantage of his speed and quickness.  I would not at all be surpised to see him go elsewhere and carve out a unique role for himself.

in 4 years with two totally different coaching staffs.. we ended up getting the same result.. that sums it up for me.. 

[ezekiel23]

Ross is clearly a bust.Time to move on from him.Unfortunately,it is what it is.

[motoarch]

Ross sucks.


That's where I stand.

[jfkbengals]

(10-22-2020, 06:46 PM)Rubekahn29 Wrote: Yeah thats not it. Tee Higgins is starting to flourish, Boyd has been super successful, Tate has his career year last year. Ross has sucked under two coaching staffs, and two QBs. He doesn't have it man. Leg it go. He has talent, but lacks the mental capacity to match it. 

Hasn't he had 3?

[Rubekahn29]

(10-22-2020, 07:43 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: Hasn't he had 3?

I couldn't remember how much he played with Finley. 

[fredtoast]

3 offensive coordinators and two different head coaches.

Other young WRs like Boyd and Higgens have developed well under these coaches.

Coaches are not the issue with Ross.

[JSR18]

(10-22-2020, 05:55 PM)Yojimbo Wrote: The dichotomy is reality vs blind hope.

The podcast I listen too has not complained about John Ross being inactive. They’ve given up on him too.

Here’s what I think about Ross, he doesn’t like to get hit. It’s why he short arms catches and has drops because he’s always looking for the hit. Reason why he can light up practice too. He knows he’s not getting hit. You CANNOT be a football player if you’re not willing to get hit.

I don't disagree with you. I'm reminded what my dad told me when I started playing HS football as a smallish, very fast WR.

" You probably should catch anything you can get a finger on because you're going to get your little ass waxed either way"...

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[BengalsRocker]

Negatives

Chronic underachiever

Mentally soft

Not durable physically

Bad catching technique

Gets jammed negating vertical speed

Positives

Quick lateral speed


He just ain't gettin' things done here folks. Time for patient coaching, soul searching, and off-season work.

Good riddance with his current attributes and poor attitude/work ethic.

Not enough positives for me.

[Nicomo Cosca]

I’m completely ready to move on from him after this season, but I’d honestly rather see him out there over Thomas at this point. There’s a least some chance for a big play with Ross. Thomas brings pretty much nothing.