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| Can a Rugby League or Union player make it in the NFL? |
“He is a guy that came to our attention, he is a pretty good player, and it was just one of those opportunities we had, where we have to take a look at him. What we're doing is taking a look at him, seeing what potential there is for him. He seems to have been a pretty dynamic guy in that league for a long time. He seemed relatively feisty when I spoke to him."
The player that Mangini seemingly praises is none other than the NRL’s most unwanted bonehead, Willie Mason. Yes, the same Willie Mason who is more famous for urinating in public and wild nights out than the two good years of rugby league that he actually played. Yes, the same Willie Mason who has been dumped by two NRL teams and is unwanted by not only the rest of the NRL, but most of the Super 15 and Super League in England. If an untalented moron like him can get a sniff at the NFL, then surely some of the most talented and athletic Rugby League and Rugby Union players would have decent prospects.
The real question is: could a Rugby league or Union player make it as an NFL linebacker? Let’s firstly take a look at some measurables. Contrary to popular belief, NFL linebackers aren’t that big. Take a look at future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. At 6 ft 1, and 113kg, he’s actually smaller than 6ft 2, 122 kg Dave Taylor. At 6ft 4 117kg, even one of the NFL’s biggest enforcers Brian Urlacher is hardly dwarfing the 6ft 3 110kg Sonny Bill Williams. Unlike in the NBA, where there is a pre-requisite of being 6 ft 7 and over, Rugby League and Union players would only being slightly undersized (if at all) in the NFL.
Why it would work:
Rugby League and Rugby Union players have arguably the best tackling ability in all professional sports. Not only are Rugby players superior in the open field in a one on one situation, but in group tackling which is important in the NFL. Seriously, throw a linebacker jumper on Sonny Bill Williams and tell him to tackle All-Day (pun intended) and anyone that comes near him. Not only does he have the tackling ability, but the explosiveness and speed that is also required to be a linebacker. Not to mention the fact his trademark shoulder charge would be a weapon, rather than being penalized. I think this Facebook page sums up what I'm getting at here; Well put.
Rugby League and Rugby Union players have arguably the best tackling ability in all professional sports. Not only are Rugby players superior in the open field in a one on one situation, but in group tackling which is important in the NFL. Seriously, throw a linebacker jumper on Sonny Bill Williams and tell him to tackle All-Day (pun intended) and anyone that comes near him. Not only does he have the tackling ability, but the explosiveness and speed that is also required to be a linebacker. Not to mention the fact his trademark shoulder charge would be a weapon, rather than being penalized. I think this Facebook page sums up what I'm getting at here; Well put.
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| On Second thoughts, maybe its not all about tackling ability. |
Why it wouldn’t work:
Clearly, Rugby League and Union players would have a lot of learning to do to truly master the game of American football. The thought of Dave Taylor playing zone coverage on a slot receiver like Percy Harvin is both amusing and intriguing. Nonetheless, American football is a game with high amount of strategy and tactics that couldn’t be taught overnight. For this reason, I could never see an Australian becoming the next QB of the Dallas Cowboys (or any offensive position for that matter). However, it is perfectly reasonable to argue, that with the right mind and the right attitude, a Rugby league or union player could learn the intricacies of the game to develop into a special team’s standout or borderline starter. In this regard, character concerns would surely rule Sonny Bill and Dave Taylor out.
Clearly, Rugby League and Union players would have a lot of learning to do to truly master the game of American football. The thought of Dave Taylor playing zone coverage on a slot receiver like Percy Harvin is both amusing and intriguing. Nonetheless, American football is a game with high amount of strategy and tactics that couldn’t be taught overnight. For this reason, I could never see an Australian becoming the next QB of the Dallas Cowboys (or any offensive position for that matter). However, it is perfectly reasonable to argue, that with the right mind and the right attitude, a Rugby league or union player could learn the intricacies of the game to develop into a special team’s standout or borderline starter. In this regard, character concerns would surely rule Sonny Bill and Dave Taylor out.
Why it’s worth a shot:
You don’t need to be able to quote Jerry McGuire, to know that the NFL is all about the money. Top linebacker’s demand anywhere between 5-10 million dollars a season, which make’s James O’Connors new blockbuster deal seem measly. Just merely getting drafted in the NFL secures you at least 500k a season. Consider here, that Sav Rocca (one of the few Australians in the NFL) made only 73 punts in 2010, and earned twice as much as Darren Lockyer. For a guy like Sonny Bill who is seemingly forever chasing big money, you have to wonder why he hasn’t looked into the NFL yet.
You don’t need to be able to quote Jerry McGuire, to know that the NFL is all about the money. Top linebacker’s demand anywhere between 5-10 million dollars a season, which make’s James O’Connors new blockbuster deal seem measly. Just merely getting drafted in the NFL secures you at least 500k a season. Consider here, that Sav Rocca (one of the few Australians in the NFL) made only 73 punts in 2010, and earned twice as much as Darren Lockyer. For a guy like Sonny Bill who is seemingly forever chasing big money, you have to wonder why he hasn’t looked into the NFL yet.
It baffles me that each year there are massive concerns over whether Rugby League and Union players are paid enough for their work, and we are still yet to see a young athletic talent try to make it in the NFL. Can a Rugby League or Union player make the ultimate code switch?
What do you think?
Do you really think they can only play on defence? In my opinion, between league and union, one the player that could make the transition to being a starter in the NFL is Digby Ione at RB. His measurables are fine compared to rb's and he is so so so good in tight spaces. Plus I think RB is the most instinctive position in NFL and thus the easiest for someone to pick up. Obviously learning to run behind blockers would be the main obstacle in the short term and the fact he would never play on third down would hold him back in the long term
ReplyDeleteMaybe,
ReplyDeleteI think that Rugby players have their biggest advantage over NFL players when it comes to tackling. Clearly, it's much more of an art in Rugby than it is in the NFL.
For offensive players, i think the Pads would be an issue. I have never been in pads, or have any idea what its like, but i can imagine being in them would affect your balance, speed, and natural ability to break tackles. I think this would be a pretty big transition.
Nonetheless, I think absolutely. I would love to do an Ioane/Inglis/Hodges vs Adrian Peterson type of article.
It also does make me dream, that if the Reds win the Super 15, and the Wallabies overachieve or under achiever in the world cup, what will Digbys next move be?