Rugby to the NFL

purpleglory

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but former Saracen's lock Hayden Smith has signed for the NY Jets. It will be interesting to see how he gets on and where he plays. Even if he doesn't make it there is every chance he will make more money in a couple of years than he would have playing in the Aviva for a career.

Obviously there is some transfer of skills and there has been some players from the AFL who have transferred across as kickers etc but I can't see many more doing likewise.

[Jackass]

Yeah it's an interesting one, but Smyth is a bit of a freak. I think he played college basketball (which is one step below NBA - players are drafted from there afaik) and took up rugby in his late teens and was an international within a couple of years and a pro within about another year.

I don't know if he's player American football before, but I'm sure he's familiar with it and pretty damn good. The Jets are one of the best teams in the NFL.

Interestingly, there's a fair few British & Irish in the NFL, such as recent Superbowl winning kicker Lawrence Tynes, who is from the arse hole of Scotland somewhere...

Tox56

[Jackass] wrote: »

Yeah it's an interesting one, but Smyth is a bit of a freak. I think he played college basketball (which is one step below NBA - players are drafted from there afaik) and took up rugby in his late teens and was an international within a couple of years and a pro within about another year.

I don't know if he's player American football before, but I'm sure he's familiar with it and pretty damn good. The Jets are one of the best teams in the NFL.

Interestingly, there's a fair few British & Irish in the NFL, such as recent Superbowl winning kicker Lawrence Tynes, who is from the arse hole of Scotland somewhere...

Yeah he's pretty famous as demonstrated by me knowing who he is in the first place. Twice getting field goals (I think) to bring the Giants to the Superbowl. High profile job with lots of pressure, send ROG over.

Teferi

I know he said the Dolphins were after him before but if ROG was genuinely looking to continue a career in sport after he retires from rugby I think he could make it in the NFL. Kickers generally have the longest career spans and if they avoid injury can continue until their leg gives out. ROG could easily kick into his late 40's or more if he remained fit.

Neil3030

His height and hands will make him an asset at tight-end in the red-zone, that's for sure. Interesting to see how he gets on. How quick is he, does anyone know?

lologram

Teferi wrote: »

I know he said the Dolphins were after him before but if ROG was genuinely looking to continue a career in sport after he retires from rugby I think he could make it in the NFL. Kickers generally have the longest career spans and if they avoid injury can continue until their leg gives out. ROG could easily kick into his late 40's or more if he remained fit.

The year is 2022. Ronan O'Gara announces that he does not intend retiring as kicker until he's 48. The NFL forum of American site boards.com implodes.

matthew8

Second rows would generally be tight ends or defensive ends. As for people joining the NFL as kickers, I think the Steyns would be superstars with their long range efforts if they went over after rugby.

Chucky the tree

Teferi wrote: »

I know he said the Dolphins were after him before but if ROG was genuinely looking to continue a career in sport after he retires from rugby I think he could make it in the NFL. Kickers generally have the longest career spans and if they avoid injury can continue until their leg gives out. ROG could easily kick into his late 40's or more if he remained fit.

I think he'd have very little chance of making it in the nfl. It's a very different style and he'd have to complete alter his run up and get used to kicking a completely different ball.

GerM

Kicking into his late forties would make him one of the oldest players in the history of the game. Kicking a football is very different to a rugby ball. Totally different technique and kicks are straight in front. The ball is kicked off the deck with a holder instead of from a tee. Very different proposition and not a transferable skill.

Tox56

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I think he'd have very little chance of making it in the nfl. It's a very different style and he'd have to complete alter his run up and get used to kicking a completely different ball.

He clearly has the co-ordination in his feet, the concentration and ability under pressure. I'd say given time he could get used to it, although his range isn't particularly long which could be an issue, and obviously his age.

theoneeyedman

Tox56 wrote: »

[QUOTE='[Jackass];77936422']Yeah it's an interesting one, but Smyth is a bit of a freak. I think he played college basketball (which is one step below NBA - players are drafted from there afaik) and took up rugby in his late teens and was an international within a couple of years and a pro within about another year.

I don't know if he's player American football before, but I'm sure he's familiar with it and pretty damn good. The Jets are one of the best teams in the NFL.

Interestingly, there's a fair few British & Irish in the NFL, such as recent Superbowl winning kicker Lawrence Tynes, who is from the arse hole of Scotland somewhere...

