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Dawn Raid

P

Play some footy

Juniors
Messages
238
There were a few guys that had a go in Aus before Nate Smith - all good athletes but non of them had the balls skills / instincts of a seasoned player.

This kid Daw though- if he was really a linebacker for the Univ. of Col. - he'd be the best athlete yet to over over seas.
 
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axefan

Juniors
Messages
38
Got to see Dawn play yesterday. He made quite an impact and was a real crowd pleaser.

The fans noted his presence on the sideline early on. I had no idea who he was but recognized an American footballer (and linebacker) when I saw him.

His natural position(ILB) served him well when he got into the game. An Inside backer must maintian what we yanks called "gap integrity" and then explode to the ball.

"Gap integrity" in the American football lexicon (especially the 4-3 style employed by the Jags.) is simply a way of saying,*dont get out of position trying to do to much..play your role...plug your holes..trust your teamates and the scheme...and then...as Jack Del Rio(Jags head coach and former ILB) likes to say "Arrive at the ball with bad intentions"*

Akirika does most of this well. Even with a newcomers understanding of the
RL game I recognize that a player out of position, especially a defender, can have terrible, game changing effects. Dawn resisted the temptation to roam all over the field and insytead confronted ball carriers when presented the chance. With remarkable success. not to mention scoring a try.
Sharks player quickly recognized his hitting ability.
Akirika was obviously coached well in Colorado. His fundamental technique is strong. Good leg drive after initial contact. Wraps up on his tackles. Showed a little fire and attitude also. Enjoys contact.

Colorado is not a powerhouse that puts alot of players in he NFL but its not bad either. Akirika played in the Colorado linebacking corps with a current Jacksonville Jaguar, Brian Iwuh. Iwuh is not a starter but a solid contributor on special teams and has a good chance to make the roster again in 07.
akirika is a bit short for an nfl ILB...not that they dont make it at that size...they just must overcome a built in prejudice..his 40 time is listed at 4.7...not spectacular...but not bad for RL...he played a few games of Arena ball with the Austin Wranglers... havent looked into that much...i know they play both ways in Arena ball...thats a good sign for RL play...
more later.
go Axe!
 
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BatiFan

Juniors
Messages
618
Axefan, great to hear that he went well and the points you covered in terms of his positional play and intensity when he was involved are quite pleasing to hear. The more he learns the better he will become. Hopefully this is not just a flutter with league and he ends up staying in the game for some time to come.
 
ali

ali

Bench
Messages
4,962
This is what I posted in the other forum. It will last longer in here.

From whatI can tell, the USA is changing, slowly, they are becoming more open minded about other sports. I've had a few comments in the 3 weeks I've spent here (Augusta, Georgia), Miami and in Cancun towards my "rugby" jersey. It is obvious their "rugby" awareness is increasing. Despite the fact Union has a jump start on us here, I don't think there is much snobbery with these newer Union types, and hence I can't see any reason why we can't have an explosion of clubs shortly down the track, with a possible pro league at the top of the pyramid. The AMNRL is doing well and there are regular games on Setanta Sports. The world is becoming a smaller place, sports are growing in different markets.

And I agree, from what I hear, the majority of good college athletes give sport away when their pro dream comes to an end. My brother can't get a game of soccer around here, because there are no clubs catering for adults. Adult organised sport is uncommon down here. Maybe this is a massive opportunity for alternative sports to step in.

Take cricket for example, I just went and watched my brother's game in Atlanta today. Who would have thought there would be 20 cricket teams in and around Georgia. And apparently there is 3 or 4 times as many up around New York. They are going that well up there, that they are building specialised cricket facilities.

So yes, I think there is reason to be optimistic about the future of RL and other alternative sports in the USA.
 
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axefan

Juniors
Messages
38
Sorry...no good pics of Dawn.
By the time he got into the game, it was so close and compelling..i forgot to take any pics.

I will get the few i did take up later and will make sure to get some of Dawn and some more action next week.


As far as wha this means for the future of the game? As word gets out through guys like Dawn, his agent, his former teammates ect... the interest of American athletes will grow.
The prospect for continuing an athletic career will be a strong motivator for these guys.

You could tell that Dawn was excited on the sideline. He was chomping at the bit seeing the violence of the game and thinking about laying some hits. It just something in your bones.
Especially linebackers and Safeties. These are the guys who live for contact. Hell, I havent played ball for years and when I first saw the game being played the old urge to punish somebody returned. It a visceral reaction.

