Is it time to give up on Dowling?

[supafly]

I hope this leads to a giant LOL at all us fans who get our knickers twisted

Wait...are you telling me that some of us actually wear "knickers?"

 

[ATippett56]

Practice report: Day 1 of Tampa week - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Here are some more observations:

1. With both Dowling and Dennard limited in practice (they spent much of the session working with members of the team's strength and conditioning staff on a separate field), the Patriots were thin at the cornerback position.

 

[supafly]

Practice report: Day 1 of Tampa week - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Yes, however it could be viewed as a positive sign that they are both back in uniform and working out on the sidelines.

I would still be happy to see a vet signing like the one that Deus suggested regarding Sheldon Brown, but obviously Belichick feels much differently--and possibly rightfully so.

 

[resdubwhite]

Wait...are you telling me that some of us actually wear "knickers?"

You mean!!!!


oh.

 

[Kontradiction]

I haven't read the entire thread, but I don't think it's time to give up on him yet. Unfortunately. And when I say "unfortunately", the reason is two-fold. It's unfortunate that we can't give up on him yet even though he's an injury waiting to happen. It's also unfortunate that we can't give up on him because the depth at CB is too thin to do so. Talib-Dennard-Arrington is a solid starting trio. One injury there and we're looking at a rookie who is coming into a completely new scheme thrust into the starting role, a special teamer, or moving McCourty away from safety where he's easily the best fit.

 

[BradyFTW!]

No reason to answer this until the final cutdown. At that point, it becomes a matter of where his health is, versus the available CBs that are out there. The Pats are too thin on talent at the position to cut him right now, but if someone else cuts a guy who can play for us, I could definitely see the Pats cutting Dowling and getting someone who can stay on the field in his place.

 

[manxman2601]

Wait...are you telling me that some of us actually wear "knickers?"

As he's a big girl, Dowling certainly does


/kidding

 

[JMC00]

I'd say no.

At the least you have a guy that will be put on season ending IR and cutting him you only save $175k this year and $590k next year in cap space.

At the best, he is a healthy for the whole season, 6'2, 4th on the depth chart/Dime CB that could be decent or surprise and be good in said role.

 

[Joker]

 

[mgteich]

No one is discussing the situation of Dowling being healthy for the entire season.

We might discuss the under and over on practices missed between now and the (his) final cutdown date.

I'd say no.

At the least you have a guy that will be put on season ending IR and cutting him you only save $175k this year and $590k next year in cap space.

At the best, he is a healthy for the whole season, 6'2, 4th on the depth chart/Dime CB that could be decent or surprise and be good in said role.

 

[juny]

for a 2nd rounder, it has been extremely disappointing that he hasn't been healthy. at this point, any positive contribution would be a surprise, but at best he is a CB3 on this team, which for a 2nd rounder, is a bust.

 

[Bruins29]

for a 2nd rounder, it has been extremely disappointing that he hasn't been healthy. at this point, any positive contribution would be a surprise, but at best he is a CB3 on this team, which for a 2nd rounder, is a bust.

A 3rd CB is a bust????

What do you call Butler, Wheatley, and Chad Jackson, Bethel Johnson?

 

[supafly]

for a 2nd rounder, it has been extremely disappointing that he hasn't been healthy. at this point, any positive contribution would be a surprise, but at best he is a CB3 on this team, which for a 2nd rounder, is a bust.

A 3rd CB is a bust????

What do you call Butler, Wheatley, and Chad Jackson, Bethel Johnson?

The thing is though, Dowling wasn't taken with the 33rd overall pick to be a "3rd CB" on this team. He was taken to be an obvious CB1. Dowling's inability to stay healthy and contribute was actually a big reason why we were forced to go out and make a trade out of desperation for Talib last year, along with being forced to spend more draft resources in the past 2 yrs.

In comparion to Butler, Wheatley, C.Jackson, and Bethel Johnson--none of them were taken as high as Ras-I-Dowling at #33 overall, and obviously all of them are busts as well.

I'm not personally giving up on Dowling, but this upcoming next 3 weeks will be rather important in my opinion as to whether he will earn a spot on the team or finally be cut. If he cannot remain healthy, the 3rd time is usually a charm even if he is a high draft choice. If he is able to stay healthy and play in some of the preseason games, I think Belichick will probably keep him.

 

[ATippett56]

A 3rd CB is a bust????

Dowling is behind Talib, Dennard, Arrington on the depth chart.

 

[mgteich]

words that would be censored

A 3rd CB is a bust????

What do you call Butler, Wheatley, and Chad Jackson, Bethel Johnson?

 

[supafly]

words that would be censored

Ha! Good one, mg.

 

[mgteich]

If Dowling really is the #3 CB going forward, I wouldn't call him a "bust". A bust is someone who can't contribute. If Dowling is a #3 CB, then I would say that he was drafted too early (as Dennard was drafted too late).

For example, we clearly "overpaid" in value for T Wilson and for Bequette. And whoever gets cut is certainly a bust. However, if either is a perennial backup, he's not a bust, just a solid backup (we need those too).

If Dowling is healthy, he may compete with Dennard, Ryan and a free agent (or 2) for reps in 2014.

for a 2nd rounder, it has been extremely disappointing that he hasn't been healthy. at this point, any positive contribution would be a surprise, but at best he is a CB3 on this team, which for a 2nd rounder, is a bust.

 

[ATippett56]

If Dowling is healthy, he may compete with Dennard, Ryan and a free agent (or 2) for reps in 2014.

If at first you don't succeed, draft draft again.

 

[Coach42]

A quality 3rd CB into today's NFL is huge. Smart QBs and WRs make careers picking on 3rd CBs ask Wes Welker.

 

[GIF Man]