Yeah he's pretty famous as demonstrated by me knowing who he is in the first place. Twice getting field goals (I think) to bring the Giants to the Superbowl. High profile job with lots of pressure, send ROG over.[/Quote]
Bit of a stretch to say tynes was plucked from the arse end of Scotland ....he is Scottish born but father is American and he lived in the US since he was a child. Always felt the ROG story was bogus to drum up a contract but would be great to see how the likes of ferris or obrien would get on wearing the pads

matthew8

GerM wrote: »

Kicking into his late forties would make him one of the oldest players in the history of the game. Kicking a football is very different to a rugby ball. Totally different technique and kicks are straight in front. The ball is kicked off the deck with a holder instead of from a tee. Very different proposition and not a transferable skill.

I've kicked a rugby ball off a tee, and then an american football off the ground in the same spot. There's really very little difference. The only differences there would be would be the people charging at your kick and the kick always being in front. I hit both balls in the same spot and they fly more or less the same way.

irishbucsfan

GerM wrote: »

Kicking into his late forties would make him one of the oldest players in the history of the game. Kicking a football is very different to a rugby ball. Totally different technique and kicks are straight in front. The ball is kicked off the deck with a holder instead of from a tee. Very different proposition and not a transferable skill.

Morten Andersen retired at 48 years old just a couple of years ago.

I think ROG would realistically make a very good kicker in the NFL for a couple of seasons (I think you're making too much of the differences, kicking an AFL ball is completely different to kicking a rugby ball but Geordan Murphy went down there and picked it up immediately on Aussie television and astounded them) but I can't see ROG going over there.

He admitted the Dolphins talk was rubbish.

CatFromHue

GerM wrote: »

Kicking into his late forties would make him one of the oldest players in the history of the game. Kicking a football is very different to a rugby ball. Totally different technique and kicks are straight in front. The ball is kicked off the deck with a holder instead of from a tee. Very different proposition and not a transferable skill.

Considering he's spent so long working on his kicking, breaking what he does down into bits, analysing those bits and as time has gone by the balls will have changed I can't see him having too much difficulty transferring his skills.........as long as the ball is placed with the laces out of course.

Neil3030

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Bit of a stretch to say tynes was plucked from the arse end of Scotland ....he is Scottish born but father is American and he lived in the US since he was a child. Always felt the ROG story was bogus to drum up a contract but would be great to see how the likes of ferris or obrien would get on wearing the pads

Probably not very well, I'd wager. I'm assuming you would be talking about turning them into running backs? Ferris is nearly at retirement age for a running-back to begin with and neither have the speed or agility imo. They both would probably have made incredible line-backers had they have grown up in the states, but way too much to learn for them now unfortunately.

Teferi

Lets not make this another ROG-centric thread. I was just using him as an example. I was really trying to say that I think the players who would find it easier to convert to gridiron would be kickers. They are normally the oldest players in the NFL with very little wear and tear. A decent rugby kicker wouldn't take too long to change to the smaller and harder Yank ball.

Teferi

Fez would have made a good football player if he was born there. His lack of knee caps now however I would seriously doubt he would last a single down before getting a career ending hit to his knee.

Tox56

Teferi wrote: »

Fez would have made a good football player if he was born there. His lack of knee caps now however I would seriously doubt he would last a single down before getting a career ending hit to his knee.

Even in defence, such as a linebacker, as was mentioned already? Obviously they would really need to be born there to learn it all, but if they had been, I'd say they would find some position where they are pretty good.

irishbucsfan

Neil3030 wrote: »

Probably not very well, I'd wager. I'm assuming you would be talking about turning them into running backs? Ferris is nearly at retirement age for a running-back to begin with and neither have the speed or agility imo. They both would probably have made incredible line-backers had they have grown up in the states, but way too much to learn for them now unfortunately.

Ferris is 26. Marion Barber just retired "young" due to injuries at 29. He's nowhere near retirement age for an NFL running back

Tox56

Also, BOD, SOB or even Healy as a running back?

irishbucsfan

Teferi wrote: »

Fez would have made a good football player if he was born there. His lack of knee caps now however I would seriously doubt he would last a single down before getting a career ending hit to his knee.

Curtis Martin had the exact same problem as Fez and he was one of the best Jets running backs of all time and retired at 34.

bonnieprince

matthew8 wrote: »

Second rows would generally be tight ends or defensive ends. As for people joining the NFL as kickers, I think the Steyn brothers would be superstars with their long range efforts if they went over after rugby.

