DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) Bowl Schedule & Players To Watch

I can see RG3's career mirroring Michael Vick's in the sense that he'll show flashes of brilliance followed by regular stints on the bench nursing injuries.

His innate abilities will get him to the NFL but his size will limit his career, IMO.

I think that he is intelligent enough to handle a switch to working from under Center.

If he checks in at a legitimate 6'2" - 6'3", he's a no-brainer.

He reminds me a lot of a shorter, more athletic, Bernie Kosar. Somewhat unorthodox delivery ...... very, very smart ....... graduated as a junior with a double degree ..... very accurate passer ......

And hopefully a Cleveland Brown.

And before anyone asks ..... I am only about halfway serious.

He's not Kosar ...... but he's got some important similarities, like intelligence and leadership.

I'm not sure there was ever a top 10 spec that I was torn this much about....even his biggest supporters have to be honest and admit that he's pretty much the definition of a boom or bust spec and I'm not sure we should be the team to find out....then the other part of me says that since he's a QB, it's "worth" taking a boom/bust guy, hoping for a boom

He is a great College player but man he's really raw....his throwing motion is very iffy trying to imagine it working in the NFL, lots of throws outside the pocket on the move, little D reading, playing a rather easy CFB system....there's so much more that will be coming at him in the NFL....I will give him 1 thing though....he seems to have exceptional pocket feel and he moves with his eyes downfield....that's a BIG plus and mandatory for the NFL and very hard to "train" or learn

Maybe I will decide when I read my preferred scouting reports on him but right now my own eye has me on the fence...right now I'd be "ok" if we don't waste any other pick(s) (and still would not be 100% happy about the selection probably, depending on who we left on the board) but wouldn't trade up for him

I agree that his actual height will be key

I think that he has so many things that you simply cannot teach, that they outweigh the negatives. I think that his intelligence is the key, and that he can learn anything he does not currently do regularly.

I admit that he is a boom or bust type guy ...... but with 3 high picks this year, this is the kind of year to take that kind of chance.


Plus ...... Jordan Norwood's dad coaches at Baylor, and the Browns reportedly consulted him regarding Phil Taylor. I bet they ask about RG3 too, if they are interested.

Kids amazing. I agree with some of the negatives but if he's sitting there at 4 or 5...

Wanna watch Luck and Tannehill next week too.

I've liked RG3 since mid-season and last night's game hasn't changed anything for me. Throwing motion be damned, he throws an accurate ball with zip and exhibits a high level of intelligence. It's true that he'll be a boom or bust type player, but when you have those two attributes, I think it gives him a better chance for success than just your average, run-of-the-mill "mobile" QB. I also think coming from parents that are both sergeants in the armed forces probably means he has learned a great deal of discipline and hard work (as evidence by his early graduation).

He possesses a lot of attributes that we want. His negatives are experience within an NFL system and height. Personally, I think the positives will allow him to overcome those negatives and he'll be a play maker in the NFL.

Just hope he doesn't expect to run as much in the NFL as he does in college, because that won't happen.

jc..

I figured some would be blown away by RG performance last night...

...BUT...it sure would have been nice to see RG play in a game that in some way, resembled a game played in the NFL...which the Alamo Bowl did not come close to.

What football fans saw in the Alamo Bowl was not a realistic example of the quality of football played in the NFL, even by the worst teams in the NFL.

The Washington's overall defense ranked 94th in the NCAA
...the Huskies "pass defense" ranked 116th in the NCAA...note, the NCAA only has 120 teams in division 1.

The Baylor pass defense is not much better as they ranked 112th, slightly better than Washington.

I was actually more impressed with the play of Washington's QB, sophomore, Keith Price, who I felt outplayed RG.

But a game where neither team plays defense, tells me little about the quality of QB RG3 is, or projects to be.

I didn't get to see too much of the game but everytime I did watch I saw only passes to the sidelines. Did RGIII throw any passes to the middle or hit anyone in stride?

The kid has star power and will put bodies in the seats as everyone will want to see what the kid can do next. The Phins have pretty much stated what they are looking for, franchise QB with star power that can put bodies in the seats.

I dont think it is about them building something as much as it is about them being able to sell something. I know a lot will love RG3 but just dont get your hopes up for this kid because he seems destined to be a Phin as they sound willing to sell their soul to sell tickets.

