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Bills Allocated Christain Wade (International Pathway Program)


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3 hours 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. 

 

RB and KR seems to be easiest to get figured out out of the gate 

Edited by Over 29 years of fanhood
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2 hours 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. 

 

  The smart money says you’re probably right. This guy like Efe Obada also from the IPP is a raw athlete. Obada athletically is similar to Julius Peppers but as a DE was miles away technically. I may be completely wrong but I can see RBs having a better chance. Seeing holes and hitting space is a similar skill set though he will be unused to trusting his block and seeing the play unfold. 

 

  Certainly as ST I can see him being a valuable role player and he’s cheap and doesn’t take up roster space.

 

  The problem comes when you can’t promote him to the roster unless you go all in on him.  He can’t come in mid season so in all likelihood he won’t make the 53 and by the time he is trusted enough to potentially start his opportunity maybe gone. Obada was the first guy from IPP to make a roster at the expense of 4th rnd draft pick Daeshon Hall, but despite winning NFC defensive player of the weak he’s finding it hard to hold down a job on a weak Panthers pass rush.

 

Anyway good luck to the guy, hope he does well.

Edited by Seoul_panther
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2 hours 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. 

 

RB would be almost impossible, but a gunner on ST he’s got a shot. It’ll be fun to watch him in preseason.

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5 hours 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!.

Yes, but it's relative. He looks explosive vs his competition, but you have to expect that vs NFL athletes it would not look the same. Just a guess.

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1 hour ago, formerlyofCtown said:

Id keep him on the active Roster if we can.  When we are blowing out a team we can get him reps.

 

 If he’s on the active roster he takes up a spot losing his exemption. If he’s not then he gets roster exemption but is unpromotable in any circumstance during the season. So in that way the IPP is a bit of a catch 22 for the player and the team...

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2 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

RB and KR seems to be easiest to get figured out out of the gate 

 

I disagree.  I think RB is one of the most underrated skill sets.  Understanding the playbook and knowing where to be and go,  is not something you pick up fast.  His head will be spinning for sure.  There's a definite art to running, understanding the offensive line/defense, when to abandon the "called" hole and it's a brutal position physically.  

 

KR? Maybe 

Edited by White Linen
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He actually had a pro day, and ran a 4.53 40.  I didn't see any other stats.  That is a good speed, but not off the charts.  It looks like he's real tough with great balance.  It will be interesting to see if he can make the transition.  There are things that look similar about the two games, but there are things that are very, very different.

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5 hours 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.

Said same Dan Norton.

Some mad natural ability on display. Runs like Shady but looks a lot taller.

Wonder if he's interested in the program.

 

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14 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

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.

So, can we have 2 allotments?

asking for a friend..

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18 hours ago, TigerJ said:

He actually had a pro day, and ran a 4.53 40.  I didn't see any other stats.  That is a good speed, but not off the charts.  It looks like he's real tough with great balance.  It will be interesting to see if he can make the transition.  There are things that look similar about the two games, but there are things that are very, very different.

The 4.53 40 isnt going to blow anyone away but I read that he said he hits top speed at about the 50-60 meter mark. When younger he ran 100m sub 11 seconds. I know he is older , playing in pads, and the average play in the NFL isnt very long but it would be nice to know that one possible RB on the Bills roster has take it to the house speed. 

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9 minutes ago, BillsfanAZ said:

The 4.53 40 isnt going to blow anyone away but I read that he said he hits top speed at about the 50-60 meter mark. When younger he ran 100m sub 11 seconds. I know he is older , playing in pads, and the average play in the NFL isnt very long but it would be nice to know that one possible RB on the Bills roster has take it to the house speed. 

 

I am not sure that # is representative of what that video shows

 

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Developmental back.  Seems to have soft hands.  At his age, there isnt much time to wait for him to develop.  The exemption makes it as low risk as can be.  With Gore and McCoy he could pick up alot fast.

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24 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Developmental back.  Seems to have soft hands.  At his age, there isnt much time to wait for him to develop.  The exemption makes it as low risk as can be.  With Gore and McCoy he could pick up alot fast.

 

And a world class athlete in a reasonably similar sport. I agree his hands looked good.  There's always a chance, and there's essentially no risk.

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I try not to engage in unwarranted projection this early on, but I'm really excited about this guy's potential. I suppose anything's possible at this point, but his resume is impressive. He's definitely tough enough to play in the NFL.

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3 hours ago, The Frankish Reich said:

So he's never played a down of (American) football in his life, but watching this, I can confidently say is currently the best punt returner out of the 91 players who'll come to camp this summer. I'm hoping he makes it ... it will be fun to watch.

What about the pro bowl return guy we just signed?

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