After early struggles, Ross thriving at CB
Giants cornerback Aaron Ross throws a pass during football practice. (Jan. 27, 2012) Credit: AP
INDIANAPOLIS -- Aaron Ross was an outcast, banished temporarily to the bench in favor of someone -- anyone -- who could perform better than he had.
At the time, he had been charged with filling injured Terrell Thomas' starting cornerback spot, though it seemed he might not be able to hold his own. But those early-season struggles are behind Ross now, as are the many low points of the Giants' roller-coaster season.
Ross has become a vital piece in the Giants' once-injury-ravaged secondary. As he approaches his final game of the season -- and his final weeks before free agency -- he has his sights set on closing out what could be his final year with the Giants by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
"From Day One when I came in, I knew it was my contract year, and you never know with this business where you're going to end up," Ross said Thursday. "So working hard and trying to get to this point that we're at today, it was definitely the No. 1 goal."
Interestingly enough, his "biggest test" this season was the catalyst for some of his strongest showings on the field.
Tom Coughlin pulled Ross during the Week 2 game against the Rams after he gave up several long completions. He temporarily was replaced in the third quarter by backup Michael Coe (now on injured reserve), who ended up giving up two touchdowns in the Giants' 28-16 win.
It was the wakeup call Ross said he needed.
"Myself and Corey [Webster] got together, started watching film of ourselves, other than just the opponents, and we learned what NOT to do," said Ross, who, along with the rest of the secondary, will be responsible for containing shifty slot receiver Wes Welker on Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI.
"And ever since then, I feel like I've been getting better each week as well as the secondary."
The inconsistency stemmed from an assortment of injuries, Ross said. But now that the defensive backs have remained healthy in recent weeks, they've flourished.
"I think that [injuries] was one of the things we were struggling with," said the 6-1 Ross, who had a concussion scare after colliding with 6-5, 278-pound defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul during their wild-card win over the Falcons. "We weren't on the same page. We had a lot of injuries in the secondary and guys didn't feel comfortable replacing other guys, so that's why there was a lot of bust on the back end.
"But we got together after work and went home with each other and started studying film. And now we're all on the same page."
Ross, who grew up a Cowboys fan in San Antonio, may not say much, but his work ethic is noticed by his teammates, Webster said.
"He's a guy that's pretty laid-back," Webster said. "He comes in and works every day, tries to put his best foot forward and tries to be the best."
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