Here we go again, two NRL players trialling for the NFL.

[Rimbaud82]

So just like Jarryd Hayne before them, two of the best rugby league players are in the US looking to trial for the NFL. This Saturday they'll be doing some combine-esque drills and I think I read that something like half the NFL teams are going to be there to scout them. If an offer is made they wouldn't play till their current contracts are up at the end of 2017.

Jason Taumololo is the current joint Dally M winner (MVP basically) and is one of the best players in the game. Holmes is one of the brightest young talents.

To be honest, as with Hayne, I am kind of curious to see how they get on and these two are younger than Hayne (Holmes is 21, Taumololo 24). But at the same time it just seems so unlikely so what's the point, it's not that either of them aren't athletic/skillful but they've never played the game before in their lives...american football is extremely different, and they'll be up against people who have been playing their whole lives. I am sure if these guys grew up in the US playing american football they'd go far, they are great athletes, but to swap in their early 20s just seems daft...what happened to normal code swaps from rugby league to rugby union lol. What position would they even play? That's another thing, rugby/rugby league you do a lot more things, NFL is entirely specialised.

Taumololo is a beast, one of the best ball-carriers and big hitters in the game. In rugby league he plays either loose forward or second rower. He's very fast for his size and has excellent footwork, but is not really fast in general. So running back probably wouldn't work (without even talking about the technical stuff), and I read that teams barely use full backs nowadays?

The NFL scouts here seem to think he could play linebacker, I am sure he has the physical skills, but is it not one of the most technical positions to learn and play? So I can't see how that would work. They also mention tight end, again surely he wouldn't be fast enough?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/nfl...k=0cbc6e84b0e8d87bb77ca4e8e5b13e15-1480076014

Holmes is a full back/winger, so his main job is to finish off tries (touchdowns) and I guess it's most comparable to a wider receiver. But again, I am sure it'd be hard learning all the different routes etc.


Anyway, what do you guys here think?
Obviously there will be comparisons to Hayne and the fact that he couldn't crack it despite some early promise in pre-season, no doubt these guys would have some of the same issues trying to transfer over in terms of habits that are good in rugby that aren't as good in NFL (more upright running style, the way they carry the ball etc.), and there is no feeder league where they could learn for a while, but I suppose the difference is they are much younger than him. But it's still relative like, there are gonna be guys who have played their whole lives in college who don't make it to NFL.

Personally I don't even see why they want to, someone like Taumalolo is the perfect build and has the perfect skillset for his position in rugby league.

 

[sleepwalk]

I think you're spot on with your assessments. Being world class, tough-as-nails athletes helps but it's a bigger transition than many might think. Especially when you mentioned Taumalolo as LB. The middle linebacker is often the defensive captain and responsible for not just his own assignments but for reading the formation of the offense and adjusting the rest of the defense. Rugby requires more versatility from each player and linebacker is a position that requires such versatility but football at that level demands a ridiculous level of experience and strategy. To pick it up later in life seems like it would be very difficult.

 

[Rimbaud82]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...olo-and-valentine-holmes-20161126-gsycob.html

LOS ANGELES: NFL scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and 12 other teams have cast their eyes over NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes at a workout in Los Angeles.

Whether Taumalolo and Holmes score NFL contracts is unclear.

They impressed during the two-hour session at Loyola High School near downtown LA on Saturday, but the scouts say they will need to see more to determine if Taumalolo and Holmes can can pick up American football quickly enough to play the sport at its highest level.

"It's probably a little bit premature to know all of those answers," an Eagles scout, who asked not to be named, said after the session.

"This is just the first step."

Taumalolo, a 23-year-old forward with North Queensland, and Holmes, a 21-year- old fullback and winger with premiers Cronulla, underwent a battery of tests inside the school's gym and on a sports field.

They ran NFL routes and caught the ball, performed speed and agility tests and ran the 40-yard dash.

"They showed a lot of strength and balance," the Eagles scout said.

"They are big, strong athletes.

"The balance, strength, body control, the change in direction, they have that.

"Their discipline today was outstanding.

"So it's a learning curve."

Taumalolo said the scouts indicated to him he could play fullback, tight end or linebacker while Holmes was pencilled in as a wide receiver or safety.

Both players said they remain committed to their NRL teams for 2017 - the last years of their contracts.

