Louis Rees Zammit - NFL transition

Saw this video today, though this series may be of interest to some. As someone who isn't that interested in NFL, it's a good way of following a rugby player's transition. I think we should be worried about this IPP academy, though I do wonder whether we'll see more transitions from league as the games seem to be closer related, and league seems to be struggling at the moment, even moreso than union...


https://youtu.be/IhdULLUcrz4?si=UUbGv-T2X2eMJIco

Rees-Zammit in a 3 way tug of war with NFL teams, apparently, to get him into their summer training squads. $900k salary on offer. For a training squad!

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/louis-rees-zammit-already-offers-from-3-nfl-franchises/?_gl=1*1cuikiv*_ga*YW1wLXNWTGdzeWlmV3BhMnFueDNTcGhtblE.*_ga_FYFPR0M2JV*MTcxMTA0OTE2OS4xLjEuMTcxMTA0OTE5Mi4wLjAuMA..

I’d run as fast as him if they offered me that!

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Rees-Zammit in a 3 way tug of war with NFL teams, apparently, to get him into their summer training squads. $900k salary on offer. For a training squad!

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/louis-rees-zammit-already-offers-from-3-nfl-franchises/?_gl=1*1cuikiv*_ga*YW1wLXNWTGdzeWlmV3BhMnFueDNTcGhtblE.*_ga_FYFPR0M2JV*MTcxMTA0OTE2OS4xLjEuMTcxMTA0OTE5Mi4wLjAuMA..

I’d run as fast as him if they offered me that!

Wicked fast, yes. But not quite so uncommon in the NFL. That said, I think he has at least a puncher's chance. Hopefully better.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/american-football/2024/03/20/louis-rees-zammit-nfl-combine-40-yard-dash/

I'm not a Wales fan so don't care if he plays NFL really but may take away from it all was how he let Gatland know of his decision an hour before Wales 6N squad was announced. He'd have obviously been one of first names on sheet. I thought that was pretty poor to be honest.

mountain man wrote:I'm not a Wales fan so don't care if he plays NFL really but may take away from it all was how he let Gatland know of his decision an hour before Wales 6N squad was announced. He'd have obviously been one of first names on sheet. I thought that was pretty poor to be honest.

How else could he have done it? The opportunity had only just come up.

You mean he only heard an hour before and then made his decision? I don't think so.

Imagine the grief in the media if an England player had done that!

Yep, he went with Gatland’s blessing. And Gatland only seemed to have nice things to say about the announcement. Which is very un-Gatland. Let’s be honest, Gatland loves to throw players under a bus, so if Rees-Zammit has taken the p*ss or done something wrong in the way he approaches the announcement I’m sure Gatland would have come out firing in the press. Like he usually does.

It’s not like it was an hour before kickoff either. An hour before the squad was announced, which was over a month before the start of the 6N from memory.

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Yep, he went with Gatland’s blessing. And Gatland only seemed to have nice things to say about the announcement. Which is very un-Gatland. Let’s be honest, Gatland loves to throw players under a bus, so if Rees-Zammit has taken the p*ss or done something wrong in the way he approaches the announcement I’m sure Gatland would have come out firing in the press. Like he usually does.

But Gatland didn't know until an hour before squad announced, it came as a massive shock to him. As for going with his blessing, what else could he say? If you don't think telling the head coach an hour before squad is announced - and let's be honest LRZ would definitely be in said squad - is a bit amiss I don't know what is.

mountain man wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Yep, he went with Gatland’s blessing. And Gatland only seemed to have nice things to say about the announcement. Which is very un-Gatland. Let’s be honest, Gatland loves to throw players under a bus, so if Rees-Zammit has taken the p*ss or done something wrong in the way he approaches the announcement I’m sure Gatland would have come out firing in the press. Like he usually does.

But Gatland didn't know until an hour before squad announced, it came as a massive shock to him. As for going with his blessing, what else could he say? If you don't think telling the head coach an hour before squad is announced - and let's be honest LRZ would definitely be in said squad - is a bit amiss I don't know what is.

LRZ told Gatland as soon as he made his decision to accept the invitation. What else do you think he should have done?

mountain man wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Yep, he went with Gatland’s blessing. And Gatland only seemed to have nice things to say about the announcement. Which is very un-Gatland. Let’s be honest, Gatland loves to throw players under a bus, so if Rees-Zammit has taken the p*ss or done something wrong in the way he approaches the announcement I’m sure Gatland would have come out firing in the press. Like he usually does.

But Gatland didn't know until an hour before squad announced, it came as a massive shock to him. As for going with his blessing, what else could he say? If you don't think telling the head coach an hour before squad is announced - and let's be honest LRZ would definitely be in said squad - is a bit amiss I don't know what is.

Must be a slow news day if this is getting you so riled up! 6 nations come down?!

Riled up? Not at all. As I said I support England so doesn't affect me although he would undoubtedly make a positve difference to Welsh team if he was in it.
As this thread is specifically about LRZ going to NFL I gave my thoughts on it. Is that OK?

mountain man wrote:

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Yep, he went with Gatland’s blessing. And Gatland only seemed to have nice things to say about the announcement. Which is very un-Gatland. Let’s be honest, Gatland loves to throw players under a bus, so if Rees-Zammit has taken the p*ss or done something wrong in the way he approaches the announcement I’m sure Gatland would have come out firing in the press. Like he usually does.

But Gatland didn't know until an hour before squad announced, it came as a massive shock to him. As for going with his blessing, what else could he say? If you don't think telling the head coach an hour before squad is announced - and let's be honest LRZ would definitely be in said squad - is a bit amiss I don't know what is.

