BRITISH RUGBY ANALYST PREDICTS IF LRZ WILL MAKE THE CHIEFS FINAL ROSTER!

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

I’m a Yank. Watched NFL since late 1970’s yet about 10 years it got boring. I watch only League and Union since. It’s incredible that he’s transitioned like he has. He’s going to struggle mightily in NFL. He just has no experience. It would take him years to pick this up at an effective level. I wish him the best.

[@chuckHart70]

Great recap. And I will say Andy Ried is a master of finding talent. Maybe he sees what most don't. I have a good feeling about LRZ myself but they haven called for my opinion. Also Rugby in US is growing here in Missouri where the chiefs play it is the fastest growing high school sport. So this is good for Rugby too.

[@johnhearn5644]

I think the main difference LRZ is going to find, and is already finding, is the lack of space available to work in. For a start, NFL pitches are narrower. But more importantly, in the NFL, as soon as a player is in possession of the ball, every player on the defending team locks onto them like a homing missile. In rugby; defenders tend to stay in their channel, marking their opposite number, and often have to trust the players on their inside or outside to tackle the ball carrier; whilst they stay marking their man, in case the ball carrier passes the ball. However, offlloads/passes are virtually unheard of in the NFL. And because of this, "all" defenders try and get to and stop the ball carrier. They don't have to think about him passing before he's tackled, or during contact. It's very different to rugby. Also, in Rugby, backs instinctively tend to aim for open space; whereas in the NFL, ball carriers will look for blockers to create the space. All very different.

[@jonathanhurd1565]

I think he will get in the practice squad. My worry is he does not appear to have great acceleration from a standing start compared to some of the other players.

[@darrenwoodcock5727]

He ligtning quick fool

[@RobertBunyar]

He needs to put on some muscle as well

[@lukebarton5075]

@darren Acceleration and speed are different things ya plum!

[@chrisjohnson4808]

I’m a life long Chiefs fan and we’re all very excited for LRZ he’s definitely raw. He works on his vision and seeing holes open as running back and his footwork and blocking. It’s a lot but if we can stash him on the practice squad and he gets a year of experience and learning the game he could be pretty nasty for us. I also like hearing the terminology and how you translate certain terms like pitch in American football.

[@toogyman]

I think it’s practice squad based on what he’s shown so far Needed a moment but not seen one yet , in comparison Jarryd Hayne who did make an active 53 did have a spectacular preseason. As others have said he’s looked a little stiff in his footwork and change of direction . I don’t think that’s a physical issue though A lot might depend on how precious the chiefs are going to be with their kicker and whether he is going to be protected squad wise from taking kick offs

[@GBUKENG]

I've only been watching the NFL for a short time compared to many. I live in the UK and I've been following the Chiefs for about 8 years or so. I hope that LRZ makes the squad but I do understand that the transition is going to be hard.

[@nickmoran3236]

It’s really a question of who Reid would leave out to fit LRZ in. In that light it’s pretty unlikely. That being said the Chiefs have done quite a bit to set him up for success by showcasing his versatility across multiple roles - he has covered his duties well at kicking, gunner, punt returner; setting the foundation for RB/WR in due course.

[@chuckHart70]

From Kansas City. Everyone is pulling for him but it's going to be tough. It would be really no different than an American football player going to rugby and there's some that can and probably have played rugby but at that level and with people that have been doing it for that long it's very difficult. He's got the athletic skills certainly is Tough Enough from playing rugby but the sports are totally different. The best analogy I can make that I think would make sense is if you play tennis and then you switch the table tennis. Yes you have some motor skills etcetera quickness and speed have decent racket skills... but they're not the same sport.

[@nojosm]

Good luck to LRZ 🤞

[@BullMoose1858]

Honestly, since he isn't really good at accelerating through his hole as a RB yet, he should be used as a slot receiver; get him the ball in space, the dude is every bit an elite athlete as everyone else on the field

[@MrFubber]

I think it's more likely that he will spend another year in the practice squad and learning the game and there is every chance he could crack it in time. It's unrealistic to think that he is going to be able to transition in such a short space of time but he clearly has a great attitude and determination to get there.

[@cameronbarker1473]

LRZ has only got the ball 4 times. He doesn't seem to be getting much of a chance. Carson Steel is playing with Patrick Mahomes and seems to be on a hype train at the moment.

[@cjboyer4355]

Yea he’s not getting many chances because he’s just not good enough at least not yet.

