Aussies and Kiwis in the NFL

Jordan Berry on his lead up to the playoffs.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/aussie-punter-jordan-berry-reflects-on-his-eventful-journey-to-the-brink-of-the-super-bowl/news-story/e52de8a10ff175f3c82d54d6e6901a3f

6'9", 396 pounds with a basketball/rugby background from Melbourne and he's only 17. This kid is nuts.
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/03/07/daniel-faalele-img-academy-recruiting

Never played a down, gets told to grab the chest plate when blocking and he snaps a kid's collarbone with his hands. Going to be something special.

Originally posted by Jasta:

6'9", 396 pounds with a basketball/rugby background from Melbourne and he's only 17. This kid is nuts.
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/03/07/daniel-faalele-img-academy-recruiting

Never played a down, gets told to grab the chest plate when blocking and he snaps a kid's collarbone with his hands. Going to be something special.

Thanks Jasta. Great piece about a kid I had heard of bit but didn't know much about. Those Samoans and Tongans plus Fijians can produce some massive dudes. As the world gets smaller in communication more and more kids like these will come through the ranks.

Hard to find a lot of info but recent Aussie updates are:

Blake Muir waived by Falcons

Sam Irwin-Hill Punter signed by Cowboys

Cameron Johnston Punter UDFA Ray Guy Winner signs with Eagles

Solomon Thomas lived in Australia for 5 years so I am claiming him as an honorary Aussie. Now a double by being a 49er too.

Currently there are a record 8 Aussie players on NFL teams ( not including Thomas)

I can still hear the faintest trace of an Aussie twang in Solomon's voice in this video so I'm claiming him as well.

Originally posted by Jasta:

I can still hear the faintest trace of an Aussie twang in Solomon's voice in this video so I'm claiming him as well.

You got good ears.

Originally posted by Jasta:


6'9", 396 pounds with a basketball/rugby background from Melbourne and he's only 17. This kid is nuts.
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/03/07/daniel-faalele-img-academy-recruiting

Never played a down, gets told to grab the chest plate when blocking and he snaps a kid's collarbone with his hands. Going to be something special.

It'll be interesting following his recruiting. He could be a Brown/Ogden type:

(Bonus: Included a picture with the Quitter to keep with the thread's Aussie theme. )

Originally posted by zonkers:

Originally posted by Jasta:

6'9", 396 pounds with a basketball/rugby background from Melbourne and he's only 17. This kid is nuts.
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/03/07/daniel-faalele-img-academy-recruiting

Never played a down, gets told to grab the chest plate when blocking and he snaps a kid's collarbone with his hands. Going to be something special.

It'll be interesting following his recruiting. He could be a Brown/Ogden type:

(Bonus: Included a picture with the Quitter to keep with the thread's Aussie theme. )

Respect!

9 Aussies in the hunt for NFL positions this season.......and one Solomon Thomas (Well if basketball can have Kyrie Irvin then I'm claiming the big guy)

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/nfl-scouting-report-how-all-nine-australians-are-shaping-up-ahead-of-201718-preseason/news-story/a1ee8c37f2ef9dd8bd74bbd5b9049573

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/daniel-faalele-is-scary-nfl-prospect-despite-having-never-played/news-story/5738d73f9a2384078eaadbf9b08d923a

NFL paves way for rugby players with International Player Pathway Program

ALEX Gray, a former England rugby sevens captain, was among four players named to NFL practice squads under a new International Player Pathway program.NFC South division teams — the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints — will each have a roster exemption to carry an extra practice squad member from outside the United States, although one that cannot be activated during the 2017 season.

Gray, a tight end, will join the Falcons' reserve squad while fellow Englishman Alex Jenkins, a defensive end, will join the Saints' practice line-up.

"I have been working hard for this goal and to be told it was going to happen was an amazing moment," Gray said.

"This is the start of another journey. It is a fantastic thing that is happening, but I am not going to get to where I want to be without keeping myself grounded."

Gray, 26, captained England rugby union Under-16, Under-18, Under-20 and International Sevens squads. He would have been on the Rio Olympic side had he not been sidelined by injury. Gray played for Newcastle Falcons, London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie before converting to American football.

"Making the decision to give this my all from rugby, there was a big transition period and it was mentally very humbling," Gray said.

"When you have to start from scratch again, that was a huge mental battle for me. When I look back I will be very proud of the way I approached this."

German linebacker Eric Nzeocha will join Tampa Bay's practice squad while Nigerian-American defensive end Efe Obada works with Carolina.

^
Well s**t bring back Hayne then.

Originally posted by Afrikan:
^
Well s**t bring back Hayne then.

pass

Personally would love to see some of the Aboriginal athletes give the game a go. There are a lot of very fast and nimble guys playing contact sports that would excel as Running Backs, Corners, heck..just about anything. Just got to get them through a college system!

Watch the old movie "Marathon" to get my drift and there are plenty of sporting examples out there too. One was a Joint MVP with J Hayne but is a much better player and leader. Don't worry, he won't be switching codes.

So there are 4 on 53 man rosters, 1 on IR and 3 were cut/released.

Source: AAP - Foxsports

THE cutthroat nature of the NFL is being felt by Australia's growing contingent of players.The Dallas Cowboys cut punter-kicker Sam Irwin-Hill and the Philadelphia Eagles released punter Cameron Johnston on Saturday.
The Carolina Panthers placed Sydney offensive lineman David Yankey on the injured reserve list ruling him out for at least half of the season. The NFL's 32 teams had to slash their 90-man pre-season rosters to the final 53 on Saturday (by Sunday 6am AEST).
The NFL regular season begins on Thursday.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) throws under pressure from Denver Broncos defensive tackle Adam Gotsis (99).Source: APThe Indianapolis Colts cut Sydney offensive guard Blake Muir last month. Geelong's Johnston was given little hope of making the final roster when he first joined the Eagles, but strong pre-season form put him in a head-to-head battle with NFL veteran Donnie Jones and speculation built he could boot his way on to the 53.
Bendigo's Irwin-Hill impressed as a punter and goal kicker for the Cowboys in the pre-season, but they stuck with recently-re-signed punter Chris Jones and former Pro Bowl kicker Dan Bailey.
Other Australians nervously awaiting their NFL future, but expected to make the 53-man roster on their teams, are defensive tackle Adam Gotsis (Denver Broncos) and punters Lachlan Edwards (New York Jets), Jordan Berry (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Brad Wing (New York Giants).