Gaa players who could have a good run in the NFL - and not as kicker

gerire

Just started this conversation no twitter with a fellow Jets fan.

Heres a brief history of the conversation

My NFL thought on SB Sunday...... When will an NFL team sign an irish GAA player to play WR ?

gerire wrote:

long after one is used as a kicker imo

I think they are really missing out. When I scout a WR I compare their catching ability to a GAA player to judge how good they are if I feel a WR doesn't have the hands to play GAA they don't usually get a good grade from me

gerire wrote:

ok so who I'm most knowledgeable re Dubs. Huge down side is size, US lads are built, Dubs have 2 max Jack Mc, hands + afterburners and mdma, great grit. Hands, basketball background too.
I'd see them as slot as opposed to pure wideouts.
Whelan maybe in the past

So thats where we are at the moment I see the Irish lads size being a huge draw back. Nfl players lift weights from young and a built towards playing that position where a GAA players is more versatile. Also the sheer number of players that FA's, ex rugby, ex basketball and add in the hundreds that will come out of college and not even get a sniff at an NFL team. I'd say any GAA player would find it near impossible to make a team.

So do you think anyone could make it?

TO.

Anything is possible with the right training. But none of them could get a starting spot on any NFL team right now. I played along side and coached guys who played Gaelic Football and Hurling all their lives and some of them became good to solid WR but others just couldn't grasp it. I coached a guy who now plays for his county he could have been good to be one of the best in the IAFL but could never commit due to his GAA commitments.

Playing as a Wide Receiver is a lot more complicated as it looks. It takes a lot more than speed and good hands to become an average WR never mind a starting WR in the Pros. There is far too much of a gap for any GAA player to go straight in as a Pro. Maybe if they are younger learn the game at a high school level or walk on in a US college to expand their skill set and learn the game properly.

Pherekydes

No. Not as a wide receiver. Jason Smyth and Paul Hession are probably not fast enough to play WR. And since they're Ireland's two fastest men, I'm assuming the Dubs have no one quicker.

Their WRs are either huge (Calvin Johnson is 6-5 and 17 st) or blazing quick (Trindon Holliday has run sub ten) or some combination of the two.

Dohnny Jepp

Maybe strong safety would be the most suitable position for a GAA player. It's a versatile position which could make use of a GAA players toughness, ball skills and judgement.

TO.

Dohnny Jepp wrote: »

Maybe strong safety would be the most suitable position for a GAA player. It's a versatile position which could make use of a GAA players toughness, ball skills and judgement.

I would say Free Safety more due to the size of the average GAA player. Strong Safeties tend to be a mix between a FS and LB. Most GAA players would have to bulk up to play any defensive position really.

Evan DietrichSmith

TO. wrote: »

I would say Free Safety more due to the size of the average GAA player. Strong Safeties tend to be a mix between a FS and LB. Most GAA players would have to bulk up to play any defensive position really.

Would agree there.

Strong safety can come up against a 6'5 TE on the concrete.

Whereas the free might get engaged with a WR out on the water.

Punter could be an option too, very underrated position but vital in most games.

HigginsJ

Kieran Donaghy at his peak could have been a nice mis-match as a tight end.

Chucky the tree

GAA players all seem far to slow to have a chance of even coming close to making it.

Evan DietrichSmith

HigginsJ wrote: »

Kieran Donaghy at his peak could have been a nice mis-match as a tight end.

Yes,couldn't see him as a blocker though,which is what most TEs do.

American Football is very technical versus the more freewheeling approach to our sport.

Very little 'unscripted' stuff in it.

That ,in my opinion would be the biggest challenge to an Irish player coming in without college experience.

Most of the 'trench' spots would be out of their radius due to the size of these lads.

Interesting exercise though.

without up to a year of weight training pretty much any gaa player would get killed in there first tackle. gaa players are incredible athletes for amateurs look at your biggest gaa player and then your average linebacker theres no comparison.

davyjose

I think 99% of GAA players wouldn't even get near a college football Division I team.