[@davidrobertthomas1515]

I’m not a fan of American football. But as a Welshman I’m very proud of LRZ’s achievments in his new sport. I wonder if Martin Johnson would have made it in American football?Thinking about it it was a good job that Martin Johnson hadn’t gone to the NFL as he would have caused a bigger stir than a certain Boston Tea Party. No doubt the ‘Special Relationship’ between Britain and America could easily have gone tits up. Fuck the bilateral agreement! Lol

[@Canvashed]

He left Wales because their crap and seen the writing on the wall. Don't blame him

[@Camcolito]

If I were Welsh I would be very pissed with LRZ for abandoning the team.

[@MooseUK]

What achievements?

[@mediocremike5986]

Thanks. A very honest assessment. I don’t think LRZ will make the roster. He just hasn’t had enough time to adjust. There is just too much experienced competition. Louis looks a bit hesitant. If you watch the Netflix series Receiver you can see the physical commitment they have to put in. They are 100% committed to a tackle and just hope they don’t get injured. LRZ nearly had a chance to shine in pre-season two. He was wide open but the QB got sacked. If he’d made the catch he would have been off to the races. Btw I’m a UK NFL fan since late 70s. Dan Marino was my hero.

[@michaelsmith4804]

in the eighties i was a junior rugby player for a good team the London area a try scoring no'8 Middlesex u21(fast but not LRZ fast} and as a fan of channel 4s coverage of football I was part of the explosion of American football players I was nicknamed RB in the first training sessions on Parliament hill , scored 13 tds that season couldn't make preseason the next year switched to Heathrow jets played line backer then d/end kicked off the first game i ever played in , punt return kick off return and stood by coaches during match in case needed somebody quickly . word of advice for LRZ ignore all the advice from armchair critics English and American trust yourself , trust your blockers , buy your coaches beer and never lend money to punters!!

[@troysapp9668]

Hopefully, he can make a big play this week, and Andy will keep him. I think the kicking changes it definitely helps his chances. I'm not a rugby fan, but I love the kids' drive and work ethic.

[@brotherpaulv]

KC is committed to building their international fan base, and LRZ is bringing a lot of attention from the rugby world. So I think they're going to be more patient with him then they would other players. He probably won't make the 53 man roster this season, but he should make the practice squad.

[@mattdoliver1984]

I'm from England and I think another year training would serve him well, I'd love to see LRZ make the Rosta but don't see how they could make that call just from him having 3 games under his belt

[@benmoss2732]

The new NFL kickoff rule was trialed in another league and 25-40% of tackles involved the kicker. Most NFL kickers won't have needed to tackle in their career so that's a big injury risk a lot of teams won't want to take. Another common skill in rugby, particularly in the back 3 is pursuit angles and closing down space, which matches very closely to kick coverage in the NFL so lrz will have spent far more time as part of his rugby career doing that than many NFL players who have focused on other elements of their game. The two things he clearly struggles with are that while he is fast he is not quick and that twitchy explosive movement is important, particularly for the running back position. He's gained a stone in weight but there's still more body composition changes I expect he'll need. That will take time but I imagine he can do it. The other issue is in rugby, especially on the wing, you start plays already running and able to see space or running lines develop from distance. He'll need to learn to process that from a standing start in less than five meters. That is a very different mental skill and only time will tell if he can pick that up or not. Although NFL teams seem to keep trying rugby players as running backs I'm not sure it's actually the best position to switch to due to that mental processing change.

[@GrantKanaar]

I think they have the wrong rugby guys trying out for running back but it's all they have because the guys who could potentially feature there better than wings aren't switching sports. I'm thinking of crash ball carrying inside centre, possibly shorter explosive loose forwards. LRZ is quite tall at 6'3" - from what I gather the best running backs over the years ( Barry Sanders for example) are much shorter. Barry was only 5'8" built like a rhino and could run over and through people if need be but had this amazing first few steps acceleration and power and ability to change direction at speed multiple times even within a few yards - he used to swivel and juke and twist out of tackles and had a low centre of gravity running style. The chiefs current 1st choice running back is Pachecho who is also short - 5'9" or 5'10". I don't think LRZ showed enough athleticism in his NFL combine drills tests to play wide receiver wven though this was his choice all along. He came last out of all 39 wide receivers in the 2 jumping tests and came tied 15th out of 39 for the 40 yard dash. They gave him a relative athletic score of 4.7 out of 10. I feel sorry for LRZ because he doesn't seem to have gotten many reps at training camp or in the 2 games so far - and they basically speak a different language with all the playbook set moves and codes - he could be good on special teams only- kicking duties included - but trying to find his best position will be hard and there isn't really time to teach him from scratch at this level. I just don't think the NFL is the place to try learn football from scratch and there is too much competition for places. If you haven't already done so go check out some of Barry Sanders highlights on KZbin. He was sensational at running back.

[@dajay2k]

Great take. The explosivness needed in the NFL is markedly different from rugby. Respect brother!

