Irish American Kicker poised to be big star in NFL

jack presley

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/patrick-set-for-nfl-stardom-thanks-to-his-gaelic-football-roots-29151235.html

Anyone else see this today? Talk about stretching the truth a bit. The way the article is laid out, you'd swear he was the next Morten Anderson. I had a quick look around at his 'draft stock' and ESPN/CBS and a couple of other sites don't have him in their top 10s either as kicker of punter and as only a few in each position get drafted or signed as undrafted free agents anyway, aren't they making the story out to be a lot bigger than it is.

Best of luck to him and hopefully he does latch on to a roster but it's a longer shot than the Indo are making it out to be.

helimachoptor

Read it earlier but agree they make it seem like it's a done deal!

Son Of A Vidic

Breaking News: Irish newspaper full of shyte.

Ya OP, I read that article alright. Apparently kicking a ball around GAA style, gives you unique and special muscles in your legs that can turn you into a budding NFL kicking star.

bruschi

not sure why all the negativity. fair play to the lad for getting a shot at the combine and if he makes it, well done to him.

and of course an Irish paper is going to hype a player who has a shot of making it in the NFL who has a history of GAA in his family background. I think it would be great if he makes it, would mean more media and sportspersons interest in the game here.

Son Of A Vidic

bruschi wrote: »

not sure why all the negativity. fair play to the lad for getting a shot at the combine and if he makes it, well done to him.

Speaking for myself, my post was directed at the simplistic and poor quality of the article in question. And not at the lad himself.

Mikeyt086

The line "Patrick Murray (21) has NFL teams scrambling to secure his signature after discovering an uncanny knack for kicking field goals." was particularly cringey. A kicker kicking field goals!??! THIS IS MADNESS!

In all honesty would like to see him do it, but the Indo clearly have no idea what they are talking about there.

themont85

Michael Mullen who played outhalf with CBC Monkstown senior cup team in the late 80s played college football as a kicker for some team as far as I know. Any others, if I was that kid from Blackrock this year who couldn't miss a shot at goal and doesn't look to have of a future in Irish rugby then I'd definitely be touting myself to American colleges!

TO.

The thing about these articles as they make out as if him being Irish makes it unique that he has gotten a chance but the simple realism of it all he is Irish American who grew up and lives in the US and went through the US school system. He is no different to any other American kid who is getting a chance to play American Football. Playing Gaelic football is not the only reason he is good at kicking something the article eludes to. I am sure playing High School Football and good coaching helped him also. Don't forget there are plenty of Irish American playing High School and College ball who spend summers in Ireland and also probably play GAA etc etc Darragh O'Neill anyone? who is a punter for Colorado.

Really bad journalism in the end and nothing more than Oh look another Paddy could be famous. Fair play to the lad if he makes it though. Seen video of him he has a good leg and solid record even if the Rams are a FBS(1AA) school.

AngeGal

Interview with him on Off the Ball tonight, available on newstalk website, great interview. Sounds very Irish, really strange actually considering he has lived in America all his life, although he did say he comes back every summer.

Realt Dearg Sec

themont85 wrote: »

Any others

There was this guy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_O%27Donoghue

I also heard of an Offaly footballer who played a couple of pre-season games for the Falcons back in the 60s. Best of luck to the young lad here, but the idea of teams "scrambling" to get a kicker is funny.

EDIT: Tom Furlong was the Offaly kicker:

http://www.uibhfhaili.com/articles/viewArticle.php?id=31

A2LUE42

So what happened? Doesn't look like he was drafted at all..

Red Crow

Didn't even get picked up as an UDFA. Seems like a PR campaign went on in his final year in college to get him drafted.

Shame really! Best of luck to the guy in whatever he ends up doing!

bruschi

A2LUE42 wrote: »

So what happened? Doesn't look like he was drafted at all..

not that unusual I would think. only 2 kickers and 2 punters drafted in total, so undrafted free agent was always going to tbe the more realistic route I would have thought.

jack presley

Although there were a lot if UFAs signed after the draft, including a number of kickers, I don't think it's the end of signings yet.

I'm sure once training camp starts and some teams don't like the kickers they have, you'll see a few more players getting invited to try out.

I'm not saying he'll be one if then as he was well down the rankings of kickers on most of the draft boards I saw but I don't think it's 100% over for him yet. I always thought the news reports on him about a month ago about him being a shoo-in were a bit over the top and I just hope he didn't believe all the hype Isn't there some Norwegian bloke trying out for the Vikings or somebody?

