OT: Willie Mason & NFL - Is he good enough ?

[Gronk]

America's calling but the Dogs remain priority for now

COMMENT
Willie Mason July 28, 2006

NO doubt you have heard all the talk about me trialling for some NFL clubs in the US. I know there was interest from a few teams, including the New York Jets, a while ago. I have said in the past it's something that interests me.

I have watched the NFL for a while and the thought of challenging myself on a stage as big as that is appealing. I've achieved a lot in the NRL in a short space of time, including a premiership and playing in winning teams for my state and country. The chance to try my hand at a new sport would be massive.
But to be honest, I haven't really given it a lot of thought at the moment. I'm not even sure what position I would play if I were to get the chance. I also don't think it's fair on the Bulldogs or my team-mates to be talking about it.
I'm concentrating on winning a premiership and I still have a little score to settle with New Zealand.
As well as that I have a contract with the Bulldogs. If there was an opportunity down the track than I'll think about it then.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19934290-2722,00.html

I admit that I have watched only a few NFL matches in my time, so I am looking for opinions from you guys who know the game more than me. Does Mason have the right stuff, or is this just a ploy to guarrantee a bigger Bulldogs contract next time around ?

 

[Stagger eel]

not an NFL expert, but I just think it was a bit of publicity stunt by Willie and his management.

 

[jayjayselmes]

to small ,ost of those forwards are 140kg muscle hulks especially the african american guys they are just massive and willy needs to bulk up to play in the forwards

 

[Utey]

He could play anywhere because I think Willie is very athletic for his size. Probably tight end because of his size.

 

[Hindy Rulz]

to small ,ost of those forwards are 140kg muscle hulks especially the african american guys they are just massive and willy needs to bulk up to play in the forwards

There is no such thing as a forward in the NFL. The position Mason has been mentioned as playing is Tight End. The average Tight End is usually around 250lbs(113kgs). A Tight End can be similar to a Wide Receiver in that they are asked to catch passes but they have to do a lot more blocking than a Wide Receiver. It is all very well to say Mason would be well suited but he is taking a big risk as there is a lot more competition for spots and you aren't just handed a place on the team. The most recent NFL draft had 255 players chosen and more that weren't drafted were also signed. Most NFL teams carry around 90 players into training camp and this has to be trimmed down to a final 53. An NFL players contract is not all guaranteed money which means even if you do get a contract, if it doesn't include a signing bonus and you are cut from the team during the season you only receive the bonus money and what you are owed up to that point. Cuts happen on a weekly basis in the NFL due to injuries and poor form. If a top player gets injured and you need to sign a replacement you would cut a player at the bottom end of your roster.

Willie would not make it in the NFL because the guys he is up against have played 4 years of high school football, followed by up to 4 years of college football giving them up to 8 years experience at the age of 23-24. Willie is 26 and has no experience in the sport let alone a specialist position. Apart from Colin Scotts who played college football, all other aussies to have played in the NFL have been punters.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

to small ,ost of those forwards are 140kg muscle hulks especially the african american guys they are just massive and willy needs to bulk up to play in the forwards

Not at all.

As UtE said, Willie could very well play tight end. The role of a tight end is two-fold. Firstly, they serve as the major blocker for the wide receiver, trying to give the block enough space so that he can catch the pass from the quarterback. Secondly, if they wide receiver is being double marked, they serve as an alternate receiver of the pass.

Tight ends are not overly massive - they are supposed to be big and strong, but it is also important that they are fast, flexible and have good hands.

Chad Lewis has 10 years experience in the NFL. He stands 6'6" and weighs 114 kg. Donald Lee is a good tight end for the Packers and he stands 6'3" and weighs 115kg. Most tight ends are around this size.

The tight end doesn't partake in the scrimmage with those 140kg behemoths. The point of having such big guys in there is to either attack or protect the quarterback. The defence wants to shut him down before he can let a pass go, the offense wants to give him the time and space necessary to pass or run. The tight end's job revolves around the pass and the run. He would be on the end of the offensive line next to the offensive tackle, and would usually break away once the scrimmage is underway. It's very rare that he will have to deal with the walking refrigerators that weigh up to 150kg.

I'd say Willie has all the physical characteristic needed to play a tight end. Just depends on if he has the in-game skills.......

 

[Utey]

He could make a sucessful conversion to NFL, no doubt.

 

[James_Hardie]

Does anyone think Fui would make a good fullback?

Explosive pace, good leg drive....

 

[Phillips]

he would get smashed in the NFL, no joke they would put him in hospital

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

I doubt he'd make it, there are guys who have played the sport all their lives and still struggle, he hasn't played a game of it.

Brock Lesnar (wrestler) tried to switch to NFL, he is bigger and stronger than Willie, he trains alot harder and more often and had played football before (in college I think), one club was interested and he went to them, he was cut from the squad and back wrestling within a few months. I know the scenarios are different but the point is Brock had experience in the game, physically he was in better shape than Willie and he couldn't cut it.

Good luck to Willie if he goes, but he's much better off sticking to what he knows.

 

[Eelementary]

Would he be as good as your Jeb Putziers, your Teyo Johnsons or your Antonio Gates at TE?

Would be be as good as youir Dat Nguyens or Brian Urlachers at MLB?

Would be he be as good as your Takeo Spikes or Ray Lewis at OLB?

The answer to the above questions is a resounding "no".

Willie is big, but athletic enough to play TE? Hmm...I have my doubts.

He's not quick and mobile enough to play MLB or OLB.

He could make a decent Offensive Linesman, provided be bulked up a fair bit.

 

[Perrymatta]

My question in rebuttle - who gives a sh*t?

 

[thedux]

Sounds like Mason has forgotten to take his ritalin again... There is no way he would make the transition at his age. Having played both, I can say they are as different as you would find amongst any sports. Would we all expect Brett Favre to be a first class HB next year... it's the same scenario!

 

[ozcoltsfan]

I just made a big post about this over on the NFL section.
TE would be his only chance as you guys have pointed out, but even then he would need to be a freak of nature and a good year or two of practice and experience. Also catching balls from NFL QB's! Yeah thats gonna be tough. Plus you drop a few balls in practice and you may aswell pack your bags.