Dropped passes transform Gray's JSU debut into nightmare

Photo: Johnson (left) tries to recover his fumble.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

JSU AT VALLEY
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

The football bounced from Rodney Gray's outstretched hands and splashed onto the rain-soaked turf. The groan from the crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was audible.

It was the Jackson State receiver's fourth dropped pass in two games. And don't think for a minute that the home crowd wasn't counting.

So as Gray jogged off the field to a smattering of boos, fellow JSU receiver Chris Johnson couldn't help but feel sorry for his teammate.

"Man, that has to be the most lonely feeling in the world," Johnson said. "It's happened to me. It's happened to every receiver. You've just got to keep your head up. But that's a lot easier said than done."

And that's even true for a receiver like Gray, who's confidence has never been called into question.

A sophomore transfer from Southern Miss, Gray has a swagger that's reminiscent of NFL star receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. Last year, as a true freshman with the Golden Eagles, Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards.

When he arrived on JSU's campus this fall, he was supposed to be the player who elevated the Tigers' already strong receiving corps to absolute dynamite.

But through three games, Gray's stat line reads like this: one catch, four yards, four dropped passes and one bruised ego.

When asked about his troubles, Gray doesn't even seem angry. Instead, he looks downright confused and struggles to explain his feelings.

"... I'm my own worst critic," Gray said. "And there's no doubt I haven't been playing well. It's so frustrating to suddenly have trouble doing something you've been doing for years. But it's a new week and a new opponent. A receiver has to have a short memory."

The good news is that at 6 feet 3, 188 pounds and with speed to burn, Gray has had no trouble getting open early in the season.

At least three of his dropped passes could have easily been turned into touchdowns had he simply secured the catch.

With that in mind, JSU receivers coach Jerry Mack says the team won't stop throwing to Gray because of a few bad games.

His game-breaking potential is too big of an asset to ignore.

"I'd almost compare Gray's trouble to a batting slump in baseball," Mack said. "He's just taking his eye off the ball. He's run some great routes and been incredibly wide open. Maybe he was almost too wide open."

"You just try to remind him that the world won't end because of a dropped pass," Johnson said. "He just has to keep his confidence and do his thing."

Photo: WR Chad Johnson

So in practice this week, Gray's been introduced to a refresher course in fundamentals.

He's getting dozens of repetitions each day and coaches say he looks great, but nothing will ease the irritation in Gray's mind until Saturday at 4 p.m. when Jackson State (1-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) travels to Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 1-2).

"It's time to clear my mind and do what I know how to do," said Gray, who played in high school at South Panola. "We've got a whole lot to be excited about. I just have to contribute and do my part."

Gray wasn't the only Jackson State receiver struggling through the season's first two games. But in last Thursday's 28-7 victory over Texas Southern, both Jaymar Johnson and Kethonne McLaurin caught touchdown passes.

Now it's time to see if that success is contagious. Mack says he has no doubt it will be.

"There's going to be a game when Rodney breaks open for about nine catches, 200 yards and a couple touchdowns," Mack said smiling. "Then all will be right with Rodney's world. We're all looking forward to watching it."