I don't think the Steyn's are brothers

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ferris is 26. Marion Barber just retired "young" due to injuries at 29. He's nowhere near retirement age for an NFL running back

My mistake, I thought he was older. Either way, 30 is very much the "point of no return" for running backs.

totallegend

Sports Illustrated, February 2014

O'Gara: 'I should be starting ahead of Brady'

Rookie kicker Ronan O'Gara has sparked controversy by speaking of his disillusionment at the decision by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to pick Tom Brady as starting quarterback ahead of the outspoken Irishman for this weekend's SuperBowl against the Philadelphia Eagles in Dallas.

Speaking to reporters after the Pats training session in Gilette Stadium, O'Gara said "I feel that I've earned the right to start this game, people have criticised me before and I've always come back stronger and proved the doubters wrong"

"Busted my ass"
When asked how a 180-pound novice could hope to withstand the fearsome Eagles defence, O'Gara said, "I feel I'm in the best shape of my career. I've busted my ass over the last 8 months and to be stepped over in this way is very disappointing."

O'Gara has made two appearances in the field goal unit for the Patriots and has a season best FG of 44 yards, but it was not enough to persuade Belichick to overlook 8-time Pro-Bowler Brady as the key man. "I've done everything I can. I've made the most of the opportunities I've been given and I feel I deserve a shot at this", O'Gara, a 29th round draft pick in 2013, said. "It just makes you question everything about where this team is going."

The Patriots coaching staff were unavailable for comment.

davegrohl48

It's suprising more of the rugby kickers haven't at least gone over on trial once they hit 29. I'd be confident also ROG would make it as a kicker.
- Long history of high pressure kicks with game on the line
- Does not currently take a long run up
McFadden you would think is suitable also and he could cover punter as he has a huge boot. A long hangtime would be no bother to him.

I would have loved to have seen Jason Robinson in NFL. Would have made a great running back, just hand him the ball and guaranteed gains each time.

Neil3030

Neil3030 wrote: »

My mistake, I thought he was older. Either way, 30 is very much the "point of no return" for running backs.

only if they have been taking a pounding since young ferris has taken less big hits so he could last a few years after easily

wonton

while on the talk of changing sports, gavin henson would probably make a grand soccer player.

davegrohl48

Ferris is not fast enough to play running back. I would say no current Irish player is quick enough to be a running back.
A few would have the ability to play wide receiver due to having great ability to catch a ball under severe pressure. Rob Kearney for example. Shane Horgan in his day.
Of players in this years six nations only maybe George North could play running back, not blazing quick but his power/size makes up for it. Edit and also possibly Manu Tuilagi.

Fight_Night

davegrohl48 wrote: »

It's suprising more of the rugby kickers haven't at least gone over on trial once they hit 29. I'd be confident also ROG would make it as a kicker.
- Long history of high pressure kicks with game on the line
- Does not currently take a long run up
McFadden you would think is suitable also and he could cover punter as he has a huge boot. A long hangtime would be no bother to him.

I would have loved to have seen Jason Robinson in NFL. Would have made a great running back, just hand him the ball and guaranteed gains each time.

Someone like Jason Robinson would be a dime a dozen in the NFL, don't think he'd be anything special.

Also don't think that any rugby kickers would be automatically at an advantage to that of someone who grew up playing AF. Most rugby players don't start to get into serious kicking training until they are about 15, the same probably goes for AF players. Difference is that the AF player spends his whole time practicing with an american football and in game scenarios. Why would they need to scout rugby players, who would need time to adjust(and may never adjust) when they have access to fresh talent from college?

The best players would all be coming from one part of the rugby playing world, the pacific islands. The Fijians, Tongans and Samoans(and the Maoris) would be the only people that could compete with the genetic freaks that the US manages to produce.

matthew8

Neil3030 wrote: »

Probably not very well, I'd wager. I'm assuming you would be talking about turning them into running backs? Ferris is nearly at retirement age for a running-back to begin with and neither have the speed or agility imo. They both would probably have made incredible line-backers had they have grown up in the states, but way too much to learn for them now unfortunately.

