Cowboys release Ross?

[McFly41]

Is this true?! A buddy just IM'd me saying they let Ross go to make room for some no-name RB, Eric Bickerstaff.

That gets a huge WTF!???

If true, we need to get on the phone w/ his agent!!!

 

[Clay]

Who's Ross?

 

[magnus]

Derek Ross, aaverage CB and outstanding return man

Parcells is nutty with his roster lately.

 

[The Brain]

Originally posted by McFly41
Is this true?! A buddy just IM'd me saying they let Ross go to make room for some no-name RB, Eric Bickerstaff.

That gets a huge WTF!???

If true, we need to get on the phone w/ his agent!!!

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=3855B6F4-F030-21D8-86C3391A657B7A4C

Cowboys Cut Derek Ross

DallasCowboys.com
December 2, 2003, 1:25 p.m. (CST)

IRVING, Texas - On the week leading up to their biggest game of the season, the Cowboys made the most surprising personnel move of the year, releasing second-year cornerback Derek Ross.

The Cowboys did not disclosed specific reasons for his release since head coach Bill Parcells was not scheduled to speak to the media on Tuesday, but obviously Ross' release had to do with reasons other than football-related.

Ross missed Friday's morning run following the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dolphins. He also did not attend the team's annual hospital visits in Dallas and Fort Worth Monday morning, likely the final straws in what has been a brewing tug-of-war between the team's third cornerback and the head coach ever since training camp.

Ross has been involved in a series of minor incidents during his two-year career in Dallas, including a curfew violation before this summer's preseason game in Pittsburgh and one to close out the season last year at Washington. The second-year corner from Ohio State did not start the Pittsburgh game and then injured his right knee that night. Ross already was out with a hip injury for last year's Washington game.

The knee injury also created issues with Ross and Parcells. There was a decision for Ross to either have his torn cartilage removed or repaired. Had he chosen to repair the cartilage, he would've been out for the season. Instead, Ross ended up having the damaged cartilage removed. The rehabilitation was diagnosed to be 4-6 weeks.

But Ross didn't return until the sixth week of the season, some eight weeks after the injury, and there was a feeling Parcells was worried more about football issues at the time with Ross rather than health ones.

Ross, who started nine games his rookie season, has not started a game this year at cornerback. But held two highly-responsible jobs as the slot corner on the nickel defense and returning kickoffs.

Second-year corner Pete Hunter, who played in the slot the first four games when Ross was rehabilitating from knee surgery, is expected to replace him this week against the Eagles on the nickel defense. Second-year Andrew Davison also is expected to get snaps in practice, and could get a look against the Eagles.

"It's a surprise to all of us," Hunter said. "You hate to lose a guy like Ross. He's such a talented player. I don't know exactly how things are going to go. But I know we all have to step up our play."

The Cowboys will likely use rookie wide receiver Zuriel Smith or running back Aveion Cason to return kickoffs, along with rookie running back Erik Bickerstaff, who was signed to the 53-man roster to take Ross' place. Smith has been inactive for five of the past six games, but does have the team's longest return of the season, a 52-yarder against the Eagles that led to Billy Cundiff's winning field goal in the 23-21 win on Oct. 12.

The Cowboys also signed rookie running back ReShard Lee to replace Bickerstaff on the practice squad. Lee was with the team in training camp before spraining his MCL in his right knee, resulting in an injury settlement. He recently worked out for the team.

 

[McFly41]

Monica's brother on Friends...

Derek Ross one of the Cowboys young gun CB's. A second round pick 2 years a go (I think). If they were going to let one of them go I would expect Edwards...I can smell that dude from here.

 

[The Brain]

21 Ross, Derek RCB 5-10 197 2 Ohio State
Player Profile


PRO: It is rare for a rookie cornerback to enter the NFL and have a dramatic impact on the overall production of a defensive unit, but third-round draft choice Derek Ross did just that as a first year pro in Dallas in 2002. He led all NFL rookie corners in interceptions with five, while proving to be the type of physical run stopper that can make a difference in any situation in a game. Ross has a solid physical build to go along with a naturally aggressive style of play. He has an instinctive knack for being around the ball, and he has displayed no signs of being overwhelmed or intimidated by some of the NFL's elite receivers. He is still raw and unpolished in many aspects of his development, but Ross possesses all of the tools - including a competitive temperament - to be a solid corner in the NFL for years to come.

