Alex Ross

[BawlzDeep]

Does anyone know if he is injured? He hasn't appeared very aggressive on kick offs. In the Iowa State game, he really seemed out of sorts. Is it blocking or have other teams really gotten that much better on coverage? I would love to see him break a nice run soon.

 

[Schoonerman]

Well, he was our leading rusher vs. KSU and he got a few touches vs. KU and ISU, but kickoffs this season have not really given him an opportunity to shine. It's not because he's not aggressive, not runningh hard, etc., but I think that he's not getting the blocking he needs on special teams to be a threat everytime he touches the ball. Besides, if we don't see Alex returning too many kickoffs, then that is a good thing becuase it means the opponents are not scoring on us!!!

 

[BillyRay]

Besides, if we don't see Alex returning too many kickoffs, then that is a good thing becuase it means the opponents are not scoring on us!!!

Lol ya I was gonna say something similar to this. OU hasn't really received a huge number of kickoffs lately. Maybe it's causing the kickoff return team to get rusty. lol

 

[humblesooner]

I think the KSU game answers the injury question.
The rest of the equation is answered by him not being in the rotation at RB, even before Perine and Mixon came on the scene.
It has been said several times that he doesn't move well side to side, but has break away speed if he can get a straight ahead hole.
We aren't fielding many kickoffs and those straight ahead holes don't materialize often. Usually, you have to go find them.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I think the KSU game answers the injury question.
The rest of the equation is answered by him not being in the rotation at RB, even before Perine and Mixon came on the scene.
It has been said several times that he doesn't move well side to side, but has break away speed if he can get a straight ahead hole.
We aren't fielding many kickoffs and those straight ahead holes don't materialize often. Usually, you have to go find them.

Yep, several things going on here.
Moving the initial line of scrimmage to the 25 yard line is one.
Kickers, and a lot of them kicking into and sometimes beyond the end zone.

100 yards kick returns are fun to watch but, they aren't as practical and as percentage smart as they used to be, even two years ago.

 

[Got Rings?]

Does anyone know if he is injured? He hasn't appeared very aggressive on kick offs. In the Iowa State game, he really seemed out of sorts. Is it blocking or have other teams really gotten that much better on coverage? I would love to see him break a nice run soon.

I agree with you Bawlz. I noticed that he seemed to be running very timidly on kick returns and he almost never runs that way. It looked very odd and out of sorts.

 

[Senior Sooner]

I noticed that, as well. When he did catch one, I was surprised that it was such a non-event. I wondered if he was injured...physically, or even emotionally, from lack of playing time...He looked 'defeated' to me...

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I noticed that, as well. When he did catch one, I was surprised that it was such a non-event. I wondered if he was injured...physically, or even emotionally, from lack of playing time...He looked 'defeated' to me...

Oh yeah, it's entirely possible Ross, being reduced to third or fourth in the line up doesn't have the same fire as when he was a starter. It shouldn't, but it does happen.

 

[soonermade]

Ross has never had any moves, he's a straight line runner so if there aren't any holes, he isn't going anywhere and he doesn't seem to have great vision either. I'm sure we have much better options, but he's the one they want back there.