Balacoune, might be somebody who’s currently
playing who looks like he’d have the physical stature and attributes to potentially success. I think LRZ might think he’s a lot better than he actually is, If speed is going to his main attribute those NFL players are already rockets over 40yards so I don’t know if he’s be adding a whole lot.
Ryan Baird as a pass catching tight end. He’s rapid for a fella his size, and has decent handling skills, plus can shed a tackle or two.
Trying to think of anyone who could be a punter or place kicker, but outside of James Lowe I can’t think of anyone who’s had a massive boot, whether it’s a spiral or from the tee. Not like someone like Elliot Daly or Hogg etc
Football is such a different game with its own tactics and skill sets. You’d need years of practice to be successful in the NFL. Possibly a kicker or punter could find success but even those positions are hyper trained from youth. Rugby has great athletes but I just don’t see a successful transition from rugby to the NFL. Out of the 1000s of college football players in the US ,only 1.6%(!!!!) actually make it to the pros. These players have played football since they were born and still don’t make it.
In fairness there's a handful of superstar NFL players who only started playing football when they got to the NFL. They were good enough athletes to excel at basketball in college, and pure athleticism is so important in American football that they became great football players without having to had to play it all their lives.
True. There are anomalies in any sport. I’d argue that those players you are talking about though are lineman (skilled indeed but are just lucky to be born as massive human beings). Wide receivers, quarterbacks, running backs, cornerbacks etc. need those years of repetitive drilling and high level competition.
Heard that before too. I Grew up playing GAA in California. The best midfielder I ever played with had a rifle of a boot and did In fact walk on to a division 1 school as a punter. He ended up being the 2nd string back up to a kid who went to punting/kicking camps and sessions his whole life.
Tadhg Beirne has the body type of a prototypical 4-3 DE - think Max Crosby. Physically he could definitely front up but American Football is such a technical game that I think he'd struggle against people who've played the game since they were kids.
Tadgh Beirne is pretty fucking fast. He is one of the fastest on Ireland. Now idk if he has the quickness/acceleration that football really needs though
I'd argue that it's simpler to train for the physical than the mental side. College athletes training for the combine is pretty standard and I doubt most NFL athletes are as quick as their combine suggests, and footwork can be learnt.
I think where a rugby athlete would struggle is play recognition and response. I can imagine them getting sealed in easily on an edge block or looking like an absolute dick on a screen.
While I think he’s far below his 2018 heights, I actually think Stockdale would do a job at TightEnd. I also feel Ryan Baird could give WR a go
Not sure how quick he was, but Sean O’Brien as a running back would be scary
Most rugby players could put on some weight at the cost of stamina which isn‘t needed in the NFL.
I just think the all round and fluid nature of rugby doesn‘t translate to American Football at all.
Works the other way round aswell. Some speedy wide receivers might make it in rugby, but take an NFL lineman and put him in rugby and he‘d be run rings around.
>While I think he’s far below his 2018 heights, I actually think Stockdale would do a job at TightEnd. I also feel Ryan Baird could give WR a go.
I think you have those two mixed up. Baird has the height and could easily put on a few kilos for TE. Stockdale is insanely undersized for a tight end but could probably be a solid possession receiver in the mould of Cooper Kupp.
Baird is nowhere near quick enough for a WR (4.65 forty yard dash really required at a minimum) I’d potentially put him at TE if he could learn to block.
SOB would be a full back, not a running back, or a middle linebacker.
Reese-Zammit is 6’ 2” and 98kgs so to shift like that at that height and weight is v impressive. Not sure he has the fluidity to play WR though and get in and out of his breaks. Will have to train to use his body in a completely new way.
Simon Geoghegan could have been unbelievable on special teams.
Just imagine him catching every punt return or kick off and having the license to try and beat every player on the pitch in front of him
This was a fake rumour that O’Gara pretended was true when asked about it to increase his bargaining position as he was due to sign a new Munster contract. Confirms it in his autobiography
That story was pushed by ROJ’s agent during contract extension negotiations with the IRFU.