Red Crow

99% of NFL players couldn't dream of even playing GAA and vice versa.

Red Crow

Red Crow wrote: »

99% of NFL players couldn't dream of even playing GAA and vice versa.

ya id disagree with that hurling maby but a lot of them would kill it in football

Hazys

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

ya id disagree with that hurling maby but a lot of them would kill it in football

Anybody ever watch the Dhani Jones show "Dhani Tackles the Globe"?

It was on US Netflix a couple of years ago, pretty good show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6bgGQO0xaI

Red Crow

Here's my NFL GAA team:

WR - Lar Corbett (Tipperary)
TE - Michael Murphy (Donegal)
LT - Michael Quirke (Kerry)
LG - Paul Durcan (Donegal)
C - Paul Fitzgerlad (Tipperary)
RG - Rory Woods (Monaghan)
RT - Niall Sheridan (Longford)
TE - Tomas O'Connor (Kildare)
WR - Martin Penrose (Tyrone)

RB - Darren O'Sullivan (Kerry)


QB is probably the toughest position to even attempt to select someone even as a joke but I think I want Sean Kavanagh as my QB simply because he looks like a QB

If I had a full back on the field it would probably be Richie McCarthy of Limerick or Paul Murphy of Kilkenny.

I think it's fair to say that they would be the greatest dynasty of all time

Hazys

Hazys wrote: »

Anybody ever watch the Dhani Jones show "Dhani Tackles the Globe"?

It was on US Netflix a couple of years ago, pretty good show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6bgGQO0xaI

na tried to get the irish episode at the time but couldnt find it anywhere would love to watch it

to emphasize my point look at guys that didnt really make it in the nfl like terry crews and carl weathers with very basic skills that would dominate any fullback

colmufc

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

na tried to get the irish episode at the time but couldnt find it anywhere would love to watch it

to emphasize my point look at guys that didnt really make it in the nfl like terry crews and carl weathers with very basic skills that would dominate any fullback

Hell if brock Lesner can't make it with the colts then no gaa player has a chance

colmufc

colmufc wrote: »

Hell if brock Lesner can't make it with the colts then no gaa player has a chance

that was the vikes to be fair that was as much an attitude issue as anything else he made a point of bein dirty and got penalised on most plays (or so i herd at the time i think he was only there for training camp and maybe a preseason game) but ya thats the kind of physicality your talking.

there would be an issue with the gaa players getting killed/paralyzed not just hurt

colmufc

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

that was the vikes to be fair that was as much an attitude issue as anything else he made a point of bein dirty and got penalised on most plays (or so i herd at the time i think he was only there for training camp and maybe a preseason game) but ya thats the kind of physicality your talking.

there would be an issue with the gaa players getting killed/paralyzed not just hurt

Ya the vikes ,I think bit was his dream to play for the colts ,I just can't think of any position besides kicker or punter for a gaa player

colmufc

colmufc wrote: »

Ya the vikes ,I think bit was his dream to play for the colts ,I just can't think of any position besides kicker or punter for a gaa player

na mate lesnars a dia hard vikes fan hes blown the horn a few times and all

Uncle Mclovin

Wes welker is only 5 9. Not particularly quick either. Saying that I don't think any current GAA player would make it. The game is too technical and really you need to be playing it from at least your teens to have any hope.

Aidan o shea could possibly have the physique to fit in somewhere. Bryan sheehan maybe as a kicker.

Pherekydes wrote: »

No. Not as a wide receiver. Jason Smyth and Paul Hession are probably not fast enough to play WR. And since they're Ireland's two fastest men, I'm assuming the Dubs have no one quicker.

Their WRs are either huge (Calvin Johnson is 6-5 and 17 st) or blazing quick (Trindon Holliday has run sub ten) or some combination of the two.

colmufc

Uncle Mclovin wrote: »

Wes welker is only 5 9. Not particularly quick either. Saying that I don't think any current GAA player would make it. The game is too technical .

