08-13-2019, 11:12 AM
(08-13-2019, 10:46 AM)ochocincos Wrote: It would make sense to use Ross in that Adam Jones return role, which is when the team could use a more electric returner who could take it to the house on occasion. Erickson is what he is - consistent, but he's not really a home run threat.My understanding of this scheme is, there is no traditional Wr positions. If I remembering correctly, AJ or Boyd saying something like, we have to know every receiver's route on every play. Boyd might line up outside and AJ in the slot, which would be a DB's nightmare, stuff like that.
It's worth noting that Taylor might have a vision to use Ross like the Rams used Cooks last year. Cooks is near identical size to Ross and also speedy.
Interesting thing about Cooks is he's used as both a deep threat but also in the slot a lot as a YAC guy. Ross should be used the same.
For more specifics (got these numbers from rotowire.com)....
Cooks 2018 usage:
Slot - 584 plays (49%)
Outside - 382 plays (32%)
Ross 2018 usage:
Slot - 149 plays (24.7%)
Outside - 443 plays (73.5%) - THE MOST OUTSIDE PLAYS ON THE TEAM
The problem the Bengals have right now is Boyd is the primary slot guy and where he's been (way) more productive. Boyd had 77.8% of his plays from the slot. And prior to this year, the Bengals liked to often have two receivers outside and only one slot WR. However, there's nothing stopping the Bengals from using two WRs in the slot on plays, just like the Rams did last year with both Cooks and Woods.
