Chiefs sign a rugby player
 

Interesting

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit will be signing with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chiefs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chiefs</a> on Friday, per sources.<br><br>After working out and impressing Kansas City’s staff earlier this week, they have agreed on terms. I’m told Rees-Zammit will be playing RB/WR. <a href="https://t.co/o6ftzwhC6F">pic.twitter.com/o6ftzwhC6F</a></p>&mdash; Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1773133727331188956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

TO THE SHIP!
I have a good feeling because one time we signed Weston Drexler of the CFL and later won a Super Bowl! This is a good sign!

To the dingo!

6’3”, 209

4.43 40

I see he's listed at 6'3" 194. Seems more like a WR guy that can occasionally take some handoffs.

Oh that's his official weight? Much better.

He's gonna dominate the softer sport of football.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Louis Rees-Zammit can fly <a href="https://t.co/TW34aRBqgC">pic.twitter.com/TW34aRBqgC</a></p>&mdash; Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) <a href="https://twitter.com/HenryChisholm/status/1772342305892012136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The NFL is moving in this direction. May as well get a head start.

The chiefs must be trying to revolutionize the tush push.

Is this Clyde’s replacement? Sure looks like it

This what speed do.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rugby star turned football player Louis Rees-Zammit is meeting with the Chiefs. LRZ is 6’3”, 209 and ran a 4.43 40 (he was disappointed in that time). He’s a running back/wide receiver/returner hybrid project. Kinda a long shot but intriguing nonetheless. <a href="https://t.co/EUOgnTWjhJ">pic.twitter.com/EUOgnTWjhJ</a></p>&mdash; Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arrowhead_Adam/status/1772258595813421403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His top on-field speed is reportedly 24.2 MPH.

Well this makes training camp a little more interesting

Albino Samuel

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rees-Zammit is an NFL International Pathway Program player. He won’t count against the 90-player roster and if he makes the practice squad he wouldn’t count against the 16-player limit. <a href="https://t.co/yWxqeegNg5">https://t.co/yWxqeegNg5</a></p>&mdash; Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattderrick/status/1773136908643680730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I’ll be Zamned.

Zammit Carl! :mad:

These rugby players never work out.

Yeah..... No.. Gone in the first cut down..

Yep, they don’t last in the NFL.

Well this should be kind of interesting. Though only one former rugby player has ever had what you could describe as a successful career in the NFL, I think. But if anyone can make it happen it’s got to be Andy Reid.

Direct response to new kickoff rules.

Didn't really think about that but that's not a bad idea.. Nice post..

Not so sure. I think it's a response to the banning of the hip-drop tackle. Was banned in rugby last year so this guy can give us tips on how to play football without it.

It’s a size-speed-age thing. You and fast and big. Interesting package.

Trav has got to be stoked for the latteral plays they will come up with.

SHAZAMMIT!!!

:LOL:

As a British fan of both codes of rugby (more league than union) and a Chiefs fan this is very exciting. Some of the other rugby players to transition had very good all round games built around positional play and versatility (Hayne/Holmes) but LRZ is a much better NFL prospect with long distance speed and change of direction.

If Andy thinks he has it then I can’t wait to see him get down to the Mahomes Texas training group and learn the ropes.

If he doesn't count against the roster limit...then why would they cut him? Dude can stay on the 90 and then be sent to the practice squad where he....doesn't count again.

Yea, it's a nice swing.

The first time he ****s up we will all be yelling: DAMMIT ZAMMIT!

Chiefs Planeteer with the scouting report. This is probably more than anybody else in KC knows about this guy so far. Well done!

I remember saying to my rugby mates how dumb it was when he said he was trying to become a WR in the NFL, having never played the game. RB is the most obvious option and he's joining a team that scripts more RB receiving plays than most teams, so he can develop those skills here too. Having said all of that, I'm sceptical and think he'll be a practice squad guy at best this year.

Future hall of famer IMHO

I could see bubble screens/reverses just to get the ball in his hands.

Seems he could break a few tackles.

Interesting for sure.

Now that I think about it, this guy might be a great fit for the new KR rules.

Also back up punter in case the punt god blasts a returner and gets concussed.


In all seriousness, this is pretty intriguing. May not amount to anything, especially this year. But, man that dude is big, fast, and athletic. I’m kind of excited!

