Players from other sports in the nfl

Given that it is the lockout, the offseason so there is next to nothing to talk about, where another thread was kind of heading and i am killing time in a hotel room, I thought this would interesting.

So who from other sports do you think would be a good fit in the nfl.

Nate Robinson

Lebron James at Slot Receiver comes to mind. You get him to train his Ass Off at Catching the Football, he would be a top 5 Receiver in no time.

My Friend who was the Goalie on my Soccer team used to always talk about a guy named Jonah Lumu. I watched several of his Highlights with my friend, and boy was he a boss. He would make a great Running Back.

There are Several Soccer Players that would make fantastic Kickers. A couple Goal Keepers that would be good Punters as well. David Beckham comes to mind, with his ability to smash the ball on Free Kicks. (My First soccer trainer always talked about David Beckham. He pretty much MADE us kick the way David did, and if we didn't, we'd have to run... a lot. )

Here's an idea, Hockey Players, being Linebackers and Safeties. Their Athleticism, ability to run, and the ability to HIT would be perfect at those postion's. But of course, they would only be very good at Blitzing or Run Stopping.

Shaquille O'neal as a DT

Zdano Chara...maybe DE? or LB something like that.

Okay, here is a few



Francois steyn as both a kicker and punter. He can comfortably kick a penalty from 66m out which is around 72 yards. And from personal experience an american football is far easier to kick than a football than a rugby ball given that it is smaller, thinner and pointier so more aerodynamic, i can get an extra 5-10 yards easily just by changing ball, so it would be safe to assume he could be hitting FGs from 75+ yards. He can punt the ball damn far as well, opening up a roster spot for someone else by eliminating the need for two players to kicks. He can also tackle well so wouldnt just be hiding on kick return coverage and never expected to make a tackle like most kickers/punters.

Richie Mccaw is the flanker for the all blacks and I would love to see him as a LB. I cant remember the last time I have seen him miss a tackle, and when you get hit by him you stay hit. He is also a smart player with great instincts and with a bit of training he would be able to read plays and be dangerous in coverage as well, given that he has great hands from lineouts where he has to catch the ball going backwards and knows what to do with the ball in his hands as well

This is one of my favourite players in any form of rugby. The fijian William Ryder, I would love to say he could be an everydown back but he is far far too small and would never last long. Instead I see him being great as a change of pace back who could also be used as a receiver and taking back kicks and punts, would be a threat to take the ball to the house every time he touched it

bp_brien wrote:Okay, here is a few



Francois steyn as both a kicker and punter. He can comfortably kick a penalty from 66m out which is around 72 yards. And from personal experience an american football is far easier to kick than a football than a rugby ball given that it is smaller, thinner and pointier so more aerodynamic, i can get an extra 5-10 yards easily just by changing ball, so it would be safe to assume he could be hitting FGs from 75+ yards. He can punt the ball damn far as well, opening up a roster spot for someone else by eliminating the need for two players to kicks. He can also tackle well so wouldnt just be hiding on kick return coverage and never expected to make a tackle like most kickers/punters.

You forget that the goalposts in NFL are smaller and narrower as well.

Plus, a lot of stadiums that I've seen which aren't indoor or have a roof are specifically built to allow as much wind as possible into the place. That's why they have two massive stands running parrel to the length of the pitch and two much smaller stands at each end. I remember there's only been 3 kickers in 6 years who've scored FG at Heinz Field because it's windy as hell at night.

And, you forget that in rugby the other team isn't trying to kill you and block the FG as you take it. You can take you time in rugby and line it up (like Wilkinson does). In football, you've got to run up and smack it and hope for the best whilst a couple of defensive linemen try to bury you.

That said, a lot of rugby players (and Aussie rules guys) would make great kickers. Ben Graham of the Cardinals started out in rugby and he's one of the best punters in the league (he had a record of something like 20 punts in a row without a touchback).

dwight howard at tight end. tell me how you guard him.

poshmidget wrote:dwight howard at tight end. tell me how you guard him.

Simple, break his legs

Soarindude02 wrote:Lebron James at Slot Receiver comes to mind. You get him to train his Ass Off at Catching the Football, he would be a top 5 Receiver in no time.

My Friend who was the Goalie on my Soccer team used to always talk about a guy named Jonah Lumu. I watched several of his Highlights with my friend, and boy was he a boss. He would make a great Running Back.

