I'm an american, and I say rugby wins.
Full Version: Pro Rugby Vs. Nfl Players
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QUOTE(Tony42077 @ Apr 27 2007, 06:40 AM) 
If these Euro-rugby players are such great athletes, then why aren't any of them playing in the NFL? A top NFL player's salary is more than double than that of a whole Pro-Rugby team. All of the best U.S. soccer players go to Europe when they want to get paid better, as the U.S. doesn't care enough about soccer to pay it's players top salries.
It seems to me that if these rugby players are so great, they would take one season off to play in the NFL. The money they would make in one season would be more than they make in an entire career of pro-rugby.
It seems to me that money talks and BS walks
The reason why our rugby players do not migrate to the NFL for a season or two is because they don't like wearing skin tight lycra. Apparently wearing skin tight lycra around the crotch can reduce a mans sperm count making him feel less of a man.
I've always wondered why NFL players have squeaky voices...now I know why.
QUOTE(Arvarden @ Apr 27 2007, 01:19 PM)
The reason why our rugby players do not migrate to the NFL for a season or two is because they don't like wearing skin tight lycra. Apparently wearing skin tight lycra around the crotch can reduce a mans sperm count making him feel less of a man.
I've always wondered why NFL players have squeaky voices...now I know why.
Once again you have nothing constructive to add to a thread. Justing trolling again huh? You really are one pathetic piece of Euro-trash. Enjoy your rotten teeth
QUOTE(Tony42077 @ Apr 27 2007, 06:40 AM)
The reason why we wear helmets is to protect our teeth
Firstly, that's a load of bullshit. You don't need a helmet to protect your teeth. A simple mouth guard is plenty of protection. I play both rugby and american football at school, only one person wears a mouth guard and that's because he plays for the city club.
QUOTE(Tony42077 @ Apr 27 2007, 06:40 AM)
Off-topic- Why don't Europeans take better care of their teeth?
Second, we're not all like Austin Powers.
QUOTE(Tony42077 @ Apr 27 2007, 06:40 AM)
If these Euro-rugby players are such great athletes, then why aren't any of them playing in the NFL? A top NFL player's salary is more than double than that of a whole Pro-Rugby team. All of the best U.S. soccer players go to Europe when they want to get paid better, as the U.S. doesn't care enough about soccer to pay it's players top salries.
It seems to me that if these rugby players are so great, they would take one season off to play in the NFL. The money they would make in one season would be more than they make in an entire career of pro-rugby.
It seems to me that if these rugby players are so great, they would take one season off to play in the NFL. The money they would make in one season would be more than they make in an entire career of pro-rugby.
Rugby is not about money. It's about playing the game and having pride in representing your club. Athletic ability is not defined by your salary.
Now, NFL is much like Football/soccer in the UK. It's all about money.
As the phrase goes, "Rugby is a hooligans sport played by gentlemen, football is a gentleman's sport played by hooligans."
QUOTE(Shoue @ Feb 6 2007, 06:31 AM)
um.. have you guys have ever Lawrence Taylor. Anyway, to say that an NFL player is not as tough as a rugby player is just flat out wrong. NFL players have trained their entire life and beat out hundreds of thousands of other people just for their shot at NFL football. Linebackers who weigh 240 pounds can run flat out faster than any rugby player. And any football player would gladly get stitches during a game and get back out there, but they are million dollar investments. However I'm basing this off American rugby players, and I hope the rest of the world makes fun of them because they are pretty unimpressive.
Kiaora everyone thought i might add my 5cents in.NFL athletes are bigger and faster than Rugby players? Go on pull the other one. I've read NFL stat's like the 40yard dash bla bla bla etc.... In Rugby we gauge athletic ability on a 3km time trial and for exceleration the 40m dash.That's 42-43yard dash.Plus 2-3hr's hard training,and a couple hr's pushing weight's.I wonder?Have you ever heard of Jonah Lomu? he weigh's 260-270lb"s run's the 100m sprint in 10.65 and 40m dash in 4.2 seconds. I've never heard of any athlete that big and that fast ever. I suppose that's why the great NFL tried to poach him.WHY?when your got lawrence taylor to match Jonah Lomu stat's or can he? I await your reply and NFL statistics for comparison. chur bro!
