06-21-2018, 12:28 PM
(06-21-2018, 02:08 AM)BengalChris Wrote: 1. He caught 0% of the balls thrown to him last year while, at the same time, fumbling 100% of the times he touched the ball. That's with him appearing in 3 games.
As far as being a football player in the NFL goes, he's yet to show up. 2. Didn't even learn the playbook last year. What kind of football player goes the whole year without actually learning the playbook?
And until he actually does show up, I'll continue to classify him as a guy who hasn't shown up as a football player.
1. Yeah, and what a big sample size that was. 2 targets and 1 fumble where the defender objectively got a perfect hit with his helmet on the ball. If this is what you consider evidence, you probably wanted to convict before the trial even started.
2. He wasn't allowed to participate in team activities until June 13th due to NFL rules (he had to wait for final exams). He was finishing 3 classes, so obviously he had less time time to cram his head in a playbook. Also, who said he didn't know it for "a whole year"? I've seen Ross imply he didn't know it when he arrived to the team. Not that he didn't know it deep into the season.
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I understand frustration over his rookie season, I really do. Who wouldn't be frustrated? That said, you have to look at everything objectively. He was obviously not 100% healthy, he got a very late start on team activities and immersing himself in the playbook - and this wasn't entirely his fault, it was just circumstances. Then you have a coordinator switch after 2 games last year... There was just a LOT working against Ross last year.
The 3 plays you mention prove zilch in the long run. With a full off-season and being 100% (knock on wood) - NOW is when we can fairly get a good idea of who he really is.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.