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Ras-I Dowling

Dowling key to Pats Defense?

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Interesting tweet from Greg Bedard today:

There’s no doubt Ras-I Dowling has become one of the most talked about players on the Patriots. He was the first player selected on day two of the 2011 draft when many thought the Pats would go with the proverbial pass rusher. It looked like the Pats justified his selection when he started the first two games of the season despite missing significant time in training camp, but he was again hit with the injury bug and missed the rest of the season.

Dowling has the kind of size that the Pats lack in their secondary, and his presence on the outside would certainly open up a number of options for how they use their players. However if Dowling misses time or can’t produce it forces their hand a bit more. Kyle Arrington could not play in the slot where he seems to fit best, and they’d have even less flexibility with Devin McCourty.

Ultimately Dowling’s size, length and skill playing man-to-man make him a uniquely talented player on the Pats roster, one who would really open up a wide array of defensive possibilities in both scheme and personnel. From that perspective I agree with Bedard, he’s a big key to the defensive improvement this year. If he falters guys like Will Allen, Tavon Wilson, and Steve Gregory will really come to the forefront.

Ras-I Dowling aiming for a rebound season with Patriots – The Boston Globe

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Ras-I Dowling aiming for a rebound season with Patriots – The Boston Globe

There’s been some confusion over the past year as to just what Ras-I’s injury history has been, with Reiss saying he had no issues until his senior year of college. Bedard however sheds some light that it’s been a little more than that.

As a high school junior, he broke his hand. As a senior, he battled a knee injury. In his freshman year in college, Dowling missed a showdown against Southern Cal with a hamstring injury and left the North Carolina game with a back ailment.

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In some ways, Dowling could be considered an extra draft pick this year. He played in just two games as a rookie and is trying to work his way back into football shape. But Dowling still looks a step slow and had trouble covering quick receivers. He has to make a lot of progress between now and training camp in order to win a meaningful role in the secondary.

Likes, dislikes from Jets, Patriots minicamp – AFC East Blog – ESPN

No player has been had a wider array of commentary this off-season. The Pats beat writers are up and down on him. One practice Reiss likes what he’s doing, Bedard doesn’t. The next Dowling is getting his reps taken by Sterling Moore. No player will get more scrutiny in camp. You just can’t be the first overall pick of day two of the draft and fly under the radar. Still, I think the Pats see something in him that we haven’t seen yet. First thing is just for him to stay healthy and the rest will come.

I’d also point out that it’s tough for a CB who’s biggest asset is his length and ability to jam to stand out in a no contact practice.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/in-some-ways-dowling-could-be-considered-an-extra/

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOxCbkoDDpo

And now a minute with Ras-I Dowling.

Very curious to get a glimpse of Dowling and Vereen this weekend (IF they play). It’s really a tough to tell if they either will be ready to thrown into the fire after having like five NFL practices but we’ll see…

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/and-now-a-minute-with-ras-i-dowling-very-curious/

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First pic of Ras-I Dowling

From Frenz’ twitter practice report it sounds like this was a pretty good sample of Ras-I’s work today, giving up catches all over the field. That has to be somewhat expected for a rookie on day one stepping into a full pads practice when all the other guys have had a few days to get their legs under them.

I like the #21, not so sure about that facemask on a DB though. Need a better pic to fully judge it though…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/first-pic-of-ras-i-dowling-from-frenz-twitter/

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUDcKqcHuK8

Ras-I Dowling vs. North Carolina (2009)

I’m excited to see Ras-I in the coming days. He’s going to bring a very unique skill set to the secondary, the most important of which will be his length and physicality. His purpose will be to take on big, physical wide receivers like Brandon Marshall and Braylon Edwards who are popping up more and more.

Whether he’s a boundary corner, slot/in the box or a free safety, he brings something different to the party, but like McCourty, Arrington and Bodden, he’s not afraid to engage and defeat blocks to get to the ball carrier.

If he can stay healthy he could be the Patriots own younger, cheaper version of Asomething.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/ras-i-dowling-vs-north-carolina-2009-im/