TO.

jack presley wrote: »

Isn't there some Norwegian bloke trying out for the Vikings or somebody?

Detroit Lions signed him Havard Rugland

bobby wade

Murrays gonna be in Jets camp

jack presley

bobby wade wrote: »

Murrays gonna be in Jets camp

Is that the rookie minicamp? If so, can anyone explain the difference between getting signed as an UFA and heading to rookie minicamp and just getting an invite to one like it seems Murray has?

bobby wade

Basically it's just a try-out no contract

jack presley

bobby wade wrote: »

Murrays gonna be in Jets camp

According to the Fordham college website, he'll be attending the Bears rookie camp this week too.

http://www.fordhamsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050213aab.html

bobby wade

First I've heard of that, was Jets in everything I've seen. Just a note that the Fordham website aint always accurate. Could be true though

TO.

jack presley wrote: »

According to the Fordham college website, he'll be attending the Bears rookie camp this week too.

http://www.fordhamsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050213aab.html

He was supposed to go to the Bear camp but it seems that has changed and he is defo going to the Jets one. Be impossible to do both as far as I know.

jack presley

TO. wrote: »

He was supposed to go to the Bear camp but it seems that has changed and he is defo going to the Jets one. Be impossible to do both as far as I know.

Both are on next weekend so he does has to pick one over the other. Where did you read he had chosen the Jets one?

TO.

jack presley wrote: »

Both are on next weekend so he does has to pick one over the other. Where did you read he had chosen the Jets one?

Few articles not many but here is one.

http://www.hamlethub.com/newtown-sport/sports/32686-from-danbury-to-new-jersey-melanophy-headed-to-jets-camp

Also a few Jets forums have said it. I cant find the piece with the full list going to Jets. I will edit this post when I do.


and this dude is a beat writer

Kristian Dyer ‏@KristianRDyer 3 May Per source, Indiana RB Darius Willis and Fordham K Patrick Murray will be attending Jets rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.


Edit: reading over twitter there is a lot of confusion from all sources as to where he is going. More of them suggest the Jets but there is a few saying Chicago. I guess we will see over the rookie camps are over. Either way its the Jets or Bears.

jack presley

TO. wrote: »

Few articles not many but here is one.

http://www.hamlethub.com/newtown-sport/sports/32686-from-danbury-to-new-jersey-melanophy-headed-to-jets-camp

Also a few Jets forums have said it. I cant find the piece with the full list going to Jets. I will edit this post when I do.


and this dude is a beat writer

Kristian Dyer ‏@KristianRDyer 3 May Per source, Indiana RB Darius Willis and Fordham K Patrick Murray will be attending Jets rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.


Edit: reading over twitter there is a lot of confusion from all sources as to where he is going. More of them suggest the Jets but there is a few saying Chicago. I guess we will see over the rookie camps are over. Either way its the Jets or Bears.

I'd imagine Gould is probably pretty safe in Chicago but what about Folk in NY? Would he have a serious shot at beating out either of them or is his best opportunity latching on somewhere else later in the Summer when someone stinks at some training camp somewhere?

bobby wade

I seriously doubt he's gonna be at Bears camp. I've seen none of the Bears guys report it & the Bears recently signed another K to a contract(4 year or 2 year). Ya don't need that many camp legs

bobby wade

‏@BradBiggs 2m
@bearsgrowl guy could attend different tryouts on different weekends

TO.

bobby wade wrote: »

‏@BradBiggs 2m
@bearsgrowl guy could attend different tryouts on different weekends

True if both are on different weekends. Bears and Jets have their this coming weekend.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/5/6/4298658/nfl-minicamp-schedule-ota-dates-2013

NFC North

Chicago Bears (Windy City Gridiron)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 13-14, May 16, May 20-21, May 23, June 3-6
Mandatory Minicamp: June 11-13

Detroit Lions (Pride of Detroit)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-29, May 31, June 3-4, June 6-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Minnesota Vikings (Daily Norseman)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 28-30, June 4-6, June 10-13
Mandatory minicamp: June 18-20

Green Bay Packers (Acme Packing Company)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-22, May 28-30, June 11-14
Mandatory minicamp: June 4-6

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (Blogging The Boys)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs:May 21-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Washington Redskins (Hogs Haven)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 20, May 22-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