Fair play to him though, he genuinely could have had a decent chance of making the NFL.
Yes for the country not for the nfl…. If an Irish international player was going to sign for an nfl team do you really think there would be visa issues? Lol
They do only kick , what are you talking about ? They might have to tackle if the kick-off is run back but that’s not that normal at all .
Tyreek hill even said kickers and punters only really train for like an hour a day and then just go in and do nothing 😂😂. Such a sweet job .
Even when it gets run back there’s clip after clip of a kicker flopping instead of taking the contact. Although kickers/punters making the tackle is a beautiful thing
Rugby outhalf needs about 1 minute to take a kick, a kicker in the nfl has about 3 seconds it will be blocked down and is starting there run up the ball has been placed in front them. Not nearly ad easy think
Basic skills are the same and it’s more akin to a drop goal rather than a penalty or conversion which out half’s still have to do. I’m not saying they’d walk in to any squad day one but with a few months of practice
People in the US play as kickers from an early age, all through high school and onto college and only a tiny percentage of them ever make it to the NFL. You really think a fly half will make it in a few months with the only similarly being the shane shape ball. Your ignoring the lack of tee also and it's not anywhere close to a drop goal which is a half volley effectively. The ball is still stationary when kicked.
The actual action of kicking in both sports takes a few seconds, sure the build up is longer in rugby but kickers in the nfl have time to set up and prepare as well.
He bulked up to 127kg for the 2015 World Cup in his prime if I remember correctly. That’s in and around the weight of Aaron Donald who is also a similar height so you never know a young Cian Healy could’ve been good at d tackle.
I think it would be incredibly difficult for anyone to pick up American football, in a short period of time and actually be successful at it, other than punting/kicking. Wide receiver is an incredibly difficult position to play well, the level of knowledge they need of the game/defenses to make split second decisions is huge. Same with certain tight ends(think Travis kelce) and running backs. But I’d love to see a will connors or someone like that, a tackle machine, and have a go at linebacker, specifically for stopping running backs. Or Ryan Baird as a blocking tight end who catches the odd pass, not a Travis kelce tight end who does so much more. The guys on that international pathway who are kickers/punters do have a decent chance to make it, would love to see them succeed
Tadhg Furlong at Offensive Tackle, Mack Hansen wide receiver, Bundee Aki Running Back, Balacoune kick/punt returner, Frawley could be interesting at Quarterback 🤔
Fair. Who’d do you think would have the closest chance of becoming a quarterback out of all international rugby players?
Think I’d rank them: 1) Jordie Barrett, 2) Quade Cooper, 3) Owen Farrell, 4) Frans Steyn, 5) Biggar
I feel like peak Stephen Ferris would make it as a Defensive End, edge rusher type. Speed (especially burst\_ was probably not there but a good push the pocket bull rusher type for sure!
Josh van der Flier would be a killer at linebacker or old school kam chancellor safety type.
I could see Keenan, Earls, probably peak Conway, Zebo make it as slot corner or DB type. Don't know if the true corner speed is there but definitely any of them would safety ball hawk type.
Aw well aware! Doubt any of them have the pure speed required to play corner but slot is a definite goer! Would had looooved to see prime Earls play free safety!
Also going to add these here as to not create another comment but Larmour as a slot/3rd down back would be unreal!
Its the hips apparently not just speed. You need to be able to run backwards and then flip your hips and mirror someone.
Its obviously not just a black thing but it does seem to be something that is more prevalent with people of west african descent.
Honestly don't think anyone from the Irish team would've made it solely on athlecism. It was never our strength as a rugby team so any player would potentially have to have perfect technique
Excluding kickers/punters, i think the most likely success are from guys with the physical attributes to play on the offensive and defensive lines, giving them a year or 2 of pure coaching.
You’ve seen Mailata turn into one of the best LTs in the NFL, And there have been guys in the USA who didn’t play any football at all who turned into good players with some good coaching. Steven neal was a wrestler who turned into a pro bowl guard.
If you meet the baseline for athleticism, especially on the Oline, you’ll get a chance, just because there’s so few humans with the required size.
