2011-12 Bowls: Champs Sports Bowl (Florida St. v. Notre Dame) & Alamo Bowl (Washington v. Baylor) previews

by 3k on Dec 29, 2011 12:30 PM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

Champs Sports Bowl logo

Champs Sports Bowl (Florida State v. Notre Dame), 5:30pm - ESPN

The sheer number of prospects on my watchlist should tell you how important this game is for NFL scouting. Whether you're looking for top offensive tackles (FSU's Zebrie Sanders & Andrew Datko who's hurt), WRs (Notre Dame's Michael Floyd) TEs (ND's Tyler Eifert) or pass rushers (FSU's Brandon Jenkins), there's a ton of day one and two talent in this game.

Rams fans may be particularly interested in the Seminole secondary where Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes have combined to form one of the most successful secondaries in the country. Florida State's defense as a whole is pretty nasty, allowing the nation's fourth best defense in points allowed at just 15.2 per game.

Rams player of interest: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame WR (Sr.)

Final score: Florida State 27, Notre Dame 14

Valero Alamo Bowl logo

Valero Alamo Bowl (Washington v. Baylor), 9:00pm - ESPN

The headlines will all center on Robert Griffin III, this year's Heisman winner. Scouts have a good two dozen players to keep tabs on though.

Alameda Ta'amu may be the best defensive lineman you haven't heard of yet. A mammoth at 6'3" and nearly 340 lbs., Ta'amu, along with Memphis' Dontari Poe, could well be the top 3-4 NT in the draft. Ram fans will likely be more interested in the Huskies offensive prospects, including RB Chris Polk, G Senio Kelemete and WR Jermaine Kearse (one of my favorite sleepers). Kearse's production fell off with the departure of Jake Locker and the emergence of freshman TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins; he's still a solid route runner with a decent frame. Keep an eye on him at the combine.

Baylor has a standout WR prospect of its own in Kendall Wright, who Tevin mocked to the Rams recently. It sets up an interesting battle between one of the best offenses in the country in Baylor led by an absolutely phenomenal QB against a relatively mediocre Pac-12 team that just doesn't have the defensive depth needed to excel at anything.

Rams player of interest: Chris Polk, Washington RB (RS Jr.)

Final score: Baylor 55, Washington 24

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I know it is insane, but I have really looking forward to the Alamo Bowl.

The primary reason is for the two receivers mentioned, Kendall Wright and Jermaine Kearse. I hope we get some wider angles to actually watch them work. It seems like every time I see Wright in action, I am just wondering how he got THAT open THAT deep, and watching the ball drop over his shoulder into his arms. Of course RGIII is always fun to watch anyway.

by David5264 on Dec 29, 2011 12:54 PM CST reply actions

yeah, solid WR scouting

Wright may be the best pure speed wideout in this class. And considering the Rams don’t have that option, he makes sense. I think that’s why you see people mocking him to us like Tevin did as I noted above as well as zachmann21 in his rec’d mock.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 29, 2011 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

I'm very interested to see Floyd against a corner like Rhodes

If we trade down from our top 2 pick, Floyd is who I want and maybe Rhodes into second if he’s their

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 29, 2011 2:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Rhodes can play

he’s still young, but i wouldn’t have a problem spending a 2nd on him

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 29, 2011 2:56 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

He's the only guy on FSU (my local team)

Who I think will actually live up to his hype. Jenkins has been a dissapointment, and Reid is 5’6" or so (point is he’s too shorty) according to people I know who attend FSU. I do like Bjorn Werner, but I don’t know if he should bulk up and be a 4-3 DT or bulk up a little less and be a 3-4 DE, he has amazing strength though.

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 29, 2011 5:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions