Sacramento Mountain Lions running back Cory Ross was awarded the United Football League’s Offensive MVP recently after putting the seal on a season in which he carried the rock 121 times and caught 56 passes while amassing 878 yards from scrimmage. The latter two marks set UFL records, as did his 75-yard run against the Omaha Nighthawks in Week 9 of a 10-week, eight-game season.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Cory, and he spoke candidly about many things from his mindset during a game to his outlook on getting picked up by an NFL team for their stretch run. The following are a few of the interview highlights, the entire thing can be heard by clicking on the video link on the left.
SD: I understand you were born in Denver.
CR: Yes, sir.
SD: I’ve always wondered- growing up in Denver- do you have some type of cardiovascular advantage of some sort?
CR: (laughing) Everybody thought that. Yeah, I mean, I like to think so. Most teams that go to Colorado have to adjust to the climate, but I’ve always had some of my best games in Colorado.
SD: In a televised football game, right before the play, they often zoom in on the running back’s eyes and we get that close shot. What exactly is going through your mind? Or, is it one of those deals where you want to clear your mind?
CR: No, no- I’m definitely going through reads. First I get the play call, you know, right or left, which way it’s designed to go, then I look at those D-lineman and see what technique they’re in……then when I get the ball in my hands, the first thing I look at is the linebackers, to see which gaps they’re in. The first two or three carries for the running back kind of wakes you up. In the first three plays you can see what type of day it’s going to be.
SD: In the Holiday Bowl, we got Nebraska (Cory’s alma mater) vs. Washington. You think Nebraska wins that one?
CR: Me being a Husker and a totally loyal fan, I think we’re gonna whoop them like we did before.
SD: Would you be a fan of a playoff system (in college football) as opposed to the Bowl games?
CR: Oh man, big time. I think you can have a playoff and still have your Bowl games. They could easily do that. I think it’s more a money issue, but they wouldn’t lose any money. Maybe there are some higher-ups that don’t want to do that. But the college game is more fun to watch, and we all know that.
This is a mere fragment of the 20-minute interview, which can be heard by clicking the video link in the left column.
Comments