Okay **** YEAH!!!

The standard of open field tackling in the NFL is a long way below both rugby league and rugby union so if he gets a screen pass and a 1vs1 run at a safety or linebacker I would back him to beat them on speed and step or power.

One big adjustment he will have to make is getting used to being tackled with both feet in the air making a catch as that is an instant penalty in rugby so rarely happens.

This should be one guy that'll be ready for the pitch from Kelce.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rees-Zammit is an NFL International Pathway Program player. He won’t count against the 90-player roster and if he makes the practice squad he wouldn’t count against the 16-player limit. <a href="https://t.co/yWxqeegNg5">https://t.co/yWxqeegNg5</a></p>&mdash; Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattderrick/status/1773136908643680730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well, give it a second. The rules committee will ban that tackle, too.

That kneecap!

How is he at lining up and shutting up?

This could be another fun thing to look for during preseason.

If he sticks with the Chiefs, he’s gonna be an All Pro. If he doesn’t, he’s a piece of shit and should be banned from all forms of competition everywhere.

I know nothing about him but I’m pretty sure he’ll be better than Barry Sanders ever was

I really want him to be a good player just to piss everybody off!

3 name guy for a 3 peat team.
F’n destiny, imho

I need to learn the game of rugby because I have no idea wtf I was watching.

Rees lightning!

Would love to see him take off at KR/PR and as a gadget guy.

I am straight up ****ing HORNY!!!

And I was just thinking that I'm not falling for anymore Justyn Ross training camp darling hype again. I WAS WRONG!

Off to watch some YouTube on how rugby is played.

Seems like a McCaffrey McConkey combo. We need to fill the fast white guy role.

I’m curious on the pay. Is he a highly paid rugby player by their standards and even this lowly NFL contract is still better? Is it because if he makes it he could potentially get a much bigger salary down the road than what’s possible in rugby?

Veatch likes huge thighs

His physical profile is definitely at an elite level. And his is good both in short areas and long. He just turned 23 last month so he's coming in at a normal rookie age and not some 25-27 year old.

He's used to playing infront of big crowds, dodging tackles and having a ball in his hand. It's now a matter of him studying like crazy and putting those reps in with WR/RB and returner coaches.

We've seen former QB's like Edelman and Kelce turn into great receivers. So anything is possible tbh.

My son plays rugby. I've watched these videos and it's still confusing as hell.

The money in the US sports if you make it beyond practice squad level pay dwarfs what any rugby players are earning.

Take the Hollywood Brown contract as a comparative tool and LRZ is well paid in rugby terms but it would have taken him about 6 years to earn the same as Hollywood can earn this year if he hits his incentives. If LRZ was to make it as a legit WR3 level roster player then his earnings would be 4/5 times higher than staying in Rugby Union.

Shit I'm finding myself irrationally excited by this. You know the training camp reports will be stellar.

Aussies are gay

He'll be our #2 dog by the end of this season, just go ahead and bank on it

Cole

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This guy has very little chance of ever contributing but I'll be rooting for him. Cool story.

U thinking of moving there?

I'd correct you and say that he's Welsh but I'm still not sure you'd understand.

Let’s Ride

Christian McCaffery 2.0

the lateral just isn’t done in the NFL. Too much risk of something going wrong. But, what if you get a guy that laterals many times a game on your team?

Looking forward to what kind of lateral plays Andy can dream up.

Hell yeah this guy is the stuff training camp hero dreams are made of.

Also, we need to do the tush push with him in the pre-season. Someone needs to sneak on this team. He’s got a helluva lot experience in that specific area we could use

Already better than Kadarius Toney

He’s welsh ya knob ;)

To me I feel that any team that truly mastered lateral plays would shred defensive schemes and run up points quickly.

If there is a significant aerodynamic difference between an NFL football and a rugby football then this might diminish my next point but my view on laterals is that nfl players don’t use a throwing technique that has any consistent accuracy as they mostly push the ball with one arm or wildly fling it as if it’s a bomb about to explode in their hand. The underarm two handed pass swinging through from shoulder through elbows pointing to where your throw target is is a much more robust technique for powerful and accurate passes.

Granted the amount of times it was a good call to attempt it might be too low to invest the time in upskilling all your players to be able to do it but in tight finish it might be a real difference maker.