AS for me, I see star potential but I see a high risk of bust primarily due to injury. I liked the fact he took a couple snaps from under center and looked comfortable doing it last night. That told me he was going pro. His throwing motion is a big concern but seems to work for him.

I like the kid but I would prefer Tannehill.

I think he will be very good, but It'll take time. Man he has a strong arm though. He's fun to watch. He plays out of the shotgun a lot just like Colt did though. So hard to tell, I bet if you threw on some old college tape of Colt, you'd probably get excited for that as well. It's just not the same at the next level.

I go back and forth on the guy a lot.

Man, last night's game was a total crapfest. Washington decided they were just going to throw all four DL and 0-2 LBs at the QB and send everyone else to cover deep, which resulted in Baylor rushing for over 500 yards I believe It really took away the possibility of RGIII showing off the deep stuff. Both defenses were awful.

I think Griffin was really pressing to show the arm strength last night. The second pass he threw that was a slant on time to Terrance Williams that was dropped was usually thrown how Heldawg complains about Griffin. I think it ate up TW and he wasn't expecting that velocity which led to the drop. Also, the deep pass to Wright didn't have the loft that they usually have, but that's probably because he was rolling to the right.

Unfortunately we didn't get to see RGIII's game last night. Of course, no NFL team would be willing to concede 500 yards on the ground like Washington did. I think at least everyone can see that he does, indeed, have what people here have been calling a "plus" arm.

I see no way whatsoever that we take a RB at #5. The value at that position simply is not there. At 25 .... maybe ...... but not at 5. (or wherever we wind up with our 1st pick)

Last chance this season to see Landry Jones is tonight at 10:00pm, 9:00pm central in the insight bowl.

It's OU so I'll certainly be watching but the smart money around here says he's going to stay another year and not come out.

Looks like Fletcher Cox of Miss. St. is going to be that,from out of nowhere, defensive linemen to make it into the top 10. Man he has some quick feet for a DT. The big LT for Miss St Carmon,will make a very intriguing RT prospect.

So far the best part of this game is the OU cheerleaders.

I just dont get the Riley Reiff hype, I see another Robert Gallery in the makin. I was more impressed with Carmon from Miss St.

Best performance today has been Daniels the DT for Iowa. Kid has some hustle and some skill. Would be a great fit as the 3rd guy in our dT rotation.

Jones hasn't really done anything good or bad.

Jones needs Broyles or he's mediocre at best. Stills has made some amazing one handed catches this season but without Broyles, jones just seems lost. It's been this way since Broyles blew ot his knee.

GAME OF THE WEEK EXTRA:
Who to watch in college football bowl action

December 31st
Meineke Car Care Bowl; Houston; Noon PM ET; ESPN
Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Northwestern (6-6)

There are certain basic rules that should apply to bowls. Bowl names should not have multiple words! Bowls should be named after fruits, or flowers, not automobile companies! Bowls should not be between 6-6 teams. And the Meineke Car Care Bowl falls way short on just about all the major rules. The one redeeming feature of this game could be an interesting dual between two of the best QBs in college football in Ryan Tannehill (#17, 6-4, 220) of Texas A&M and Northwestern’s QB Dan Persa (#7, 5-11, 210). They also both have pretty interesting stories. It wasn’t all that long ago, for example, that A&M’s Tannehill, was considered to be a solid WR prospect, but switched to QB in the middle of the 2010 with the offense floundering and quickly became one of the top prospects at the position; indeed, Tannehill has a chance to go in the latter part of this year‘s opening round. For his part, Persa was arguably the best player in college football last fall, but he ruptured an Achilles tendon late last season and still isn’t really 100%. Even so, Persa completed 74% of his pass attempts this fall once he got back into the line-up. At barely, 5-11, though, Persa is not considered to be more than a marginal pro prospect. Northwestern does have several other smart, experienced and productive collegiate players who will get some looks from NFL teams this coming April including HB/FB Drake Dunsmore (#9, 6-2, 235), safety Brian Peters (#10, 6-3, 215), CB Jordan Mabin (#26, 5-10, 180), WR Jeremy Ebert (#11, 6-0, 195), and OT Al Netter (#6-5, 310), while DE Vince Browne (#94, 6-5, 265) looks the part of stud DE, although he’s never been all that productive.

