By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer
Determination is a strong trait found in those who are willing to kick back in the face of adversity even when the odds are stacked against them.
It was never in short supply for Giants rookie defensive back Aaron Ross when hobbled with a right shoulder injury versus the Cowboys last Sunday.
Having already checked out of the game during the first half of the playoff contest in order to get x-rays on his bruised shoulder, the San Antonio, Texas native went out there again in the third quarter and put his season on the line when pursuing hard-charging running back Marion Barber in the third quarter. The Cowboy Brahma bull had broken loose by finding an outside lane which had game-breaking play written all over it…until Ross went low and leveled Barber with what could’ve been a game-saving stop.
Ross aggravated the balky shoulder in the process, but his determination drove him to take one for the team.
It was that same single-minded pursuit that allowed the patient 17-year-old to wait two years before becoming a Texas Longhorn in 2001.
A high school transcript mix-up forced Ross to make up for a missing credit and take a ninth-grade course which wasn’t offered every term.
With the support of his mother, Cheryl, and girlfriend, Sanya Richards (the world’s top-ranked 400-meter runner), the gifted athlete bided his time by working odd jobs and discovering his love of poetry before finally strapping on the shoulder pads in 2003.
A standout defensive back, running back and wide receiver during his days at John Tyler High School, Ross became a full-time cornerback with Texas and it didn’t take him long to showcase his extraordinary ability despite playing behind Nathan Vasher at left corner.
The 6’0 ½” 193-pound phenom went on to record 27 tackles (23 solos), one stop for a loss and two pass break-ups in limited duty.
In addition to showing one-of-a-kind plant and drive skills when coming out of his breaks in coverage, Ross also proved to be an electrifying playmaker with the ball in his hands both on punt and interception returns.
As a junior in 2004, he ranked tenth in the nation with a 14.7-yard average on 34 punt returns---two of which went for touchdowns.
Ross was none too shabby on the defensive end, recording three interceptions and nine pass break-ups. The rising star also had 62 tackles (35 solos) along with two stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Aside from his on-field exploits, Ross possessed a winning character which molded him into a very diligent worker on the collegiate level. It was his team-first character that enabled him to sit still and wait for his opportunity to finally earn a starting position in the Longhorn defensive backfield as a senior.
“The most impressive thing about Aaron is that he has a great heart and he wants to do what’s right,” said Texas head coach Mack Brown. “He’s been so passionate about trying to do what’s right to be successful. He’s not sensitive. He doesn’t get his feelings hurt easily when you try to coach him.”
Coming off a senior season in which he was unanimously voted in as an All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection, Ross was also the recipient of the Jim Thorpe award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.
Even while battling a broken toe, the future NFL playmaker ranked third on his team with 80 tackles (59 solos), while also recording 19 pass deflections, one sack, three forced fumbles and six interceptions.
Ranked among the top five first round-caliber cornerbacks turning pro in 2007 by the NFL Draft Bible, Ross was chosen 20th overall by the New York Giants.
At first glance, several NFL talent evaluators were impressed with Ross’s fluid hips and remarkable second gear when tracking the ball. His one glaring blemish, however, was his lack of upper body strength which sometimes compromised his ability to slow down wide outs when trying to jam them at the line of scrimmage.
The minor deficiency could easily be solved by the fact that the 24-year-old Texan is blessed with a lean and athletic frame which would easily permit him to add ten pounds of muscle without affecting his 4.4 speed or quickness.
Following a disastrous 1-2 start to the season in which Big Blue’s defense surrendered 97 points, Ross was called upon to replace an ineffective Cory Webster in the starting lineup.
Under the tutelage of veterans Sam Madison and R. W. McQuarters, the rookie corner made immediate strides by producing two of the biggest plays of the Giants’ 35-24 rout over the rival New York Jets in week five.
Ross intercepted quarterback Chad Pennington twice, the second coming with 3:15 remaining in the fourth quarter and the G-men hanging on to a four-point lead.
Number 31 stepped in front of Pennington’s pass intended for Jerricho Cotchery and accelerated down the left sideline for a 43-yard game-sealing score.
Ross punctuated his fine play a week later by picking off Atlanta’s Joey Harrington as the Falcons tried to narrow New York’s 21-10 lead before the end of the first half.
Despite being outmuscled by some of the league’s top receivers and the occasional missed tackle, Ross has given his coaches reason to believe that he will not only be a competent starter, but one of the better performers at his position.
On the season, the former Longhorn finished third on the team in interceptions (three) and passes defended (nine) along with making 53 tackles.
Ross’s determination and true Texas grit should make him a fan favorite for many years to come.
If and when the Giants make it to Super Bowl XLII, New York Giant diehards will perhaps look back at Ross’s spectacular tackle of Marion Barber as a season-defining play.
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