I think they could play FB, tackle, tight end, defensive end or linebacker. One guy I'd love to see play NFL is Pierre Spies. He's a freak. Ridiculously athletic. You could put him at any position you want, though he'd probably do best in WR so long as his hands aren't bad. Besides, I don't think he's a good enough rugby player to be world class, raw talent works better in the NFL.

Podge_irl

Kearney is far too slow to be a WR.

I'm not sure how many kickers could actually completely change their routine to play NFL. They have to run up far quicker generally straighter and with more pressure. On the other hand the kicks themselves are generally easier. You'd need someone with a fairly hefty boot like Steyn or Halfpenny and they'd take a lot of time to get used to it I imagine.

matthew8

Podge_irl wrote: »

Kearney is far too slow to be a WR.

I'm not sure how many kickers could actually completely change their routine to play NFL. They have to run up far quicker generally straighter and with more pressure. On the other hand the kicks themselves are generally easier. You'd need someone with a fairly hefty boot like Steyn or Halfpenny and they'd take a lot of time to get used to it I imagine.

Kearney could be the league's best special teamer. If a team needed to get the ball back from a kickoff near the end of the game, they could use Rob Kearney to catch a high kick. I also think many teams could learn from Leinster's switch on the kickoffs that they frequently use. I've only ever seen it done once and it worked. I think Kearney could be a good safety or returner.

davegrohl48

I'v watched alot of NFL and I know it's with pads, but Jason Robinson is one of the fastest players I'v ever seen over 30 yards in NFL, Soccer, Rugby.
Also his ability to change direction and his suprising power in contact.
He wouldn't be as ridiculously strong and evasive as a Barry Sanders but then Barry Sanders is often rated as one of the best of all time.
Think of how rare it was to see Robinson not break the gainline when in posession. Also he generally gained extra ground after being hit by the tackler with his powerful, quick legs getting extra little strides in after contact. In open space I can't recall anyone hauling him back in over first 30.

Agree with poster, Pierre Spies has the physical ability to play a few positions. He has a huge leap and great upper body strength.

davegrohl48

Kearney is not far too slow for wide receiver. There are some wide receivers who would leave him standing and then there are others Kearney would leave standing. It's the nature of the position. Many of the tall wide receivers six foot five+ are not that quick off the mark. At wide receiver it's your hands that are valued more than your 40 time.

tolosenc

Fez would definitely have been a line-backer.

Also, the rules on when you are tackled would prevent the likes of SOB being an effective running back. If all a rugby player had to do was have his knee touch the ground, rather than grab him, drag him down, and hold on to him, he'd be much easier stopped.

jonah lomu nearly joined the cowboys as a rb at one stage

Neil3030

Kearney is not far too slow for wide receiver. There are some wide receivers who would leave him standing and then there are others Kearney would leave standing. It's the nature of the position. Many of the tall wide receivers six foot five+ are not that quick off the mark. At wide receiver it's your hands that are valued more than your 40 time.

I take your point that speed isn't everything and with his hands and leap he could be an option in the red zone; but probably not much elsewhere. Even the deep-threats who are considered "slow", would still clock a 4.60-4.70 in the 40m, which extrapolates to around 11s for the 100m, which is Denis Hickie territory. Kearney would lack that explosive burst of pace to get separation from most defensive backs. Sure you could toss it up and let him compete, but it's not a fair contest to catch the ball (as it is in rugby) as the DBs can just swat the ball away without fear of punishment for knocking it on, etc.

Evelyn Flat Thumbscrew wrote: »

only if they have been taking a pounding since young ferris has taken less big hits so he could last a few years after easily

Ferris has taken a pounding though. As much as I want to believe otherwise, I'b be amazed to see him playing rugby beyond the age of 30.

matthew8 wrote: »

I think they could play FB, tackle, tight end, defensive end or linebacker.

TACKLE?! Have they suddenly grown to 6"6 and 22+ stone?!

matthew8

Neil3030 wrote: »

TACKLE?! Have they suddenly grown to 6"6 and 22+ stone?!

Sure they'd need to put a bit of weight on but they've got some of the skills.

JustinDee

Learn Spanish and become a kicker.

