Chiefs sign a rugby player

[Monticore]

I read somewhere where he had run practice 40s in the 4.3s and he hasn’t probably had the same time of track training /coaching most of the college kids get specifically to run at at the combine , not playing football might only be the issue but it sounds like his dad played some American football , if he was a fan and watch the game /played madden etc.. some natural feel for space it could see him transitioning. Would be a cool story

[MVChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Monticore

I read somewhere where he had run practice 40s in the 4.3s and he hasn’t probably had the same time of track training /coaching most of the college kids get specifically to run at at the combine , not playing football might only be the issue but it sounds like his dad played some American football , if he was a fan and watch the game /played madden etc.. some natural feel for space it could see him transitioning. Would be a cool story

I’ve read that somewhere, too. He was disappointed in his 4.43-4.45 time. The guy is FAST! I know most rugby players don’t have the elite speed that NFL players have. But, the way he would literally be behind someone ten yards and then blow past them and beat them to the ball is just crazy!

[Hayneplane]

Originally Posted by Monticore

I read somewhere where he had run practice 40s in the 4.3s and he hasn’t probably had the same time of track training /coaching most of the college kids get specifically to run at at the combine , not playing football might only be the issue but it sounds like his dad played some American football , if he was a fan and watch the game /played madden etc.. some natural feel for space it could see him transitioning. Would be a cool story

I would also expect his short burst speed to improve now that training will be geared towards single play explosiveness rather than 80 minutes stamina endurance as in rugby union. He will also likely bulk up as well adding muscle mass.

Of course he is going to be naive in learning the playcalls and running crisp routes but Andy Reid is smart enough to know that you don’t bring someone in because they can do things you don’t normally see and then try to force them to conform to all the norms of a player in their position. Trying to do that would be like acknowledging that Mahomes is the all time greatest scramble drill improviser in the game yet deciding that because Quarterbacks are traditionally pocket passers you are going to chain him to the pocket.

[IrishChief]

Ive had people who wouldn't have a scooby doo about NFL text me about this signing, the reach is massive on this side of the Atlantic.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Hayneplane

I would also expect his short burst speed to improve now that training will be geared towards single play explosiveness rather than 80 minutes stamina endurance as in rugby union. He will also likely bulk up as well adding muscle mass.

Of course he is going to be naive in learning the playcalls and running crisp routes but Andy Reid is smart enough to know that you don’t bring someone in because they can do things you don’t normally see and then try to force them to conform to all the norms of a player in their position. Trying to do that would be like acknowledging that Mahomes is the all time greatest scramble drill improviser in the game yet deciding that because Quarterbacks are traditionally pocket passers you are going to chain him to the pocket.

If he bulks up, he's going to get slower, not faster.

And 4.4 isn't slow. More than fast enough to play in the NFL.


He's another athletic guy. Andy really likes athletes, almost more than he likes football players, or so it seems at times.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

If he bulks up, he's going to get slower, not faster.

And 4.4 isn't slow. More than fast enough to play in the NFL.


He's another athletic guy. Andy really likes athletes, almost more than he likes football players, or so it seems at times.

I'm not so sure he really needs to bulk up any.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I'm not so sure he really needs to bulk up any.

I don't think he does either. He's already 200 lbs., right? He looks buff enough to me anyway.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Monticore

I read somewhere where he had run practice 40s in the 4.3s and he hasn’t probably had the same time of track training /coaching most of the college kids get specifically to run at at the combine , not playing football might only be the issue but it sounds like his dad played some American football , if he was a fan and watch the game /played madden etc.. some natural feel for space it could see him transitioning. Would be a cool story

He was timed running 24mph last year in a game. Hill's fastest last year was 22mph.

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

He was timed running 24mph last year in a game. Hill's fastest last year was 22mph.

Even without pad , that I think would be faster than any soccer play speed recorded this year .