04/30/2012 - A closer look at the Rams' picks: Round 6/171 - Greg Zuerlein, PK, 6-0, 190, Missouri Western...Incumbent Josh Brown has a salary of $2.7 million, and Zuerlein set a NCAA record with 21 consecutive field goals last season, including nine from 50 yards or more. - The Sports Xchange
Positives: Rare explosive leg strength, generating the distance to consistently kick field goals from 50+ yards. Leg drive extends on kickoffs, as well. Routinely booted the ball to the endzone (30/75 went for touchbacks) and should prove a weapon on kickoffs in the NFL. Excellent accuracy, especially from deep, nailing all nine attempts of 50+ yards in 2011 -- his only season at Missouri Western. Showed the ability to make clutch kicks, including nailing a 57-yarder that turned out to be the game-winner against rival Missouri Southern... Also fared well in front of scouts during private workouts, making two of three from 60 yards... Missed just one field goal attempt (29 yards) out of 24 attempts in 2011... Made his only FG attempt (35 yards) ad all three PATs when called upon at the East-West Shrine Game.
Negatives: The ball comes off Zuerlein's foot a bit lower than scouts would prefer, which could lead to blocks against NFL athletes. Can lose his concentration and miss an occasional "easy" kick, as evidenced by his one miss in 2011 (29 yards) and two missed PATs, which gave him nine misses on PATs over his career (108 attempts). Played at lower level (transferred to Missouri Western after Nebraska-Omaha cut its football program) and it is unknown if pressure of kicking in front of 60,000 and a TV audience rather than 6,000 will affect him...
