Other Tom Burgess - Hayning the NFL Dream ™

[Superstar swan]

Tom burgess has undergone a workout with the giants overnight as a possible tight end.196 cm and 120kgs so hes a big lad.

Contracted with rabbitohs for next season so not sure it he is able to be signed (if he is good enough of coarse) or if its simply testing for a future possibility

 

[Blacky]

Another side show

Hopefully another meltdown thread

 

[GreyWind]

Would think the transition would be even harder. Doubt he can catch, would only ever be a blocking TE and even then he would struggle from never doing it before.

 

[Superstar swan]

Would think the transition would be even harder. Doubt he can catch, would only ever be a blocking TE and even then he would struggle from never doing it before.

Agree. Would be an extremely hard transition to make. American football would be harder to crack for first timers probably more than any other sport. There is alot more to it than bash and crash as hayne has found out. You need to be brought up on it to fully understand each offensive and defensive system. When to run, when to defend, how to spot blitzes etc

 

[manureid]

Poor man's Hayne Plane.

 

[The Lemon]

Lol this campaigner needs to * off. stick to glassing campaigners and raping sheilas at the Local leagues club

 

[Exe Gesis]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/americ...s/news-story/65886765dc501cfdb16f7a51f8b62cfb

TOWERING Rabbitohs forward Tom Burgess appears to be set on following Jarryd Hayne to the NFL after reports emerged he took part in a trial with the Giants in New York on Friday (AEDT).

Burgess, an English-born prop, was worked out as a tight end, according to top NFL newsbreaker, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.


The Rabbitohs also confirmed the shock news, declaring they gave the hulking prop permission to trial with the storied NFL franchise.

The Bunnies issued a statement on Friday to declare the club is happy for Tom Burgess to futher “develop his skills” at the elite training facilities at the Giant’s Quest Diagnostics training centre in New Jersey.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs can confirm that Thomas Burgess has been given the opportunity to develop his skills by participating in NFL training during his off-season break,” the media release stated

“The Rabbitohs value Thomas’ desire to be the best professional athlete he can be and support his endeavour.

“The Club can confirm that Thomas Burgess is contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2018 season.”

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire insists the club still expects Burgess to return to the club to play in the 2016 NRL season.

“We’re fully supportive of our players trying to improve themselves,” Maguire said in the statement.

“This will provide a unique and valuable experience for Thomas, one that he will no doubt learn a lot from and in turn be able to bring back to the Rabbitohs for the coming season.”

Burgess, who stands 196cm tall and weighs 120kg, has drawn physical comparisons to New England Patriots Super Bowl-winning star Rob Gronkowski. Aside from his athletic ability, the 23-year-old also has age on his side to learn a new game.

He recently posted a photograph of New York’s Rockefeller Centre to his Instagram account, after spending time with family in London.

Burgess joined older brother Sam at South Sydney in 2013. The pair were part of the Rabbitohs’ 2014 premiership team before Sam moved back to England to pursue a spot in his home country’s rugby team for this year’s World Cup.

His identical twin brother George is also a star Rabbitohs forward.


Tom re-signed with South Sydney earlier this year for one season, keeping his options open for a potential code switch in 2017.

In April, his manager Chris Caisley denied the short-term deal was based around a move to the US.

“Tom did not refuse any offer from clubs other than Souths because of any interest from the NFL,” Caisley said.

“He agreed to extend his contract with Souths because he loves the club and is extremely happy there.”

Burgess also denied he had any firm offers from NFL clubs in May, but revealed he was certainly interested in a move.

“I have shown interest in NFL for a while and I’d spoken to a few of my friends about how I’d love to go there [but] somehow it’s been turned into I’ve got a contract out there,” he said.

“That’s not the case, there’s nothing there yet and I’ve not spoken to anyone. It is something I definitely wouldn’t turn my nose up at, I’d look into it but there’s nothing there currently.”

Hayne has opened the door for rugby league players in America after signing with the San Francisco 49ers. The former Parramatta Eel played six regular season games after starring in the preseason, but is currently biding his time on the team’s practice squad.

Perhaps a better comparison for Burgess is Australian-born rugby player Hayden Smith, who spent two seasons with the New York Jets from 2012-13.

Smith, who is 2cm taller than Burgess but the same weight, caught one pass in his career in a game against the San Diego Chargers. He is now playing rugby for Saracens in London.

Some are already speculating whether Burgess has the skill to make it in the NFL. He was listed by Fox Sports Australia as the most frustrating player at South Sydney this season.

 

[The Lemon]

This campaigner is trialing with the Bills.

* MY LIFE

 

[JeffDunne]

Another promotional tour.

It doesn't make sense for NFL teams to be evaluating a player like him at this stage of season. Especially for a position like TE.

Also why would his NRL club given him permission if this wasn't just a PR stunt?

 

[royals1922]

Another promotional tour.

It doesn't make sense for NFL teams to be evaluating a player like him at this stage of season. Especially for a position like TE.