But scouts said their availability was something that was one of the big determining factors.

NFL project players would be required to report to their teams in early April for pre-season camps and the NFL season extends into the new year.

"To come over here and have another go at a sport is another challenge for us," Taumalolo said.

The next step is for teams to contact their agents.

"It's a waiting game," Holmes said.

"We'll have to see what happens."

Other NFL scouts in attendance were from the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, LA Rams, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks.

 

[Rimbaud82]

video:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/646ab6ce-57f4-41f4-a221-696f7cab4fbf

 

[Shamrocker]

So just like Jarryd Hayne before them, two of the best rugby league players are in the US looking to trial for the NFL. This Saturday they'll be doing some combine-esque drills and I think I read that something like half the NFL teams are going to be there to scout them. If an offer is made they wouldn't play till their current contracts are up at the end of 2017.

Jason Taumololo is the current joint Dally M winner (MVP basically) and is one of the best players in the game. Holmes is one of the brightest young talents.

To be honest, as with Hayne, I am kind of curious to see how they get on and these two are younger than Hayne (Holmes is 21, Taumololo 24). But at the same time it just seems so unlikely so what's the point, it's not that either of them aren't athletic/skillful but they've never played the game before in their lives...american football is extremely different, and they'll be up against people who have been playing their whole lives. I am sure if these guys grew up in the US playing american football they'd go far, they are great athletes, but to swap in their early 20s just seems daft...what happened to normal code swaps from rugby league to rugby union lol. What position would they even play? That's another thing, rugby/rugby league you do a lot more things, NFL is entirely specialised.

Taumololo is a beast, one of the best ball-carriers and big hitters in the game. In rugby league he plays either loose forward or second rower. He's very fast for his size and has excellent footwork, but is not really fast in general. So running back probably wouldn't work (without even talking about the technical stuff), and I read that teams barely use full backs nowadays?

The NFL scouts here seem to think he could play linebacker, I am sure he has the physical skills, but is it not one of the most technical positions to learn and play? So I can't see how that would work. They also mention tight end, again surely he wouldn't be fast enough?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/nfl...k=0cbc6e84b0e8d87bb77ca4e8e5b13e15-1480076014

Holmes is a full back/winger, so his main job is to finish off tries (touchdowns) and I guess it's most comparable to a wider receiver. But again, I am sure it'd be hard learning all the different routes etc.


Anyway, what do you guys here think?
Obviously there will be comparisons to Hayne and the fact that he couldn't crack it despite some early promise in pre-season, no doubt these guys would have some of the same issues trying to transfer over in terms of habits that are good in rugby that aren't as good in NFL (more upright running style, the way they carry the ball etc.), and there is no feeder league where they could learn for a while, but I suppose the difference is they are much younger than him. But it's still relative like, there are gonna be guys who have played their whole lives in college who don't make it to NFL.

Personally I don't even see why they want to, someone like Taumalolo is the perfect build and has the perfect skillset for his position in rugby league.

Its a constant source of amusement for two cousins of mine who play for the Essendon Bombers Tasmanian State League Team..Lauderdale.It's AFL not NRL yes but close enough i suppose.They believe if footie players transfer to a USA team the transition would be no problem but usa player to aussie football the american couldnt adapt to the pace.Now that may be true of a 350lb lineman at first but they could adapt.As for an Aussie to the NFL i think all too often the Aussies forget its not just a matter of fitness,toughness,endurance etc. but to a complete newbie at the very top of the NFL food chain just to have to learn the 100's of plays run on both sides of the ball that alone can stop your individual game before it starts.There are so many factors in play for this transition for any athelete it could never be considered easy for anyone imo.How is Hayne adapting Rimbaud?Have you heard? P.S. Brilliant win for the bhoys in green yesterday!!Still smiling,still wearing my Best top.Whats the craic about the injured lads?Cheers chara.

 

[faustian]

Well the NFL really isn't the place for C-level athletes but good luck to them regardless

 

[Benjamin Burton]

the intelligence needed to play football outside of quarterback is a myth perpetuated by the nfl. its basically a marketing tool. two years as a second or third stringer could easily prepare him to play linebacker or even defensive end. hes physically got everything needed.

 

[Rimbaud82]

Well the NFL really isn't the place for C-level athletes but good luck to them regardless

You're a moron.

