Bengals A.J. Green on 2017 first-round pick John Ross’ tough rookie season: ‘Even LeBron James has bad games’

After a largely lost rookie season in Cincinnati, John Ross has his doubters.

A.J. Green is not one of them.

“Every year is not going to be perfect,” Green, a seven-time Pro Bowl receiver and one of the team’s most respective voices, said Monday. “Even LeBron James has bad games.”

RELATED: Ross opens up about tough 2017

Green let out a small chuckle to himself at the comparison, but his message carried some weight, both because of who it came from and who he mentioned.

Nobody expects Ross to be a football version of James (who was an All-Ohio receiver in high school, for what it’s worth), but everyone expects more than zero catches from a team’s No. 1 draft pick.

A year ago, Ross was only able to play in three games, and his only touch was a 12-yard run that ended with a lost fumble.

Coach Marvin Lewis attributed the lost season to multiple injuries and previously expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back.

LEWIS ON ROSS: ‘Unfortunately he had a redshirt year’

Green expects the Washington product getting to see professional football from the inside over the past 12-plus months should help, too.

“Just having a year under his belt to understand this whole NFL process and the way we go about things here,” Green said “He’s being more comfortable and just starting off fresh.”

About the Author