RUMOUR Valentine Holmes returns to Cowboys

Marty Deutschmann

Marty Deutschmann

NRL Captain
Oct 23, 2013
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Val Holmes remains focused on NFL but acknowledges NRL bidding frenzy
By Peter Mitchell

Valentine Holmes is focused on the NFL but kept the door wide open for an NRL return

Val Holmes is mostly focused on his NFL career.

Valentine Holmes remains focused on breaking into the New York Jets’ 53-man roster and may do so as a wide-receiver.

However the former NRL star hasn’t ruled out returning to Australia next year and playing for the Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys or Brisbane Broncos.
Holmes says he is still enjoying learning the intricacies of the NFL on the Jets’ practice squad despite sitting out games.

The 24-year-old will not make a decision on his future until their season ends, which, after a horror four loss-no win start, could be December 29 if they miss the play-offs.

“My head is here in the US,” he told AAP on Thursday.

“That is what I’m focused on.

“It’s only early in the season and I want to push myself to get an opportunity but if it doesn’t work out or I’m not good enough there’s decisions to be made.”

Holmes’ chance of being elevated to the 53-man roster and playing games recently rose with head coach Adam Gase and general manager Joe Douglas identifying him as a wide-receiver.

They originally pegged him as a running back but now have him working with Robby Anderson, Demaryius Thomas and the team’s other receivers.

If the Jets’ poor season continues Gase and Douglas may be inclined to blood project players like him in games.

“There’s quite good running backs here at the Jets so I think that’s why they moved me because obviously I can catch the ball and run,” Holmes said. “In the preseason games I was getting outside in the receiver positions and catching balls.”

The Jets, with the return of star quarterback Sam Darnold after missing three games with mononucleosis, are aiming to get their first win of the season when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

As a practice team member, Holmes’ job this week has been to mimic Cowboys’ players, including star wide-receiver Amari Cooper and running back Ezekiel Elliott against the Jets’ 53-man roster.

“We don’t know their exact playbook but we try to mimic plays they have ran against teams previously and try to give our team the best looks,” he said.

Holmes and wife Natalia have an apartment in New Jersey near the Jets’ stadium and practice facilities but spend plenty of time across the Hudson River in Manhattan.

Holmes, who knocked back a $A5 million contract last year to stay with the Sharks, will incite a bidding frenzy if he chooses to return to rugby league. The Sharks, his hometown Cowboys and the Broncos are possible landing spots.

“Cronulla is what I’m used to and I have an apartment there and my mates are still there, my wife and myself are from Townsville and I’m mates with pretty much all of the Brisbane guys,” Holmes said.

“It’s obviously good to have some decisions and teams that are keen for me but we haven’t made a decision yet.

“My wife and myself are happy where we are now and being able to live in New York City at the age of 24.

“Not many people can say that.”

source: Wide World of Sports
 
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This of good for us. If he is able to stay longer.. Give us time to run Boyd, Bird and McCullough's contacts out and that should be a war chest to offer him.
 
Time for the shorter version.

Valentine Holmes realizes he is a very good chance of failing in the NFL and will return to the NRL once that happens.
Well the NFL season ends early Feb so the NRL season won't have even started.
 
Its going to be difficult to prise him away from the Cowboys. If he comes back i think his and his partners family and friends will be a big, big pull for him and a lot of them are in Townsville.
 
Its going to be difficult to prise him away from the Cowboys. If he comes back i think his and his partners family and friends will be a big, big pull for him and a lot of them are in Townsville.
They just bought Drinkwater
 
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They have already admitted after signing Drinkwater they had funds for Holmes. Drinkwater will probably end up as a 6 anyway.

So a spine of: Granville, Morgan, Drinkwater, Holmes? That's arguably worse than ours was this year. Just quietly, Melbourne's doesn't look too crash hot either if Smith retires: BSmith (should be Grant but won't be), Hughes (assuming Croft goes), Munster, Pap.
 
So a spine of: Granville, Morgan, Drinkwater, Holmes? That's arguably worse than ours was this year. Just quietly, Melbourne's doesn't look too crash hot either if Smith retires: BSmith (should be Grant but won't be), Hughes (assuming Croft goes), Munster, Pap.

I think if they get Holmes, it will be
1 Holmes
6 Drinkwater
7 Morgan
9 Robson

The only wildcard in there for me is what they do with Morgan if Clifford steps up.
 
NYC to Townsville, boy that would be a shock to the system.

Mentioned above, moving heaven and earth might be easier than getting rid of Boyd and Bird by the sound of it.
 

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