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1961beavera

"We haven't got a plan so nothing can go wrong'"
Jun 15, 2009
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Louis Rees-Zammit signing with the Chiefs eh?
Yes, seems to be so from a local reporter. Signing as a receiver/running back. Had visited Browns, Jets and Broncos following the International pathway pro day where he ran a 4.43 for the 40 yard dash.

Each team has to have one player signed to their roster from the pathway programme.
 

felmani26

SC Supporter
Jan 1, 2008
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43,015
Yes, seems to be so from a local reporter. Signing as a receiver/running back. Had visited Browns, Jets and Broncos following the International pathway pro day where he ran a 4.43 for the 40 yard dash.

Each team has to have one player signed to their roster from the pathway programme.
Can't imagine he'll fare much beyond special team duties but nevertheless, a great gig for him.
 

Dirty Ewok

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2012
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19,389
Can't imagine he'll fare much beyond special team duties but nevertheless, a great gig for him.
Honestly, as a special teams specialist you could do a lot worse than a big kid who can run and tackle.

I think it will be interesting to see him in mini-camp / pre-season and see if he can pickup playing an actual position like WR/RB but from what i have seen of him he looks like he would fit well as a return-man / special teams gunner based purely on his athleticism and rugby background.

Problem he will have to overcome is that most NFL teams don't have the luxury of carrying a pure special-teams specialist. The Pats had Matthew Slater who played for 16 years as a "wide receiver" and amassed 1 (ONE) catch in his entire career but was so unbelievably good at special teams coverage that it was worth using the roster slot on him. Most teams don't have that luxury, the special teams specialist (aside from long snapper, kicker, punter) is usually also a reserve on the lower end of the depth chart at another position and will see game time at the position. So he will need to show he can impact the game to some degree at another position to ensure a roster spot.
 

1961beavera

"We haven't got a plan so nothing can go wrong'"
Jun 15, 2009
1,430
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Given the new kick off rules teams will be looking at players who can fit what the the type of player they may need on special teams. Bar the kicker no other player can move until the receiver has caught the ball, so he could prove an asset there.

Good luck to him.

The Steelers signed the former Falcon Patterson as soon as the rule changes were announced, he has 7 returns for touchdowns under the old rules.

I know back in the 90s when the World League was operating, teams were looking at rugby players to see if they could transition or not.
 

WorcesterTHFC

Well-Known Member
May 4, 2016
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2,545
Honestly, as a special teams specialist you could do a lot worse than a big kid who can run and tackle.

I think it will be interesting to see him in mini-camp / pre-season and see if he can pickup playing an actual position like WR/RB but from what i have seen of him he looks like he would fit well as a return-man / special teams gunner based purely on his athleticism and rugby background.

Problem he will have to overcome is that most NFL teams don't have the luxury of carrying a pure special-teams specialist. The Pats had Matthew Slater who played for 16 years as a "wide receiver" and amassed 1 (ONE) catch in his entire career but was so unbelievably good at special teams coverage that it was worth using the roster slot on him. Most teams don't have that luxury, the special teams specialist (aside from long snapper, kicker, punter) is usually also a reserve on the lower end of the depth chart at another position and will see game time at the position. So he will need to show he can impact the game to some degree at another position to ensure a roster spot.
Another example is Steve Tasker (officially a receiver) of the Bills. If memory serves, some other team cut him before he played a game for them, the Bills grabbed him, and the rest is history (possibly HOF-level history, in some people's opinion).

Edit: Tasker played 9 games during his time with the Houston Oilers (1985-86), before joining Buffalo during the 1986 season. He got some playing time as a receiver with the Bills (more than he did in Houston), but he played like a demon on special teams.
 
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cwy21

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2009
9,448
7,930
Problem he will have to overcome is that most NFL teams don't have the luxury of carrying a pure special-teams specialist.

Already mentioned but with the idea that almost every kickoff will now be returned thanks to the rule changes it could start to justify using a spot or two for a key special teams player.
 
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