In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at a Steelers fan seeing whether the team should take a first-round gamble on cornerback Ras-I Dowling, how the Bengals president doesn't see value in trading Carson Palmer, and whether Kyle Boller was considered a bust.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Considering Dowling at No. 31 Overall
A user over at Behind the Steel Curtain investigates whether taking Dowling in the first round would be a good move:
Had Dowling entered the 2010 NFL draft class like many felt he should have, drafting him in the first round would come with very little second-guessing. A relatively clean bill of health coupled with the fact that 2010 was a pretty weak cornerback class would have made Dowling arguably the 2nd or 3rd best corner in the class. Now in 2011, few give Dowling a first round grade and many are raising red flags on Dowling's injury-plagued senior season in which he only played 5 games. That's pretty bad I know, and it only makes it worse that his injuries were not confined to just one part of his body but in multiple places. In 2010, he sustained a broken ankle, a knee injury, and a bad hamstring. Certainly a concerning list of ailments that has most scouts running for the hills.
Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Brown Doesn't See Value in Trading Palmer
Our Bengals affiliate is frustrated that team president Mike Brown won't acknowledge that the team is considering trading Carson Palmer despite the signs indicating they should:
Pissed off quarterback. Check. Quarterback demands a trade. Check. Quarterback threatens retirement. Check. Several teams are known to have interest for the quarterback. Check. Teams would give the Bengals something for Palmer. Check. Bengals would get something in return for a pissed off quarterback that's threatening retirement. Check. This is how forward thinking minds work.
Baltimore Ravens: Was Kyle Boller a Bust?
Also, while it’s obvious Boller did not play to the level of a first-round pick, his average numbers (56.9 percent completion rate as a Raven, 45 touchdowns, 44 interceptions, 71.9 passer rating) were better than that of Leaf, a true bust who played in less than half the number of games Boller did, posted a career rating of 50 and was done after three ineffective and injury-riddled seasons.
I go by the definition of bust having two meanings -- either you are terrible and weren't given very long to play, or you were given a chance but never came close to your expectations. Boller falls under the latter category and is a "bust" in my book.