greg63
06-02-2007, 10:35 AM
His Chances of making the team are long at best, but I'm rooting for the kid; I like him he's got talent and a great attitude.
Europe's best aiming to become Chief factor
He's a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/page/KC). He will lead the league in rushing. He will lead the league in carries. And his name is not Larry Johnson (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396164).
So let's see a show of hands. How many out there ever heard of ... Derrick Ross (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1109987) ?
I'm right there with you. Which is one reason I wanted to find out how a little-known running back from Tarleton State, a Division II school in Texas, could make the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie and go on to lead this year's NFL Europe in rushing, carries and yards from scrimmage.
"A lot of hard work," said Ross. "I guess I just want it."
Well, he's got it, all right, and I'm not talking about a successful spring that has him producing big numbers in all the right places, including 109 yards rushing in the first half of last weekend's win. I'm talking about what's next for Ross, which is reporting to the Chiefs' training camp.
It's hard enough to make a 53-man NFL roster, but look at the position Ross plays. He has to line up behind Johnson, Michael Bennett (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/235196) and fifth-round draft pick Kolby Smith (http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/players/playerpage/436530) and hope to catch someone's attention.
Two words for Derrick Ross: Good luck.
"That's OK," said Ross. "Just watching the guys in front of me will only help me get better."
Now, how can you not like that response? I guess that's why I just enrolled in the Derrick Ross Fan Club. I know the odds are against him making it as a running back in Kansas City, but so does Ross. And you know something? He's not fazed. In fact, that's why he's playing football in Cologne, Germany.
Ross had never been to Germany before this spring. He'd never been to Europe, either. In fact, he'd never been out of the United States. But he welcomed the chance to participate in NFL Europe because he had something to prove to Kansas City and any other NFL club that might be watching him.
"I wanted to show the Chiefs I can play running back," he said. "I know I come from a small school, but I wanted to show them I can play in this league."
I'd say that ship has sailed. Ross has 20 or more carries in six of Cologne's seven games, and while his 3.8-yards per-carry average isn't overwhelming, his totals are. He has 259 more yards than the closest running back and 220 more yards from scrimmage. He also has three 100-yard games.
But that's not why I like this guy. What I like most about him is his resilience, his honesty and his determination. OK, so it doesn't hurt that he's courteous, making sure to mention his offensive line and the team's coaching staff every time he's asked to talk about his success.
Europe's best aiming to become Chief factor
He's a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/page/KC). He will lead the league in rushing. He will lead the league in carries. And his name is not Larry Johnson (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396164).
So let's see a show of hands. How many out there ever heard of ... Derrick Ross (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1109987) ?
I'm right there with you. Which is one reason I wanted to find out how a little-known running back from Tarleton State, a Division II school in Texas, could make the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie and go on to lead this year's NFL Europe in rushing, carries and yards from scrimmage.
"A lot of hard work," said Ross. "I guess I just want it."
Well, he's got it, all right, and I'm not talking about a successful spring that has him producing big numbers in all the right places, including 109 yards rushing in the first half of last weekend's win. I'm talking about what's next for Ross, which is reporting to the Chiefs' training camp.
It's hard enough to make a 53-man NFL roster, but look at the position Ross plays. He has to line up behind Johnson, Michael Bennett (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/players/playerpage/235196) and fifth-round draft pick Kolby Smith (http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/players/playerpage/436530) and hope to catch someone's attention.
Two words for Derrick Ross: Good luck.
"That's OK," said Ross. "Just watching the guys in front of me will only help me get better."
Now, how can you not like that response? I guess that's why I just enrolled in the Derrick Ross Fan Club. I know the odds are against him making it as a running back in Kansas City, but so does Ross. And you know something? He's not fazed. In fact, that's why he's playing football in Cologne, Germany.
Ross had never been to Germany before this spring. He'd never been to Europe, either. In fact, he'd never been out of the United States. But he welcomed the chance to participate in NFL Europe because he had something to prove to Kansas City and any other NFL club that might be watching him.
"I wanted to show the Chiefs I can play running back," he said. "I know I come from a small school, but I wanted to show them I can play in this league."
I'd say that ship has sailed. Ross has 20 or more carries in six of Cologne's seven games, and while his 3.8-yards per-carry average isn't overwhelming, his totals are. He has 259 more yards than the closest running back and 220 more yards from scrimmage. He also has three 100-yard games.
But that's not why I like this guy. What I like most about him is his resilience, his honesty and his determination. OK, so it doesn't hurt that he's courteous, making sure to mention his offensive line and the team's coaching staff every time he's asked to talk about his success.