NFL (no haters)

[75Black]

For those interested in the International Player Pathway program, NFL UK currently has a series running on their Youtube channel called 'The Pathway', and LRZ is actually turning out to be looking like a good if not very good WR, highly recommend. It's clear this program is taking it seriously and not just trying to get international players for the sake of having international players in the NFL, they have genuine talents.

[TikTak]

Miami have done so much business I can't keep track.

Inevitably some of it is for rotational players/ones that help the salary cap and who knows who will still be here come the start of the season at this rate.

[75Black]

In addition to earlier, the IPP prospects have their Pro Days today, will be interesting to see how LRZ fares and his 40 time especially.

[Bluequay]

He will get picked up regardless of how he does, just from a PR point of view they will want him to make a practice squad.

It will be interesting to see how he does though.

[75Black]

Bluequay said:

He will get picked up regardless of how he does, just from a PR point of view they will want him to make a practice squad.

It will be interesting to see how he does though.

Each team this year has a protected IPP slot on their practice squad so they will stick around even if they don't get promoted or put on the full roster.

[Bluequay]

75Black said:

Bluequay said:

He will get picked up regardless of how he does, just from a PR point of view they will want him to make a practice squad.

It will be interesting to see how he does though.

Each team this year has a protected IPP slot on their practice squad so they will stick around even if they don't get promoted or put on the full roster.

Yep this program needs to be seen for what it really is. It's very cheap marketing, a player actually making a team and suiting up is a massive bonus and even better marketing!!

[75Black]

Bluequay said:

75Black said:

Bluequay said:

He will get picked up regardless of how he does, just from a PR point of view they will want him to make a practice squad.

It will be interesting to see how he does though.

Each team this year has a protected IPP slot on their practice squad so they will stick around even if they don't get promoted or put on the full roster.

Yep this program needs to be seen for what it really is. It's very cheap marketing, a player actually making a team and suiting up is a massive bonus and even better marketing!!

I'll be honest, the first couple of years it did seem like a gimmick..a way to get 1 or 2 decent international players you might see go viral on youtube into the league never to be seen again but recently they've been building and developing the program and getting proper actual international prospects in and trying to show the NFL there is viable talent out there. I know they love to showcase Mialata for the Eagles.

[Bluequay]

75Black said:

Bluequay said:

75Black said:

Bluequay said:

He will get picked up regardless of how he does, just from a PR point of view they will want him to make a practice squad.

It will be interesting to see how he does though.

Each team this year has a protected IPP slot on their practice squad so they will stick around even if they don't get promoted or put on the full roster.

Yep this program needs to be seen for what it really is. It's very cheap marketing, a player actually making a team and suiting up is a massive bonus and even better marketing!!

I'll be honest, the first couple of years it did seem like a gimmick..a way to get 1 or 2 decent international players you might see go viral on youtube into the league never to be seen again but recently they've been building and developing the program and getting proper actual international prospects in and trying to show the NFL there is viable talent out there. I know they love to showcase Mialata for the Eagles.

I think those players are bonuses, you can convert a big man with speed into a decent lineman in a reasonable amount of time, for skills players however they have very little chance. The only non-lineman who has had any success through the program had a year of high school and 4 years playing college football so arguably not even a true IPP success.

[75Black]

Some mixed numbers coming in so far, a decent 40 yard time of somewhere between 4.4/4.5 for LRZ, below average broad jump of 9ft 7inch and poor vertical of 29 inches...not great for a WR.

[Ashfordian]

75Black said:

Some mixed numbers coming in so far, a decent 40 yard time of somewhere between 4.4/4.5 for LRZ, below average broad jump of 9ft 7inch and poor vertical of 29 inches...not great for a WR.

LRZ has signed for the Chiefs.

There is a new rule this season whereby a first year IPP can be promoted from the practice squad for 3 games without the team losing a roster slot.

With the new kick-off rules I think this could be a very shrewd signing by KC.

[75Black]

Ashfordian said:

75Black said:

Some mixed numbers coming in so far, a decent 40 yard time of somewhere between 4.4/4.5 for LRZ, below average broad jump of 9ft 7inch and poor vertical of 29 inches...not great for a WR.

LRZ has signed for the Chiefs.

There is a new rule this season whereby a first year IPP can be promoted from the practice squad for 3 games without the team losing a roster slot.

With the new kick-off rules I think this could be a very shrewd signing by KC.

Fair play to him, the scouts and coaches must have seen something in his game/technique during the workouts with them to sign him.