GerM

Fair enough, I don't think ROG would be much of an option at that level still. There's a serious emphasis placed on distance which he doesn't have any longer. The ball being kicked off the deck and placed vertically from a moving snap as opposed to from a tee and tilted forward for additional distance makes it a different proposition and would require a massive amount of practice to adjust to. He would be alright for short field goals but anything in the longer reaches, where an NFL player earns his cash, would be a struggle in my opinion. He would certainly be a field goal only player and punting wouldn't be an option for him. If it was a basic enough ability to go from one discipline to another, we would see a lot of players trying to secure NFL contracts for a season or two where the average contract is the guts of $1m a season for a kicker and top kickers make double that.

irishbucsfan

Neil3030 wrote: »

Kearney is not far too slow for wide receiver. There are some wide receivers who would leave him standing and then there are others Kearney would leave standing. It's the nature of the position. Many of the tall wide receivers six foot five+ are not that quick off the mark. At wide receiver it's your hands that are valued more than your 40 time.

I take your point that speed isn't everything and with his hands and leap he could be an option in the red zone; but probably not much elsewhere. Even the deep-threats who are considered "slow", would still clock a 4.60-4.70 in the 40m, which extrapolates to around 11s for the 100m, which is Denis Hickie territory. Kearney would lack that explosive burst of pace to get separation from most defensive backs. Sure you could toss it up and let him compete, but it's not a fair contest to catch the ball (as it is in rugby) as the DBs can just swat the ball away without fear of punishment for knocking it on, etc.

Evelyn Flat Thumbscrew wrote: »

only if they have been taking a pounding since young ferris has taken less big hits so he could last a few years after easily

Ferris has taken a pounding though. As much as I want to believe otherwise, I'b be amazed to see him playing rugby beyond the age of 30.

matthew8 wrote: »

I think they could play FB, tackle, tight end, defensive end or linebacker.

TACKLE?! Have they suddenly grown to 6"6 and 22+ stone?!

Ferris, for example, could carry that weight easilly. There are a few guys who move from Tight End to tackle in college and have to put on the weight. I remember there was a guy drafted a while ago who had put on something like 90 pounds to do it. That was an extreme example but it shows its possible. Ferris would only have to add a fraction of that. He'd have the mentality to be a great offensive tackle. He would possibly be even better suited to center, as you'd imagine he'd have far better hands than the average American, although its a very tactical position.

People often get a bit overawed by the size and power of these guys in the NFL but you forget that their bodies have to be far less sustainable. Shorter periods of play, shorter seasons, shorter careers, shorter lifespans. Stick a guy like Ferris into that mentality and you'd get much more out of him.

DeDoc

totallegend wrote: »

Sports Illustrated, February 2014

O'Gara: 'I should be starting ahead of Brady'

.............

I read what you posted and had to do a double take, as I was sure I 'read' what I posted above. :pac::pac:

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ferris, for example, could carry that weight easilly. There are a few guys who move from Tight End to tackle in college and have to put on the weight. I remember there was a guy drafted a while ago who had put on something like 90 pounds to do it. That was an extreme example but it shows its possible. Ferris would only have to add a fraction of that. He'd have the mentality to be a great offensive tackle. He would possibly be even better suited to center, as you'd imagine he'd have far better hands than the average American, although its a very tactical position.

People often get a bit overawed by the size and power of these guys in the NFL but you forget that their bodies have to be far less sustainable. Shorter periods of play, shorter seasons, shorter careers, shorter lifespans. Stick a guy like Ferris into that mentality and you'd get much more out of him.

Not a hope. Even forgetting the extra 30+kg he'd need to add to an already sizeable build (keep in mind that fractions are relative, and that kid you cited probably bulked up from a smaller starting point) there is simply no way he would learn the nuances of a position which is probably the most technical behind that of quarterback. Hey, I love the guy, probably a bit too much for it to be considered healthy, but it just wouldn't happen.

irishbucsfan

Neil3030 wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ferris, for example, could carry that weight easilly. There are a few guys who move from Tight End to tackle in college and have to put on the weight. I remember there was a guy drafted a while ago who had put on something like 90 pounds to do it. That was an extreme example but it shows its possible. Ferris would only have to add a fraction of that. He'd have the mentality to be a great offensive tackle. He would possibly be even better suited to center, as you'd imagine he'd have far better hands than the average American, although its a very tactical position.

People often get a bit overawed by the size and power of these guys in the NFL but you forget that their bodies have to be far less sustainable. Shorter periods of play, shorter seasons, shorter careers, shorter lifespans. Stick a guy like Ferris into that mentality and you'd get much more out of him.