Texas A&M actually came into the season, its last in the Big XII with the Aggies headed to the SEC next fall, with high expectations, but injuries thinned out an a potentially explosive offense. Speedy junior RB Christin Michael, for example, hurt a knee and was lost for the year, while stablemate Cyrus Gray (#32, 5-9, 200) was in and out of the lineup with a shoulder problem, although he was still able to run for over 1,000 yards and 12 scores this fall and figures to be a mid-round at the upcoming draft. The Aggies also have a veteran receiver in WR Jeff Fuller (#8, 6-3, 215), a big target with decent speed, but his grade as slipped because of a series of injuries over his college career. The Aggies also have one of the better cover corner combos in college football this season in Coryell Judie (#5, 5-11, 190), a second-day prospect for 2012, and Terrence Frederick (#7, 5-10, 185), although both have also had wonky shoulders. At the same time, FS Trent Hunter (#1, 5-10, 190) and MLB Garrick Williams (#8, 6-1, 235) are productive players who can run, although they are somewhat undersized to be considered more than late round or free agent prospects. Same for DEs Tony Jerod-Eddie (#83, 6-4, 300) and Jonathan Mathis (#6-2, 285) who could get looks from 3-4 teams.

Sun Bowl; El Paso; 2 PM ET; CBS
Georgia Tech (8-4) vs. Utah (7-5)

Should be an interesting Sun Bowl with Georgia Tech and its wonky offense dueling Utah. Both teams are very young, though, and this game may have as few draft prospects as any bowl game this year. Indeed, its possible that Georgia Tech won’t even have anyone signed as an undrafted free-agent, although DE Jason Peters (#92, 6-4, 275), OLB Steven Sylvester (#34, 6-2, 240), NT Logan Wells (#96, 6-2, 295) and RB Roddy Jones (#20, 5-9, 205) will at least get second looks. If any player in this year’s Sun Bowl is going to be drafted its likely to be either, or both of Utah OTs Tony Bergstrom (#70, 6-5, 315) and John Cullen (#77, 6-5, 305) who make up one of the better sets of bookend tackles in the country. RT Bergstrom, in particular, is a mid-round prospect for the upcoming draft, while LT Cullenis not as highly regarded, but is more athletic. Meanwhile, Utah has a number of potential free-agent types on defense including CB Conroy Black (#9, 6-0, 200) who is one of the fastest players in college football, along with MLB Chaz Walker (#32, 6-0, 225), OLB Matt Martinez (#52, 6-0, 225), and DEs Derrick Shelby (#90, 6-2, 265) and Tevita Finau (#97, 6-4, 285). Also keep an eye on junior DT Star Lotulelei (#92, 6-2, 335) for future reference.
Liberty Bowl; Memphis; 3:30 PM ET; ABC
Cincinnati (9-3) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6)

For the record, Cincinnati is the only team with more than 8 wins playing on New Year’s eve. And for what it is worth, the Bearcats also have the best potential draft class of any of the teams playing on the 31st. Super quick RB Isaiah Pead (#23, 5-11, 200), the Big East offensive player of the year who figures to be off the board by the end of the second day, is probably Cincinnati’s best prospect, but DT Derek Wolfe (#95, 6-5, 300), who has 19.5 career sacks including 9.5 this year, and active MLB J.K. Schaffer (#37, 6-1, 235), who had over 100 tackles this fall including 3.5 sacks and 3 interceptions, may not be al that far behind. Meanwhile WR D.J. Woods (#3, 5-11, 180), OT Alex Hoffman (#59, 6-6, 300), OG Randy Martinez (#53, 6-possibly QB Zach Collaros 1, 300), DT John Hughes (#40, 6-3, 305), and FS Wes Richardson (#24, 6-0, 200) are later round or free agent candidates. The most interesting story for the Bearcats though is athletic QB Zach Collaros (#12, 6-0, 225) who will start after missing three games with a broken ankle; Collaros isn’t a top prospect in that he isn’t all that tall and lacks prototype arm strength, but has been a playmaker during his UC career.