There are Several Soccer Players that would make fantastic Kickers. A couple Goal Keepers that would be good Punters as well. David Beckham comes to mind, with his ability to smash the ball on Free Kicks. (My First soccer trainer always talked about David Beckham. He pretty much MADE us kick the way David did, and if we didn't, we'd have to run... a lot. )

Here's an idea, Hockey Players, being Linebackers and Safeties. Their Athleticism, ability to run, and the ability to HIT would be perfect at those postion's. But of course, they would only be very good at Blitzing or Run Stopping.

A 6'8" 250lb SLOT receiver??? LMAO!

CaptRCG2 wrote:

Soarindude02 wrote:Lebron James at Slot Receiver comes to mind. You get him to train his Ass Off at Catching the Football, he would be a top 5 Receiver in no time.

My Friend who was the Goalie on my Soccer team used to always talk about a guy named Jonah Lumu. I watched several of his Highlights with my friend, and boy was he a boss. He would make a great Running Back.

There are Several Soccer Players that would make fantastic Kickers. A couple Goal Keepers that would be good Punters as well. David Beckham comes to mind, with his ability to smash the ball on Free Kicks. (My First soccer trainer always talked about David Beckham. He pretty much MADE us kick the way David did, and if we didn't, we'd have to run... a lot. )

Here's an idea, Hockey Players, being Linebackers and Safeties. Their Athleticism, ability to run, and the ability to HIT would be perfect at those postion's. But of course, they would only be very good at Blitzing or Run Stopping.

A 6'8" 250lb SLOT receiver??? LMAO!

Stud. Muffin.

Soarindude02 wrote:

CaptRCG2 wrote:

Soarindude02 wrote:Lebron James at Slot Receiver comes to mind. You get him to train his Ass Off at Catching the Football, he would be a top 5 Receiver in no time.

My Friend who was the Goalie on my Soccer team used to always talk about a guy named Jonah Lumu. I watched several of his Highlights with my friend, and boy was he a boss. He would make a great Running Back.

There are Several Soccer Players that would make fantastic Kickers. A couple Goal Keepers that would be good Punters as well. David Beckham comes to mind, with his ability to smash the ball on Free Kicks. (My First soccer trainer always talked about David Beckham. He pretty much MADE us kick the way David did, and if we didn't, we'd have to run... a lot. )

Here's an idea, Hockey Players, being Linebackers and Safeties. Their Athleticism, ability to run, and the ability to HIT would be perfect at those postion's. But of course, they would only be very good at Blitzing or Run Stopping.

A 6'8" 250lb SLOT receiver??? LMAO!

Stud. Muffin.

LOL- I don't know why, but I think you should change your screen name to Stud Muffin!

CaptRCG2 wrote:

Soarindude02 wrote:

CaptRCG2 wrote:

Soarindude02 wrote:Lebron James at Slot Receiver comes to mind. You get him to train his Ass Off at Catching the Football, he would be a top 5 Receiver in no time.

My Friend who was the Goalie on my Soccer team used to always talk about a guy named Jonah Lumu. I watched several of his Highlights with my friend, and boy was he a boss. He would make a great Running Back.

There are Several Soccer Players that would make fantastic Kickers. A couple Goal Keepers that would be good Punters as well. David Beckham comes to mind, with his ability to smash the ball on Free Kicks. (My First soccer trainer always talked about David Beckham. He pretty much MADE us kick the way David did, and if we didn't, we'd have to run... a lot. )

Here's an idea, Hockey Players, being Linebackers and Safeties. Their Athleticism, ability to run, and the ability to HIT would be perfect at those postion's. But of course, they would only be very good at Blitzing or Run Stopping.

A 6'8" 250lb SLOT receiver??? LMAO!

Stud. Muffin.

LOL- I don't know why, but I think you should change your screen name to Stud Muffin!

and he can use this as his avatar

Linebacker



Wide Receiver

It's funny because, One of my Fantasy Team names last year was Stud Muffin.

Mutant wrote:

bp_brien wrote:Okay, here is a few



Francois steyn as both a kicker and punter. He can comfortably kick a penalty from 66m out which is around 72 yards. And from personal experience an american football is far easier to kick than a football than a rugby ball given that it is smaller, thinner and pointier so more aerodynamic, i can get an extra 5-10 yards easily just by changing ball, so it would be safe to assume he could be hitting FGs from 75+ yards. He can punt the ball damn far as well, opening up a roster spot for someone else by eliminating the need for two players to kicks. He can also tackle well so wouldnt just be hiding on kick return coverage and never expected to make a tackle like most kickers/punters.

