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Why wouldn't Gross be a good fit at WDE?

Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:14 pm
Posted by Chawboy
Texas
Member since Feb 2013
1013 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:14 pm
Serious question.

You know Gross is in the game even without looking at jersey numbers when you see our NT firing out of his stance a quarter second faster than everyone else on the D Line or O Line. I would think that Gross's fast reaction time and quick first step would make him a nightmare for any LT to block.

I realize he doesn't have prototypical size for a DE -- he's too short and doesn't have long arms -- but he's awfully light to be playing NT, too, and he might get pounded on less as a DE and spend less time injured.

Posted by OBReb6
Memphissippi
Member since Jul 2010
41553 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:20 pm to
He's much more valuable doing exactly what he's been doing.
Posted by Whereisomaha
Member since Feb 2010
17939 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:26 pm to
quote:

He's much more valuable doing exactly what he's been doing.

Yeah, his first step is more effective against a guard who has his hand on the ground than a tackle standing up. You need length to be an effective pass rushing end too.
Posted by Ole Colonel 27
Member since Oct 2011
2499 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:35 pm to
My question would be why does RN not play inside more. He has the push but just not quite the speed off the end.
Posted by Billy Mays
Member since Jan 2009
25745 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:37 pm to
Ole Miss fans love to try to mold Gross into something else, whether it's his position and/or weight. I think he's already proven to be a good player doing what he is doing at his size - he's our best DL.

FWIW, I suspect to be reading these same posts for the next 2 1/2 years
Posted by Whereisomaha
Member since Feb 2010
17939 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:38 pm to
At first, it's hard to put the #1 player at a position, at another position. We figured he wasnt getting pressure because he hadnt developed his pass rushing moves yet and by game three when he hadnt we moved him inside. The only reason he was moved back outside some was because we dont have any DE's. Next year he will be mostly inside. He is a prototypical 3-4 DE, so he will still have his outside positioning some, but next year once we add Fadol and CJ is back healthy, Big Rob will play more inside.
This post was edited on 10/21/13 at 3:39 pm
Posted by Whereisomaha
Member since Feb 2010
17939 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:41 pm to
He's got a good shot at playing at 270-280lb by the time he graduates. That's plenty big for what he's able to do at 255lb. Then people will say, I wonder how great Issac would have been at 300lbs. Eventually he wont have what makes him special by getting bigger.
Posted by Chawboy
Texas
Member since Feb 2013
1013 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:44 pm to
Don't get me wrong, Gross is one of my favorite players. He spends a lot of time hurt, though, and I've read -- maybe just idle speculation -- that it has something to do with his size. Maybe it's just been bad luck. It's a violent game and people just get hurt sometimes.
Posted by Whereisomaha
Member since Feb 2010
17939 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

He spends a lot of time hurt, though, and I've read -- maybe just idle speculation -- that it has something to do with his size.

Thats what the coaches and he has actually said. That most of his injuries are due to getting beat up physically due to this size. Has to be the toughest mofo on the entire team.
Posted by Ole Colonel 27
Member since Oct 2011
2499 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 3:49 pm to
Thank you WIO. Very knowledgable and informative.
Posted by WmWallace
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
1820 posts
Posted on 10/21/13 at 5:20 pm to
His "get off" is impressive..dude would do well wherever we played him
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