The Cincinnati Bengals passing on wide receivers in last weeks draft is a message from head coach Zac Taylor that they trust their current crop. This was not the first reinforcement this off season of the team's belief in the position overall and specifically John Ross. Taylor refuted rumors of trade for the speedy young wide-out letting us know he is here to stay.
Coach T. called the former first-round pick in late February when it was reported by national outlets that the Bengals were considering trade offers involving Ross on the eve of the NFL Combine. Initially, though, Ross didn't answer the phone.
"I was getting so many calls, and I was missing all the calls, so I think everyone thought I was mad and stuff like that," Ross said. "I was actually at the dentist."
Ross said his agent thought the rumors may have been true. It was the first weeks of Taylor's tenure and the new staff had just been pulled together and set in stone, so anything felt possible until Taylor swatted down the reports. He eventually got in touch Ross as well letting the youngin know he was safe in Cincy.
"That was a sign of relief," Ross said. "For him to call and let me know, I appreciated that just because you never know. You could be here one day and gone the next."
Ross and the wide receivers' unit received further comfort during the draft when the Bengals didn't use one of their ten picks on a receiver.
"We have talent in that room, and so we’re really going to call on those guys to step up," Taylor said. "We’re really going to challenge those guys and some guys have proven it and some guys are ready to take the next."
This is great news. There are a ton of Ross haters out there but if we continue to hone his skills this speed demon can really be an incredible weapon for Andy and the offense. We are very excited to see John in the 2019/20 season, are you?
WHODEY
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