Vanderbilt also has a couple of intriguing prospects for the 2012 draft. season for a team coming off a two-win season. CB Casey Hayward (#19, 5-11, 190), for example, is a ball-hawker who picked off 5 passes this fall after leading the SEC with six last fall, although he lacks the top-end speed to rate as an elite prospect. Meanwhile, MLB Chris Marve (#13, 6-0, 240) is a tackling machine with almost 400 career stops, but like Hayward is more likely a mid-round pick. Meanwhile SS Sean Richardson (#21, 6-1, 220), DE Tim Fugger (#42, 6-4, 255), and TE Brandon Barden (#6, 6-5, 250) could figure in the later rounds or as post-draft free agents.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl; San Francisco; 3:30 PM ET; ESPN
Illinois (6-6) vs. UCLA (6-7)

With apologies to what we presume are well meaning folks connected with this game, but this may be the worst-named bowl out there. What does it even mean? Kraft is fighting hunger. Kraft wants everyone else to fight hunger. With a bowl game with teams with a combined 12-13 record. If nothing else let's give this one the average fan out there can at least relate to. How about the Kraft Dinner Bowl, or our personal favorite the Kraft Caramel Bowl! And as noted above maybe a couple of better teams would help. In fact, UCLA, which lost its final regular season game 50-0, is the only team in the bowls with a losing record after somehow getting into the conference championship game with Southern California ineligible, while Illinois lost its final 6 games after a promising 6-0 start o the season. If that wasn't bad enough, UCLA may also be the least talented team in the bowls, at least looking ahaed to the 2012 draft. Indeed, despite making the Pac-12 title game, UCLA did not have one player named to the 1st or 2nd offense or defense all-conference units. And the team's only real draft prospects for 2012 - S Tony Dye - is academically ineligible and won't play this afternoon. Meanwhile UCLA players that could get some free agent consideration include WR Nelson Rosario (#83, 6-4, 220), C Kai Maiava (#51, 6-0, 320), OG Sean Sheller (#72, 6-4, 315) and RB/KR Derrick Coleman (#33, 5-11, 235).

Illinois at least has some legitimate prospects for the upcoming draft. In fact, junior DE Whitney Mercilus (#85, 6-4, 265), who led the country with 14.5 sacks, is starting to generate some second-day buzz and could ultimately go in the opening round if as expected he does opt to enter this year's draft. Illinois also has a number of seniors with mid-round potential in OT Jeff Allen (#71, 6-5, 315) and WR A.J. Jenkins (#8, 6-0, 180), who caught 84 passes for 1,200 yards this fall, while, CB/SS Tavon Wilson (#3, 6-0, 205) and LB Ian Thomas (#38, 6-0, 240) are later round prospects.

Chick Fil-A Bowl; Atlanta; 7:30 PM ET; ESPN
Virginia (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)

If the Kraft Hunger Fight or whatever isn’t the worst name for a bowl, then the Chick-Fil-A Bowl is. Fortunately, for the chicken fillet folks they have what should be a somewhat better match-up than the Kraft game featuring defending national champion Auburn and a surprising Virginia team. It was back to reality for Auburn this season after last year‘s magical run to the national championship. Of course, repeating was always going to be tough for the Tigers after losing QB Cam Newton, the first player selected at the 2011 NFL draft, and DT Nick Fairley, the 14th pick this past April, among others. Certainly, Auburn isn’t going to have anywhere near the same impact at the upcoming draft. In fact, its possible the Tigers won’t have any one drafted at all, although OTs.A.J. Greene (#77, 6-5, 300) and RT Brandon Mosley (#75, 6-5, 310) should get some late-round consideration, while WR Quindarius Carr (#9, 6-0, 180), FS Neiko Thorpe (#15, 6-1, 185), and MLB Eltoro Freeman (#21, 5-11, 225) are free agent types. Meanwhile, star sophomore RB Michael Dyer (#5, 5-9, 210), who figures to be a prime prospect for the 2013 draft, has been suspended for one of those violations of team rules and apparently won’t play against Virginia.

Surprising Virginia came within a game of making it to the ACC conference championship game and have some interesting prospects for the upcoming draft. CB Chase Minnifield (#13, 5-11, 185), for example, is considered to be an early second day prospect, but could sneak into the opening round because of the importance of the position. Meanwhile, DE Cam Johnson (#56, 6-4, 270) is a mid-round prospect with the kind of size and athleticism NFL teams look for in a 4-3 DE, although the production hasn’t always been there, while DT Matt Conrath (#94, 6-6, 280) figures to get some later round looks as a 5-tech DE at the next level as may Canadian OG Austin Pasztor (#63, 6-6, 305).

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Huge games today and some of my favorites in this draft with Tannehill and Mercilus.

Meineke Car care bowl is on right now.

