Why The Cincinnati Bengals will love Washington Huskies WR John Ross
By Bret Stuter
The NFL just invited a Washington Huskies player to their ranks. Here’s why the Cincinnati Bengals will love John Ross
The University of Washington Huskies are an NFL player assembly line under head coach Chris Petersen. The team simply does not look to the stars: either in recruits or in production on the field. What Coach Petersen insists upon is contribution. What he got from the legs and hands of wide receiver John Ross is nothing short of spectacular.
After battling injuries which limited his play in both 2014 and 2015, he had a breakout season for the Huskies in 2016, where he pulled in 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. That helped propel the team’s offense, along with a strong running game, into the NCAA playoffs. Now, that production will find its way to the NFL.
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What the Cincinnati Bengals will love about WR John Ross
The Washington Huskies Ross is fast, incredibly fast. You could plainly see on the field that he was the fastest player in the passing game. But unlike many such players with incredible linear speed, he is a solid route runner. He has great instincts, when to blaze, and when to gallop. His routes are crisp, and he is very good using moves to set up defensive backs for later in the game.
He can double move, and run routes like an off-speed pitch. Then, when the play calls for him to be 66 yards downfield, he hits the highway and races under the ball for the score.
But the most underrated aspect of Ross is his hands. He was routinely snagging passes with one hand, positioning himself for a great fade route, or simply going up high and bringing in the pigskin.
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From the moment Ross takes the field, the defense must dedicate two defenders to neutralize that speed. That will place tremendous pressure on the defense to run either a nickel or dime defensive package.
As a result, the other receivers will have more daylight. To that, so will the running game. His presence dictates the defense. Cincinnati Bengals fans will love that.
What the Cincinnati Bengals will need to work on with WR John Ross
No NFL rookie is foolproof. Wide receiver is a particularly difficult position to star at from day one on. Despite Ross’s speed and gifts, he will need to work out with the Bengals for some time before quarterback Andy Dalton can truly gauge just how far Ross can run in his routes.
That will limit Ross’s initial impact on the team. It’s not a weakness by any means, simply the natural familiarization that happens when a rookie joins an established NFL team.
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Ross will need to bulk up. Ideally, a playing weight just shy of 200 pounds will ensure a long NFL career perhaps in the 190-195 pound range. That extra muscle will not only help him throw off pesky defensive backs, but will give him a better mass for run blocking.
Why this pick is such a good fit
In the end, this is an excellent fit. Wide receiver John Ross brings a dimension to the NFL that few others even approach. His speed is already recorded in the NFL record books. But Ross is more than speed. He is the NFL defensive coach’s worst nightmare.
He is faster than anyone. He can run the routes and catch the ball. In short, to defend him, the defense must leave another player unaccounted for. Or, the defenders can roll the dice, and give the Bengals, and Ross, an advantage.
The Bengals need a boost to their 2016 offensive production. The team ranked 13th overall, and just 15th on passing offense. With a defense rated 17th overall and 11th on passing, the team has an uphill climb to the playoffs. Now, that offense got a boost. And with that, the defense will reap the benefit of playing with the lead in the 2017 season.
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No one player can turn a team into a Superbowl winner. But John Ross may be getting the Cincinnati Bengals that much closer.