firstly its non comaprable as many NFL players are on steroids. And no one say there drugs tests are clean because my friends brother plays for an NFL team and they're warned as to whena drug test is going to happen therefore being able to pass a test.
secondly being a rugby player i am slightly biased but many have said on here that a rugby player couldnt hit/tackle like an NFL player. Bearing this in mind id like to see how many NFl players could have tackled or blasted through Jonah Lomu when he was in his prime becasue i bet there wouldnt be many.
secondly being a rugby player i am slightly biased but many have said on here that a rugby player couldnt hit/tackle like an NFL player. Bearing this in mind id like to see how many NFl players could have tackled or blasted through Jonah Lomu when he was in his prime becasue i bet there wouldnt be many.
I'm American, played both in high school and still follow up with both.
For me the prize would go to Rugby for individual over-all "in-shape and athletic ability."
Why?
American Football is a sport geared at specific tasks. Individuals hone their bodies to complete that task better than any other. This happens with any sport:
A Quarterback has the arm and accuracy
A Receiver has the speed and agility
A Lineback has burst speed and power
And so on...
All rugby players encompass the focus of play, making rugby players are more versatile due to their training and how they hone their bodies and skills. A Forward (similar to a linebacker) may run the ball 10 times in a game, kick the ball, score points, etc. A Back (similar to a Receiver) may make 20 scrums (like trying to block a line backer) in a game. There are also essentially no breaks - you are constantly running between 30-80% speed with many burst sprints mixed in.
For those saying NFL players hit harder? Of course they do, they have protection and thus are able to. Tackling in rugby is NOT the same as tackling in American Football - if you attempted it you would be dead or wishing you were dead in no time. Though I will say that no matter how hard you are hit in either game, it certainly will put you to the test in Rugby.
This isn't a knock to American Football, it's just realizing the specialization that goes into each sport. The more diverse a sport, the more "athletic" the average player will be.
American Football likely has faster runners, harder hitters, further kickers, etc... But rugby will put all of those attributes into a single package.
In the end, it's near impossible to judge individual players such as Lawrence Taylor or Jonah Lomu. They were both great athletes in their own respect. Both would likely excel at the other sport, but probably not to the same magnitude.
It's like saying "Barry Bonds could have been a gold medalist tennis player because he's got lots of home runs... And look at how big his arms are, imagine how hard he could hit the ball."
Then we see how Michael Jordan did with his change.
For me the prize would go to Rugby for individual over-all "in-shape and athletic ability."
Why?
American Football is a sport geared at specific tasks. Individuals hone their bodies to complete that task better than any other. This happens with any sport:
A Quarterback has the arm and accuracy
A Receiver has the speed and agility
A Lineback has burst speed and power
And so on...
All rugby players encompass the focus of play, making rugby players are more versatile due to their training and how they hone their bodies and skills. A Forward (similar to a linebacker) may run the ball 10 times in a game, kick the ball, score points, etc. A Back (similar to a Receiver) may make 20 scrums (like trying to block a line backer) in a game. There are also essentially no breaks - you are constantly running between 30-80% speed with many burst sprints mixed in.
For those saying NFL players hit harder? Of course they do, they have protection and thus are able to. Tackling in rugby is NOT the same as tackling in American Football - if you attempted it you would be dead or wishing you were dead in no time. Though I will say that no matter how hard you are hit in either game, it certainly will put you to the test in Rugby.
This isn't a knock to American Football, it's just realizing the specialization that goes into each sport. The more diverse a sport, the more "athletic" the average player will be.
American Football likely has faster runners, harder hitters, further kickers, etc... But rugby will put all of those attributes into a single package.
In the end, it's near impossible to judge individual players such as Lawrence Taylor or Jonah Lomu. They were both great athletes in their own respect. Both would likely excel at the other sport, but probably not to the same magnitude.
It's like saying "Barry Bonds could have been a gold medalist tennis player because he's got lots of home runs... And look at how big his arms are, imagine how hard he could hit the ball."
Then we see how Michael Jordan did with his change.
I saw some of toni blah blah's bollox comments and had to register just to try explain somethin to the thick moron.
