Ras-I Dowling

[mgteich]

Dare we hope that Dowling continues to wow everyone that has seen him play this year?

 

[Gwedd]

Dare we hope that Dowling continues to wow everyone that has seen him play this year?

I am, as they say, "cautiously optimistic" about his impact this year. He has top-end talent if he can stay healthy, and I'm hoping he will.

 

[primetime]

He's a complete unknown, still, and his inability to stay healthy is the stuff of legends. If he lived up to his potential, he could be great... but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Sparetire]

I am, as they say, "cautiously optimistic" about his impact this year. He has top-end talent if he can stay healthy, and I'm hoping he will.

His top-end talent is worthless if he's injured all the time. i'd rather have someone less talented but that can actually be on the field.

 

[DocHoliday]

Call me delusional, but I see him and Talib locking down receivers this year.

 

[MoneyFX]

Man imagine, Aqib Talib and Ras-I Dowling lining up on the outside. That's two 6'1 CBs on the outside. That will be key against teams with big wideouts on the outside, like the Atlanta Falcons (Jones/White) and the Denver Broncos (Thomas/Decker).

But first and foremost, health first.

 

[BTTA]

His health issues have been longstanding but not necessarily a pattern so much as a single issue that he hasn't been able to shake. So we'll see

But yes, we dare to hope, that's what this part of the season is for!

 

[Big-T]

Did everyone else see the Tweet by Mike Loyko (I believe it was him) a few weeks back saying the "minor" hip surgery (as the media/Patriots reported at the time) was a hip reconstruction that he had in a hope it would fix his hamstring issues in the process?

If that was the case then props to the man for taking a huge step to try and alleviate niggling problems that have so far stalled his career.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Call me delusional, but I see him and Talib locking down receivers this year.

I see the same thing. I think he offers more in dynamics then Alfonzo Dennard. Don't get me wrong, Dennard is solid and even good but Ras-I could be special.

 

[primetime]

I have no idea where the idea that he 'could be special' is coming from other than wishful thinking. He's played in 8 games in 2 seasons and has done nothing of note in any of them.

 

[supafly]

I have no idea where the idea that he 'could be special' is coming from other than wishful thinking. He's played in 8 games in 2 seasons and has done nothing of note in any of them.

I don't discredit the optimism regarding Dowling as much as you do, primetime.

For one thing, he was a borderline 1st round pick. That alone says that many scouts and league officials thought that he was "special" right off the bat.

For another, Belichick had him starting day one/week one as a rookie, although part of that can be attributed to a lack of better talent, he must have seen something in him to feel confident enough to take that chance rather than blending him in as we've seen more often in the past.

The sample size from last year is extremely limited so we can't tell very much by looking at it, but in Dowling's 24 passes thrown his way he did lead all NEP corners in QB rating against + had the least amount of passes completed. All of these traits, along with his size/height could very well lead someone to think that he has "special" abilities and a high potential.

As you said, only live game reps and improved health will lead most of us to believe in the hype, but in the meantime it doesn't hurt to be optimistic rather than show the usual pessimism that some do.

 

[ausbacker]

I sure hope so mgteich. I've adopted Dowling as my binkie this season. He better turn All Pro in 2013 or else...

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

over or under 6 games this year? I am going with under. I say 4

 

[mb6592]

but in the meantime it doesn't hurt to be optimistic rather than show the usual pessimism that some do.

optimism, pessimism, then realism. Assuming realism exists, who's closest when considering this situation?

 

[tonyto3690]

Everyone knows about his injury problems, and I had no hope for him, but I saw an interview and commentary by former teammates and coaches... seems like a really great, hard working guy that everyone loves. His college coach gushed over him harder than I've ever seen any coach ever talk about any player ever. Not even Kraft on Brady has ever been so effusive. Definitely earned my hope/faith for another season. Tons of upside.

 

[Brady2Moss]

The hip reconstruction thing is interesting, but still he got injured 2 games into his career that required something that drastic not a good sign.

Anyone know the success rate of players that have spent 2/2 years on IR?

 

[ausbacker]

I don't discredit the optimism regarding Dowling as much as you do, primetime.

For one thing, he was a borderline 1st round pick. That alone says that many scouts and league officials thought that he was "special" right off the bat.

For another, Belichick had him starting day one/week one as a rookie, although part of that can be attributed to a lack of better talent, he must have seen something in him to feel confident enough to take that chance rather than blending him in as we've seen more often in the past.

The sample size from last year is extremely limited so we can't tell very much by looking at it, but in Dowling's 24 passes thrown his way he did lead all NEP corners in QB rating against + had the least amount of passes completed. All of these traits, along with his size/height could very well lead someone to think that he has "special" abilities and a high potential.

As you said, only live game reps and improved health will lead most of us to believe in the hype, but in the meantime it doesn't hurt to be optimistic rather than show the usual pessimism that some do.

If there's a time for rampant homerism and optimism to show, it's the offseason. Blow that bubble supa.

 

[bagwell368]

I have no idea where the idea that he 'could be special' is coming from other than wishful thinking. He's played in 8 games in 2 seasons and has done nothing of note in any of them.

He yanked the starting job away in camp in '11 and looked very polished plus the first two games of the year. He's beyond "could be special" - more like "is special if the injuries stop".

 

[Triumph]

He yanked the starting job away in camp in '11 and looked very polished plus the first two games of the year. He's beyond "could be special" - more like "is special if the injuries stop".

Dowling looked very polished the first 2 games of the NFL players strike season.

The season where sloppy play went on for weeks because of the shortened off season? Against Tony Sparanos Miami Dolphins team was one of the games where Dowling looked so polished.

I wish him well, but Im not counting on him.

 

[mgteich]

With Dennard injured, I think Dowling would start. He is our #3 CB at the moment. Arrington is our #1 nickel back. As with all rookies corner, we'll wait and see regarding rookie contributions from Ryan.