Welker maybe be small but man is he tough as nails , big mistake by the pats letting go, ya definitely need high school trying right thru to collage to have any hope it's not just the physical side it's both mental will and using your brain to learn the 1000s of plays that you will come across

Hammar

Pherekydes wrote: »

No. Not as a wide receiver. Jason Smyth and Paul Hession are probably not fast enough to play WR. And since they're Ireland's two fastest men, I'm assuming the Dubs have no one quicker.

Their WRs are either huge (Calvin Johnson is 6-5 and 17 st) or blazing quick (Trindon Holliday has run sub ten) or some combination of the two.

Jason Smyth (10.22) and Paul Hession (10.18) are not fast enough to play WR.

They are both faster than Jamaal Charles (10.23) and he is one of the fastest players in the league.

Idiotic statement.

As for OP's question,there are no GAA players who would be able to make it in the NFL at any position other than perhaps kicker/punter.

Aidan O Se is a big man in GAA terms @ 6'3 and 15-16 stone yet he is the same size as Kam Chancellor a safety . So any position with size is automatically out of the question.

Skill position wise,few would have the speed to compete,Jack McCaffrey and Eamonn Wallace(10.5 100 metres) are probably the two fastest right now and speed wise they would be very ordinary by NFL standards.

I'm sure given a few months of practice and training many inter county players could become good players at the Collegiate level (Division II and perhaps even Division 1 FCS level)but the NFL is a different world altogether.

Say Your Number

Paul Galvin would be an excellent Safety
Tommy Walsh from Kerry would be good at Tight End
Ciaran McDonald as a Goal Kicker

Say Your Number

Say Your Number wrote: »

Paul Galvin would be an excellent Safety
Tommy Walsh from Kerry would be good at Tight End
Ciaran McDonald as a Goal Kicker

no they wouldn't they would be hospitalized

Say Your Number

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

no they wouldn't they would be hospitalized

Walsh is playing Aussie Rules now so I don't know about that, obviously they couldn't go straight into it, if they started playing in their teens, I think they'd have a decent chance of making it.

Hammar

Say Your Number wrote: »

Walsh is playing Aussie Rules now so I don't know about that, obviously they couldn't go straight into it, if they started playing in their teens, I think they'd have a decent chance of making it.

Tommy Walsh is listed @99 KG by the Sydney Swans.
Jaxon Quaint Rodent is correct, he would get decapitated by NFL defenders whom were far bigger and faster than him.

Say Your Number

Say Your Number wrote: »

Walsh is playing Aussie Rules now so I don't know about that, obviously they couldn't go straight into it, if they started playing in their teens, I think they'd have a decent chance of making it.

the size difference is still huge and aussie rules player generally only become punters if they make it in the nfl google image tommy walsh and compare his arms and sheer body mass to any linebacker in the nfl

Red Crow

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

ya id disagree with that hurling maby but a lot of them would kill it in football

I disagree with that very strongly. I doubt there would even be 0.01% of NFL players who are able to make the transition. There only ones you could say would have a decent chance would be WR and TE.

Even at that no NFL players outside of punters or kickers have an experience kicking a football. As you can see the two sports wouldn't transition well into each other. Just because Gronk is big and good at catching means little as he has no experience of kicking the ball from hand.

Both are completely different and are not very relevant to each other and outside of spacial awareness there is very little similar traits between the two.

I think a NFL player would be as likely to succeed in the GAA as a GAA player would be to succeed in the NFL.

Say Your Number

Hammar wrote: »

Tommy Walsh is listed @99 KG by the Sydney Swans.
Jaxon Quaint Rodent is correct, he would get decapitated by NFL defenders whom were far bigger and faster than him.