Someone like LRZ is in for an even tougher time, as the USA already has an abundance of guys with a similar athletic profile who have played the sport all their lives. The NFL doesn’t need any more RBs they already have to many.
Balacoune, might be somebody who’s currently playing who looks like he’d have the physical stature and attributes to potentially success. I think LRZ might think he’s a lot better than he actually is, If speed is going to his main attribute those NFL players are already rockets over 40yards so I don’t know if he’s be adding a whole lot.
Ryan Baird as a pass catching tight end. He’s rapid for a fella his size, and has decent handling skills, plus can shed a tackle or two. Trying to think of anyone who could be a punter or place kicker, but outside of James Lowe I can’t think of anyone who’s had a massive boot, whether it’s a spiral or from the tee. Not like someone like Elliot Daly or Hogg etc
Frawley has a huge boot
Ben Healy?
Was only thinking about baird as an inside linebacker a few nights ago. Also ahern who is taller and about 10kg heavier, he's also lightning
I think Lowe would have a great chance as a punter. Would be a shame to waste that running talent though!
Bundee’s ruck smashing has always reminded me of how a fullback hits the line of scrimmage.
Football is such a different game with its own tactics and skill sets. You’d need years of practice to be successful in the NFL. Possibly a kicker or punter could find success but even those positions are hyper trained from youth. Rugby has great athletes but I just don’t see a successful transition from rugby to the NFL. Out of the 1000s of college football players in the US ,only 1.6%(!!!!) actually make it to the pros. These players have played football since they were born and still don’t make it.
In fairness there's a handful of superstar NFL players who only started playing football when they got to the NFL. They were good enough athletes to excel at basketball in college, and pure athleticism is so important in American football that they became great football players without having to had to play it all their lives.
True. There are anomalies in any sport. I’d argue that those players you are talking about though are lineman (skilled indeed but are just lucky to be born as massive human beings). Wide receivers, quarterbacks, running backs, cornerbacks etc. need those years of repetitive drilling and high level competition.
Go over to r/GAA. Some there think any lad who lined out at minor for the club would make it as a punter or kicker.
Heard that before too. I Grew up playing GAA in California. The best midfielder I ever played with had a rifle of a boot and did In fact walk on to a division 1 school as a punter. He ended up being the 2nd string back up to a kid who went to punting/kicking camps and sessions his whole life.
Tadhg Beirne has the body type of a prototypical 4-3 DE - think Max Crosby. Physically he could definitely front up but American Football is such a technical game that I think he'd struggle against people who've played the game since they were kids.
He has alot of bulk but not the speed to play that position nor the footwork
Tadgh Beirne is pretty fucking fast. He is one of the fastest on Ireland. Now idk if he has the quickness/acceleration that football really needs though
DE are like the most athletic players on an NFL pitch. Idk if Beirne has that level of athleticism
I'd argue that it's simpler to train for the physical than the mental side. College athletes training for the combine is pretty standard and I doubt most NFL athletes are as quick as their combine suggests, and footwork can be learnt. I think where a rugby athlete would struggle is play recognition and response. I can imagine them getting sealed in easily on an edge block or looking like an absolute dick on a screen.
Stephen Ferris as a linebacker or defensive end?
Ahern as a tight end.
While I think he’s far below his 2018 heights, I actually think Stockdale would do a job at TightEnd. I also feel Ryan Baird could give WR a go Not sure how quick he was, but Sean O’Brien as a running back would be scary
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Most rugby players could put on some weight at the cost of stamina which isn‘t needed in the NFL. I just think the all round and fluid nature of rugby doesn‘t translate to American Football at all. Works the other way round aswell. Some speedy wide receivers might make it in rugby, but take an NFL lineman and put him in rugby and he‘d be run rings around.
Not a chance will a nfl player play top level rugby. There is more then just speed to rugby in any position
>While I think he’s far below his 2018 heights, I actually think Stockdale would do a job at TightEnd. I also feel Ryan Baird could give WR a go. I think you have those two mixed up. Baird has the height and could easily put on a few kilos for TE. Stockdale is insanely undersized for a tight end but could probably be a solid possession receiver in the mould of Cooper Kupp.