If nfl players were to try play rugby, it would be a whitewash, any tough man on the pitch would be gone after the first play for maybe 2 or 3 plays.
Although due to game adaptation, the rugby players would probably be beaten, but not by alot. Due to the fact that apart from qb position, rugby has every other position rolled into every player. That and we'd be short a squad of like 30 players
NFL players are fuelled by money, not by pride. This pride gets rugby players up after every play.
Nfl Clubs are given way more money than they know what to do with, so rugby has to compensate with sponsorship on jerseys.
Ronan O'Gara Irish Rugby player, turned down a very generous offer from the dolphins, because of his love for the game.
Id also imagine that he would get pissed off with just having to kick straight ahead of him rather than, as rugby players take kicks, at huge angles. And the fact that he'd have to turn to a blob on d sidelines while waiting for a play.
There should be no debate that a level of an athlete should take into account many skills, not just one.
What is the point in just having strength, or just being fast? To fill just one purpose.
As i said, rugby players have an all round athleticism that they fulfill for 40 minutes continuously a side.
I watched a video on youtube on the hardest nfl hits, and could honestly say that I, a 5' 6 lightweight could have taken all of them except for one, where the guy landed on his head and body went back.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eBSX7WDvo&...feature=related
1min 47 sec into that.
From watching NFL games iv also seen that a running back often waddles in for touchdown because too many opposing players jumped for him, leaving their faces in the shit, and him to keep waddling.
Conditioning: Rugby players cant use steroids, so they're natural powerhouses, who may not have all the strength but wont take long in taking down the opposing player first time.
Its seen in rugby that if a tackle is missed, its your fault. but with NFL and all these people jumping around seems to be effort enough made to justify 10 people missing a tackle.
NFL is where the crunch tackles get you money, The missed tackles, the dive is still good for tv.
If nfl players were to try play rugby, it would be a whitewash, any tough man on the pitch would be gone after the first play for maybe 2 or 3 plays.
Although due to game adaptation, the rugby players would probably be beaten, but not by alot. Due to the fact that apart from qb position, rugby has every other position rolled into every player. That and we'd be short a squad of like 30 players
NFL players are fuelled by money, not by pride. This pride gets rugby players up after every play.
Nfl Clubs are given way more money than they know what to do with, so rugby has to compensate with sponsorship on jerseys.
Ronan O'Gara Irish Rugby player, turned down a very generous offer from the dolphins, because of his love for the game.
Id also imagine that he would get pissed off with just having to kick straight ahead of him rather than, as rugby players take kicks, at huge angles. And the fact that he'd have to turn to a blob on d sidelines while waiting for a play.
There should be no debate that a level of an athlete should take into account many skills, not just one.
What is the point in just having strength, or just being fast? To fill just one purpose.
As i said, rugby players have an all round athleticism that they fulfill for 40 minutes continuously a side.
I watched a video on youtube on the hardest nfl hits, and could honestly say that I, a 5' 6 lightweight could have taken all of them except for one, where the guy landed on his head and body went back.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eBSX7WDvo&...feature=related
1min 47 sec into that.
From watching NFL games iv also seen that a running back often waddles in for touchdown because too many opposing players jumped for him, leaving their faces in the shit, and him to keep waddling.
Conditioning: Rugby players cant use steroids, so they're natural powerhouses, who may not have all the strength but wont take long in taking down the opposing player first time.
Its seen in rugby that if a tackle is missed, its your fault. but with NFL and all these people jumping around seems to be effort enough made to justify 10 people missing a tackle.
NFL is where the crunch tackles get you money, The missed tackles, the dive is still good for tv.
Being English (England 24 - France 13 Woo) i am obviously going to be a bit biased, but i hope you take this as a valid arguement:
1. Obviously other people on the forum are biased too, and just insult others when they have not got a good comeback arguement.
2. More violence dosn't = better/more skillful game.
3. No one has really outlined what you are looking at. At the start it says Athletes, but both sets of players have athletic qualities, albeit from both ends of the spectrum. One person said that NFL players are the best in America and therfore the world.