New York Giants (Big Blue View)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 22-23, May 29-31, June 3-7
Mandatory minicamp:

Philadelphia Eagles (Bleeding Green Nation)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 13-15, May 20-22, May 28-31
Mandatory minicamp: June 4-6

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons (The Falcoholic)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 28-30, June 4-6, June 11-14
Mandatory minicamp: June 18-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bucs Nation)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 29-31, June 3-4, June 6-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

New Orleans Saints (Canal Street Chronicles)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 10-13
Mandatory minicamp: June 4-6

Carolina Panthers (Cat Scratch Reader)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers (Niners Nation)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Seattle Seahawks (Field Gulls)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-29, May 31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Arizona Cardinals (Revenge of the Birds)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 14-16, May 21-23, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

St. Louis Rams (Turf Show Times)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21, May 23-24, June 3-4, June 6-7, June 11, June 13-14
Mandatory minicamp: None

AFC North

Cleveland Browns (Dawgs By Nature)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 14-16, May 21-23, May 28-31
Mandatory minicamp: June 4-6

Pittsburgh Steelers (Behind The Steel Curtain)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Cincinnati Bengals (Cincy Jungle)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore Beatdown)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 21-23, May 29-31, June 4-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

AFC East

Miami Dolphins (The Phinsider)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 21-23, May 29-31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-3

Buffalo Bills (Buffalo Rumblings)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 13-15, May 20-21, May 23, May 28-31
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

New England Patriots (Pats Pulpit)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-30, June 3-4, June 6-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

New York Jets (Gang Green Nation)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (Big Cat Country)
Rookie minicamp: May 3-5
OTAs: May 13-15, May 20-21, May 23, June 4-7
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Indianapolis Colts (Stampede Blue)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-22, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Tennessee Titans (Music City Miracles)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 29-31, June 3-4, June 6, June 10-11, June 13-14
Mandatory minicamp: June 18-20

Houston Texans (Battle Red Blog)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

AFC West

Denver Broncos (Mile High Report)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-22, May 29-31, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

Kansas City Chiefs (Arrowhead Pride)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 14-16, May 21-23, May 28-31
Mandatory minicamp: June 4-6

Oakland Raiders (Silver and Black Pride)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-30, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

San Diego Chargers (Bolts From The Blue)
Rookie minicamp: May 10-12
OTAs: May 13-15, May 20-22, June 3-6
Mandatory minicamp: June 11-13

jack presley

So do we know whether he'll be in NY or Chicago this weekend yet?

The Chicago Tribune has him listed as being with the Bears this weekend but they say their list is unofficial. I can't find any list of who's going to Jets camp though.

TO.

jack presley wrote: »

So do we know whether he'll be in NY or Chicago this weekend yet?

The Chicago Tribune has him listed as being with the Bears this weekend but they say their list is unofficial. I can't find any list of who's going to Jets camp though.

He is definitely going to the Jets camp.

jack presley

TO. wrote: »

He is definitely going to the Jets camp.

Ae these camps reported on? I'd love to hear how he gets on

TO.

jack presley wrote: »

Ae these camps reported on? I'd love to hear how he gets on

Just follow all the Jets guys on Twitter:

Go here and you will find link to twitter also http://thejetsblog.com/

Im sure Jets fans can give you better sources. I tweeted a few Jets beat writers to see if they get back to me to 100% confirm Murray is there. The camp opened today.

jack presley

Looks like he's in Chicago.

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/Tale-of-2-Numbers-Roster-of-Minicamp-Players/87c61bae-2fd5-458b-9e4b-b538a00de633

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-tryout-players-for-chicago-bears-minicamp-20130509,0,3418807.story

Realt Dearg Sec

jack presley wrote: »

Looks like he's in Chicago.

http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/Tale-of-2-Numbers-Roster-of-Minicamp-Players/87c61bae-2fd5-458b-9e4b-b538a00de633

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-tryout-players-for-chicago-bears-minicamp-20130509,0,3418807.story

Yeah windy city gridiron has him in Chicago too.

bobby wade

Well that's a surprise

Hazys

I read this thinking he was born in Ireland but he's just first generation Irish American.

Surely it is not that rare for a first generation Irish American to play in the NFL?

John Lynch was second generation Irish American, his grandfather was from Ballybunion and isn't Larry Fitzgerald from Connemara?

Realt Dearg Sec

Hazys wrote: »

I read this thinking he was born in Ireland but he's just first generation Irish American.

