NFL Aussies in the NFL

[crazy_big_al]

Re: NFL Berlin Thunder takes a punt on Parrish

I played with him for the Adelaide Eagles. It is great news for the sport in Australia

 

[CONS_SS]

Re: What position would Andrew Symonds play in NFL?

Can't believe no one said QB. Symmo's got a rocket arm, has decent size (6-2, 207) and is very mobile. Would be a Michael Vick type of player (just not as good!)

 

[neddy36]

Re: What position would Andrew Symonds play in NFL?

Being a cricketer, getting a bruise would probably put him out for 6 weeks.

Sorry, I just can't picture any cricketer playing an aggressive, impact sport like American Football.

 

[footylover18]

Re: What position would Andrew Symonds play in NFL?

He couldn't play any position well. He's too big and not fast enough for RB. He's too slow for WR. He's not big enough for TE. He's not fast enough for safety.

He might be able to do something on special teams.

 

[CONS_SS]

Akermanis on NFL radar

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19210778%255E19742,00.html

Akermanis on NFL radar
22 May 2006 Herald Sun
David Hastie

FORMER Geelong captain, turned NFL punter, Ben Graham has spoken to Brisbane Lions showman Jason Akermanis about a possible move to the New York Jets next season.

Jets coach Eric Mangini has called on the former Cat to help bring another Australian sportsman to the NFL club.

"The New York Jets are in a unique situation with coach Mangini obviously spending time in Australia," Graham told 3AW yesterday. "He wants me to find someone that can help our team.

"I'm only really a conduit between getting the word around so that people that are serious about coming over might seriously have a look at it."

Outspoken Akermanis is one player on the Jets' radar.

"He's one name that's been mentioned," Graham said.

"I'm not saying that Jason Akermanis is the right person, but I will say that I have spoken to him.

"He wants a feel for what's happening over here and my basic advice to Jason was, `Look, you've got an AFL career going here. Just shut up, put your head down work hard 'til the end of the season and then work things out'."

Graham said the Jets had studied tapes of Akermanis and his pace and skill were attractive to the club.

"What he can offer in a position in the NFL is speed, his explosive pace, he's tough, he works hard and he's got good hands," Graham said.

"He's something that the Jets have done a bit of research on."

Akermanis is not the only Australian athlete generating interest among the Jets' ranks with Graham confirming the club is also interested in a number of sportsmen including a Commonwealth Games track and field star.

"The other players, I don't want to talk about it too much . . . but there are players definitely in the AFL, in rugby and even the latest one is in the athletics scene," he said.

"Someone who has got pure speed that might make an impact over here."

Mangini, who spent time studying in Melbourne, has long been an admirer of Australian sporting talent.

Graham said Mangini was still dabbling with the prospect of unearthing another NFL player from Australia.

"I think what Eric Mangini likes in the Australian talent is that there's work ethic, there's the grounding in the AFL or in the sport," he said.

Graham is on a six-year deal with the Jets worth $7 million.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Aker the special teams demon

 

[Woodson]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Hope he takes up the offer. May as well quit AFL now to get to training camp next month (if it hasn't already started). I think there is something he can offer, he is brash and clever so that's KUDOS to him. He has NOTHING MORE to prove in the boring AFL. Time to move onto the bigger stage.

 

[ALwaysNorth]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Bennett and Graham do not play American Football they punt the ball and then for the main get out of the way .

Aker is not going to be a punter which means he would have to go to pre season camp and win a position , win a position against 10 other players all trying to get that position . He would get belted from pillar to post in camp , God knows how he would cope in a real game.

Only one Australian has played NFL and that is Colin Scotts and he only lasted a handful of games in the 80's.

 

[Nozzer]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

What, you didn't see the legendary Clothesline Bennett put on some poor sucker punt returner in one of his first games for the Bolts? Just about sent him into orbit.

When I played for the Sharks in the Vic League, we used to have a punter who'd regularly make tackles. The man was ing insane.

 

[Woodson]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Bennett and Graham do not play American Football they punt the ball and then for the main get out of the way .

Aker is not going to be a punter which means he would have to go to pre season camp and win a position , win a position against 10 other players all trying to get that position . He would get belted from pillar to post in camp , God knows how he would cope in a real game.

Only one Australian has played NFL and that is Colin Scotts and he only lasted a handful of games in the 80's.

Beg to differ AlwaysNorth. Aker has the tools IMHO, just a matter of strength and conditioning. The way teams work thier 'practise squad' agendas is on position availability of the weekly roster (injuries) and thats the way untapped overlooked draftees like 'Willie Parker' SB XL slip into the system and work themselves into thier starting roster in one season (took Willie Parker into his second year to get his break!!) so you can't say it isn't impossible for Akers to make it but it won't be easy. Has the size dimensions of Carolina's Steve Smith and can contribute on special teams as a punt returner also.

As for Darren Bennet's infamous clothesliner tackle >> I remember that one coz it was against my Steelers. B@stard.

 

[dockers_bengals]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Ilmfao 30yr old aka nfl.in the west today lynch says hes looking at punting in the nfl.it says his manager believes he is idealy suited with his athleticism(yeah right)and booming kick.at 23yo he could be a chance.imo i think he might be too slow to get it on his boot.

 

[fuey]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Was thinking about this the other week as I watched Brennan from the Lions zip in out and every where... thought he'd make a decent RB with his moves and speed.

Though I think after one hit he'd be crying for his mother...

 

[Scott MacFlaherty]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

What position would Aker play? Returner? Very few teams carry a dedicated returner who can do nothing else. And he is unproven, old and never played the game before.