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

the size difference is still huge and aussie rules player generally only become punters if they make it in the nfl google image tommy walsh and compare his arms and sheer body mass to any linebacker in the nfl

Fair enough, ye both have more knowledge than me on the subject, at least I still have Ciaran McDonald

Hammar

Say Your Number wrote: »

Fair enough, ye both have more knowledge than me on the subject, at least I still have Ciaran McDonald

Ciaran McDonald in his prime would probably have made a terrific Punter/Kicker as would Cluxton and Brian Sheehan also.

Red Crow

Red Crow wrote: »

I disagree with that very strongly. I doubt there would even be 0.01% of NFL players who are able to make the transition. There only ones you could say would have a decent chance would be WR and TE.

Even at that no NFL players outside of punters or kickers have an experience kicking a football. As you can see the two sports wouldn't transition well into each other. Just because Gronk is big and good at catching means little as he has no experience of kicking the ball from hand.

Both are completely different and are not very relevant to each other and outside of spacial awareness there is very little similar traits between the two.

I think a NFL player would be as likely to succeed in the GAA as a GAA player would be to succeed in the NFL.

but the nfl players have the advantage of being physical freaks throw a typical linebacker in full forward in football and good luck trying to get near him

hurling is a separate conversation but there sheer physicality would help there to

its an unfair comparison as the nfl has a long history of professionalism and a far bigger base of generally physically superior players the only issue would be stamina so theyd be snookered in midfield for example

Say Your Number

Say Your Number wrote: »

Fair enough, ye both have more knowledge than me on the subject, at least I still have Ciaran McDonald

**** when it comes to punters/kickers its fair game any gaa player with a big boot and time to adapt to a new ball has the potential there

bobwilliams

Red Crow wrote: »

Here's my NFL GAA team:



I think it's fair to say that they would be the greatest dynasty of all time

I'd love to stick the Gooch in there just to see the first hit:D

MayoSalmon

Funny thread....GAA players wouldn't have a hope of getting anywhere near the NFL..sure most rugby players wouldn't to be honest.



Would love to see how Hurlers and maybe Lacrosse players would interact in their respective sports

MayoSalmon

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Funny thread....GAA players wouldn't have a hope of getting anywhere near the NFL..sure most rugby players wouldn't to be honest.



Would love to see how Hurlers and maybe Lacrosse players would interact in their respective sports

not very knowledgeable on the subject but i think a lot of lacrosse players are huge as well

the rugby one is interesting but i think there is a far more even convo to be had there ie most nfl players could not play rugby bar maybe (and only maby) on the wing (excluding the fitness fanatics like your jerry rices)

If we're saying "...after several years training" then there's probably obscure inter-county players who could make the grade. If it's to be ready in time for next season then probably none.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

If we're saying "...after several years training" then there's probably obscure inter-county players who could make the grade. If it's to be ready in time for next season then probably none.

ya but are they gaa players if they've not played for several years shurley they are just football players at that stage that happened to play gaa in the past

MayoSalmon

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

not very knowledgeable on the subject but i think a lot of lacrosse players are huge as well

the rugby one is interesting but i think there is a far more even convo to be had there ie most nfl players could not play rugby bar maybe (and only maby) on the wing (excluding the fitness fanatics like your jerry rices)

Ehhh NFL players of Cian Healy's physique are a dime a dozen and Healy is arguably the best prop in the world

Say Your Number

I remember Liam McHale saying that he was told if he went to an American college at 17, he could have made it in the NBA, given the similarity between the sports it probably would be an easier transition, unless there is a dramatic size difference between GAA and NBA players?

MayoSalmon

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Ehhh NFL players of Cian Healy's physique are a dime a dozen and Healy is arguably the best prop in the world

im talking from a stamina standpoint a lot of nfl players would make mince meat of rugby players if there was stops but when you have a couple of plays then run to the sideline for oxygen it wouldnt bode well for playing flanker for example and trying to hit most rucks

Say Your Number

Say Your Number wrote: »

I remember Liam McHale saying that he was told if he went to an American college at 17, he could have made it in the NBA, given the similarity between the sports it probably would be an easier transition, unless there is a dramatic size difference between GAA and NBA players?

apparently people who play basketball young tend to transition very well to all three sports

Hammar

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Ehhh NFL players of Cian Healy's physique are a dime a dozen and Healy is arguably the best prop in the world

None of the NFL players would anywhere close to the endurance to play top-class international rugby.

