So, as I read through all these OTA reports and stories I keep stumbling upon Ras-I Dowling's name and all these comments of "potential." So I thought I would do a little bit of research. I've seen and read that he was projected to go anywhere in the first two rounds in the 2011 draft and ultimately went 33rd overall to the Patriots. The summation is essentially injuries have derailed his career. A little "pre-draft" writeup----> Ras-I Dowling. Now, having said all that...I've never seen him play. Can anyone shed some light on him who may have seen is Virginia days? I've seen nothing but good things written so far...keeping in mind these are just OTA'a etc... Could this guy, barring any further injury, be that "wild card" we have been seeking? I know relying on an injury prone player is not necessarily the wisest thing but when you are building something you have to take a chance on a few players and they, of course, have to pan out. How cool would it be to have another 1st round talent, that found the "fountain of stay healthy," in our secondary and actually have him pan out? Thoughts???
I've also noticed his name mentioned a lot. I think there's a theme of high-ceiling cornerbacks with histories of shortened playing time due to injury: Patterson Dowling McDoodoo Milliner I'm not saying that they'll all get injured a lot, but the odds that Patterson and Dowling make it through the season without being on IR are kind of bad. McDoodoo and Milliner may have a better chance, Milliner was healthy all of last season and McDoodoo only had one football-related injury during his college years.
I doubt he survives pre-season. This is the by-product of a typical patriots draft where they acquire a boatload of picks and pretty much waste them.
But I though BB was a genius that could take any schmuck off the streets and lead his team to the Super Bowl. I guess I was lied to.
Its all Brady, Belichick cant pick defensive players for shit. I could find guys off the street who would have done a much better job than Belichick has in the last decade when it comes to picking players.
The patriots have been taking buckshot at the draft for years. Whenever they hit they're touted as draft day geniuses for that. Meanwhile, they've been picking more than their fair share of crap. BB is a good coach and does put players in situations where they can be productive and successful. But if the patriots didn't happen to stumble on to Brady (and they did stumble upon him), the team would've look much worse over the past 13 seasons.
Milliner missed of all of camp and two or three games in the middle of the season with a hamstring injury. I can understand the Jets' willingness to play him as our #1 considering how well he played down the stretch. Despite the injuries and rookie struggles, he showed he can play at a high level. My main concern though is injury. We have a lot of corners with good potential and physical ability. We don't have relaibly healthy and consistent proven starters and that's our problem. This year is different though. If we have fast man to man corners who we can get simply average production from, our front seven and safeties will make enough of an impact. This will be Rex's best pass rush since coming to NY Jets and we have never had a safety with Pryor's ability during Rex's time. He has the intimidation of a Landry with the ball skills of a Kerry Rhodes. This kid will change our defense immediately. If Milliner can continue to play as a top five CB that he did at the end of the season, we have reasons to believe this team can go far in 2014.
Damn...I better get on this! I can be a beast too if I have You Tube highlights!!!! J/K I really like what I'm seeing. This is today's NFL. The teams that can "hit" on more of these risk v. reward guys or finding that undrafted gem (Snacks) are the ones that do well. Seattle is littered with these types of guys. Heck...so are the 49'ers... Unfortunately the only way to tell is over time. But I'm excited about our prospects!
That has to be one of the worst youtube highlight vids that I have ever seen. Love how they showcase the guy by showing him committing a couple of PIs.
He can't have been that great, New England secondary the last couple of years can't have been that great. If he is good, we need every player we can get.
The Patriots way is bringing in a player with talent who fits in. In other words doesn't free lance or play outside the system. And of course makes plays. So Dowling didn't cut the mustard with New England. Same with Zach Sudfeld who won a starting job in training camp but after not catching a ball for the first few games was cut. Chances are if no one put in a claim for him they would have put him on their PS. btw the Patriots way is getting rid of you after you've been useful at a lower price.
Yeah. But he would be out of coaching by now. I heard on NFL network the other day that BB wants to win a championship after Brady retires. That tells me even he knows it all Brady
Oh man. That is so perfect. He's going to be like Shanahan the rest of his life. Trying to prove the fact it wasn't his QB. Belichick measures himself by Parcells but he ain't even close.
Dominique Easley is a total beast, I hated them for that pick. UF defensive cut ups look like his highlight films. The hope is that he can't stay healthy.
The Pats were 5-13 under Belichik when Mo Lewis took Bledsoe out. Odds are good Belichik was two and out in New England if that didn't happen.