People seem to think that AFL players can waltz into the NFL when they like and make a roster. In reality, being a punter is the only option for an AFL player who has never played the game before.

 

[Woodson]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

What position would Aker play? Returner? Very few teams carry a dedicated returner who can do nothing else. And he is unproven, old and never played the game before.

People seem to think that AFL players can waltz into the NFL when they like and make a roster. In reality, being a punter is the only option for an AFL player who has never played the game before.

Punter only option? you don't believe PR or WR are possible? I beg to differ. The comparison in hardness should not be compared as the training methods are poles apart along with strength & conditioning being the factor then comes the tactical aspect which is more about executing the play to instruction and I believe the AFL have players that have the tools to accomplish the NFL dream. Akermanis has 'an age' where it's mearly a number that most ppl consider 'too old' but that is more a state of mind. Not every 29/30 year old is the same. On the flipside, are the NFL clubs willing to chance taking a AFL player that has 2-3 years maximum in him when they can mould a 22 year old with the same opportunity.

 

[JeffDunne]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I couldn't see him filling any role on an NFL squad.

IMO players with his speed are a dime a dozen. Too short for a receiver and he's not that good overhead, and I doubt he'd have the natural instincts to pick holes in a line as a RB.

Personally I reckon they're just ing in his pocket.

 

[Scott MacFlaherty]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Beautifully said JD.

Any coach that offers him a roster spot should be fired immediately

 

[Woodson]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I couldn't see him filling any role on an NFL squad.

IMO players with his speed are a dime a dozen. Too short for a receiver and he's not that good overhead, and I doubt he'd have the natural instincts to pick holes in a line as a RB.

Personally I reckon they're just ing in his pocket.

Aker is capable of milking any situation for all it's worth and good on him. Don't forget NFL premier reciever, Steve Smith, is virtually identical in measurements. Natural instincts is what separates Aker from most AFL players and with strength & conditioning training, he can slip into the system and become effective IMHO. I never said anything about a RB position but I suppose that guys like Aker have a aura of confidence that is needed to take the next step. Good on him. If he does and gets splattered, then at least he can tell the 'IGNORANT' ppl in Australia how really BRUTAL American Football is. That's the bottom line, he has a mouth and ppl will listen!!

 

[Woodson]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Beautifully said JD.

Any coach that offers him a roster spot should be fired immediately

I'm thinking outside the square SMacF, it's not whether Aker will or won't make it, it's the feedback. Puts the record straight about why padding is essential. Too many 'ignorant fools' here think American Football is not as tough as the AFL. Operation guinea pig

 

[JeffDunne]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I understand where your coming from Woodson but I can't see what use he'd be. The NFL certainly could do with some more good Aussie talent - hell, there's more Nigerians in the NFL than there are Aussies - but IMO we don't do ourselves any favours putting up the NFL as a retirement home for ex-AFL footballers.

Ben Graham is an exception to the rule because he's tall and he can boot the ball a mile - a rare commodity even in college football. Darren Bennet ditto. Punters with a good high action and distance are rare. I don't see what an almost over-the-hill footballer like Acker has to offer the NFL.

 

[marcuz]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I reckon guys like pavlich or croad would make decent recievers. Still taking to a foreign game at 24/25 is a big ask. But athletically they'd bring a lot to the table as well as good hands.

 

[Power21]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Bennett and Graham do not play American Football they punt the ball and then for the main get out of the way .

Aker is not going to be a punter which means he would have to go to pre season camp and win a position , win a position against 10 other players all trying to get that position . He would get belted from pillar to post in camp , God knows how he would cope in a real game.

Only one Australian has played NFL and that is Colin Scotts and he only lasted a handful of games in the 80's.

What would he be a wide reciever? All he needs is pace, agility and good ahnds, he ahs all three. Plus maybe the ability to take a tackle which all aFL players have, with all the pads on that makes it easy.

Not sure where you are coming from.

 

[Todd_Gack]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

What would he be a wide reciever? All he needs is pace, agility and good ahnds, he ahs all three. Plus maybe the ability to take a tackle which all aFL players have, with all the pads on that makes it easy.

Not sure where you are coming from.

Pace...i dunno. He might be average to slow against NFL WRs, and he isnt getting any faster. Even if he got in, he wouldnt be a star like he is at brisbane, and the afl in general, so i dont know if his ego will be able to take it.

One bonus is all his grandstanding wont be out of place

 

[ALwaysNorth]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

What would he be a wide reciever? All he needs is pace, agility and good ahnds, he ahs all three. Plus maybe the ability to take a tackle which all aFL players have, with all the pads on that makes it easy.

Not sure where you are coming from.

Take a tackle in the AFL !!!!!!!!! how many times would Aka have been tackled in his entire career ?

Aka would get the goatee hit off him at practise because he couldnt keep his mouth shut and you need to know the rules if you play a "position" .

As for Bennett's clothsline tackle - you are rating a guy as a defensive star on one tackle , if he had a reputation as a hitter (which he doesnt) he would be targeted by the return team and if he was he wouldnt be playing much football .

Croad and Pavlich too slow to play wide receiver and would need a lot more bulk to play tight end .

 

[marcuz]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

Croad and Pavlich too slow to play wide receiver and would need a lot more bulk to play tight end .

too slow? they'd have guys like keyshawn Johnson, Ricky Proel, Joe Jurevicius, Michael Jenkins, Randall Williams, Antonio bryant etc covered in the pace department.

 

[Portia]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I can't see why he wouldn't be able to play as a safety.

 

[Wizard]

Re: Akermanis on NFL radar

I can't see why he wouldn't be able to play as a safety.

Doesn't have the courage to play in a positon like that.