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Bills Allocated Christain Wade (International Pathway Program)


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Here is something written about him.

 

https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/04/texans-look-rugby-christian-wade-receiver/

 

What stands out about Wade is his pace. He has explosive pace and great top end speed. Coming from a rugby background he is clearly an athletic individual and he is extremely tough to bring down. He possesses good hands and a good eye for the ball, and when running he can be very elusive.

Edited by MAJBobby
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Just now, Wayne Cubed said:

They also get a roster exemption for him, so carrying him doesn't effect them at all.

 

If they decide to keep him at the end of training camp they can get a practice squad exemption as well. 

 

Yep can carry 91 (with the exemption) and 11 on the PS (if he makes it there)

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2 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

....kid has some Robert Newhouse thighs.......

 

Well thighed up those Rugby boys. He'll be well adept in drinking a pint of bitter from a worn sock too.

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2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

I am actually surprised this is the first year they are using the program.  Gets a free (roster spot) look at a possible poject

I actually thought for a min last year that Botts was one also... watching this vid I can see lots of laterals to Wade lol

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8 minutes ago, Wayne Cubed said:

Some rugby highlights... guy is a truck and tough to bring down.

 

 

 

Great highlights. 

 

Without reading the article or knowing anything about the guy.  I'd venture to guess he could have some sort of a future as a RB/special teamer.  

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2 minutes ago, 1ManRaid said:

How does this program work, like how did he get assigned to us?

https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-players/seven-players-chosen-for-2019-international-pathway-program/

 

Ahh So A division gets selected and then out of that division teams can sign the chosen players

 

One of the NFL’s eight divisions, to be chosen at random, will receive international players should they not be signed to free agent contracts. At the conclusion of training camp, players will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption. The exemption gives teams space for an eleventh practice squad member, though the player is ineligible to be activated during the season.  

Players taking part in the 2019 program:

David Bada, Defensive End, Germany, Age: 23 

Bada currently plays in the German Football League’s top division for the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns. He previously played for the Ingolstadt Dukes, where he developed as a pass rusher.

Moubarak Djeri, Defensive Tackle, Germany, Age: 22

Born in Togo and moved to Germany in 2007, Djeri played for the Cologne Crocodiles of the German Football League. He spent five seasons with the club before trying out for the Arizona Cardinals in 2017. He signed with the Cardinals and participated in OTAs before being released the day before training camp.

Valentine Holmes, Running Back/Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Australia, Age: 23 

A professional rugby player from Australia’s National Rugby League, Holmes signed his first contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at age 17 and made his professional debut at the age of 19. He represented Australia in the 2017 Rugby World Cup at the winger and fullback positions.

Jakob Johnson, Fullback, Germany, Age: 24

Johnson played for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League before moving to the United States. He was recruited by the University of Tennessee after playing one season of high school football. Originally recruited as a linebacker, Johnson transitioned to a tight end during his sophomore season.

Durval Neto, Defensive Tackle, Brazil, Age: 25

Neto has played in Brazil for the past four seasons on two of the country’s best teams. The former judo champion prior has been praised for his great athletic ability and willingness to learn.

Maximo Sanchez, Linebacker, Mexico, Age: 25 

Sanchez has played in multiple domestic leagues in Mexico. He was selected to represent the country for Team World against the USA U19 team. He currently plays for Tech Monterrey, one of the best university programs in Mexico.

Christian Wade, Running Back/Kick Returner, England, Age: 27

Wade represented the English National Rugby Team at the U16, U18 and U20 levels and was selected to the British and Irish Lions squad, the highest honor as a rugby player. His 82 Premiership Rugby tries (touchdowns) ranks third on the league’s all-time list.

Edited by MAJBobby
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4 minutes ago, 947 said:

From those highlights, he looks like one the most explosive athletes I've ever seen. Let's see if he can adapt to the game & hang on the football, but damn!.

 

I think part of it is probably the lack of overall speed in their game compared to the NFL but yes, he looks explosive. I remember Carlin Isles a few years back, he looks like a cartoon in some of these...