Ryan Tannenhill is sure sounding alot like the WOES i'm used to hearing of the West coast offense.

( reaction. " west! coast! offense! will never never ever ever win anything in the NFL again."

WCO can't even beat northwestern

Oh my, such fret, such FRUSTRATION at the realization my beloved BROWNS run the expleted WCO which stinks like a dumpster full of diapers

and the dreaded WCO CAN'T EVEN BEAT NORTHWESTERN.


and the Browns team president is in LOVE with this garbage.


I'm so tired of the WCO , why not just run some basic regular football offense instead of this gimmic TRASH that puts receivers running around like a bunch of Circus Clowns coming out of a car.

( yeah i'm reactionary ) I wanna see wins. You can't win with this WCO 25 year old out dated offense.

I agree the Packers are trash for running the WCO, what the hell are they thinking? There offense would never work against a big bad AFC North defense.... oh wait.

Well T am just scored but they had a 37 yd bubble screen

Bubble Screens don't go for 37 yds against the Afc north.

And The Packers don't run bubble screens 2 in a row with the game on the line for almost negative yards like the Browns vs the Ravens last week.

I hate the WCO, and will continue to, even if the Browns start to work with it, and here is why, .. It puts too many stupid short passes which are an opportunity to be turned over, when they need fewer , deeper passes, that are a threat to score and make the defense defend the entire field.

Tannehill 26 yd td pass, the thing is,

I'd like to see a Browns QB that could snap the ball and make a throw for a catch in the end zone 26 yds down field that only takes 3 seconds to elapse after the snap and the receiver is already out of the back of the end zone.

Browns Qb, 3 seconds to decide to throw
1 second to throw
2 seconds in the air
1 second to wait for the defender to get in position
1 secon for the jump ball. post snap for a 26 yd td pass.

Tannehill ha 21 yard pass and a 29 yard pass on the final drive on 3rd downs to set up a fg that extends the lead to 11 from 8 to put the game away.

Also didn't show awareness to keep the ball in bounds on plays before those. He looked like he had arm strength though.

#85 Whitney Mercilus from Illinois, DE...can't wait to watch this kid!

Tannehill is special. I know most have him ranked in the 20s but I would probably pull the trigger on him with our first pick. Let the bashing begin but man I see FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK when I watch this kid play. He has it all, NFL size and a frame to add another 25 lbs., fantastic arm, anticipation and accuracy, GREAT Footwork, he is also durable and very very smart.

Luck or nobody.

I thought Tannehill looked good, but not sure I'd call him "special". He made a nice deep throw out of the end zone for a 45+ yards pickup, threw a nice TD pass - 25 or so yards - down the left sideline, and stuck the dagger in with a dart to the right intermediate seam for a first down to ice the win. I liked his arm, and the way he seems to throw downhill, the way only a tall QB can. I'm not sure about great feet, but he looked pretty unathletic throwing on the run - I wonder if he will have the escapability you'd like in an NFL QB. He was playing against a pretty crappy defense, and a good percentage of his pass yards were on little screens that were really long handoffs. I think our 1b would be a bit of a reach for Tannehill, but wouldn't complain if H&H think he's the guy. I would not expect him to step in and start next year if we took him, and maybe not even in year 2.

R u guys serious???

He played at wide receiver during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He continued to play receiver midway through his junior season, but switched to playing quarterback for the remainder of the season.

And you're talking taking this dude with our First Rounders???

C'MON MAN!!!!!!!!!

If we don't go for Luck or take RGIII we MUST get a playmaker at 3-4-5...The likes of a Blackmon or Claiborne...And another at 22-23-24...

NO QB PROJECTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

And whoever had negative things to say about Claiborne either hasn't seen him play of has NO CLUE what he's watching when he does see em' play...This kids a STUD...And guess what...The dude on the other side of the field is gonna be even BETTER...Tyrann Mathieu...

Maybe someone can answer this for me.

I keep reading that this is a really deep draft for WR, but not a particularly top heavy draft. In other words, there is no A.J.Green, or Julio Jones at the top. There are quality receivers, just not those guys who have special talent.

It also seems like a rather deep draft for CB. Again, no shut down guys ..... but definitely guys who will have long and productive careers ..... just no CBs like a Revis or Peterson available this year.

So, are the WR/CB available at the top of the draft great compared to the rest of the draft, or are they better, but not as superior as you might expect from a top 5 pick?