You forget that the goalposts in NFL are smaller and narrower as well.

Plus, a lot of stadiums that I've seen which aren't indoor or have a roof are specifically built to allow as much wind as possible into the place. That's why they have two massive stands running parrel to the length of the pitch and two much smaller stands at each end. I remember there's only been 3 kickers in 6 years who've scored FG at Heinz Field because it's windy as hell at night.

And, you forget that in rugby the other team isn't trying to kill you and block the FG as you take it. You can take you time in rugby and line it up (like Wilkinson does). In football, you've got to run up and smack it and hope for the best whilst a couple of defensive linemen try to bury you.

That said, a lot of rugby players (and Aussie rules guys) would make great kickers. Ben Graham of the Cardinals started out in rugby and he's one of the best punters in the league (he had a record of something like 20 punts in a row without a touchback).

To counter that,

Yes the posts are smaller and narrower but you will only have to kick from basically in front of the posts (slightly to the left or right, but not much) whereas that kick i posted there was from the sideline making the posts a significantly smaller target. Personally I would rather kick straight down the middle at a smaller target than from the sideline where you have to take the angle into account.

Secondly, yes on the penalties and conversions they are under little pressure, occasionally a winger will get there and charge the kick down, but drop goals and clearance kicks on the other hand are under much greater pressure, and in the case of drop goals much harder as you have to get the bounce right and it is off a shorter run up, so not being used to the pressure isnt a factor IMO, and I would rather have D linemen going after the ball that two flankers and a center coming off the line without any blockers. Incidentally, I recently found out that the drop goal is legal in football for a PAT or FG but hasnt been attempted in years.

Cant say much about the wind, other than rugby stadiums, apart from the major international ones are often much smaller than football ones and often the ball will get above the stadium top with no protection from the wind. Also dan carter has shown that with a bit of genius, you can use the wind to your advantage

bp_brien wrote:

Mutant wrote:

bp_brien wrote:Okay, here is a few



Francois steyn as both a kicker and punter. He can comfortably kick a penalty from 66m out which is around 72 yards. And from personal experience an american football is far easier to kick than a football than a rugby ball given that it is smaller, thinner and pointier so more aerodynamic, i can get an extra 5-10 yards easily just by changing ball, so it would be safe to assume he could be hitting FGs from 75+ yards. He can punt the ball damn far as well, opening up a roster spot for someone else by eliminating the need for two players to kicks. He can also tackle well so wouldnt just be hiding on kick return coverage and never expected to make a tackle like most kickers/punters.

You forget that the goalposts in NFL are smaller and narrower as well.

Plus, a lot of stadiums that I've seen which aren't indoor or have a roof are specifically built to allow as much wind as possible into the place. That's why they have two massive stands running parrel to the length of the pitch and two much smaller stands at each end. I remember there's only been 3 kickers in 6 years who've scored FG at Heinz Field because it's windy as hell at night.

And, you forget that in rugby the other team isn't trying to kill you and block the FG as you take it. You can take you time in rugby and line it up (like Wilkinson does). In football, you've got to run up and smack it and hope for the best whilst a couple of defensive linemen try to bury you.

That said, a lot of rugby players (and Aussie rules guys) would make great kickers. Ben Graham of the Cardinals started out in rugby and he's one of the best punters in the league (he had a record of something like 20 punts in a row without a touchback).

To counter that,

Yes the posts are smaller and narrower but you will only have to kick from basically in front of the posts (slightly to the left or right, but not much) whereas that kick i posted there was from the sideline making the posts a significantly smaller target. Personally I would rather kick straight down the middle at a smaller target than from the sideline where you have to take the angle into account.

Secondly, yes on the penalties and conversions they are under little pressure, occasionally a winger will get there and charge the kick down, but drop goals and clearance kicks on the other hand are under much greater pressure, and in the case of drop goals much harder as you have to get the bounce right and it is off a shorter run up, so not being used to the pressure isnt a factor IMO, and I would rather have D linemen going after the ball that two flankers and a center coming off the line without any blockers. Incidentally, I recently found out that the drop goal is legal in football for a PAT or FG but hasnt been attempted in years.