If you were to put the two sets of players into a game, whther it be AF or Rugby Union, you would therefore have to get the best rugby players from around the world. This would mean the likes of Johnny Wilkinson (best goal kicker in the world-fact), Bryan Habana (Potentially the fastest player in union at the moment), The Caveman (France) Andrew Sheridan (a big pusher in the scrum, despite his relative size), not to mention many other players that would make the shortlist for the best rugby team. This is not forgetting Rugby League players who swap disciplines for their country e.g. Lesley "The Volcano" Vainikolo and Jason Robinson. These players are built like brick outhouses and bloody fast to boot. when watching said players in the Union world cup, they were taking on forwards twice their size and winning.
4. I occasionally watch American Football when it is on Sky Sports, and do not find the tackles that "big" as some of the americans are claiming. Like someone said, the big tackles shown in that rugby video don't happen all the time, and it is the same with American football. And whoever said that Rugby was senseless violence, why in AF does every player on the pitch need to be fighting over nothing? Rugby players fight FOR the ball, AF players just fight.
5. I fell it must also be said that Rugby does appear to be the "harder" man's game. Although the tackles aren't as violent they come thick and fast. Anyone see Wilko at the weekend? Fat lip, bleeding out of his mouth and still scored many drop goals and conversions. American player hurt? He's stretchered off to the expensive locker room with ice baths, hot baths multiple phsyios etc.
However, i don't thick there will ever be a straight game for comparison, as Rugby players have one thing instilled in them through years of training, AF players another.
1. Obviously other people on the forum are biased too, and just insult others when they have not got a good comeback arguement.
2. More violence dosn't = better/more skillful game.
3. No one has really outlined what you are looking at. At the start it says Athletes, but both sets of players have athletic qualities, albeit from both ends of the spectrum. One person said that NFL players are the best in America and therfore the world.
If you were to put the two sets of players into a game, whther it be AF or Rugby Union, you would therefore have to get the best rugby players from around the world. This would mean the likes of Johnny Wilkinson (best goal kicker in the world-fact), Bryan Habana (Potentially the fastest player in union at the moment), The Caveman (France) Andrew Sheridan (a big pusher in the scrum, despite his relative size), not to mention many other players that would make the shortlist for the best rugby team. This is not forgetting Rugby League players who swap disciplines for their country e.g. Lesley "The Volcano" Vainikolo and Jason Robinson. These players are built like brick outhouses and bloody fast to boot. when watching said players in the Union world cup, they were taking on forwards twice their size and winning.
4. I occasionally watch American Football when it is on Sky Sports, and do not find the tackles that "big" as some of the americans are claiming. Like someone said, the big tackles shown in that rugby video don't happen all the time, and it is the same with American football. And whoever said that Rugby was senseless violence, why in AF does every player on the pitch need to be fighting over nothing? Rugby players fight FOR the ball, AF players just fight.
5. I fell it must also be said that Rugby does appear to be the "harder" man's game. Although the tackles aren't as violent they come thick and fast. Anyone see Wilko at the weekend? Fat lip, bleeding out of his mouth and still scored many drop goals and conversions. American player hurt? He's stretchered off to the expensive locker room with ice baths, hot baths multiple phsyios etc.
However, i don't thick there will ever be a straight game for comparison, as Rugby players have one thing instilled in them through years of training, AF players another.
QUOTE(Tony42077 @ Apr 27 2007, 01:09 AM)
So at what point did strength and techniques need to be perfected? It sounds like you've played one rugby too many. Are you just making this up as you go? So we're supposed to believe that U.S. football was created to quench the blood-thirsty urbanites and for commercials. American football was formed as a spin-off from rugby football. The reason why we wear helmets is to protect our teeth, which is something that most Euros aren't too worried about (have you seen their teeth).
Off-topic- Why don't Europeans take better care of their teeth? They must have some nasty smelling breath.
The NFL (or any top U.S. sport) doesn't have any advertising on their uniforms, while almost all professional rugby and soccer teams have advertising on their jerseys. Shameless
If these Euro-rugby players are such great athletes, then why aren't any of them playing in the NFL? A top NFL player's salary is more than double than that of a whole Pro-Rugby team. All of the best U.S. soccer players go to Europe when they want to get paid better, as the U.S. doesn't care enough about soccer to pay it's players top salries.