 

[manlyseaeagle]

Well the NFL really isn't the place for C-level athletes but good luck to them regardless

American Football is all fur coat and no knickers and hyped to fuck yet real sports men like Rugby League and Rugby Union wouldn't last 10 minutes on the Rugby field as the fitness levels are way to high plus you have to attack and defend for 80 minutes bro not like some pussy NFL player who runs 2 meters celebrates and then sits on the bench with an oxygen mask.

 

[Rimbaud82]

http://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/18151294/taumalolo-holmes-asked-back-us

Been asked back for a second trial at some point.

 

[Rimbaud82]

Its a constant source of amusement for two cousins of mine who play for the Essendon Bombers Tasmanian State League Team..Lauderdale.It's AFL not NRL yes but close enough i suppose.They believe if footie players transfer to a USA team the transition would be no problem but usa player to aussie football the american couldnt adapt to the pace.Now that may be true of a 350lb lineman at first but they could adapt.As for an Aussie to the NFL i think all too often the Aussies forget its not just a matter of fitness,toughness,endurance etc. but to a complete newbie at the very top of the NFL food chain just to have to learn the 100's of plays run on both sides of the ball that alone can stop your individual game before it starts.There are so many factors in play for this transition for any athelete it could never be considered easy for anyone imo.How is Hayne adapting Rimbaud?Have you heard? P.S. Brilliant win for the bhoys in green yesterday!!Still smiling,still wearing my Best top.Whats the craic about the injured lads?Cheers chara.

Think Sexton will be taking some time away from the game, he's constantly getting injuries which isn't good for him so I think it's a good idea. And depending on how long he takes out I'd be glad to see Paddy get more games in the green jersey, plus from a long term perspective it will good for depth if Carbery is able to start at 10 regularly for Leinster it would be brilliant for his development as he looks like he will be a great talent. As for other injuries I think henshaw won't be out long but haven't heard much about others like Trimble.

 

[MarkyMcFly]

American Football is all fur coat and no knickers and hyped to fuck yet real sports men like Rugby League and Rugby Union wouldn't last 10 minutes on the Rugby field as the fitness levels are way to high plus you have to attack and defend for 80 minutes bro not like some pussy NFL player who runs 2 meters celebrates and then sits on the bench with an oxygen mask.

People tend to forget that wearing pads and a helmet makes you a human weapon on the field.

In fact, tons of studies have shown that if the players didn't wear helmets, concussions and such would dramatically reduce.

 

[SportsBarGod]

Not good enough for this real sport. Stick with poor sports.

 

[Rimbaud82]

People tend to forget that wearing pads and a helmet makes you a human weapon on the field.

In fact, tons of studies have shown that if the players didn't wear helmets, concussions and such would dramatically reduce.

This is true, american football is more 'violent' as a result of the helmets and padding because tackling technique is worse, guys can fling themselves around with reckless abandon etc. and plus it seems like the helmets are so big that it makes head to head contact much more likely when a running back is trying to bump someone off for example. Though of course there are still big hits in rugby and when I say violent I don't mean it's tougher.

That's a really cool avatar you have btw. In my spare time I like to make sports wallpaper/designs/things in photoshop for players, did one of Ezekiel Elliot the other day:

 

[Rimbaud82]

Not good enough for this real sport. Stick with poor sports.

Another moron, why are so many NFL fans dickheads I wonder? Maybe it's just in this sub-forum, rehashing the same boring 'poor', 'd-level' athlete jokes over and over again.

 

[SportsBarGod]

Another idiot. Shit sport and shit thread will get shit responses. Stay in your crappy sport since you cant hang in real sports.

 

[Rimbaud82]

Another idiot. Shit sport and shit thread will get shit responses. Stay in your crappy sport since you cant hang in real sports.

Yawn, fuck off you boring cunt.

 

[Shamrocker]

Not good enough for this real sport. Stick with poor sports.

You sound like a fucking ten year old.Why bother adding comments like that at all?Im sure there are other forums out there for wee little boys like yourself eh?Now run along let the adults talk.

 

[SportsBarGod]

Another good comeback by a soft euro. Stay soft like you do in the game of war euro trash

 

[Rimbaud82]

Another good comeback by a soft euro. Stay soft like you do in the game of war euro trash