2002: If nothing else, Ross established a league-wide reputation as a rookie playmaker in his first season in Dallas. He led all NFL rookie cornerbacks in interceptions with five, tying for 10th among all NFL defensive backs. His five interceptions were the most by a Dallas rookie since 1981 when Everson Walls recorded 11 and Michael Downs had seven. Rookie safeties Roy Williams and Ed Reed (Baltimore) also had five interceptions in 2002. In addition to tying for the team lead in interceptions, Ross also led the Cowboys in passes broken up with 12. Although he missed the final two games of the year with a hip contusion, Ross was Dallas' ninth leading tackler with 67 stops. Ross was one of only four starting rookie corners in the league in 2002, and only one of those starters was drafted higher than Ross. He finished a stellar season by earning All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly. He made his NFL debut in the season opener at Houston (9/8), where he registered one special teams tackle. In the following week's win over Tennessee (9/15), he saw action in the second quarter at left cornerback due to injuries and broke up one pass. He finished the day leading the team in special teams tackles with three, including one of Derrick Mason for a three yard loss on a punt return. He took over for Duane Hawthorne (strained hamstring) at Philadelphia (9/22) mid-way through the third quarter and recorded one tackle and broke up a pass. He earned his first NFL start the following week at St. Louis (9/29), replacing the injured Hawthorne at left cornerback and finishing second on the team with nine tackles. He started the following week against the Giants (10/6) and responded with seven tackles, two pass deflections and his first career interception. In the 14-13 win over Carolina (10/13), Ross registered six tackles and broke up a pass. After three consecutive starts in place of the injured Hawthorne, Ross returned to the sideline at Arizona (10/20) as Hawthorne moved back into the starting lineup at left cornerback. Ross recorded one special teams tackle against the Cardinals. In the loss to Seattle (10/27) Ross played inside in the nickel package and recorded his second interception of the season. He returned to the starting lineup at Detroit (11/3) and picked off two Joey Harrington passes. It was the first time a Dallas rookie had recorded multiple interceptions in a game since Everson Walls did so against Buffalo on Nov. 9, 1981. He also broke up another pass and added five tackles on the day as the Lions were limited to 96 net yards passing, including a long pass of 13 yards. In the loss at Indianapolis (11/17), Ross recorded a career-high 13 tackles, marking the most tackles by a Dallas cornerback since game-by-game records were kept beginning in 1984. In the win over Jacksonville (11/24), he recorded four tackles, a tackle for a loss and broke up a pass while helping limit the Jags to 194 net yards passing, including a 9.5-yards-per-catch average and just one pass over 20 yards by the Jags three wide receivers. In the Thanksgiving Day win over Washington (11/28), Ross recorded his team leading fifth interception of the season and broke up two passes. He finished the day second on the team with eight tackles as the Redskins were limited to 121 yards on eight second half possessions. In the following week's loss to San Francisco (12/8), he tallied nine tackles and helped limit San Francisco to 17 points through the first 50 minutes of the game before suffering a bruised left hip. The injury kept him out of the final 10 minutes of the game. After missing the week of practice leading up to the loss at the N.Y. Giants (12/15), Ross started the game and responded with four tackles. He then sat out the Philadelphia (12/21) and Washington (12/29) games with lingering problems from his hip contusion.

COLLEGE: In just one season as a starter at Ohio State, Ross emerged as one of the top corners in the college game. As a senior, he earned All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection while starting all season at weakside cornerback. His seven interceptions ranked among the nation's leaders, and his big-play ability allowed him to bring those picks back for 194 yards and a touchdown. His 217 career yards in interception returns ranks fourth on the school's all-time list. He finished his career with 91 tackles and three blocked punts. His seven pass thefts in 2001 ranked fifth on the school's single-season charts, while his 194 yards set a Buckeye record. In addition, Ross recorded 41 tackles, including three stops behind the line of scrimmage, and a sack. Ross spent most of his junior season as the team's third cornerback while excelling on special teams. He recorded 37 tackles and intercepted two passes.

PERSONAL: Ross was an all-state quarterback and the South Carolina Offensive Player of the Year while starring at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C. Northwestern finished second in the state his senior year with a 12-3 record. Excelling on both sides of the ball, Ross had 15 interceptions for his career as a cornerback and totaled 25 touchdowns as a junior. In 2003, Ross was the recipient of the Torch Award give by the Urban League of Greater Dallas for his off the field contributions to the community. As a member of the Cowboys 2002 Rookie Club - a program designed to introduce rookie team member to community service in the Dallas area - Ross participated in monthly charity visits to non-profit organizations serving children. He majored in criminology at Ohio State.

 

[magnus]

Edwards was starting though, right? I mean it makes no sense but they'd cut the young backup before the older starter.

I'd pick him up, if for nothing other than the return ability. We gotta find somebody to do this crap that isn't starting at receiver.

 

[The Brain]

Originally posted by magnus
Edwards was starting though, right? I mean it makes no sense but they'd cut the young backup before the older starter.

I'd pick him up, if for nothing other than the return ability. We gotta find somebody to do this crap that isn't starting at receiver.

hell I'd start his ass over Reggie Howard

 

[McFly41]

Originally posted by magnus
Edwards was starting though, right? I mean it makes no sense but they'd cut the young backup before the older starter.

I'd pick him up, if for nothing other than the return ability. We gotta find somebody to do this crap that isn't starting at receiver.

How many miles of Pass Interference has Edwards accumulated this year? That's what I was refering to. The guy can grab, but he cain't cover poop with toilet paper.

 

[The Brain]

Originally posted by The Brain
PERSONAL: Ross was an all-state quarterback and the South Carolina Offensive Player of the Year while starring at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, S.C.

hmmmmmmmmmm......