[Ashfordian]

75Black said:

Fair play to him, the scouts and coaches must have seen something in his game/technique during the workouts with them to sign him.

It's a free hit for KC at the WR position, the one skill position they struggled with last season. Makes roster sense to me. Although I think he will be a kick returner as he already has that skill set and with the new kick off rules I'm expecting the balls to be hit much flatter to make the catch side harder.

[ferrisbueller]

Ashfordian said:

75Black said:

Some mixed numbers coming in so far, a decent 40 yard time of somewhere between 4.4/4.5 for LRZ, below average broad jump of 9ft 7inch and poor vertical of 29 inches...not great for a WR.

LRZ has signed for the Chiefs.

There is a new rule this season whereby a first year IPP can be promoted from the practice squad for 3 games without the team losing a roster slot.

With the new kick-off rules I think this could be a very shrewd signing by KC.

What a great step for him.

Andy Reid seems to be suggesting the kick-off rules prompted the move.

I wish him every success. Massive loss for Welsh Rugby.

[75Black]

ferrisbueller said:

What a great step for him.

Andy Reid seems to be suggesting the kick-off rules prompted the move.

I wish him every success. Massive loss for Welsh Rugby.

Quoted as a 3 year deal with signing bonus and guaranteed money, no numbers yet but definitely more than anything he will make in rugby I assume.

[nordboy]

75Black said:

ferrisbueller said:

What a great step for him.

Andy Reid seems to be suggesting the kick-off rules prompted the move.

I wish him every success. Massive loss for Welsh Rugby.

Quoted as a 3 year deal with signing bonus and guaranteed money, no numbers yet but definitely more than anything he will make in rugby I assume.

If he's got anything other than the standard practise squad ($12000 a week, $216000 over 18 weeks) contract then he's done very well indeed. Not sure why anyone would give him a full contract when he's done nothing to prove himself?

[nordboy]

nordboy said:

75Black said:

ferrisbueller said:

What a great step for him.

Andy Reid seems to be suggesting the kick-off rules prompted the move.

I wish him every success. Massive loss for Welsh Rugby.

Quoted as a 3 year deal with signing bonus and guaranteed money, no numbers yet but definitely more than anything he will make in rugby I assume.

If he's got anything other than the standard practise squad ($12000 a week, $216000 over 18 weeks) contract then he's done very well indeed. Not sure why anyone would give him a full contract when he's done nothing to prove himself?

Apparently it is the standard practise squad contract. If he makes the final players roster he could be in for a salary of £600000. But that's still a very long way off for him. I still think the practise squad is the best he could manage this year, and that would be a good result.

[75Black]

nordboy said:

Apparently it is the standard practise squad contract. If he makes the final players roster he could be in for a salary of £600000. But that's still a very long way off for him. I still think the practise squad is the best he could manage this year, and that would be a good result.

Oh yeah, I have no doubt PS is the best shot he can manage for now, they'll be able to mould him over the year and see how he does. The IPP practise squad slot I believe is protected so he can't be cut which is good. Maybe a shot at punt returner/kick returner in preseason games at best?

[Ashfordian]

75Black said:

Oh yeah, I have no doubt PS is the best shot he can manage for now, they'll be able to mould him over the year and see how he does. The IPP practise squad slot I believe is protected so he can't be cut which is good. Maybe a shot at punt returner/kick returner in preseason games at best?

The IPP slot is a free additional spot on the practice squad so there is no requirement to cut him.

I think he could easily make the squad as a punt/kick returner, especially now the team get 3 games to try him out without a roster hit. There is not a huge amount for him to learn with regards to being a kick returner, it will be about reading the gaps ahead of him, which is the same as in Rugby, yet he'll have 10 team mates actively helping make the gaps.

Also, those in charge of the NFL want to make the IPP players work for the growth of the game worldwide, hence the increased incentives from this season. The politics of this can only help RLZ.

[jazzybees]

Mmmmmmm.
Dream holiday.
New Orleans 2025.
Super Bowl, Then a Caribbean Cruise, Then Mardi Gras.

[75Black]

jazzybees said:

Mmmmmmm.
Dream holiday.
New Orleans 2025.
Super Bowl, Then a Caribbean Cruise, Then Mardi Gras.

Having been to New Orleans to watch Tampa play there, I can confirm the noise inside the Superdome is immense. The city isn't too bad itself either, though probably didn't help I was in Tampa get up so may have got a couple of heckles my way from Saints fans.