Chiefs sign a rugby player

[Megatron96]

Sounds like they might be trying to have this guy take over part of MVS' role, at least the go-route stuff, maybe a couple gadget plays, and STs. Doubt he'll be able to do much more than something like that. He has no release package, no route-running experience, no understanding of leverage, how to decipher defensive alignments, etc. Wouldn't expect him to just pick up all of that stuff in a single OTA/TC. And then he would have to digest the playbook, and for a guy that's ever seen a football playbook that is going to be something of struggle right off the bat.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Sounds like they might be trying to have this guy take over part of MVS' role, at least the go-route stuff, maybe a couple gadget plays, and STs. Doubt he'll be able to do much more than something like that. He has no release package, no route-running experience, no understanding of leverage, how to decipher defensive alignments, etc. Wouldn't expect him to just pick up all of that stuff in a single OTA/TC. And then he would have to digest the playbook, and for a guy that's ever seen a football playbook that is going to be something of struggle right off the bat.

He can return kickoffs especially with the single line of defense. They can learn the tush push. He’d be great at that or run the qb sneak but sometime fake it and throw that lateral to Pacheco on the outside.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

He can return kickoffs especially with the single line of defense. They can learn the tush push. He’d be great at that or run the qb sneak but sometime fake it and throw that lateral to Pacheco on the outside.

Andy isn't going to start running the tush push.


Like I said, gadget stuff and STs. That's what he's going to do, if anything because we're assuming he'll actually suit up in 2024, which is still completely up in the air right now.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Andy isn't going to start running the tush push.


Like I said, gadget stuff and STs. That's what he's going to do, if anything because we're assuming he'll actually suit up in 2024, which is still completely up in the air right now.

He can return kicks. If that’s all he does, that’s okay because it’s a free roster spot.

Andy is hurting the team by not allowing Mahomes to do a QB sneak. He needs to do something different this year.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Sounds like they might be trying to have this guy take over part of MVS' role, at least the go-route stuff, maybe a couple gadget plays, and STs. Doubt he'll be able to do much more than something like that. He has no release package, no route-running experience, no understanding of leverage, how to decipher defensive alignments, etc. Wouldn't expect him to just pick up all of that stuff in a single OTA/TC. And then he would have to digest the playbook, and for a guy that's ever seen a football playbook that is going to be something of struggle right off the bat.

Some of what you have here is undoubtedly why they plan to use him as an RB too. There are far fewer potentially negative outcomes running the ball than having him at WR until he can learn more of the nuances. Throw in some screens and quick crossers or something and kick/punt return duties.

Anything more than that until year 2 is probably asking for a minor miracle.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Some of what you have here is undoubtedly why they plan to use him as an RB too. There are far fewer potentially negative outcomes running the ball than having him at WR until he can learn more of the nuances. Throw in some screens and quick crossers or something and kick/punt return duties.

Anything more than that until year 2 is probably asking for a minor miracle.

Yeah, maybe he could do some RB stuff. We're really banking on the idea that he's pretty damn smart and will pick up the game, or the basics, in a pretty short period of time, and be competent. We'll see how that works out. Assuming he gets through TC.

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Sounds like they might be trying to have this guy take over part of MVS' role, at least the go-route stuff, maybe a couple gadget plays, and STs. Doubt he'll be able to do much more than something like that. He has no release package, no route-running experience, no understanding of leverage, how to decipher defensive alignments, etc. Wouldn't expect him to just pick up all of that stuff in a single OTA/TC. And then he would have to digest the playbook, and for a guy that's ever seen a football playbook that is going to be something of struggle right off the bat.

So essentially a shittier version of Deanthony Thomas, and he will be ritualistically slaughtered every time he sees the field, because the only time he's on the field it will be a play for him specifically.

[Couch-Potato]

So we essentially get to have an extra athlete on the practice squad if we sign a foreigner from this exchange program? So no reason not to take a shot I guess.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

So we essentially get to have an extra athlete on the practice squad if we sign a foreigner from this exchange program? So no reason not to take a shot I guess.

he can be on the game roster. On the practice squad. Be on the practice squad and get promoted to the active roster with all those scenarios don’t take up a spot.

Thats why he can return kicks and not play any other special teams in the game.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

he can be on the game roster. On the practice squad. Be on the practice squad and get promoted to the active roster with all those scenarios don’t take up a spot.

Thats why he can return kicks and not play any other special teams in the game.

A player can only be elevated from the practice squad a certain number of times, I think 3. Plus if he's any good somebody will probably try and sign him.

I would guess if he makes the team this year it'll be because he's a 4-phase special teamer. I know somebody said earlier that tackling wasn't his strong suit in rugby, but does have the experience doing it. With his athleticism he could be useful on kick coverage teams.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Jamie

A player can only be elevated from the practice squad a certain number of times, I think 3. Plus if he's any good somebody will probably try and sign him.

I would guess if he makes the team this year it'll be because he's a 4-phase special teamer. I know somebody said earlier that tackling wasn't his strong suit in rugby, but does have the experience doing it. With his athleticism he could be useful on kick coverage teams.

for regular players. Not for this exception. That’s the whole reason for the exception. They want these guys making it on teams. Part of the whole NFL strategy to take the game global.

They can do whatever they want with him without consideration of roster spots.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

for regular players. Not for this exception. That’s the whole reason for the exception. They want these guys making it on teams. Part of the whole NFL strategy to take the game global.

They can do whatever they want with him without consideration of roster spots.

I'm not sure what this is based on, everything I've seen is that the exception is just an extra practice squad spot. The normal rules still apply otherwise.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-to-expa...rnational-play

[Cosmos]

There’s a reason he’s signing with the World Champions, and Andy Reed.

NFL wants publicity and more international markets, and Andy will scheme a few special thing up for him to be sure he leads Sports Center in preseason…at a minimum.

It’s all about winning and repeating for us fans, so this is going to get fun, one way or another.

Wonder if the Chiefs will be offered Hard Knocks…

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

So essentially a shittier version of Deanthony Thomas, and he will be ritualistically slaughtered every time he sees the field, because the only time he's on the field it will be a play for him specifically.

"shittier"? I don't know. Maybe. I guess we'll see sooner or later. But as someone already said, every year there are dozens of guys drafted because they're fast, and those guys usually played football in HS and college, and most of them can't play at the NFL level, so I'm not exactly holding my breath with this guy.