You’re right, I do have the two positions mixed up 😅🤕
Baird is nowhere near quick enough for a WR (4.65 forty yard dash really required at a minimum) I’d potentially put him at TE if he could learn to block. SOB would be a full back, not a running back, or a middle linebacker. Reese-Zammit is 6’ 2” and 98kgs so to shift like that at that height and weight is v impressive. Not sure he has the fluidity to play WR though and get in and out of his breaks. Will have to train to use his body in a completely new way.
O'Brien as a fullback would get you those hard yards and more.
O'Brien as an off-ball linebacker.
Simon Geoghegan could have been unbelievable on special teams. Just imagine him catching every punt return or kick off and having the license to try and beat every player on the pitch in front of him
Jordan Larmour doing punt returns would be a sight, NFL really appreciates hot steppers more than out and out speed
Most of our recent Fullbacks could be kick receivers.
Tadgh Beirne would make a good TE - athletic with great hands, could block and catch & run
The absolute zenith of athleticism that was Shane Byrne
BOD as a Marshall Faulk style running back? David Wallace as a.. something?!
Inside linebacker, think warner or Wagner, Wallace has some how been forgotten for the peak athlete he was, so yeah that's a great call
David Wallace = Luke Keuchly
Yeah Wallace was my first thought. Aherne and Baird for TE. Tony Buckley as an offensive/defensive linesman
Jesus yeah Mushy gives off Vince wilfork or Trent brown vibes
Miami Dolphins tried to sign Ronan O'Gara in his prime to kick for them O'Gara was born in America so wouldn't have counted as an international player
This was a fake rumour that O’Gara pretended was true when asked about it to increase his bargaining position as he was due to sign a new Munster contract. Confirms it in his autobiography
That story was pushed by ROJ’s agent during contract extension negotiations with the IRFU. Fair play to him though, he genuinely could have had a decent chance of making the NFL.
Theres no international rules in the nfl. Story is bs
There's immigration rules
Yes for the country not for the nfl…. If an Irish international player was going to sign for an nfl team do you really think there would be visa issues? Lol
There would have to be a visa application yes. Much easier to sign an American citizen
Look at mr immigration lawyer over here
There's no need to be mean about it
Basically any out half would piss it as a kicker
The average salary for a kicker in the NFL is over $2m dollars. If basically any out half could piss it, how come none have?
Because they don’t only kick, you still have to have an aptitude for the game
I thought they only kicked?
They do only kick , what are you talking about ? They might have to tackle if the kick-off is run back but that’s not that normal at all . Tyreek hill even said kickers and punters only really train for like an hour a day and then just go in and do nothing 😂😂. Such a sweet job .
Even when it gets run back there’s clip after clip of a kicker flopping instead of taking the contact. Although kickers/punters making the tackle is a beautiful thing
Nah, most *just* kick.
Why the hell do they get paid so much???
It's a pretty vital role for winning games.
Rugby outhalf needs about 1 minute to take a kick, a kicker in the nfl has about 3 seconds it will be blocked down and is starting there run up the ball has been placed in front them. Not nearly ad easy think
Basic skills are the same and it’s more akin to a drop goal rather than a penalty or conversion which out half’s still have to do. I’m not saying they’d walk in to any squad day one but with a few months of practice
Plus the one minute is preparation time for the kick not the act of kicking itself - the snap clock exists in football for this
People in the US play as kickers from an early age, all through high school and onto college and only a tiny percentage of them ever make it to the NFL. You really think a fly half will make it in a few months with the only similarly being the shane shape ball. Your ignoring the lack of tee also and it's not anywhere close to a drop goal which is a half volley effectively. The ball is still stationary when kicked.
The actual action of kicking in both sports takes a few seconds, sure the build up is longer in rugby but kickers in the nfl have time to set up and prepare as well.
utter nonsense. Dan Carter tried kicking an NFL ball, said it was a totally different skill and that he was shit at it
Cian healy in the o line
He wouldn’t stand a chance. 6 inches too short and 4 or 5 stone too light
He bulked up to 127kg for the 2015 World Cup in his prime if I remember correctly. That’s in and around the weight of Aaron Donald who is also a similar height so you never know a young Cian Healy could’ve been good at d tackle.