It seems to me that if these rugby players are so great, they would take one season off to play in the NFL. The money they would make in one season would be more than they make in an entire career of pro-rugby.
It seems to me that money talks and BS walks
i must ask you why the NFL players don't go and race in the formula 1 or play golf as they make far more then NFL players do.
back to the topic id love to see a American football game where they play with out pads vs rugby players and then a rugby game with pads i think it could be interesting
AMERICA IS #1 AT EVERYTHING AND ILL FRANTICALLY DEFNED IT AT THE SLIGHTEST FORM OF CRITICISM!!!
*because thats not ingrained nationalism or anything
*because thats not ingrained nationalism or anything
QUOTE(Hercules Q Einstein @ Feb 24 2005, 09:12 AM)
Its alot like Boxing vs UFC. The UFC (Rugby) might be harder to play, but Boxers (NFL Players) are in much better shape. They just have to be, due to the US being so big with money given to sports player. We pay more money and scount the world for the best athletes.
NFL players are sumos just look at how they have evolved from top athletes to a glorified obese men. There was an ESPN article by Thomas Hargrove titled "Heavy NFL players twice as likely to die before 50" which pointed out the dangers of obesity in the NFL. I guess its hard to blame the players since the rules encourage specialty positions.
Rugby on the other hand (especially rugby league) encourages a leaner, fitter and overall a more athletic player especially with the introduction of limited interchange and the play the ball speed etc. Speaking of boxing its no surprise that an ex league player is currently the WBA Super Middleweight world champion.
mundine v antwun echols
Mundine v Jose Alberto Clavero
Mundine wins against Danny Green
Another ex rugby league and St George Illawarra player trying to hit it big in the boxing world.
Solomon Haumono
Bouts: 14
KO: 14
Losses: 0
Drawn: 0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5enUTNr96yY&feature=related
From: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/stor...5001023,00.html
Haumono is a knockout
By Iain Payten
December 12, 2007 12:00am
SOLOMON Haumono would love to be refining his ringcraft, moving, weaving and conquering the battle of mind over fatigue deep into the rounds.
The main problem is his right hand. It keeps knocking blokes out.
Since returning to the ring in 2007 after a five-year absence, the former NRL enforcer has unleashed such ferocity he's dispatched five opponents in the space of seven rounds. In total.
As he attempts to continue his boxing education, Haumono has made such a habit of leaving opponents toes up on the canvas with the opening bell still reveberating that he has spent just sixteen minutes inside the ring this year.
On Monday night Seiaute Mailata became the latest victim of Haumono's devastating right, sent sprawling onto his back with a badly busted nose and a vista of stars.
"I was just fortunate,'' Haumono said yesterday. "I expected him to come forward and I was going to counter but he was a bit cautious. I got him once and then I seen his eyes. I knew he was in trouble.''
Had he been seeing one Haumono instead of three, Mailata might have realised too. The Samoan ended up like Haumono's 12 other professional foes but the scalp of the respected Mailata - who lost on points to former world title challenger Ed Mahone last month - may now serve to kickstart the world title hopes of the former NRL star.
Still ranked only third in the country, Haumono is now keen to fight for the Australian heavyweight title and despite the brevity of his ring time, trainer Johnny Lewis endorses the goal.
"Now is the time to take the shackles off him and let him go for it. There is a good side and a down side (to Haumono's knockout power),'' Lewis says. "Inevitably we are going to be taken to a position where we haven't been yet. But Sol is first and foremost an athlete. He'd handle the (12) rounds no worries.''
Critics have, also inevitably, called on the 32-year-old to start taking on bigger Aussie names like Bob Mirovic and Colin Wilson. Camp Haumono say they've struggled to pin down experienced foes this year, likely due to that right hand.
"But I am keen to step up. I would love to fight for an Australian title,'' Haumono asserts. "My father (Maile) was an Australian champion, and he's a hero to me.''
It's been a good year in the ring but a tough year for the deeply religious Haumono and his family, after his father was charged with a serious assault earlier this year.
"It's sad,'' Haumono says softly. "Dad is a lovely man, he's a humble man. He is not a thug, he is a gentleman.''
