Tyler Boyd knows all about breakout seasons.
After all, Boyd erupted for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 despite A.J. Green missing time, a poor offensive line and the starting quarterback going down.
So Boyd’s advice to Ross is simple: Stop thinking.
“With John, he’s still thinking,” Boyd said, according to Michael LaPlaca of Bengals.com. “He’s thinking and then he reacts. I feel like once he gets comfortable and makes plays, he’ll be fine. He’s just got to cut it loose. He’s a great player. He runs his routes clean and he’s the fastest guy in the league. Once it comes to him and he can just react, it’ll be like a hot knife through butter.”
That makes plenty of sense in writing. Ross is one of the fastest players in the league, but it doesn’t matter much if he slowing down in the middle of things to think. It doesn’t matter if he’s not getting going and beating players off the snap because he’s hesitant.
With Ross, injuries haven’t helped either. But he at least has a good example in Boyd, who struggled for two years like most wideouts seem to do these days, then put up 1,028 yards and seven scores last season despite the poor surroundings.
Heading into his third season, Ross seems healthy and has the added bonus of an offensive-minded coach and what should be an improved offensive line. If he can heed Boyd’s advice, Ross might be next on the breakout list.