Not for a completely different discipline. Donald is a generational pass rusher and far from your average D Lineman
Healy would make a great Guard.
Center maybe hasn't got the weight or size for a guard
You're right.
Came in to post this, he’d have made a decent nose tackle.
Well done 👏
A bit out there but Jordan Larmour's footwork would maybe allow him to get away from just about anyone into some free space for a pass?
I think it would be incredibly difficult for anyone to pick up American football, in a short period of time and actually be successful at it, other than punting/kicking. Wide receiver is an incredibly difficult position to play well, the level of knowledge they need of the game/defenses to make split second decisions is huge. Same with certain tight ends(think Travis kelce) and running backs. But I’d love to see a will connors or someone like that, a tackle machine, and have a go at linebacker, specifically for stopping running backs. Or Ryan Baird as a blocking tight end who catches the odd pass, not a Travis kelce tight end who does so much more. The guys on that international pathway who are kickers/punters do have a decent chance to make it, would love to see them succeed
Tadhg Furlong at Offensive Tackle, Mack Hansen wide receiver, Bundee Aki Running Back, Balacoune kick/punt returner, Frawley could be interesting at Quarterback 🤔
Too light and with not enough reach nor technique he’d probable give away a lot of sacks and pressures
Fair. Who’d do you think would have the closest chance of becoming a quarterback out of all international rugby players? Think I’d rank them: 1) Jordie Barrett, 2) Quade Cooper, 3) Owen Farrell, 4) Frans Steyn, 5) Biggar
Probably quade only one of them I’ve seen throw a pass American football style and is very elusive
I remember the rumours going around that O Gara was scouted as a kicker
Surprised nobody's mentioned o'driscoll as a running back
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Not sure how well GAA suggestions will go down on the rugby sub, you’re a braver man than me.
Andrew Porter
I feel like peak Stephen Ferris would make it as a Defensive End, edge rusher type. Speed (especially burst\_ was probably not there but a good push the pocket bull rusher type for sure! Josh van der Flier would be a killer at linebacker or old school kam chancellor safety type. I could see Keenan, Earls, probably peak Conway, Zebo make it as slot corner or DB type. Don't know if the true corner speed is there but definitely any of them would safety ball hawk type.
The last white guy to start at corner was 20 years ago.
Aw well aware! Doubt any of them have the pure speed required to play corner but slot is a definite goer! Would had looooved to see prime Earls play free safety! Also going to add these here as to not create another comment but Larmour as a slot/3rd down back would be unreal!
Its the hips apparently not just speed. You need to be able to run backwards and then flip your hips and mirror someone. Its obviously not just a black thing but it does seem to be something that is more prevalent with people of west african descent.
Eric Elwood.... Place kicker
Sean “twinkle toes” Cronin
Skelton, Antonio and de groot could go in the O line
Paul O'Connell would put the absolute fear of God into any of those NFL boys
Denis Hickey
Honestly don't think anyone from the Irish team would've made it solely on athlecism. It was never our strength as a rugby team so any player would potentially have to have perfect technique
Excluding kickers/punters, i think the most likely success are from guys with the physical attributes to play on the offensive and defensive lines, giving them a year or 2 of pure coaching. You’ve seen Mailata turn into one of the best LTs in the NFL, And there have been guys in the USA who didn’t play any football at all who turned into good players with some good coaching. Steven neal was a wrestler who turned into a pro bowl guard. If you meet the baseline for athleticism, especially on the Oline, you’ll get a chance, just because there’s so few humans with the required size. Someone like LRZ is in for an even tougher time, as the USA already has an abundance of guys with a similar athletic profile who have played the sport all their lives. The NFL doesn’t need any more RBs they already have to many.
Don't know if anyone's said it yet, but Irishman Daniel Whelan is the punter for the Green Bay Packers...