John '2 fast 2 film' Ross

[BengalChris]

(06-21-2018, 12:28 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: 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. 

These are good points. And sorry I don't get on much right now, so posts are erratic in timing.

But I don't understand any of the hype on Ross. I could understand someone saying yeah he really f-ed it up, but he's got his $hit together now and we are hoping for the best but we really don't know what we've got with this guy.

He needs to do something on the field before I believe any of the hype or even a fraction of it. After last season, the onus is on Ross to prove he belongs on the team, not on me to believe he's going to be great.

Ross won't be great or even good until he actually is great or good on the field. Last season he was amazingly un-great.

For the 9th overall pick going into his second season he really needs to be damn good to live up to that pick.

Let's be objective about what he needs to do to earn a starting spot. What skills does he need to start at the #2 WR spot?

A. He needs to catch the ball.
B. He needs to run the right route correctly and be in the right spot at the right time.
C. He needs to block in the running and passing game.
D. Ball security.

A. I've seen nothing to suggest that he won't be decent in this area. LaFell is decent also.
B. Big question mark. In college, in the Pac12, defenses didn't have the tools to cover him so there was a wide margin of error. He might have gone up against only one or two above average defenses over an entire year in college. This won't be the case in the NFL where he'll have tight coverage and a corner all over him. The only routes where I believe he's got an edge on LaFell is on routes that require a lot speed to get to the right spot at the right time. Creating separation will be super important for Ross' route running given his size. Maybe he's learned from TJ.
C. An area of definite concern. If his blocking is weak then this could limit his use to 3 and 4 WR sets where he's in a spot where limited blocking is required. LaFell is decent in this area.
D. Overall I don't have much concern in this area. But I don't have a concern for LaFell in this area either.

So, think that LaFell will beat out Ross in training camp simply by being the better all around WR over those 4 areas, barring injury of course.


The good news for Ross is that none of the other young WRs have done much or stepped up either. So the main guy to beat is LaFell. Maybe Malone could make a run for playing time.

I've all but given up on Boyd.