Ras-I Dowling (Photo: UVa Media Relations)

Ras-I Dowling, a cornerback out of the University of Virginia, is in Detroit today for a pre-draft visit with the Detroit Lions. Dowling becomes the third cornerback prospect to visit the Lions. Jimmy Smith and Prince Amukamara made trips last month.

Dowling had an injury plagued senior season that ultimately ended when he fractured his ankle last November. Hamstring and knee injuries had limited him to just five games before the ankle served as the final blow to his season. The injuries were certainly disappointing but don’t represent an overall pattern with Ras-I, he had been a dependable part of the Cavalier defense for the previous three seasons.

Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 198 lbs.
Arm Length: 31 in.
Hand Size: 9 1/2 in.
40-yard dash: 4.46 sec

Watch his combine workout here

NFL.com combine profile overview:

Dowling entered the 2010 season as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, but after playing in only five games due to injury, his draft stock may have taken a hit. He is a monster of a cornerback who seeks out contact in run support and is a sound tackler. He really excels in zone coverage with terrific instincts and has the ball skills to make plays on underneath routes. He does not have the recovery speed to play in a man-heavy scheme at the next level, but he should be a good fit in a Tampa 2 system. A potential first-round pick before the season, Dowling still likely will be a second-round pick.

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Quarterback: Brett Favre‘s time in the NFL looks like it is finally over.  Favre was banged up the whole season and had to sit out the final weeks of the year.  Joe Webb replaced him and lost two games but upset the Eagles in Philadelphia.  Will the Vikes keep Webb, sign a free agent, or pick the quarterback of the future in this year’s draft?  If they chose the last option, Jake Locker could be the selection.  Locker may have been the first pick last year but decided to stay another year at Washington.  His stock fell this year but he still is a potential first round pick.  Locker has amazing athleticism for being 6’3, 230.  Ryan Mallett should still be available and his big arm along with trading down to select Heisman winner, Cam Newton, are other options at quarterback.
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My name is Chris Soran. I’m 24 years old. I’ve lived in Connecticut for almost my entire life. I graduated from UConn in 2008. I got married last fall and bought a house just outside Hartford, CT. I also write for my fantasy sports blog (Currently switching into fantasy baseball mode).

If you know me well you know I have an unhealthy obsession with the Detroit Lions. T shirts, Jerseys, bed sheets, and a Lions tattoo. You name some form of memorabilia I probably have it. Yes, I’m like the six year old that has every piece of Spiderman memorabilia ever created in their bedroom. My friends and family are still baffled as to how I became a Lions fan. They ask, “How someone who has never set foot in the state of Michigan become a fan of the Detroit Lions?” I always provide the same response, “Barry Sanders.”

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