Ross If You Need Speed
February 28th, 2017
The answer for speed.
Yesterday, NFL draft guru Mike Mayock held his annual pre-combine teleconference, an exhaustive, thorough exercise that lasted well over an hour.
Now the Bucs need two things in a desperate way: a wide receiver and a running back. One could argue the team needs speed in the worst way.
If the Bucs are going to land a running back, then they better pray Baltimore, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Carolina drafting ahead of them in the first round look for talent elsewhere.
Likewise if the Bucs are looking for a receiver in the first round, they better start lighting candles the Eagles look elsewhere.
Just like the Bucs, the Eagles are hungry for speed on offense. A reporter yesterday asked Mayock about the Eagles and their quest for speed at receiver. Mayock’s answer may have just as well been about the Bucs, as he stated if a team needs a receiver with speed, Washington’s John Ross is the guy.
Well, there are three distinctly different guys left. And I think John Ross is intriguing to me from an Eagles perspective. So, again, he’s got some medical [issues]. I’m just saying talent. You take the medical off the board for a second. He’s probably the best I think that would help the rest of the Eagles underneath. They desperately need speed. If you’re talking about a guy that’s going to run 4.35, which I think he will, and he’s also really quick. For instance, Fuller, Will Fuller of Notre Dame, went in the middle of the first round last year, and he’s almost the same height and weight, and he ran 4.3 (indiscernible). I think this kid can run just as fast as Fuller, but I think he’s quicker and a better natural catcher than Fuller. So if you take the medical out of it and just say vertical stretch, quick, fast, good hands, he’s really intriguing, I think, as an Eagles prospect.
Again, insert “Bucs” for every “Eagles” reference and the answer is the same.
The question about Ross lingers: Is his injury background going to continue in the NFL and how much does that background drop him in the draft?
February 28th, 2017 at 8:06 am
I will say it again. If John Ross’ passes his medical checks, somebkdy will take him in round 1 and it very well could be the Bucs. IF he checks out medically.
I will also say this again. Carlos Henderson. If we don’t land John Ross for whatever reason, Henderson would be a great Day 2 pick. He will have a lot more buzz after the combine.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:14 am
Concerns, will he be the BPA for Bucs at 19, also meets a need, it just depends how the draft plays out, Bucs draft a receiver in the first three rounds regardless of what they do in free agency. But I like the idea of ME, Terell Pryor(or Josh Gordon), John Ross, Brate and Mike Tolbert on the field
February 28th, 2017 at 8:34 am
The great thing about this draft is it’s extremely deep at RB, WR and DE, so if an offensive or defensive lineman is higher on your board take him and pickup skill talent later, 1st round picks you’d like to be first year starters, taking the BPA regardless of position is the way to go
February 28th, 2017 at 8:36 am
That being said John Ross will not be the highest ranked player left at 19
February 28th, 2017 at 8:42 am
Just saying in his most comparable game against NFL caliber DBs was against bama and he got shut down, I know the whole team did but, it is a comparable measure as opposed to mike williams of clemson
February 28th, 2017 at 8:46 am
This year’s combine could be very interesting indeed. Will somebody pull a sub 4.3 40 like Chris Johnson? 4.24 is the official number to beat although some believe Bo Jackson ran a 4.12!!! Some think that’s more of an urban legend or that the measuring methods were different. Does it matter? 4.12 or anywhere even close to it just isn’t human. Bo knows! He was the true freak. Of course mention his name and we Buc fans have to weep.
There have been a half dozen sub 4.3’s run at the combine. If anybody does that this year they will cash in big time!!! Chris Johnson from ECU wasn’t that highly touted…projected to be a 2nd or 3rd rounder until he smoked that 4.24 which bumped him up to the first.
There are some players IMHO who could really benefit by popping a quick 40.
If McCaffery can run a low 4.4 he’ll probably go in the first round…and maybe to us…if he runs a 4.5…?????
February 28th, 2017 at 9:19 am
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO to a kid that young with multiple surgeries already!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2017 at 9:20 am
I fully understand the need for speed, but I would be more concerned with ability to cut, follow blockers, and find a hole. Straight line speed is great but watch Doug Martin get that first 15 yards (when he is well and able to play) he sees the field well but once in the open is usually caught from behind. Same example with Warrick Dunn. My personal preference in a RB is Donta Forman type, who has size and enough burst that makes him tough to bring down in space. A punishing runner. Good compliment to Rodgers. Ross brings the speed at WR but will he stay health?