Cant say much about the wind, other than rugby stadiums, apart from the major international ones are often much smaller than football ones and often the ball will get above the stadium top with no protection from the wind. Also dan carter has shown that with a bit of genius, you can use the wind to your advantage

That was stunning.

As a Special Teams kicker and punter, the Wind is horrible. Any wind can throw your kick off. That's why I have such a soft spot for Kickers and Punters. I've yet to play in a huge snow fest (Playing in Florida, luckily) but I have played in large amounts of wind, with rain, and boy was it difficult. I missed a couple Extra Points in High School due to the wind.

Soarindude02 wrote:

bp_brien wrote:

Mutant wrote:

bp_brien wrote:Okay, here is a few



Francois steyn as both a kicker and punter. He can comfortably kick a penalty from 66m out which is around 72 yards. And from personal experience an american football is far easier to kick than a football than a rugby ball given that it is smaller, thinner and pointier so more aerodynamic, i can get an extra 5-10 yards easily just by changing ball, so it would be safe to assume he could be hitting FGs from 75+ yards. He can punt the ball damn far as well, opening up a roster spot for someone else by eliminating the need for two players to kicks. He can also tackle well so wouldnt just be hiding on kick return coverage and never expected to make a tackle like most kickers/punters.

You forget that the goalposts in NFL are smaller and narrower as well.

Plus, a lot of stadiums that I've seen which aren't indoor or have a roof are specifically built to allow as much wind as possible into the place. That's why they have two massive stands running parrel to the length of the pitch and two much smaller stands at each end. I remember there's only been 3 kickers in 6 years who've scored FG at Heinz Field because it's windy as hell at night.

And, you forget that in rugby the other team isn't trying to kill you and block the FG as you take it. You can take you time in rugby and line it up (like Wilkinson does). In football, you've got to run up and smack it and hope for the best whilst a couple of defensive linemen try to bury you.

That said, a lot of rugby players (and Aussie rules guys) would make great kickers. Ben Graham of the Cardinals started out in rugby and he's one of the best punters in the league (he had a record of something like 20 punts in a row without a touchback).

To counter that,

Yes the posts are smaller and narrower but you will only have to kick from basically in front of the posts (slightly to the left or right, but not much) whereas that kick i posted there was from the sideline making the posts a significantly smaller target. Personally I would rather kick straight down the middle at a smaller target than from the sideline where you have to take the angle into account.

Secondly, yes on the penalties and conversions they are under little pressure, occasionally a winger will get there and charge the kick down, but drop goals and clearance kicks on the other hand are under much greater pressure, and in the case of drop goals much harder as you have to get the bounce right and it is off a shorter run up, so not being used to the pressure isnt a factor IMO, and I would rather have D linemen going after the ball that two flankers and a center coming off the line without any blockers. Incidentally, I recently found out that the drop goal is legal in football for a PAT or FG but hasnt been attempted in years.

Cant say much about the wind, other than rugby stadiums, apart from the major international ones are often much smaller than football ones and often the ball will get above the stadium top with no protection from the wind. Also dan carter has shown that with a bit of genius, you can use the wind to your advantage

That was stunning.

As a Special Teams kicker and punter, the Wind is horrible. Any wind can throw your kick off. That's why I have such a soft spot for Kickers and Punters. I've yet to play in a huge snow fest (Playing in Florida, luckily) but I have played in large amounts of wind, with rain, and boy was it difficult. I missed a couple Extra Points in High School due to the wind.

Yeah I am a part time kicker as well, and when the weather is bad trying to kick is hell, at least i dont have to worry about a holder. This is a photo of me trying to kick a few years ago in torrential rain and mud, the ball wouldnt even stand up without some guy holding it.


On another note Dan Carter is a demi god of rugby and is a genius as a playmaker as well as a kicker. He plays so close to the line and needs so little time to make a decision and can offload so well he makes all those around him look good.

Since we're talking punters and kickers...

Can an American fan tell me why you have two players to do the same job?

That's the thing I've never understood about the NFL and football.

If a rugby kicker can smash drop goals (punts) and penalties (field goals) and a soccer goalkeeper can smash drop kicks (punts) and goal kicks (sort of like a FG but without points) over 40 yards, then why do you need 2 players to do it in football?

