Third overall defense

yeah.

And that might've been noticed had Gross performed, at any point before the draft, against top notch competition.

 

Gross didn't have that problem during his rookie season, however, so it's not as if this was something that plagued him all along and was just missed by the scouting staff. Moreover, Gross did just fine when playing against top competition in college. Utah didn't play many good teams, but they played some. It's puzzling that we can't even get him back to where he was as a rookie, but I guess I can still hope that they will.

 

I remember one of my first impressions of preseason tape in 03 being that Gross takes big drops.

I noted it here:
http://thisboardrocks.com/forum/showpost.php?p=554552&postcount=61

Agreed, though what I meant was that he didn't work out against his peers in workouts, senior bowl, combine, any of it. I should've worked to be more clear.

 

Ah, ok. Good eye. It is curious that we haven't done more to break that habit.

 

everybody and his brother was noting that ... but good call. agree with Collin that's it's weird that's it's becoming more of a problem instead of less. methinks he needs to eat more potatoes this offseason

 

He's never been strong for a tackle, but I don't think that's his problem because he tends to do just fine whenever he actually anchors. Instead I think we just need someone to stomp on his scrotum before every game.

 

Gross doesn't have strength problems. Hell, he doesn't have technique problems. He just gives up space on the snap. It's like he's either overestimating the drop he needs, or he's bound and determined that the end isn't going to cross his face for anything.

 

Smitty-approved IcyHot. :xyzthumbs