Also why would his NRL club given him permission if this wasn't just a PR stunt?

While the Hayne train wreck has been fun, do we need another.

 

[Superstar swan]

Another promotional tour.

It doesn't make sense for NFL teams to be evaluating a player like him at this stage of season. Especially for a position like TE.

Also why would his NRL club given him permission if this wasn't just a PR stunt?

I highly doubt they have given him "permission" as such. Obviously he would have informed them (i think rugby league is proffessional enough for this courtesy) however the fact that they have sent him to increase skills is a pr stunt and nrl spin. They dont want people thinking that everyone is trying to escape their code or using it as a platform to land an nfl gig.

I have heard of players traveling overseas to increase fitness etc however this is usuallu done by players seeking world class trainers in a specialised field. You dont have a try out with an nfl club to boost your league career

 

[Superstar swan]

While the Hayne train wreck has been fun, do we need another.

Yes... i inagine hayne and burgess crossing paths and having a slapping fight coz "hayne was hear first"

 

[Woodson]

I highly doubt they have given him "permission" as such. Obviously he would have informed them (i think rugby league is proffessional enough for this courtesy) however the fact that they have sent him to increase skills is a pr stunt and nrl spin. They dont want people thinking that everyone is trying to escape their code or using it as a platform to land an nfl gig.

I have heard of players traveling overseas to increase fitness etc however this is usuallu done by players seeking world class trainers in a specialised field. You dont have a try out with an nfl club to boost your league career

Read the article again GG posted. States 'permission declared'. Who are the NRL to hold back anyone…>>> Hayne, AFTERALL, wasn't he the reigning Dally M Medal winner of 2014??? Didn't he win that award before? That says plenty.

Your last comment is moot as well. This Burgess guy wants to simply check out what he feels he can offer in American football.. nothing wrong with that IMHO. You can't begrudge anyone taking a chance. I think that you need to realise that in the 2013 draft, the most foreign born players were selected in the NFL draft. Black Cats DE, and Tonga born, Star Lotulelei was a first round pick, the Lions DE Ziggy Ansah is another, born in Ghana. He was considered too raw yet the Lions took a chance!! The Pats drafted OT and German born, Sebastian Vollmer, back in 2009.

Sav Rocca surpassed many doubters including myself who adapted well from the get-go in his role as punter and being effective in his role to last seven consecutive seasons.

 

[ausbacker]

Looks like the NRL bunnies have worked out pretending you know anything about American Football is a fast way to get your name in the offseason papers.

 

[Woodson]

Another promotional tour.

It doesn't make sense for NFL teams to be evaluating a player like him at this stage of season. Especially for a position like TE.

Also why would his NRL club given him permission if this wasn't just a PR stunt?

Why not? Getting him in to see what he can offer is all that's going on.Look at BB, he has been prolific in plucking no-names to fit around his WINNING system over the past decade. NFL rosters are not strictly bound by the draft. We've read about the players getting that 'one in a million' chance to impress and when their number gets called, they somehow happen to SHINE on the big stage. Kurt Warner clearly a CRACKER of that 'one in a million' chance where he was on the junk pile of UDFA.

Aside the fumbles, Jarryd Hayne, has surpassed many hurdles. Gotta give him kudos to make the opening roster. Who knows, he may actually find his 'moment' on his next chance. Didn't look slow as we all anticipated. He adapted well. It's all mental really.

 

[ausbacker]

Why not? Getting him in to see what he can offer is all that's going on.Look at BB, he has been prolific in plucking no-names to fit around his WINNING system over the past decade. NFL rosters are not strictly bound by the draft. We've read about the players getting that 'one in a million' chance to impress and when their number gets called, they somehow happen to SHINE on the big stage. Kurt Warner clearly a CRACKER of that 'one in a million' chance where he was on the junk pile of UDFA.

Aside the fumbles, Jarryd Hayne, has surpassed many hurdles. Gotta give him kudos to make the opening roster. Who knows, he may actually find his 'moment' on his next chance. Didn't look slow as we all anticipated. He adapted well. It's all mental really.

BB takes punts on players who have played football and generally, those punts are the sons of coaches or positional conversions, not try-hard international blow-ins who think playing Madden qualifies them to play in the NFL.

I don't understand why the NFL would bother. The calibre of athlete in their league and through their college system far surpasses anything outside it.

 

[Woodson]

BB takes punts on players who have played football and generally, those punts are the sons of coaches or positional conversions, not try-hard international blow-ins who think playing Madden qualifies them to play in the NFL.

I don't understand why the NFL would bother. The calibre of athlete in their league and through their college system far surpasses anything outside it.