Mutant wrote:Since we're talking punters and kickers...

Can an American fan tell me why you have two players to do the same job?

That's the thing I've never understood about the NFL and football.

If a rugby kicker can smash drop goals (punts) and penalties (field goals) and a soccer goalkeeper can smash drop kicks (punts) and goal kicks (sort of like a FG but without points) over 40 yards, then why do you need 2 players to do it in football?

Yeah I have always thought that as well. Just for the record the rugby kicker actually punts the ball as well as drop goal and place kicks.

Also to further your point, in the case of rugby and football, the kicking off the ball is by no means the players primary role in the game. In soccer the goal keeper has to concentrate all game about keeping the ball out of the net, and in rugby it is generally the fly half who takes the majority of the kicks. The fly half is as close to a quarterback you are going to get in rugby being the primary decision maker and playmaker and also plays a key role in defence. The kicker/punter in the nfl however, just goes out to kick

Mutant wrote:Since we're talking punters and kickers...

Can an American fan tell me why you have two players to do the same job?

That's the thing I've never understood about the NFL and football.

If a rugby kicker can smash drop goals (punts) and penalties (field goals) and a soccer goalkeeper can smash drop kicks (punts) and goal kicks (sort of like a FG but without points) over 40 yards, then why do you need 2 players to do it in football?

i used to think that the Punter/Kicker positions were the same also, but they are 2 totally different kicking styles...with Punting the guy is basically drop kicking the ball as far as he can..with Place Kicking the guy has to work on his accuracy and uses a totally different set of leg muscles to complete the motion.

bp_brien wrote:

Mutant wrote:Since we're talking punters and kickers...

Can an American fan tell me why you have two players to do the same job?

That's the thing I've never understood about the NFL and football.

If a rugby kicker can smash drop goals (punts) and penalties (field goals) and a soccer goalkeeper can smash drop kicks (punts) and goal kicks (sort of like a FG but without points) over 40 yards, then why do you need 2 players to do it in football?

Yeah I have always thought that as well. Just for the record the rugby kicker actually punts the ball as well as drop goal and place kicks.

Also to further your point, in the case of rugby and football, the kicking off the ball is by no means the players primary role in the game. In soccer the goal keeper has to concentrate all game about keeping the ball out of the net, and in rugby it is generally the fly half who takes the majority of the kicks. The fly half is as close to a quarterback you are going to get in rugby being the primary decision maker and playmaker and also plays a key role in defence. The kicker/punter in the nfl however, just goes out to kick

Yeah exactly.

Kickers and Punters in football are on the field for 10 seconds or less at a time.

The only thing they do is kick and act as a last line of defense on Kick Returns (you rarely see kickers tackling).

I'm sure Dan Carter or Jonny Wilkinson can score 50 yard FGs and drop 50 yard punts on the other teams 5 yard line without breaking sweat. Especially since in their rugby roles they really do sweat.

Never actually kicked in rugby outside of PE but it can't be easy to kick a penalty a few seconds after being hit by a prop forward or being involved in a ruck, things which make you hurt and ache.

If I were a team coach, I'd have one guy doing Kicks and Punts and have the spare roster spot going to a WR or DT or some other key role.

MASTRxOFxPUPPETZ wrote:

Mutant wrote:Since we're talking punters and kickers...

Can an American fan tell me why you have two players to do the same job?

That's the thing I've never understood about the NFL and football.

If a rugby kicker can smash drop goals (punts) and penalties (field goals) and a soccer goalkeeper can smash drop kicks (punts) and goal kicks (sort of like a FG but without points) over 40 yards, then why do you need 2 players to do it in football?

i used to think that the Punter/Kicker positions were the same also, but they are 2 totally different kicking styles...with Punting the guy is basically drop kicking the ball as far as he can..with Place Kicking the guy has to work on his accuracy and uses a totally different set of leg muscles to compleie the motion.

I don't think so. I grew up watching Jonny Wilkinson and Neil Jenkins. Two of the greatest kickers ever to play rugby. If they can blast 40 yard drop goals and score 40 yard penalties and conversions from the sidelines of the field (where you can barely see the goal posts due to the angle) I can't see how it's any different to football. They work on accuracy and power as well not to meintion their specific roles on the field (usually a fly-half which like Brien said is the QB of rugby).

I don't know I suppose it's one of the mysteries of the sport.