February 28th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Hard pass on Ross. He’s already had major injuries to both knees and had microfracture surgery that all but guarantees a shortened NFL career and future problems due to cartilage loss. Not a good thing for an athlete whose best attribute is his speed.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:33 am
Agree with SB. I’m thinking he falls to round 2.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:39 am
Yeah mayock basically said it, “if you take the medical stuff away.”
If you don’t? Then John Ross aint worth picking. His knees are torn to bits, and he needs shoulder surgery after the combine.
So yeah…. Pass.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:01 am
He won’t have a very long career with those injuries.
After 5 years he won’t even be in the league.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:02 am
Blake, yea! It’s like saying “if you take the attitude stuff away from Ryan Leaf…”
February 28th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Boom Williams from Kentucky is said to be running sub 4.3 at IMG right now. Can he bring it on the day of the combine. Not a huge fan of Ross because of the injuries. Blake, BE75.. to add on, Martin is great if you take away the molly
February 28th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
my new favorite back not named Dalvin Cook tho may be Kareem Hunt. Still digging up film but he has serious vision and cuts. I also like Joe Williams from Utah in the 5th. Its amazing how much easier things get when you take QB off your need list.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Renee, Hunt is my boy! His balance is off the charts.
February 28th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Not with his injury history. Hell no.
February 28th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Ross just doesn’t wow me, even in his highlights….
February 28th, 2017 at 4:06 pm
tnew and Eric – I’m on the Kareem Hunt bandwagon as well – especially if he can be had in the 3rd round. Dude looks like a complete RB to me and would be a great value in the 3rd.
Instead of spending a 1st and 2nd on Dalvin Cook – the Bucs would be so much better off if they wind up with say:
1st rd – TE – OJ Howard (Bama) / or maybe WR Corey Davis if we got lucky
2nd rd – S – Budda Baker (Wash Huskies)
3rd rd – RB – Kareem Hunt – (Toledo)
4th rd – WR – Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M) – might have to move up to 3rd for Josh as his stock is probably rising though.
If we could come out of the draft with those 4 players and a couple other developmental prospects for the OL and DL – that would be one hell of a draft
February 28th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
NO! to injury prone Ross. We need a fast WR just not one with the injury history in college of Mr. Ross.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Good God. Just watched Carlos Henderson (LA Tech) highlights and was wondering how he’s not projected to go in early two and would love him for the Bucs. Someone give me info cus the only I’ve seen 4.4-40, 2016-82 rec, 1535 yds, avg. 18.7, lng 83, 19 tds.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:56 pm
Sign Terrell Pryor.
Sign Desean Jackson.
Draft Ross.
Resign V-Jax as Pryor’s and Evan’s backup/mentor.
Boom- We have 5 starting caliber receivers.
Keep Russell Shephard for special teams.
That would be one of the deepest WR cores in the NFL.
March 1st, 2017 at 2:11 am
Pickgrin…. I like it but after FA pickups:
RB – L. Murray and Keep Jaqquiz
WR- Tyrelle Prior (speed) and Britt (Solid, plus likes playing in Tampa, killed us)
I say we draft : Trade back with Cleveland who have a ton of picks for an extra 2nd and 4th and maybe a 7th as they will go Garrett #1 and best CB at #12.They want to get there QB Kizer from ND around 19th pick…ahead of Texans and KC who like him.
Bucs draft
2nd rd – TE – David Njoku, TE, Miami
2nd rd – S – obi melifonwu (UCONN) as Baker won’t last until early second
3rd rd – RB –D’Onta Foreman(Texas) Huge (soph) durable and better speed than martin
4th rd – WR – Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M) good hands and routes
4th rd – WR – Carlos Hendeerson (LaTech) great hands and speed
5th rd – OLB/ILB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin(Tennessee) fast thumper (will start)
6th rd – OT – Brad Seaton (Villanova) mamouth will replace Dotson in 18′
7th rd – C – Cameron Tom (Southern Miss) if this guy gains weight will play 10 years for the Bucs
7th Maybe – CB – Channing Stribling, Michigan Sleeper 6’2″ only 175lbs will take over for Grimes next year….more productive than Lewis his only year starting
That makes us stronger on D and gives Jamies weapons and speed to grow with over the next 5 years…