Exhibiting our players to US talent scouts

[cruiser]

Great idea this exhibition match is! NOT!!

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/NFL-scouts-to-watch-AFL-Swans-Kangaroos/2006/01/11/1136863282495.html

[iigrover]

So which players does everyone think are most likely to gain the attention of the talent scouts?

My bet is its the guys with a decent leg that have played a year or two - ie young enough to do a year in college football (before moving to NFL) but experienced enough to show their potential....Sean Dempster perhaps??

[NMWBloods]

I can't think of a single Swans player who would be looked at for the NFL.

[cruiser]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I can't think of a single Swans player who would be looked at for the NFL.

Bazza?

[NMWBloods]

He's a possibility, but I think there are bigger kicks in the AFL than Hall.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I can't think of a single Swans player who would be looked at for the NFL.

Davis and Ablett come to mind as punters...they are always looking for someone who can kick it long and high

[NMWBloods]

Ah yes - forgot Davis. He'd love it too.

I think Ablett isn't accurate enough.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Ah yes - forgot Davis. He'd love it too.

I think Ablett isn't accurate enough.

I'm not really in to US footy, but my recollection is that they are really after people who can kick it up and under and have a long enough "hang time" for someone to run under it to catch it, so inaccuracy may not be too much of a problem

[j s]

Originally posted by goswannie14
I'm not really in to US footy, but my recollection is that they are really after people who can kick it up and under and have a long enough "hang time" for someone to run under it to catch it, so inaccuracy may not be too much of a problem

Traditionally your are correct but I gather Ben Graham has introduced new elements to the game, using (never previously seen) drop-punts to place the ball exactly where it's needed - sort of like a golfer dropping the ball virtually on the pin.

[NMWBloods]

It's also necessary to kick it straight and well every time - not sure if Ablett is up to that yet...

[ROK Lobster]

LRT can do anything can't he?

[FootyontheBrain]

The key to punting in gridiron is hangtime, distance and net avg. A lot of times it's not good to kick too long as you oftern will out kick your coverage. The best thing is to have good hang time. This takes care of the net average as you are able to get numbers to the ball and minimize or eliminate your opponents return.

Additionally, the natural drop punt of an Aussie Rules player has become a big deal as it does have a tendency to check up well especially with an american footy. The coaches love this when you're kicking to lock your opponent inside their 20 yard line. I also read Graham kicks a mongrel punt that returners have had a hell of time catching as it floats and bounces similar to a knuckler in baseball.

All that said, I don't see this being that big of a deal for any swans players. What did it take Graham, something like 5 years before he made the jump.

I would love to see a more athletic player like Bazza or Davis give it a try. It would give some legitimacy to our efforts in developing the game over here.

[goswannie14]

Originally posted by j s
Traditionally your are correct but I gather Ben Graham has introduced new elements to the game, using (never previously seen) drop-punts to place the ball exactly where it's needed - sort of like a golfer dropping the ball virtually on the pin.

Isn't it amazing that something that we takefor granted in our game is so unusual in another code

[ScottH]

Dempster

[stellation]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I can't think of a single Swans player who would be looked at for the NFL.

Other people have already pointed at Tricky Nicky Davis and highlighted your extreme lack of knowledge, I just wanted a chance to do it myself.

DAVO!

I am pretty sure McChins said something along the lines of he knows (in a smug "we had talks" way) it would be the NFL, not NRL, that Davis would flee to after Nick gave that interview in 2004.