Homecoming Sweet This Time For Ross
Aaron Ross
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
IRVING -- Aaron Ross returned to the place his NFL career began, but left a much happier man the second time around.
Staff Writer
IRVING -- Aaron Ross returned to the place his NFL career began, but left a much happier man the second time around.
Despite not being able to return to the field after re-aggravating a shoulder injury he incurred in the first half, Ross was not at a loss for words, or smiles, following New York's 21-17 win over Dallas Sunday in the NFC Divisional Playoff.
"I had a lot of family in the stands," said the former John Tyler and Texas Longhorn star, who estimated some 30 people in attendance to watch him in his second appearance at Texas Stadium. "To get out there and see the smiling faces, that felt good. We're going to enjoy this win."
The homecoming treat proved sweet for Ross, whose team enhanced its status as road warriors. New York improved to 9-1 on the road, avenging their lone loss outside the Big Apple - a 45-35 setback to Dallas back on Sept. 9.
"That was the best team in our division," Ross said of Dallas, which defeated New York by scores of 45-35 and 31-20. "They beat us two times in the regular season and we beat them in the playoffs. That's what matters now."
In 2 1/2 quarters of work, Ross recorded five tackles, including one assist and one for a loss.
An already depleted New York secondary seemed perhaps defeated when Ross went to the locker room for X-rays on his shoulder during the two-minute warning prior to halftime. Ross left for good midway through the third quarter after leading with the same injured shoulder to take down Marion Barber. Still, the Cowboys couldn't exploit the absence of New York's starting two cornerbacks (Ross and Sam Madison) and a key backup (Kevin Dockery).
New York ended the game with barely a handful of defensive backs, three of whom included 10-year veteran R.W. McQuarters; the rarely used Geoffrey Pope, who was activated just before the game; and former Tyler Junior College and Arizona safety Michael Johnson. The ex-Apache deflected a Romo pass in the first quarter on a blitz.
The biggest play by a reserve occurred when McQuarters intercepted Tony Romo in the end zone with nine seconds remaining to seal the victory for New York.
"That was a great win for the New York Giants," said New York coach Tom Coughlin. "We made two big stops (late) on our side of the field."
Just a year ago, with Dallas going for the tying score at Texas Stadium, McQuarters made another game-saving play when he intercepted a pass and returned it for a TD late in the fourth quarter to seal a 36-22 win.
Ross remembered, knowing McQuarters, a former starter, was capable of getting it done for a Giants secondary that held Dallas to 201 passing yards - 55 below its season average.
"I wish I could've finished the game but we got the 'W.' I'm happy with that," said Ross as a swarm of media surrounded him in front of his locker. "That just speaks highly of our defensive front, play-calling and DBs. I had the most confidence in R.W. and Pope when they went in there."
Before leaving for good, Ross roamed all over the field. Of the 36 plays he appeared in, Ross lined up 13 times at left cornerback - his official starting position - in the slot 10, at right corner nine and at free safety on four occasions.
The 6-0, 197-pound rookie covered six different players from receivers Miles Austin, Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton to tight ends Anthony Fasano and Jason Witten.
Romo never attempted a pass Ross' way in the first half, either handing off to Barber or Julius Jones or going the opposite side of the former Thorpe Award winner.
"I don't know what it is," said Ross, who has intercepted three passes on the season and returned one for a touchdown, but was only thrown at once all day. "Sometimes I wish they would, but I guess it speaks about the coverage."
Ross referred to Sunday's win as the biggest yet in a remarkably successful career that has already featured a high school state championship game appearance in 2000 with John Tyler, and a national championship win in the Rose Bowl with Texas in 2006.
"This is (the biggest)," said Ross, whose team is one win against Green Bay from reaching the Super Bowl.
"It's one more step. This is the NFL. There are no more stops after that. This is the top, the elite."
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