[@1HappyBob]

Good points. I think he would be more effective as a special teams guy - returner, gunner and at kick offs. Prob better as a WR in time as he can drop people if he has a rolling start.

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

​@@GrantKanaarHis RAS was 4.09. Lacks explosiveness, agility & strength.

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

That's a good breakdown. Thanks. His only chance is special teams. If he can excel on coverage, return kicks & punts AND take kickoffs so Butker can stay off the field then there might be a spot at some point. He hasn't shown nearly enough yet & if he does the same in the last preseason game it's practice squad at best.

[@davidbeckett1565]

I always thought his best chance of making the roster was as a gunner and punt/kick-off returner, someone who would be a core special teams player. That would be the way onto the roster with some potential as a gadget player on offense, a running back/scat back with some receiving skills for screen plays. However, as you say, in terms of NFL speed, LRZ isn't that quick, certainly not when compared to rugby players, , blocking for run plays is completely new to him, and he doesn't have the years of experience of the other competitors for the roster spot who have been playing (American) football since before high school, perhaps since they were at elementary school. It's a tough ask and I wish him well in whatever sport he plays.

[@ricmorris9758]

As it stands... His achillies heal appears to be blocking. He won't get an RB slot because of that. The transferable skill, drift defence. Whether he gets kick and punt return snaps and what he makes of them will decide it.

[@mattsoutherden]

Definitely. That was one of the main reasons Wade didn't make the roster for the Bills. But with Andy Reid, he's always looking for that little something different so as mentioned maybe he has the chance to make the cut for his versatility on special teams. That would potentially open the door for occasional plays on offence while he continues to learn.

[@billybill8121]

I think he for sure makes the practice squad with a chance to get called up to the 53 man roster later this year. Kick coverage and returns will be his way to the team and he just needs time to adapt his skills to the NFL game. It's not all bad because practice squad players make $12,500 per week over an 18 week season. Basically he can continue training and practicing with the team but he can't get it in the games unless he's part of the 53 man main roster.

[@clemfandango619]

Will you be discussing Travis Clayton's NFL adventure? I don't think he's played any pre-season games, but he was drafted.

[@GrantKanaar]

There were several players from the IPP recruited to various teams this year but in typical fashion everyone ignores them all and only focuses on LRZ and his journey. Charlie Smythe the Irish kicker has a better chance than everyone to get onto a 53 man roster and has done well so far including scoring the winning kick in his 1st game for New Orleans. Haven't heard anything about Travis so far or the other guys just LRZ.

[@WalesTheTrueBritons]

It doesn't really matter if he doesn't make the roster as he will still be on the practice squad seeing how he signed a 3 year contract. Being on the PS means he can feature upto three times In the regular season

[@garyyoung3179]

More games if he subsequently gets added to the main roster.

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

3yr contract only applies if you make the roster.

[@williamb4652]

@@WalesTheTrueBritons I don’t think his 3 year contract means much. I think he could be cut any time.

[@MooseUK]

His contract isn't a guarantee. It only applies if he makes the team. If he doesn't, the contract terminates

[@1HappyBob]

He didn’t miss that tackle - watch closely and you’ll see he caught the ankle and the guy fell. Appreciate this type of video 👍 I think the ‘chaser’ is called a gunner.

[@WantedKi1ler]

If he plays this Thursday he needs to do everything he can to be/look explosive or he will be heading to the practice squad. Dont play it safe cuz we need to see that rugby guy blowing through players

[@neill392]

His position is protected. As a pathway player he has a secure place they can't give to anyone else. He can also play in a number of games, I think 3, without being transferred to the active roster.

[@SubLime88]

They gave their international player spot to another player. So that does not apply to LRZ

[@loganleroy8622]

@@neill392 he isn’t protected though, he’s not the international player.

[@toogyman]

There’s a chance he could be claimed by other teams off waivers before the Chiefs could sign him to their 16 man practice squad . He won’t be able to take part in games unless he’s activated , A lot might depend on his patience if it’s the practice squad KC want to put him but another team offers him an active spot Doubt that will happen so I do think he’s headed for their practice squad ( iPP slot gives a team an extra practice squad spot but if that’s already taken then it’s counted against the 16 )

[@GrantKanaar]

He is not their IPP player - someone else has it. LRZ signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. A 3 year contract means nothing. They can still end it at a moments notice - it just means they have 2 pay him out if they cut him from the team.

[@garethrhyscollins8890]

I was under the impression that they had an extra roster space for graduates of the IPP, essentially a free spot, so why wouldn't they just include him? Or have I got that wrong?

