Boise State vs. Arizona State: Maaco Las Vegas Bowl NFL Draft watch notes

by Dan Kadar on Dec 22, 2011 2:40 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

For NFL Draft fans, we finally get a bowl game really worth watching tonight between Boise State and Arizona State in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl (8 p.m., ESPN).

The overlying storyline for this game is that it's the college finale for Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore. He's sort of like the Tim Tebow of the 2012 NFL Draft. There are those who unwaveringly support Moore, hailing him as a smart winner and excellent team leader. Then there are those who point at his size and arm strength and consider him little more than a late-round pick. There is almost no middle ground on Moore discussion. I'm more in the category of considering Moore a late-round pick who will have a hard time making it in the NFL.

Purely from an NFL Draft perspective, I'm much higher on 6-foot-8 Arizona State junior Brock Osweiler. While he needs another year to develop, he has flashed big-time potential this season. His arm is impressive and his throwing motion is crisper than most plus-size quarterbacks.

The other point of contention for this game is Arizona State middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict. He's had such an up and down season and will need to be on tonight. Boise State has one of the nation's better running backs in Doug Martin, who is strong and elusive. If Burfict can keep up — assuming he gets much playing time after practicing with the second team — his draft stock can be salvaged.

Boise State has some solid defensive players of their own. Defensive lineman Billy Winn is a talented player who has had a difficult season. He projects as a 3-4 end because he has length and strength. End Shea McClellan and safety George Iloka also should be drafted by the end of the fifth round.

If you haven't already, download the bowl watch list put together by 3k.

Also see: Spencer Hall put out his Rootability Index for this game. He is good at writing the funnies.

In last year's game: This is basically the Boise State bowl. They beat Utah 26-3 in a snoozer last year.

2013 NFL Draft watch: It's Osweiler, for sure. Most expect him to return to Arizona State. If he does and continues on the path of improvement he's on, he could become a possible top 10 pick, or higher.

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Comments

I don't think Moore can make it

Being that small and not having a great arm, plus he’s limited to the pocket because he can’t run at all.

Montee Ball for Heisman.
Tajh Boyd and Dre' Ellington are the future.

by BlackPack-fan on Dec 22, 2011 3:37 PM EST reply actions

Kellen Moore is going to be a great QB in the NFL

by 91bigten on Dec 22, 2011 5:34 PM EST reply actions

To be fair

Most reasonable complaints for Tebow were focused on his mechanics and technique, whereas with Moore the critcism lies in his arm and simply things he cannot do.

With that said, I think Moore will be a good backup but I don’t see anything in his game to suggest he has the ability to lead a team as it’s starter long term

C'mon, join us, there's plenty of koolaid on the Broncos bandwagon for everyone!

by DBroncs1414 on Dec 22, 2011 6:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The complaints about both are reasonable. I’m just saying that both are lightning rod players that people seem totally split on.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Dec 22, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

It's not as though Moore only has physical limiations standing between him and the NFL

He has some serious mechanical flaws. Moore does not set his feet and drive into a throw, ever. You can watch an entire game and never seem him set his feet. He throws off his back foot even when he doesn’t need to and when he’s not doing that he slings the ball at a weird angle or throwing across his body like a pitcher. Moore has a quick release and is good at anticipating separation, but he would need to completely revamp his style to play at the next level, and even if you do that, you might lose the things he currently excels at. I think when you watch Moore play it is evident that he isn’t anywhere close to an NFL quarterback. His college numbers and winning % speak for themselves as second to very few, but there is more to being a quarterback then great college numbers in a mid major conference.

I'm too important to the team. Big Stein can't be flopping and twitching.

by Trenchtown on Dec 22, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions