-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another Steal in the Fourth? Posted by Bob Bullock May 05, 2008 9:47PM Categories: Player news After a few days of rest and relaxation, it was back to the grind. I'm referring to me, of course, not the rookies that assembled at the Jets training complex over the weekend. Yes, while I was hitting a little white ball in South Carolina, the newest members of the Green and White were getting used to being a part of an NFL team. Some rookies are expected to make a big impact in their first year. Included in that class are Vernon Gholston and Dustin Keller, the two first-round selections by Gang Green. Another who just may surprise could be Dwight Lowery, the cornerback the team picked up in the fourth round. I have to admit, I thought it was a reach at first, but reading about the guy makes me feel like he could really contribute. A smart guy, who always studies tape and wants to get better. He snagged 13 interceptions for San Jose St. in just two years, which is pretty impressive. The only drawback is his speed. He only runs in the 4.52 range. That doesn't seem to bother him much though. "People put a lot of emphasis on the 40, but I don't play to my 40 time," said Lowery, "I have good football speed." A guy that is smart enough to know where to be at the right time doesn't always have to be the fastest. It will be quite a battle for the right cornerback spot when training camp begins. Lowery will have to beat out David Barrett, Justin Miller, Andre Woolfolk, Drew Coleman and it looks like Hank Poteat as well. Poteat, who finished as the starter last season, is reportedly close to re-signing with the Jets. King Ranks Them All In case you missed it, Peter King ranked all 32 teams, now that free agency is completed for the most part and the draft is in the books. The Jets ended up at 14, just below Buffalo. King calls for the Jets to go with Clemens at quarterback and expects them to be much better at rushing the passer.
The 4th round has been pretty good to us for a long time, not just the past 3-4 years. 2007: None 2006: Leon Washington & Brad Smith. 2005: Kerry Rhodes 2004: Jerricho Cotchery 2001: Jamie Henderson- if not for his motorcycle accident I think he would have been a really good player for us. 1998: Jason fabini 1997: Leon Johnson- again, if not for injuries he would have been really good. We have had a few bad 4th rd picks since '97(Terry Day, Jason Wiltz, Alan Harper, Adrian Jones) but 4 medicore to bad picks in the 4th rd compared to 7 good to great picks is pretty damn good.
Lowery's going to become a fan favorite in the next few years. Whether it's at CB or FS, this guy's going to fight his way on to the field and be a ballhawk. I didn't really like the pick at first but after doing some research, I couldn't have been more wrong.
I hope this kid works out as well. I am glad to see that Poteat is close to signing with us again. As well as he played last year i would still like to see Miller or Barret or even Lowery really step it up. Poteat doesnt have that many years left in him....
I doubt Lowery is a steal. People say Rhodes, Cotchery, and Leon are steals but I ask...can a guy really be a steal if he's not a Pro Bowler? I highly doubt Lowery ends up a Pro Bowler, and therefore he can't/won't be useful for us.
If a player isn't a Pro Bowler, he isn't useful? That's the silliest thing I have ever heard. If you get a quality starter in the fourth round, you got a bargain. A steal, maybe not, but definitely a bargain and we have gotten that several times in the last several years.
I'm sorry, but I don't consider a group that includes David Barrett, Justin Miller, Andre Woolfolk, Drew Coleman, and Hank Poteat to be "quite a battle". The only guys I can see justifying a starting position at RCB to start the season are Poteat and Miller. I doubt Lowery beats those two out to start the season (if I remember correctly, not even Revis started his first game as a rookie), but it would be great if he proved himself enough to merit serious time at the position. I'm hoping for Miller to start at RCB to open the season, simply because I'd love to see him succeed and have 3 solid starters at the position or have the ability to move Lowery to FS if need be.
i really didn't think much of the pick at first (like Keller) but its really grown upon me (like Keller). obviously he is a little slow but how many people not named steve smith play at their full game speed? i think he would make an awesome FS with his intelligence and hands and give us an amazing tandem in the future.
the pro bowl is stupid, its votes... like seriously. kerry rhodes will be vying for his third straight pro bowl appearance this year in my opinion.
i think revis was a little different. Revis was DEFINETLY not the best player at CB when he was drafted. he was an incredible athlete who had little experience and a dozen handfuls of raw talent. with the holdout it took him a while to harvest that athleticism and talent into a good CB , and it should be no surprise to many when he really takes a gigantic leap forward again this year.
i am all for this guy to do good. but............. we havent even seen this kid play before so i really dont think he could be consider a steal.
The article is talking about how he COULD be a steal if he pans out. Some of us have seen him play. The first game I saw him in was his 2nd college game. San Jose State upset my alma mater, Stanford, and Lowery was a big part of that. He picked off Trent Edwards in the end zone to kill a crucial 2nd half drive and had great coverage all day long. Stanford had at the time a 6'7" beast of a receiver named Evan Moore, and two other solid receivers, Mark Bradford and Richard Sherman (who is still there). Whoever Lowery was matched up with had a tough time with anything thrown his way. I remembered him when his name was called on draft day, and think he COULD be good. If he does well, he'll be a steal.
At first I was a little disappointed by this pick. But as I read more and more about him, the better the feeling I get. I really like guys who spend a lot of time in film study. It shows a dedication towards perfection.