Not a hope. Even forgetting the extra 30+kg he'd need to add to an already sizeable build (keep in mind that fractions are relative, and that kid you cited probably bulked up from a smaller starting point) there is simply no way he would learn the nuances of a position which is probably the most technical behind that of quarterback. Hey, I love the guy, probably a bit too much for it to be considered healthy, but it just wouldn't happen.

He wouldn't need 30+kg, just 20, he's nearly 19 stone already

Obviously its never going to happen because of the technical side of things. The point is that if he was an American footballer he would do very well.

Hes probably far too fast to be wasted on the line anyway, I'd say Tight End is where he'd play.

Brian O'Driscoll could make a superb safety imo. Cian Healy a full back. There are plenty of candidates around to speculate about.

lologram

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Brian O'Driscoll could make a superb safety imo

A good bit too short I'd say

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He wouldn't need 30+kg, just 20, he's nearly 19 stone already

Obviously its never going to happen because of the technical side of things. The point is that if he was an American footballer he would do very well.

Hes probably far too fast to be wasted on the line anyway, I'd say Tight End is where he'd play.

Brian O'Driscoll could make a superb safety imo. Cian Healy a full back. There are plenty of candidates around to speculate about.

18st3lbs according to Wiki, and 17st8 on Ulster's site. I'd have him at line-backer. He'd be immense. But contingent on him growing up playing the game, obviously.

davegrohl48

Ferris is already bulked up as it is. He would struggle to put on another stone. After another two stone he'd lose all agility.
You need to be born with ridiculously strong hips and legs. When you see the defensive line waking around between plays they really do look like contestants from World Strongman. Some of them are only small percentages weaker than strongmen on events like bench/squat etc.

The AFL is getting a few guys in as punter as they have such long careers purely punting the ball in their own game. Also the Aussie style kick is meant to aid accuracy. First AFL guy who punted was a big success. Darren Bennet.
Didn't realize kickers were on 1 - 2 million dollars. I'd imagine many much lower paid at lower profile teams.

Colonialboy

I think O'Driscoll and Ferris would be too slow. Those NFL guys are fast, even the big guys, explosive off the blocks. But it would be interesting to see how they do.
I think an NFL guy would find it easier to transition to rugby, I was always surprised more of them havent come over.

davegrohl48

I think you could have some immense props and locks and no. 8s from American Football. Maybe not so useful in general play. But devastating in the scrum. Usable in plays where you are near the opposition tryline and just need a crash ball guy to make 4 yards.
Also some of the running backs/wide receivers have the stamina to be effective backs. They'd need some more conditioning work for endurance but rugby has it's rest periods too for the backs when there are scums/lineouts/penalties. Adrian Peterson would be a great centre.
Any amount of powerful guys would be good driving off base of the scrum as a no. 8.
Drew Brees has the accuracy to be a great 9/10 if he was in rugby from young age. There was an interesting video on youtube showing him hitting a target 10 times from 10 throws from 20 yards. One o those arrow targets you see, he hit the centre spot each time.

Neil3030

Colonialboy wrote: »

I think O'Driscoll and Ferris would be too slow. Those NFL guys are fast, even the big guys, explosive off the blocks. But it would be interesting to see how they do.
I think an NFL guy would find it easier to transition to rugby, I was always surprised more of them havent come over.

Well any offensive player would be a complete liability defending, so that rules out a fair few. Plus, none of them can pass or kick.

Some safeties or corners like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would possibly be the closest to having the all around skill set to possibly play on the wing (minus the ability to kick obviously), but guys of that calibre are on $3m+ a year; not even French sugar daddies could entice him away.

I'm sure Eddie O'Sullivan looked into recruiting former college players when he was over in the states. You'd have scores of lightening-quick power houses who weren't good enough to play running back in the NFL.

irishbucsfan

You guys are completely overlooking the fact that these guys would not be nearly as big or fast if they had to condition themselves to play 80 minutes of continuous rugby for twice the length of time each year. They'd be no bigger than what we have.

Vice Versa for rugby players going across. Ferris could easilly put on weight if he didn't have to maintain the same standards of aerobic fitness.

Joey Galloway was the fastest guy in the NFL for most of his career. He had to take oxegen between plays. That's completely unsustainable for a professional rugby player.


Re: ODriscolls height, he's not too small for a safety. Same height as Ed Reed, 1 inch shorter than Brian Dawkins. They're too of the best I've ever seen.