Have you thought that LRZ was weighing up whether to take the NFL decision or not, right up until that point?

Obviously he must have been so in that case he should have informed Gatland that he was considering a move to NFL as a courtesy.
He clearly didn't do that so caught Gatland on the hop. That is my point. LZR would have know he would definitely be inc in Wales squad.

Anywhere, it seems some are getting riled and it's not me honest!

The International Player Pathway has been in place for quite some time (well over a decade), although has been expanded this year. IIRC, about 10 NFL teams used to have an additional practice squad* position for an IPP player, which has now been expanded to all 32 teams.

Several players from both rugby codes (Christian Wade, Alex Gray, Jarryd Hayne etc) have tried making the switch but few have done so with any great success other than as kickers and punters. LRZ probably has as good a chance as any, both because his physical attributes transfer well, and he's making the transition at a young age.

Oh, and as a rule of thumb, someone running sub 4.5 s for a 40 yard sprint is considered pretty fast by NFL standards, sub 4.4 is elite speed. LRZ was apparently disappointed to clock 4.44s

* NFL teams have 53 player rosters for each game, and conventionally 9 players on the practice squad, who are also able to step in to the main roster as injury cover. The IPP players have not previously been able to step into the playing squad without a change in their contractual situation (i.e. to play matches they have to kind of renounce their IPP status and sign a full or conventional practice squad contract, so losing their team the additional place)

I believe the £900,000 is only if he completes the whole season, he could get cut after the summer and "only" pocket £150-200,000.

Also in the subject of 40 yard sprints, Brock lessner (massive dude WWE, MMA ) ran a 4.7 when he was trying to get into the NFL. That's frightening quick for someone his size

carpet baboon wrote:I believe the £900,000 is only if he completes the whole season, he could get cut after the summer and "only" pocket £150-200,000.

Also in the subject of 40 yard sprints, Brock lessner (massive dude WWE, MMA ) ran a 4.7 when he was trying to get into the NFL. That's frightening quick for someone his size

He was about 20 stone when he did it as well.

There's a big difference for those raised on NFL players to those that are raised on rugby and football. The Americans train for years for explosive impact, they only need at max 20 second efforts. Rugby guys as we know need to one their feet making efforts for minutes at a time. When it comes to these types of combine tests the rugby guys are unlikely to shine.

US media saying LRZ has agreed terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.

That gives him a chance to try and get on th emain roster. Failing that, he could get a slot in the practice squad, as there is a special allowance for Interntional Pthwy players.

Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit will be signing with the #Chiefs on Friday, per sources.

After working out and impressing Kansas City’s staff earlier this week, they have agreed on terms. I’m told Rees-Zammit will be playing RB/WR.

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1773133727331188956

Harry Malllinder has apparently talked with teams about a kicking role.

LRZ would be a great place to land although in a Super Bowl winning side it might be difficult to get many snaps.

formerly known as Sam wrote:LRZ would be a great place to land although in a Super Bowl winning side it might be difficult to get many snaps.

I reckon he's just hoping to hang out with Taylor Swift.

I think he will play a few pre season games get some time at WR/RB and do some.kick returns then spend the season on the practice squad.
But you never know.

Chiefs did get some flak for their running game last season iirc so trying him out as a cheap option to offer something else there isn't a bad idea. The change in the kick return rules should suit him as well.

We are learning that one International Pathway Program player is getting some love from NFL teams. Harry Mallinder the Rugby player from England was named as an IPP player this year, and it sounds like he will be on an NFL team soon...

...The 27-year-old punter has a massive leg and stands at 6’5. After crushing the Specialist Combine, Mallinder was asked to attend the USF pro day. He is technically a Free Agent and NFL teams can sign him now. I am told that multiple teams called USF to get him into their pro day for another view.

 

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/03/ipp-player/

Guys in the video below affirm Sam's point above, that the kick return law change could help LRZ make the squad. They also say some Irish GAA kickers may get signed by teams.



More speculation on the possible future for rugby players in the NFL:

Mallinder would make sense as a good punter. Massive boot, used to kicking under pressure and he looks to have beefed up so if required could put a shot in should he need to.

Rugby Fan wrote:

We are learning that one International Pathway Program player is getting some love from NFL teams. Harry Mallinder the Rugby player from England was named as an IPP player this year, and it sounds like he will be on an NFL team soon...

...The 27-year-old punter has a massive leg and stands at 6’5. After crushing the Specialist Combine, Mallinder was asked to attend the USF pro day. He is technically a Free Agent and NFL teams can sign him now. I am told that multiple teams called USF to get him into their pro day for another view.

 

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/03/ipp-player/

Guys in the video below affirm Sam's point above, that the kick return law change could help LRZ make the squad. They also say some Irish GAA kickers may get signed by teams.



More speculation on the possible future for rugby players in the NFL:

The LRZ video is taken from a daily talk show on ESPN US.  These guys, like a lot of Americans don't really understand Rugby, as you can easily tell from listening.  But they appear suitably interested in how LRZ gets on.  I think if LRZ makes it, it will help raise the awareness of Rugby over here because some people will want to look into his background and how he became one of the first non NFL (non-American Football) to make it from playing a completely different sport (well, almost different because American Football is the grandchild of Rugby).  

Still hoping Prince Harry (the Rugby one) signs with a NY area team.

Reports suggest LRZ has been given a three-year contract with some guarantees. While there are no numbers, Christian Wade earned at least $600,000, and as much as $1.4mln a year during his three years with the Bills. There's a fair chance LRZ has done better.

GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth has been signed on a 3 year deal with the Saints as a kicker.

Nothing so far for Mallinder.