I know alot of RL guys like to point out that the American game is played in spurts and with alot of protection...(i plan to get into this debate sometime,not now)...but it should be said, that the RL game resembles the kind of football every American kid grows up playing. We played without pads, without many rules, anywhere we could get enough people together. Even after playing in pads in Pop Warner (kids 8-15) and high school...neighborhood guys would get together for some old fasioned full contact slobberknocking.
After i blew my knee out playing full contact sandlot ball behind an old tennis court and could not play at school , i would go out to the Navy Base or park and play in full contact pickup games with guys ranging from 15 to 45.

This is why RL will succeed in America. Union ball doesnt elicit the same reaction.

I just hope that the AMNRL can get big enough fast enough that it can serve as a pipeline for the international game. I would hate to see promising athletes continue to stay a few weeks in the AMNRL and then jet off to Oz.
 
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Tomahawk

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
807
axefan said:
\RL game resembles the kind of football every American kid grows up playing. We played without pads, without many rules, anywhere we could get enough people together. Even after playing in pads in Pop Warner (kids 8-15) and high school...neighborhood guys would get together for some old fasioned full contact slobberknocking..
Click to expand...

LOL. Smear the Queer. Football with no rules. Playing in the back yard in the snow or just after it rained was some of the most fun I had a a kid. And it was the same in those games as a rugby league match now. You went out to kill the friends you were playing with. But after the game you were still friends. Just like a RL match now. Thats the #1 reason I love the game.
 
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axefan

Juniors
Messages
38
Mr. Fahrenheit said:
waht about the continuous nature of RL... is the street game continuous?
Click to expand...

We still ran plays. well depending on the game. So there would be a break between plays to draw up the next one in the dirt or trace it on the chest of a guy with his back to the opponent.

But i guess it was more continuous than an NFL or College game.

I am sure that any major college athlete could bring himself up to condition in order to be successful in RL. not sure how long it would take. Linebackers and Safeties who play every down would not need as much conditioning as say a defensive lineman. only the outside "passrush" DLs could ever make the transition to pro RL. The interior lineman on both sides are just huge.
Although,some of them have to really work at carrying that extra weight ...there might be a few who played other spots in high school and college who could transition.

On the offensive side i would expect a fullback or tight end could crossover...they would have to be guys who like contact...not the PAC 10 prima donna's who just want to score and pose for the cameras. If i were an RL talent scout.. I would focus on the SEC and Big 10..mostly the SEC.

Roll Tide!
 
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axefan

Juniors
Messages
38
is this heading toward the aforementioned NFL vs. RL debate? if so lets find that thread and then go at it.
 
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Bazwaa

Juniors
Messages
21
I think many guys who have not seen an amnrl game or played in one, don't realise there are actually a few guys playing who would make it in Oz in a strong comp. I am not talking NRL but a few would go well in QRL, Jim Beam cup, Newcastle, Central Coast etc with a view to working towards NRL trials. There are a few of the guys that have played now for many years and have played in the Tomahawks side who have great skills and who would excel if given the chance to play in a strong, well organised team. There are a couple of blokes who should have been given a chance a few years ago with a good club in Oz and I am sure we would have seen good things from them. Guys like Sal Raniello, Fred Backhaus, Eric Hollingsworth, Jeff Preston and others would have gone well if injury free and in Oz when they were a bit younger. Someone young like Derek Tully from the Sharks would go great guns in a good central coast/group team and gain some good experience.
 
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Poul

Juniors
Messages
729
I note in today's (1st July) (Sydney) Sun Herald, in a short snippet, it says that Akarika Dawn has signed with Queensland Cup team, the Burleigh Bears.
Hopefuly that will give him a pathway to the NRL if he is good enough. I think it will only take one "gridiron" player to make it big in the NRL to see a stream of others following, with the AMNRL acting as a conduit.
 
S

screeny

Bench
Messages
3,984
Axefan,

Fascinating insight into ILB play and how it commutes to RL: the 'gap integrity' you mention is entirely appropriate with a RL forward's defensive play in mind. If I was still coaching I'd use that phrase as well as the 'bad intentions' quote!

One interesting thing I noted from watching a film 'Friday Night Lights' was the coach telling the players "this will be the last time most of you play this game" - it was a college team's final game of the year, and he was referring to the seniors - which really astounded me. 90% of college players who clearly love American Football just can't play the game for local clubs etc? It really is so different from other places in the world.
 
deluded pom?

deluded pom?

Coach
Messages
10,897
Lockyer4President! said:
Gold Coast Bulletin?

http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/sport/

Burleigh is a Titans feeder club so if he excels there who knows what might happen.
Click to expand...

Thanks L4P. Screeny I can't work out how there can be a semi pro baseball league in the U.S.A but there doesn't seem to be anything for the college guys to fallback on if their NFL aspirations aren't met. As you say it's totally different to most other places.
 
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