James Ross invited to Ravens minicamp

Submitted by Michigan Eaglet on

Per Josh Henschke and confirmed by James' dad (I played with Ross in high school so I'm still in touch with him and his family) James Ross was invited to the Ravens minicamp for an official tryout. Great to see another Wolverine getting the chance to make an NFL roster and shows that Harbaugh connection paying dividends. Hopefully he'll make the squad and play alongside Willie Henry and a certain death stare to cause havoc.

Link

Perkis-Size Me

May 1st, 2016 at 5:21 PM ^

Great to hear.

I remember watching him play his freshman year and he looked so damn good. He looked like he'd become the next great Michigan linebacker. It's a bummer he never seemed to fully regain that form, but I hope he earns a roster spot.




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PopeLando

May 1st, 2016 at 5:31 PM ^

My memory of Ross is that he was amazing at diagnosing a play, but average to slightly above avergae at making the stop. Accurate?

dragonchild

May 2nd, 2016 at 6:16 AM ^

Ross came up with amazing stops; he didn't look that big (kind of relative when you play near linemen I guess) but on edge runs he had a nose for the ball.  If he sniffed it he'd annihilate the guy in front of him -- OL, TE, FB, RB, didn't matter -- and then tackle the ball carrier in traffic.  When defending a zone stretch or option he looked like a bona fide playmaker.

The problem was that the defense evolved in a way that didn't really suit his style, putting Peppers on the edge and moving him around.  While I don't remember him making any big mental mistakes in coverage or on inside runs, asking him to be a DE or ILB when his forte was wreaking havoc on runs to the sideline was asking him to make plays he's not great at, which come to think of it might be why you remember him that way.

Lie-Cheat-Steal

May 1st, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^

of the players selected are already a crap shoot.  Especially as you get into the later rounds and free agency, where very little differentiates one player from another, getting an opportunity has a lot to do with luck and connections.  This is a pure Harbaugh driven opportunity, and hopefully it works out for Ross.

I'm sure this is a huge selling point for future recruits.  Work hard, do things right, and if you are a borderline NFL prospect, you will at worst get a tryout through my NFL connections...one of whom is my brother.

CLord

May 1st, 2016 at 6:34 PM ^

Officially adding the Ravens to my fave teams section, finally.  Behind Lions/Rams/Pats (as long as Tom Terrific is under center).

FolkstyleCoach

May 1st, 2016 at 8:24 PM ^

Ed Reed was the only reason I needed to cheer for the Ravens. He's probably my favorite NFL player of all time. I love the Steelers too, I'd play my ass off for Tomlin. Lions, unfortunately, will always be my first love.




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LBSS

May 2nd, 2016 at 10:07 AM ^

I loved Ed Reed, too, but watching him always made me sad about Sean Taylor and what could have been. HE was my favorite defensive player to watch of all time. And only a few offensive guys have been as or more fun in the 15 or so years I've been an active football fan: Randy Moss, Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, maybe a couple others.

FolkstyleCoach

May 3rd, 2016 at 7:26 AM ^

a close second, RIP. Did he have the ball hawking interception skills that Reed had? I know they both played like human missles in run support, but did Taylor have the return and ball skills Reed had?

1VaBlue1

May 1st, 2016 at 8:26 PM ^

I've been hoping for that for two years now! Would love to see John replace Caldwell, because he's got this year. I cannot see him remaining in Detroit beyond next year. Not worried that Quinn kept him for this year. He's solid, if unspectacular, and there was nobody available that was a clear upgrade. There was so much more to worry about, so much more low hanging fruit to clean up first...