 

 

Edited by Juice_32
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Yes it is a highlights tape - but his elusiveness just jumps out. And looks like he might not be bad in space and with ball security.  With the oldest backfield in NFL history, I will take anything I can get. And Wade looks great. Oh, he can be an asset in the return game as well. Maybe we will see some laterals.

 

I just hope someone tells him to stay down after he is tackled and not to get that extra yard unless it is needed to move the chains. In the NFL it is a fumble waiting to happen. 

2 minutes ago, Tsaikotic said:

 

What is the benefit to developing him? Do we at least get rights to him next year?

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2 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

Yes it is a highlights tape - but his elusiveness just jumps out. And looks like he might not be bad in space and with ball security.  With the oldest backfield in NFL history, I will take anything I can get. And Wade looks great. Oh, he can be an asset in the return game as well. Maybe we will see some laterals.

 

I just hope someone tells him to stay down after he is tackled and not to get that extra yard unless it is needed to move the chains. In the NFL it is a fumble waiting to happen. 

What is the benefit to developing him? Do we at least get rights to him next year?

I just edited my post..looks like Sal made a mistake

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4 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said:

Yes it is a highlights tape - but his elusiveness just jumps out. And looks like he might not be bad in space and with ball security.  With the oldest backfield in NFL history, I will take anything I can get. And Wade looks great. Oh, he can be an asset in the return game as well. Maybe we will see some laterals.

 

I just hope someone tells him to stay down after he is tackled and not to get that extra yard unless it is needed to move the chains. In the NFL it is a fumble waiting to happen. 

What is the benefit to developing him? Do we at least get rights to him next year?

Yes he could be signed as a Futures Contract if on PS at the end of the year (a normal NFL Contact and not part of the program).  He can make the team immediately out of camp put there would be no roster exemption (has to fit in the 53)

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17 minutes ago, Juice_32 said:

I think part of it is probably the lack of overall speed in their game compared to the NFL but yes, he looks explosive. I remember Carlin Isles a few years back, he looks like a cartoon in some of these...

 

I am surprised that I've never heard of any interest in Dan Norton from the England Sevens team. A guy I went to school with played Sevens for Scotland and reckons that Norton is the fastest human being he's ever seen.

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15 minutes ago, Blokestradamus said:

 

I am surprised that I've never heard of any interest in Dan Norton from the England Sevens team. A guy I went to school with played Sevens for Scotland and reckons that Norton is the fastest human being he's ever seen.


I mean...if a guy you went to school with reckons it to be true, the Bills should be on the phone right away.

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The Bills, as well as the other three AFC East teams, will each get a roster exemption from the NFL, meaning they get an additional spot on their roster for the 2019 season.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26470122/former-rugby-star-wade-signs-nfl-bills

 

Wade only discovered that he had been signed when he spoke to Bills general manager Brandon Beane on the phone on Monday. He joins a roster which includes veteran running backs LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore.

 

"Who better to learn from?" Wade said. "I'm looking to learn how to survive in the NFL, learn about how they apply themselves and study."

Edited by ShadyBillsFan
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I have much respect for rugby players but I don't think he makes it.  The NFL is the most dangerous and violent field of play in the world.  It's the years of technical training that will cause the separation.  The instincts an NFL RB has are learned behaviors and they're just different skill sets. 

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1 hour ago, Wayne Cubed said:

Some rugby highlights... guy is a truck and tough to bring down.

 

 

Strong legs, quick acceleration, cut on a dime, hard to bring down. With Shady and Gore in the RB room I'm sure they can help this guy learn the game quick. 

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2 minutes ago, White Linen said:

I have much respect for rugby players but I don't think he makes it.  The NFL is the most dangerous and violent field of play in the world.  It's the years of technical training that will cause the separation.  The instincts an NFL RB has are learned behaviors and they're just different skill sets. 

Yeah, major uphill battle.  But I can see making it as a special teams player.

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The Bills will not have to worry about him being fit rugby players have 40 minute halves with few huddle up times. He is use to running without blocking. The only thing for him really is to get use to wearing pads more guys that are fast as him and instead of 15 on 15 it is now just 11on 11 with blocking. Would love to see him succeed with us.

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