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Leader Kicking Program - RTE documentary

  • 24-03-2025 11:52AM
    #1
    csirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭


    Looks like RTE are broadcasting a documentary on Leader Kicking this evening on RTE 1.

    Interesting program. Started off as an independent program run by Tadgh Leader. But is now NFL endorsed.

    I understand that there are 30-40, mainly GAA players, in the Irish end of the program at any given time. Sessions are mainly behind closed doors as many of the intercounty players dont want people to know they're trying out.



Comments

  • #2
    Fr Tod Umptious
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,150 ✭✭✭✭Fr Tod Umptious


    I watched it last night.

    Nothing new in it for anyone who watched the IPP YouTube videos last year.

    There is potential for guys there but kicking is just such a precarious job in the NFL.

    A bad Sunday and you could spend the week fighting for your job against some lad signed off the street who kicked for a while in college but is now selling bricks like the Detroit Lions kicker last year.

    Leader did admit that when he was talking about Mark Jackson and his Steelers trial, going 7 for 7 is fine but there are roughly only 40 people in the world doing this job so it's hard to break into.

    I wonder will Smyth spend another year with New Orleans or will he be let go and have to find something else.

    He's got age on his side though, he's very young.



  • #3
    csirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭csirl


    One of the challenges with the program is the lack of game time for the kickers. Kicking in practise just doesnt have the same dynamic or pressures. This counts against the Irish lads in the NFL.

    Brandon Aubrey - the only starting placekicker currently in the NFL converted from another sport (soccer), spent a season in one of the spring leagues to get game experience. I dont think he'd have been signed by the Cowboys without it.

    What is puzzling is that, to date, none of the kickers have turned up in the Irish League. Easy place to start off and to get real game experience and most could probably still play intercounty GAA or rugby at the same time.



  • #4
    Fr Tod Umptious
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,150 ✭✭✭✭Fr Tod Umptious


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123295969#Comment_123295969

    That's why a lot of these attempts to convert from other sports to American football fail.

    How many times have you heard about such and such rugby player trying to make it in the NFL as a running back or a wide receiver only to fail.

    They are going up against guys who have been playing the game since the age of 5.

    It's the same with kickers, but maybe to a lesser extent.

    The two Irish guys that played in the NFL last year both had ample game experience from college careers.

    Leader is on the right track trying to get guys on college scholarship first and foremost, that's the real path to the NFL.



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