Lewis, who once watched Maile Haumono and Tony Mundine senior spar as sons Solomon and Anthony sat nearby in nappies, says Haumono's power reminds him of former world champ Jeff Harding.
"He is a wicked puncher, but he's also got a lovely left jab that'll stand him in good stead when he steps up a class,'' Lewis says.
An aborted association with Don King in 2003 could end seeing Haumono's handlers end up bringing international fighters to Australia, but like a true brawler, Haumono says it's anyone, anywhere.
"If (an Aussie title fight) doesn't arise, then I am not going to get stuck,'' he said. "I will go beyond that. If I'm ready to hit the international scene, then I'll hit it hard.''
World, you've been warned.
Solomon Haumono
Bouts: 14
KO: 14
Losses: 0
Drawn: 0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5enUTNr96yY&feature=related
From: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/stor...5001023,00.html
Haumono is a knockout
By Iain Payten
December 12, 2007 12:00am
SOLOMON Haumono would love to be refining his ringcraft, moving, weaving and conquering the battle of mind over fatigue deep into the rounds.
The main problem is his right hand. It keeps knocking blokes out.
Since returning to the ring in 2007 after a five-year absence, the former NRL enforcer has unleashed such ferocity he's dispatched five opponents in the space of seven rounds. In total.
As he attempts to continue his boxing education, Haumono has made such a habit of leaving opponents toes up on the canvas with the opening bell still reveberating that he has spent just sixteen minutes inside the ring this year.
On Monday night Seiaute Mailata became the latest victim of Haumono's devastating right, sent sprawling onto his back with a badly busted nose and a vista of stars.
"I was just fortunate,'' Haumono said yesterday. "I expected him to come forward and I was going to counter but he was a bit cautious. I got him once and then I seen his eyes. I knew he was in trouble.''
Had he been seeing one Haumono instead of three, Mailata might have realised too. The Samoan ended up like Haumono's 12 other professional foes but the scalp of the respected Mailata - who lost on points to former world title challenger Ed Mahone last month - may now serve to kickstart the world title hopes of the former NRL star.
Still ranked only third in the country, Haumono is now keen to fight for the Australian heavyweight title and despite the brevity of his ring time, trainer Johnny Lewis endorses the goal.
"Now is the time to take the shackles off him and let him go for it. There is a good side and a down side (to Haumono's knockout power),'' Lewis says. "Inevitably we are going to be taken to a position where we haven't been yet. But Sol is first and foremost an athlete. He'd handle the (12) rounds no worries.''
Critics have, also inevitably, called on the 32-year-old to start taking on bigger Aussie names like Bob Mirovic and Colin Wilson. Camp Haumono say they've struggled to pin down experienced foes this year, likely due to that right hand.
"But I am keen to step up. I would love to fight for an Australian title,'' Haumono asserts. "My father (Maile) was an Australian champion, and he's a hero to me.''
It's been a good year in the ring but a tough year for the deeply religious Haumono and his family, after his father was charged with a serious assault earlier this year.
"It's sad,'' Haumono says softly. "Dad is a lovely man, he's a humble man. He is not a thug, he is a gentleman.''
Lewis, who once watched Maile Haumono and Tony Mundine senior spar as sons Solomon and Anthony sat nearby in nappies, says Haumono's power reminds him of former world champ Jeff Harding.
"He is a wicked puncher, but he's also got a lovely left jab that'll stand him in good stead when he steps up a class,'' Lewis says.
An aborted association with Don King in 2003 could end seeing Haumono's handlers end up bringing international fighters to Australia, but like a true brawler, Haumono says it's anyone, anywhere.
"If (an Aussie title fight) doesn't arise, then I am not going to get stuck,'' he said. "I will go beyond that. If I'm ready to hit the international scene, then I'll hit it hard.''
World, you've been warned.
Whats that about NFL being tougher? And this is from an AFL player whose renowned for their kicks and leaps, not their big hits and crunching defense (like rugby league and rugby union). If those monster hit in NFL cant even hurt an AFL player, they've got no chance with the other two rugby codes.
