Question for Plaino...

[CTOkie]

Why hasn't Alex Ross become a good running back ?
My opinion is that he just doesn't like running in traffic and is not a physical player.....but that can't be why OU recruited him. He was a 4-star recruit and was rated among the best high school backs his senior year, even though he played linebacker as well, which may answer my question to some degree.
His kickoff returns have been very good as he isn't receiving the ball in a crowd and therefore has room to scope out the coverage in front of him. I do not think he prefers punt returns, with opposing players bearing down on him.
He's now just a kickoff returner and garbage time back. I cannot imagine the coaches are satisfied overall with him outside of a couple of kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2014 and a 90 yarder against OSU last year, all three returns were clutch plays in pressure situations.
It's great for Ross (and OU) that Perine and Mixon are around to carry the load, with young talent in Anderson and Adams waiting in the wings.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

They don't call me Plaino, but I doubt they expected a 220 lb back to hit the turf at first contact. Easy to run over and by everybody at the high school level.

Ross clearly doesn't like contact and he runs upright like a track runner, which I believe he used to be.

He's not the first talented guy to turn out to be a single skill set guy. He's a good kid and solid return guy.

 

[CTOkie]

They don't call me Plaino, but I doubt they expected a 220 lb back to hit the turf at first contact. Easy to run over and by everybody at the high school level.

Ross clearly doesn't like contact and he runs upright like a track runner, which I believe he used to be.

He's not the first talented guy to turn out to be a single skill set guy. He's a good kid and solid return guy.

Kind of what I said to begin with.
My point is that Ross's lack of running with any kind of power or physicality cannot be what OU bargained for three years ago.
I recall Plaino and I wondering two years ago how Ross would do as a linebacker, since he played that position well at Jenks.
Again, with Perine and Mixon ahead of him, I have no problem with Ross being ONLY an elite kickoff returner...I just wonder why he is not a better back. He ran for 600 yards his sophomore year, 82 of which came on a long TD rum vs Tulsa. I thought he might really put things together in his last two years, but his 172 yard output last year did not reflect this happening.

 

[Oklabama]

Kind of what I said to begin with.
My point is that Ross's lack of running with any kind of power or physicality cannot be what OU bargained for three years ago.
I recall Plaino and I wondering two years ago how Ross would do as a linebacker, since he played that position well at Jenks.
Again, with Perine and Mixon ahead of him, I have no problem with Ross being ONLY an elite kickoff returner...I just wonder why he is not a better back. He ran for 600 yards his sophomore year, 82 of which came on a long TD rum vs Tulsa. I thought he might really put things together in his last two years, but his 172 yard output last year did not reflect this happening.

I watched Ross play when he was at Jenks several times and was really high on him. I've posted how much I liked him and was looking forward to him breaking out as a RB. I am so disappointed in Alex, but I've missed on a 100+ school boys over years. To the point that I've basically forced myself to just "wait" and see what happens for the last couple of years. Alex Ross will always be one of my favorite high schoolers and I'm very happy he is a Sooner. I wish him good luck his senior season.

 

[Plainosooner]

Normally, I'd wonder about his vision. I think there are several factors. At least in high school, and perhaps even now, he was a really fast guy. State quality 100 and as I recall, especially 200 meters. When a guy like that at 210 or whatever his high school weight was, plays at one of the two or three big school programs in Oklahoma, I believe there is a pretty good chance that they can be a bit overrated. Sometimes, a little more than a bit.

There is that whole dynamic of kick off returns. I don't know if it takes great vision. It surely takes a good bit of courage. I just think that as a running back, he's not very good at that task. In kickoff returns, it's about seeing a gap and hitting it quickly and fearlessly. It's a lot lot different than punt returns. And different than being a running back.

I also stronglly suspect that Ross might be one of those guys who'd be better in a different backfield look. Not saying we should. I just don't think a one-back zone read look best fits his skill set. I don't think it would make him terrific, just better. The best tailback runner at OU since Billy Sims was Adrian Peterson. Adrian was way way better playing tailback deep behind the quarterback, than two yards on either side of the quarterback and roughly parallel to him. Going sideways and cruising for the hole isn't what he's great at. Being deep, building momentum and getting a chance to see the hole from a basic look, is a place where his speed and power, especially the latter, may bet maximized. It might be that way with Ross.

Ross has little wiggle. He doesn't cut well or quickly. This offense is even less suited to his strengths.

Ross has been a loyal player. And he's made some really important plays. His touchdown returns against Texas and West Virginia were game changers. He's been great at kickoff returns, before last season. I like the guy. I just don't think he's a good running back for what we're doing now. Wouldn't it have been interesting to maybe have had a linebacker who was also a terrific kickoff returner?