Surely it is not that rare for a first generation Irish American to play in the NFL?

John Lynch was second generation Irish American, his grandfather was from Ballybunion and isn't Larry Fitzgerald from Connemara?

As I was saying earlier in the thread, I don't see anything strange in it, especially since Irish born players have played in the nfl on a number of occasions.

jack presley

I was the one who started this thread and the reason I did wasn't because it was an Irish American player because as has been said, there have probably been a countless number of players with Irish heritage over the years.

The reason I posted was because of the ridiculous article that appeared in the Irish Independent about him. It was so badly written by someone who obviously had no knowledge of the NFL or how team build their rosters. I just found it funny.

Having said all that, since I read about him I'm actually rooting for him and even though it probably is a very long shot, i'd love it if he did make it onto a roster so I've been trying to keep an eye on him as rookie minicamps were coming up.

jack presley

As I was saying earlier, I'm rooting for this guy to make it onto a roster and here's a more realistic and sensible article than the one that the Independent published from a few weeks back.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2013/07/01/murray-is-hoping-nfl-team-will-take-a-punt-his-on-kicking-talent/

BizzyC

Joey Harrington was a cousin of Padraig Harrington I think....

This guy definitely isn't the first Irish-American player in recent league history.

Red Crow

With a name like Tom Brady you can't be too far away from being Irish.

Gerrard Cup

Brady was asked about his Irish heritage on st patricks day one year. He replied saying his father would tell you all about it . He said they were from Cavan and Monaghan.

Goose_Hyypia

Tom Brady is Irish sure !

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1106787-tom-brady-and-the-top-17-irish-american-athletes-in-sports-history/page/2

The first player in this report Rick Barry :facepalm: -

Barry’s Irish background is not that detailed, but his family name suggests that he is of Irish descent.

Jolly Red Giant

The most prominent NFL players over the past 20 years or so with Irish ancestry are/were all QBs - Tom Brady, John Elway, Jim Kelly, Ken O'Brien and Rich Gannon.

Elway, Kelly and O'Brien were all part of the QB draft of 1983.

jack presley

Although all those mentioned so far have Irish names and Irish ancestry, how many of them were ever here, especially before they made it?

Hazys

jack presley wrote: »

Although all those mentioned so far have Irish names and Irish ancestry, how many of them were ever here, especially before they made it?

Can i ask why it matters if they visited Ireland?

And why it matters if they visited before they were famous?

jack presley

Hazys wrote: »

Can i ask why it matters if they visited Ireland?

And why it matters if they visited before they were famous?

This thread got a bit sidetracked from a bloke who spent his Summer's here as a kid and played gaelic football to mentioning anyone with an Irish sounding name in the NFL. Although there are and have been hundreds of Irish Americans who have played in the NFL, i'm just wondering has there been anyone who, for want of a better phrase, is this close to being 'really' Irish.

Realt Dearg Sec

Hazys wrote: »

Can i ask why it matters if they visited Ireland?

And why it matters if they visited before they were famous?

If you are going down that road, then maybe we should ask why it matters if they're Irish? Seems pertinent to the thread to me.

Jolly Red Giant

jack presley wrote: »

This thread got a bit sidetracked from a bloke who spent his Summer's here as a kid and played gaelic football to mentioning anyone with an Irish sounding name in the NFL. Although there are and have been hundreds of Irish Americans who have played in the NFL, i'm just wondering has there been anyone who, for want of a better phrase, is this close to being 'really' Irish.

jack is right - the Irish 'diaspora' in the US now numbers anywhere up to 40 million. Of course there are going to be large numbers of NFL players who have some connection to Irish ancestry. Then there are a few - like Brady - who would have direct connections (even if it is through great-grandparents) with Ireland. Jack Charlton built a team partially on people having such ancestry (and a couple who didn't even have it).

jme2010

jack presley wrote: »

This thread got a bit sidetracked from a bloke who spent his Summer's here as a kid and played gaelic football to mentioning anyone with an Irish sounding name in the NFL. Although there are and have been hundreds of Irish Americans who have played in the NFL, i'm just wondering has there been anyone who, for want of a better phrase, is this close to being 'really' Irish.

And after all that. Even if he does make it. Even if he is a starter. He'd still only be special teams :pac:

jack presley

Good news. It looks like he might make the Bucs roster as they've announced the cut of the guy who was expected to be the kicker.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=tampa-bay-buccaneers&id=5866