Peter King: Dowling's Rehab "Going Very Well"

by Greg Knopping on Feb 27, 2012 12:05 PM EST in New England Patriots News

In his latest Monday Morning QB column, Sports Illustrated's Peter King offered an update on the health of Patriots cornerback Ras-I Dowling:

I think New England's a candidate for the fifth straight draft to take a corner in the top two rounds ... The hip rehab of New England cornerback Ras-I Dowling is going very well. He'll be ready for most if not all of his offseason work

While this isn't exactly a detailed update, it's definitely a positive sign. When the Patriots selected Dowling with the 33rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, there was no question that Dowling was a first round question. The issue surrounding Dowling was his health. During his time at Virginia, Dowling suffered a myriad of different injuries and struggled to consistently stay on the field.

During his rookie campaign with the Patriots, Dowling started off well. He allowed just three receptions (target seven times) in 93 total snaps played in two games before the injury. He looked like he was going to be a full-time starter as a rookie - which is usually a very solid sign.

Unfortunately, Dowling's sample size is so small that it's hard to project where he might fit with the Patriots in 2012 and beyond. That being said, I still believe he is a potential starter next year. If he's healthy, a cornerback rotation of Dowling, Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, and Sterling Moore is really solid. At this point, however, that's a pretty big "if" for Dowling. If the Patriots don't think they can rely on Dowling staying healthy in the near future, then, as Peter King suggests, the team could look to address the cornerback position early in April's draft.

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I wouldn't be surprised of a CB pick regardless of his health

A CB pick makes sense in that a solid player at that position could improve upon what we have and likely push Arrington out of a starter role or push McCourty more to a permanent safety role. It would also be solid insurance if Dowling can’t make it back to the field with any consistency. Selecting a guy that would only fit a safety role would give fewer options.

by Oughat on Feb 27, 2012 12:29 PM EST reply actions

Geez

I was under the impression he would be fully healthy by now – not still in rehab since he missed most the season. This guy better pan out. He looked good in limited action.

It's not whether you win or lose.
It's whether you win.
-Trump 'The Game'

by iLikeStuff on Feb 27, 2012 1:47 PM EST reply actions

I have big hopes for Dowling.

He has such potential, if he can stay healthy he’ll certainly add major talent to the Pats’ secondary.

"Fight on, my men!" Sir Andrew said, "A little I'm hurt, but not yet slain. I'll just lay down and bleed awhile... and then I'll rise, and fight again!"

by BigRussNovak on Feb 27, 2012 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Wow Im surprised

he was on the field for 93 snaps. Not snarky or anything just didnt seem like he was there that much. Maybe our strategy should be to just draft 1 CB early every year, let them have a good first year like they usually do and then next year BAM they are a safety and the new first year CB will be starting.

by AverageJoeEveryman on Feb 27, 2012 3:27 PM EST reply actions

Well he played nearly every snap against the Dolphins week one (I think 65) and then 28 or something against the Chargers in week 2 before going down

by Greg Knopping on Feb 27, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Not knowing he was there and having him play 93 snaps is a good thing.

At least he didn’t screw up. They only threw towards him 7.5% of his snaps, so maybe he was covering better than other targets. Also a 43% completion rate against him is good as well. Of course that’s Chad Henne and a little Philip Rivers.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 27, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe not in the first 2 rounds.

Maybe the 3rd or 4th round. There is Donnie Fletcher who I like a lot.

But I feel that this will be decided if we get a Safety in free agency. because if we don’t that means he may have McCourty, or even Dowling or Moore, move to safety. If this is the case, I can definitely see BB taking a CB in the 2nd-4th round.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Feb 27, 2012 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Janoris Jenkins

He’s such a bad dude….if he’s available at 31 or even at 27 if cox is gone, I can’t seehow we pass him up. He is all pro talent. shut down jj aj green n alshon while in Florida. Will only get better. Can be used in return game. Very physical and proven to be durable. I know he has baggage but that’s the only way u get all pro players with undeniable all pro talent at 31. There is no wr available at 31 who has his upside. Him n dowling n moore, put mccourty at safety…n watch em develop. Dowling gets hurt n u have arrington, or even mccourty if we can get a safety in fa. He absolutely solidifies our back seven n return game in one fell swoop.

by AMORALES on Feb 27, 2012 3:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Are you KIDDING me?

Dude has drug issues..kicked out of Florida.

He ALREADY has 4 kids by THREE women. Can you say Antonio Cromartie????

DO NOT WANT.

Lakers and Patriots forever.

by D.S.T. on Feb 27, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah BB is not known for drafting guys like Jenkins in the first round.

Not to mention that there are WRs there who do have great upside. Randle mostly.

by Jack'sAxe on Feb 27, 2012 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

He's a diva.

Why not McNutt? Can get him cheap too.

Lakers and Patriots forever.

by D.S.T. on Feb 27, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

McNutt is very raw.

He can be good.

by Jack'sAxe on Feb 27, 2012 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Or Minnefield later?

Come see the violence inherent in the system, help help I'm being repressed.

by sweetjesusihatethejets on Feb 27, 2012 5:08 PM EST reply actions

Funny how it goes...Dowling (team captain) was a value + character pick

Jenkins would be natural for Belichick as he would be seen as a “value” play in late 20’s or 30’s.

Resulting in a value + no character pick.

by tstorey1 on Feb 27, 2012 6:35 PM EST reply actions

There will be lots of talented players to choose from with patriots first 3 picks

I am assuming all the major CB talent will get plucked before patriots pick so no CB pick in first round. Although major talent does occasionally fall but hard to predict who.

Jenkins marijuana arrests are irrelevant for me. It really comes down to whether he is so stupid that he could get arrested again or fail the drug tests.

His four children really concern me the most. One child or just maybe two I can understand but FOUR. What the FUK was he thinking. Although on the other hand, probably motivation for him. If he keeps getting women pregnant, imagine the huge NFL contract he will need just to pay alimony. This is biggest reason why I wouldn’t select him.

I have no problems with Patriots choosing Jenkins but they need to do deep psychological evaluation / investigation of him and do their due diligence to understand him.

by prioris on Feb 27, 2012 6:43 PM EST reply actions

Hill was the Seahawks franchise player just three years ago. He signed a six year deal in 2009 and re-worked that deal with significantly less money (and years) in 2010. This is his third arrest in the last three years so, from another NFL team’s perspective, this may not be more than just a simple mistake. This isn’t the type of pattern a soon-to-be free agent wants on his record.
-————————————————————
one gets the privilege if taking home a big pay check for years to come and they can’t get
their s h i t straight. it is a sign that they don’t take their football seriously.

jenkins will be a risky pick in the top 20 except for teams that have 2 first round picks

by prioris on Feb 27, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions