Sam's Linebacker offer

[Foordy]

Another one of those stories that you read about, but if true it does worry me a bit, i reckon Sammy Thaiday has been our best forward over the last 2 years. i really hope we can keep him at Red Hill.

Brisbane Broncos star Thaiday has revealed his desire to test himself in American football after Australian-based talent scouts approached his management about a potential code switch.

The development will shock the Broncos, who had opened talks with Thaiday's management in the hope of extending the Queensland forward's stay at Red Hill beyond 2009.

Representatives from Ozpunt - the organisation working with Newcastle forward Cory Paterson and former Sydney Swan Nick Davis - contacted Thaiday's management late last week after ear-marking the 23-year-old as a potential NFL linebacker. The parties are expected to meet in coming weeks.

Thaiday, off contract at the end of this season, said he would "seriously consider" making the switch to the American game.

"I'd love to go over there," Thaiday told The Sun-Herald."It would be a great experience, getting to train and play with such great players.

"Seeing the States is also on my to-do list, I'd love to see America, everyone with their big cars and gangster chains.

"It's another level above NRL. You watch it on TV and realise how big it is over there in the States, all the way from high school and college into the professional NFL league.

"It's amazing the crowds they get and the hype around it.

"It would be good to go over there and it's another option."

 

[Coxy]

Can't see it happening. But good on him for thinking outside the square.

 

[spoonbled]

he'd have to lose alot of weight, bulk up, do a 4 secs in the 40 yards, and then compete against kids aged 16/17, that will be bigger, stronger and faster with more experience. I love the guy but he wouldnt get a look in. maybe if he's serious he should train with some teams from austalia 1st. there's teams in Syd, i dont know about Qld.

 

[Clintos]

There's a few teams all around QLD. I'm sure any team would be more than happy to give him a bit of a go. I think he might be a bit small to play linebacker anyway.

I read that some of the NFL teams are sending out scouts to find some Aussie talent to play in the field, rather than just special teams. It's a very different game. Willie Mason trialed with the Jets and he just couldn't compete, so it's going to be a big change for anyone who does decide to head in that direction.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

he'd have to lose alot of weight, bulk up, do a 4 secs in the 40 yards, and then compete against kids aged 16/17, that will be bigger, stronger and faster with more experience. I love the guy but he wouldnt get a look in. maybe if he's serious he should train with some teams from austalia 1st. there's teams in Syd, i dont know about Qld.

lose weight? have u seen the size of the fatties that are "professional sports ppl" in NFL lol

 

[Coxy]

Yeah but not linebackers (if I'm picturing the right guys). Although I think spoonbled would mean lose fat, and build more lean bulk. Sammy would need to learn how to accept taking steroids too.

 

[Webcke]

he'd have to lose alot of weight, bulk up, do a 4 secs in the 40 yards, and then compete against kids aged 16/17, that will be bigger, stronger and faster with more experience. I love the guy but he wouldnt get a look in. maybe if he's serious he should train with some teams from austalia 1st. there's teams in Syd, i dont know about Qld.

lose weight? have u seen the size of the fatties that are "professional sports ppl" in NFL lol

These fatties would be about 10 times fitter and stronger then you.

I played Junior Gridion and I gotta say the senior teams you refer to are made up of 30 year olds who go to the gym once a week. Sammy would rip up...

I love him to death but je wouldent go well in the NFL though, not fast enough or big enough. Normal NFL Linbacker is 6'4 and 110KGs of pure muscle. Plus they are as fast as Billy Slater.

 

[Je$ter]

In my opinion the only 2 NRL players who could possibly make the switch would be Inglis and Folau. Inglis would be a freak at WR, he has the height, speed and catch ability that would get him onto an NFL roster. Folau would be a good RB - big strong fast. Not that agile but think LenDale White, plus he could catch as well.

ps. Queenslander, the offensive linesman are fatties, however basically every other position is ripped up, fast strong and skilful. They might lack aerobic fitness but there would still be an element of aerobic capacity in the game, to be able to go all out every 40seconds takes a lot of effort.

 

[Je$ter]

ps. if anyone wants to see how freakish an athlete a linebacker is, go to nfl.com and look at the video of James Harrisons' interception in the Super Bowl. 110kgs of muscle runs 100m with a few hurdles thrown in for good measure.

 

[Webcke]

In my opinion the only 2 NRL players who could possibly make the switch would be Inglis and Folau. Inglis would be a freak at WR, he has the height, speed and catch ability that would get him onto an NFL roster. Folau would be a good RB - big strong fast. Not that agile but think LenDale White, plus he could catch as well.

Dude Izzy is way to tall, he would be a wide reciver along with Inglis. The tallest a running back can be is at most 6'1 once he gets to 6'4 its to much.

 

[spoonbled]

type in Ray Lewis to see what a real linebacker can do. OUCH

 

[NPK]

Are there many white guys in the NFL who are huge and can run fast etc?

 

[Webcke]

Yea a few but not many, Brian Urlacher and Kevin Curtis are two that come to mind. Most white guys play offensive line, Linbacker and QB.

Brian Urlacher ran a 4.62 40 yard dash and is 6'4, 117kg

 

[gUt]

I can understand NRL players wanting to test themselves and play in front of real crowds.

I've always wondered why NRL scouts don't source potential players from the USA who don't make the grade in the NFL. Surely it would only take a season or two of full time training to get them used to the game etc. The money might not be anything like what top liners get in the NFL but a first grader here still makes good coin.

 

[Coxy]

I think for most American footballers they see the equation as:

Not a lot of money
+ not a lot of crowds and fan fare
+ have to play for 80 minutes without heaps of rest in between plays or interchanges

= No thanks

 

[gUt]

I think for most American footballers they see the equation as:

Not a lot of money
+ not a lot of crowds and fan fare
+ have to play for 80 minutes without heaps of rest in between plays or interchanges

= No thanks

But if the choice is, be paid to play sport or not be paid to play sport...

 

[Coxy]

I did forget another bit of the equation - relocate to Australia away from family and friends.

I think that combined with the other issues would outweigh the interest in playing sport professionally in Australia.

 

[The Brizz]

Plus a lot of the "almost" NFL players end up playing arena football or Euro NFL which would both probably pay better than NRL.