Haha…. amusing response. I was just underlining the point that BB is one who thinks more laterally than most yet keeps it simple enough to have incoming no-names (with some idea) not screwing up their assignment. This Burgess guy has the size you need to play, it's all mental in preparation that remains. You need to be taught the system anyway regardless of what team you join. That's what adapting is all about and it's no different to Burgess or a sixth round pick. One can ask why certain first round players are BUSTS? It all comes back to mental capacity / commitment of the individual. If there are some within the organisation who are rubbing up 'any' guy the wrong way, all that commitment sours.. somewhat, it fractures the relationship. If he isn't strong enough to deal with it, it fractures everything. That's like life in general, why people move on from jobs, yada yada yada.. opportunity is there to seize. Burgess has already gotten the interest which is his first instance of opportunity. Give him the benefit of the doubt as he's doing whatever he needs to do, at this stage, to have certain folk talking… keep the interest growing.

If I'm a team scout, I would want to know more about 'capacity of development' of an individual rather than his current skill set. Where the individual wants to be, how committed to the task and what he is doing to further enhance his opportunities of his intention. That's what team sport is all about, finding the pieces from various directions, obscure at times, who meet the level of commitment of achieving the team goal where the team wants to go.

 

[balmainforever]

The funny thing is that i think that Tom Burgess is more of a chance to succeed at American football than Hayne is.
He's a much better build for the game than Hayne is. Not saying that he will get a go though.


ouch that fence is sharp.

 

[Woodson]

The funny thing is that i think that Tom Burgess is more of a chance to succeed at American football than Hayne is.
He's a much better build for the game than Hayne is. Not saying that he will get a go though.


ouch that fence is sharp.

That's more vindication from a NRL head who can add more clout to this discussion.

 

[Exe Gesis]

new poll up

 

[royals1922]

I have no issue with NFL teams trialling Colonel Harlan Sanders if they want to but when the trial is considered to be newsworthy .......

 

[ausbacker]

Haha…. amusing response. I was just underlining the point that BB is one who thinks more laterally than most yet keeps it simple enough to have incoming no-names (with some idea) not screwing up their assignment. This Burgess guy has the size you need to play, it's all mental in preparation that remains. You need to be taught the system anyway regardless of what team you join. That's what adapting is all about and it's no different to Burgess or a sixth round pick. One can ask why certain first round players are BUSTS? It all comes back to mental capacity / commitment of the individual. If there are some within the organisation who are rubbing up 'any' guy the wrong way, all that commitment sours.. somewhat, it fractures the relationship. If he isn't strong enough to deal with it, it fractures everything. That's like life in general, why people move on from jobs, yada yada yada.. opportunity is there to seize. Burgess has already gotten the interest which is his first instance of opportunity. Give him the benefit of the doubt as he's doing whatever he needs to do, at this stage, to have certain folk talking… keep the interest growing.

If I'm a team scout, I would want to know more about 'capacity of development' of an individual rather than his current skill set. Where the individual wants to be, how committed to the task and what he is doing to further enhance his opportunities of his intention. That's what team sport is all about, finding the pieces from various directions, obscure at times, who meet the level of commitment of achieving the team goal where the team wants to go.

I understand what you're saying and as a poster Woodson, I most definitely respect your opinion but I'm not in the camp that a physically gifted athlete can just cross codes and become a reliable contributor. There's simply too much involved in the NFL otherwise it would be happening all the time. Right now, it feels like a fashionable trend of find an international diamond in the rough and see what happens. I imagine, historically speaking, the major contributions of foreign born NFL players would be quite low.

In terms of your development comments, these leagues and athletes have been around since the NFL started. Given they're generally miles ahead of other sports, you'd think they'd be aware of paths of development and simply choose to ignore them as the likelihood of success would be low.

 

[Woodson]

In terms of your development comments, these leagues and athletes have been around since the NFL started. Given they're generally miles ahead of other sports, you'd think they'd be aware of paths of development and simply choose to ignore them as the likelihood of success would be low.

I'm only backing their (G-Men) judgement in sussing out their options. Blocking TE's are not much different to FB's.. John Kuhn has been one of the longest surviving Full Backs in the league and how many plays does he get these days? NFL teams know that bringing in obscure players from outside the loop isn't going to neither cost them much and won't be poached from the practise 'B' squad which you know is more about downplaying interest.. otherwise they wouldn't call him up at this stage of the season… perhaps the right time to engage with such 'untapped potential'.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm only backing their (G-Men) judgement in sussing out their options. Blocking TE's are not much different to FB's.. John Kuhn has been one of the longest surviving Full Backs in the league and how many plays does he get these days? NFL teams know that bringing in obscure players from outside the loop isn't going to neither cost them much and won't be poached from the practise 'B' squad which you know is more about downplaying interest.. otherwise they wouldn't call him up at this stage of the season… perhaps the right time to engage with such 'untapped potential'.

If you're going to run the old blocking TE argument, just tack an extra lineman onto the end of the line. There's a simple, low cost, available option right there.

 

[Woodson]

If you're going to run the old blocking TE argument, just tack an extra lineman onto the end of the line. There's a simple, low cost, available option right there.

Tell the G-Men that.. then again, their uncanny ways of keeping the NFL juggernauts honest shouldn't be questioned.