Can Ras-I Dowling Make the Third-Year Leap for the New England Patriots?

February 20, 2013   ·   Oliver Thomas   ·   Jump to comments

NFL coaches and general managers know what they have in a former draft pick by year three of their development.
For some players, that means they're due for a lucrative contract extension. For others, that means they're due to be out of the league.
Which side of the spectrum will it be for New England Patriots cornerback Ras-I Dowling?
The No. 33 overall selection in the 2011 draft hasn't made the impact that head coach Bill Belichick and Co. had hoped for. And at 6'1", 210 pounds with a 40-yard-dash time of 4.4 seconds, it's not because of a lack of talent.
Does Dowling have what it takes to re-write the book on his NFL career? It's time take a closer look at the 24-year-old defensive back.
 
 
Durability Issues
Dowling has been derailed by injuries, and that was his track record coming out of Virginia. ProFootballTalk.com's Nolan Nawrocki (h/t Kevin Fishbain) made note of Dowling's health woes leading up to the draft:
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