MayoSalmon

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

im talking from a stamina standpoint a lot of nfl players would make mince meat of rugby players if there was stops but when you have a couple of plays then run to the sideline for oxygen it wouldnt bode well for playing flanker for example and trying to hit most rucks

Look that's just obvious. The very nature of the game doesn't call for an excessive need for stamina. American football is an extremely explosive fast twitch muscle games hence the reason why there all build like trucks.

Conor Murray would be useless in the NFL as would Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton would be in Rugby

MayoSalmon

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Look that's just obvious. The very nature of the game doesn't call for an excessive need for stamina. American football is an extremely explosive fast twitch muscle games hence the reason why there all build like trucks.

Conor Murray would be useless in the NFL as would Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton would be in Rugby

jeasus no need to be so snide

it may be obvious but it still has to be said and i tried to make the comment above and you shot back with the cian healy comment

take out connor murray and put in say a jonah lomu/alesna tuilangi and you never know

MayoSalmon

Hammar wrote: »

None of the NFL players would anywhere close to the endurance to play top-class international rugby.

Disagree

Adrian Peterson would be one of the best wingers in Rugby were he to play the game tomorrow.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Funny thread....GAA players wouldn't have a hope of getting anywhere near the NFL..sure most rugby players wouldn't to be honest.



Would love to see how Hurlers and maybe Lacrosse players would interact in their respective sports

It's too hard on GAA players to compare them to NFL players imo.

Without derailing the thread, I think rugby players would be a far better comparison. Paul O'Connell, Tommy Bowe and Zebo straight off would have the assets to make it in the NFL if they had started playing it young enough.

MayoSalmon

Jaxon Quaint Rodent wrote: »

jeasus no need to be so snide

it may be obvious but it still has to be said and i tried to make the comment above and you shot back with the cian healy comment

take out connor murray and put in say a jonah lomu/alesna tuilangi and you never know

Sorry didn't mean to come across like that. Jonah Lomu would have been a beast in the NFL and was offered a 7 digit contract to make the transition during his career.

I often wonder how BOD would have gotten on in the NFL.

Hammar

MayoSalmon wrote: »

Disagree

Adrian Peterson would be one of the best wingers in Rugby were he to play the game tomorrow.

Adrian Peterson is a fantastic athlete. However in playing American football, he touches the ball 25-30 times with extended breaks and rests between each of these these. He would be gassed within the first 20-25 minutes of a rugby match.

Despite being the best running back in the league,he doesn't have particularly good hands as a receiver. He doesn't tackle being a running back. He probably isn't a very good kicker.

Adrian Peterson as he is today would be completely out of his depth playing top class rugby like all other NFL players. None of them would have the stamina/endurance or skills for it.

sawdoubters

The average weight in the NFL has grown by 10 percent since 1985 to a current average of 248 pounds. The heaviest position, offensive tackle, went from 281 pounds two decades ago to 318 pounds."

Most pro football players are over 6 feet tall. Some

Hammar

Hammar wrote: »

Adrian Peterson is a fantastic athlete. However in playing American football, he touches the ball 25-30 times with extended breaks and rests between each of these these. He would be gassed within the first 20-25 minutes of a rugby match.

Despite being the best running back in the league,he doesn't have particularly good hands as a receiver. He doesn't tackle being a running back. He probably isn't a very good kicker.

Adrian Peterson as he is today would be completely out of his depth playing top class rugby like all other NFL players. None of them would have the stamina/endurance or skills for it.

not true there are players that have stamina in the nfl jerry rice in his day was insanely fit