NFL welcomes Rocca to the NFL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cerDBOd_zlg
Rocca returns the favor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYyOvoolACo
------------------------------------
From: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=181776
Rocca hoping to score big NFL deal
Having proved his toughness in a baptism of fire to American football, Saverio Rocca is banking on the sheer power of his right boot to land him an NFL contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 33-year-old made an encouraging start to his trial with the club when outkicking incumbent Dirk Johnson for distance as the Eagles gave their duelling punters a half game each in their 27-3 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday.
But Rocca also showed his steel by bouncing straight back from a brutal crash tackle when blindsided by 22-year-old outside linebacker Antwan Barnes after running upfield to help his team-mates defend a kick return.
Rocca, who will get his second chance to impress in Saturday's (AEST) pre-season game against Carolina, lost his helmet in the sickening hit but the former AFL big man said he had no problems getting straight back up.
"It didn't affect me at all actually," Rocca told Sydney radio 2KY.
"If you hit heads like that in AFL you get concussion and you're out for a little while, but it didn't affect me mentally at all.
"The only thing that did hurt a little bit was when I fell on my bum and hit the turf, it was pretty hard.
"I don't think I've ever been blindsided like that, it was an eye-opener but I'm just happy I came out of it pretty good.
"When I got over to the sidelines after I got the hit, all the guys were saying `welcome to the NFL' so it was a good welcome."
Rocca wanted to continue to impress with his long kicking, an area he thinks could give him in edge when the Eagles decide to hand either he or Johnson a contract for the upcoming season.
"They base their decision maybe on a half a dozen things and just being able to kick the ball further is one of them," said Rocca, who kicked a 65-year monster on debut and averaged 48.2 yards per kick to Johnson's 43.7.
"But hopefully it will be the most important one."
As for rugby league, several people got knocked out in round 1 and round 2, several more needed to get their face reconstructed because of big hits. Some bloke named Ben Ross wouldnt have remembered both game 1 and game 2, poor blocke got knocked out in both games.
Ben Ross gets knocked out (round 1) by Josh Perry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Ev8edUMU8
Brett White knocks out Ben Ross (round 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJW-qRs_RrQ...feature=related
NFL welcomes Rocca to the NFL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cerDBOd_zlg
Rocca returns the favor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYyOvoolACo
------------------------------------
From: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=181776
Rocca hoping to score big NFL deal
Having proved his toughness in a baptism of fire to American football, Saverio Rocca is banking on the sheer power of his right boot to land him an NFL contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 33-year-old made an encouraging start to his trial with the club when outkicking incumbent Dirk Johnson for distance as the Eagles gave their duelling punters a half game each in their 27-3 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday.
But Rocca also showed his steel by bouncing straight back from a brutal crash tackle when blindsided by 22-year-old outside linebacker Antwan Barnes after running upfield to help his team-mates defend a kick return.
Rocca, who will get his second chance to impress in Saturday's (AEST) pre-season game against Carolina, lost his helmet in the sickening hit but the former AFL big man said he had no problems getting straight back up.
"It didn't affect me at all actually," Rocca told Sydney radio 2KY.
"If you hit heads like that in AFL you get concussion and you're out for a little while, but it didn't affect me mentally at all.
"The only thing that did hurt a little bit was when I fell on my bum and hit the turf, it was pretty hard.
"I don't think I've ever been blindsided like that, it was an eye-opener but I'm just happy I came out of it pretty good.
"When I got over to the sidelines after I got the hit, all the guys were saying `welcome to the NFL' so it was a good welcome."
Rocca wanted to continue to impress with his long kicking, an area he thinks could give him in edge when the Eagles decide to hand either he or Johnson a contract for the upcoming season.
"They base their decision maybe on a half a dozen things and just being able to kick the ball further is one of them," said Rocca, who kicked a 65-year monster on debut and averaged 48.2 yards per kick to Johnson's 43.7.
"But hopefully it will be the most important one."
As for rugby league, several people got knocked out in round 1 and round 2, several more needed to get their face reconstructed because of big hits. Some bloke named Ben Ross wouldnt have remembered both game 1 and game 2, poor blocke got knocked out in both games.
Ben Ross gets knocked out (round 1) by Josh Perry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Ev8edUMU8
Brett White knocks out Ben Ross (round 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJW-qRs_RrQ...feature=related
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