Thoughts on Ras-I Dowling and the secondary? - New England Patriots Forums

Kid~Brady · 09-13-2011, 07:18 AM

SO I can't lie, he looked pretty good out there for his first game. I was a little worried before the game. He was poised and didn't panic when the ball was thrown his way. He made a key break-up on one of the 4th down passes I think it was on Marshall.

McCourty looked okay, not his best, not his worst but taking on Brandon Marshall one on one the whole game is a tough job. I didn't see Sergio Brown as much but I'll be re-watching the game this week sometime. I had to chuckle at Arrington play DE on some plays, he looked like an ant next to those other guys LOL.

Bodden made some nice plays. It's been awhile since he played a full game. I think our secondary did a decent job and made some key stops when it counted. We are off to a good start especially when we get Cunningham and Spikes back for run stuffing.

***PatsDeb*** · 09-13-2011, 07:28 AM

For the first game I thought they looked pretty good. The amount of yards they gave up is not great, but they were able to tighten up at the goal line and made some good stops. McCourty did not look his best, but on the other hand, he didn't get totally burned on anything. He had a sure INT in the endzone knocked out of his hands by his own guy (Chung?)!

satz · 09-13-2011, 07:51 AM

Ras-I did not turn back to tracj the ball. Dolphins receivers he covered where smaller so his size helped him a bit. If they had good receiver then he might have be challanged.

The-Hooded-One · 09-13-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satz

Ras-I did not turn back to tracj the ball. Dolphins receivers he covered where smaller so his size helped him a bit. If they had good receiver then he might have be challanged.

Are you serious? First of all, Ras-I had many matchups against Marshall. Secondly, Bess isn't a good receiver? Ras-I Dowling was the best defender in the game last night. That's not hyperbole. He was PAINTED on his man all night.

***Rob0729*** · 09-13-2011, 08:00 AM

Very good start for the rook. His size is definitely an asset with them running more man coverages.

As for McCourty, I will give him time to adjust since they are moving away from a lot of zone to more man. Even so, I think he had a decent game. Marshall is a stud when he is on.

***Clonamery*** · 09-13-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satz

If they had good receiver then he might have be challanged.

Dolphins don't have a good receiver?

condon84 · 09-13-2011, 08:27 AM

Dowling looked solid. McCourty got beat like a drum. He needs to get his legs under him.

makoute · 09-13-2011, 08:27 AM

McCourty have been getting beat all preseason and now in the regular season. He hasn't looked great at all.

KY Pats Fan · 09-13-2011, 08:28 AM

Say what you will but Marshall is one of the best receivers in the game. Dowling and McCourty did a decent job against him. I am pleasantly suprised at how well Dowling played. I think by mid year, he and McCourty will be the best tandem in the NFL.

ctpatsfan1 · 09-13-2011, 08:28 AM

Personnaly I thought they did a descent job considering the lack of pressure at times by the front 7. Was it perfect, not even close but I thought overall it was an improvement from last year. Just as I thought the pressure on the QB was an improvement from last year even if only marginally. For the 1st game I was happy with what I saw for the most part and wasn't screaming at Butler for trailing his man by 3 ft every time he tried to cover someone. Ras-I is defintiely and upgrade over Butler, heck Bodden and Arrington are the weak links of the group now, IMHO.