John Ross Haters

[*SHRacerX*]

(09-11-2019, 04:08 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Let's count them.

1. Marvin hates him (I think he clearly did not like his drafting at all...I wouldn't call that bogus)
2. He's really a rookie (used for 2 seasons and even this off-season)=- He has played in 17 games, that is one more than a rookie season.
3. QB is incompetent  (used to explain the 35% catch percentage) - ignores that Green and Boyd didn't experience this problem. Now this one could apply to Driskel, but at that same time Boyd didn't have a problem. (The bad oline and Driskel's accuracy were a bad combination for Ross and the way he was used was the trifecta...not bogus at all)
4. Marvin doesn't know how to use WRs (completely ignores all the very, very good WRs who have come through here in the last 16 years)- I think people said Marv didn't know how to use Ross, not all WRs.  And there is some legitimate concerns there...not bogus.  
5. He's injured (used repeatedly even when he wasn't)- I don't understand how this is bogus when he was scratched.
6. His average target distance was 14 yards (used to explain the 35% catch percentage) - ignores that AJ's were only 4 feet shorter and all WRs in the NFL with longer average target distance had a better catch percentage.  I didn't hear this one, but I would call that bogus...So there's one.  
7. Balls are uncatchable (ignores that he was having route running problems and wasn't in the right spot and ignores that Dalton is a fairly accurate QB and ignores that Boyd and Green didn't experience the same problem)- He was underthrown on a number...not bogus.  And no one said all were uncatchable.  You're reaching here.  
8. He's not getting any opportunities and playing time (which was completely untrue last season)-  Running 9 routes between the 20s and only being used as a target in the red zone was a legitimate concern.  Not bogus. 

The fact is that he has improved this season. A LOT. Whatever the cause of the improvement, coaching, play design, extra work in the off-season, a combination of all those, it doesn't really matter. He has improved a lot and I'm happy to see it. It's bad for a team with a top 10 picks flops, even in their first season. Gotta get those high picks contributing.

Did I doubt that he'd ever really get it? Yes, I did. Seen guys come and go over the years. One good college season and a big flop in the NFL.

Did I underestimate what ZT could bring to the offense? Yes, by quite a bit. But I also see the poor running game as an Achilles Heal for this team presently. It has to get better.

Look, I'm happy that he's come along. The team needed him to step up and he did on Sunday. He did surprise me. I was prepared to be disappointed again.