[@benmoss2732]

@@garethrhyscollins8890 They do but I believe the Chiefs have used that slot on another player already

[@toogyman]

A team signing an IPP player is given an extra spot on the practice squad ( 17th ) this extra spot is only reserved for IPP There is no extra or protected spot on the active 53 roster I don’t think he was signed as a IPP so if he does end up on the practice squad it would count against the standard 16 spots

[@Carlkase]

@@garethrhyscollins8890 They do but ig they are using the slot on a different player on the team that’s from overseas

[@scollyb]

He's not making the Chiefs rooster this year. If he had a chance he'd be playing much more in the preseason games. He needs more game time There's a small chance another team will pick him in waivers and they'd have to put him on their 53. Most likely practice squad though. Chiefs have Justin Reid a safety who can tackle so he'd take that role Don't read too much into missing the tackles on the chase. All the other players were doing the same. Arguably he was more disruptive than they were staying on his feet longer and forcing the returner to try and go around him

[@kingkongsson1]

I agree but he did tap tackle him , a kc American channel said he missed but actually looked again properly n he did say lrz got him . Thing is as u said its no big deal as I see a fair few missed tackles in nfl anyway.

[@coolcat9327]

I see him making the practice squad which doesn’t mean he he will not be able to play this year. Should someone get injured and put on injured researve he could be promoted for a game or two. I would like to see him work out as a punter and kick off specialist. I’m from Chiefs country and the fans love him but he needs more work. There are some safety issues putting an inexperienced player on the field with 300+ pound monsters trying to kill him.

[@robmcrob2091]

He's strong as a kicker and as a gunner. He's potentially strong as a returner. I think hes more of a wide receiver than a running back.

[@GrantKanaar]

They weren't impressed with his jumping ability and 40 yar d dash time to be WR. He came last out of all the WR tryouts at the combine in the jump tests and came tied 15th out of 39 in the 40 yard dash. His overall relative athletic score was poor at 4.7/ 10. Learning WR running routes is harder than RB. He is not physical enough for RB. Go watch Barry Sanders highlights on youtube- he was the best running back in the game - possibly of all time - he was quite short only 5'8" - LRZ is 2 tall at 6'3".

[@robmcrob2091]

If an NFL team needs a player they just pick one up out of the huge college football conveyor belt. Consequently there is no development pathway in the NFL - no teams have academies, there is no meaningful 2nd division. This means it's practically impossible for a rugby player to get the hours of gametime needed at a high level to transition and there is no incentive for NFL teams to invest in them.

[@GrantKanaar]

I'm assuming you've heard of Jordan Mailata? Aussie rugby league player, currently with philadelphia eagles on a massive $100 million contract. He was part of the international player pathway program in 2018. Some rugby guys do make it big. Very few of course. Most get to practice squad then leave. Alex Gray, former England under 20 captain, played England men's 7's and premiership rugby. Spent 2 or 3 years with Atlanta Falcons in 2017 - 2020 as a tight end, played pre season games but then stayed on practice squad. Injuries followed then covid pandemic so he returned to rugby in UK. He now has a job in TV in Gladiators as the gladiator Apollo. And everyone knows about Christian Wade - former England winger - 3 years on buffalo bills practice squad before returning to rugby - ironically he is now with Gloucester - the same club LRZ left.

[@cjboyer4355]

As someone who is rooting for him hard and can see all the work he’s put in..he ain’t gonna make it. The sport just looks unnatural to him. We will keep him on the practice squad for a year then maybe next year he can make it as a special teams guy but I don’t ever see him playing meaningful snaps for us on offense

[@bobg1069]

He needs to do a year on the Practice Squad, then he has a long term chance, The depth chart is too deep for him to make this year and, to be frank, it would not be sensible or fair to those ahead of him, or indeed to him. Big Red is not at all emotional about his final squad.

[@brentpope100]

If you watch the Hard Knocks series then a lot of great players miss the roster. its very cut throat. Yes he has great marketability potential re looks and story, but coaches will not look at that, but the boss may? Hes done a great job already and is a very humble and likable guy, but i think he makes the practice roster at best, but may well be picked up by some other franchise. Like you would love to see him make it, but does need more experience i guess.

[@MooseUK]

So his only worthwhile skill is good looks!

[@donm1979]

He doesn't have great initial acceleration (first 5-10 yards) and so looks slow on the field. Will never make it as an RB unless he can turn on the jets more quickly.

[@josephdoyle6271]

Special Teams is really the only place he could make an impact. Wide Receiver is too specialized, Running Back also doesn't look like a good fit - he's not bursty enough. Full Back or Tight End maybe..

[@F6blue]

Not sure he'll make it based on what I have seen.

[@aquato33]

Yeah your terminology off the bat is wrong, he's Welsh. England is also trying to take credit for Irish players, Scottish and Welsh

[@jamesm9995]

After last night, definitely out

[@XGlocktaviusXTheXthird]

As a brit its been strange af seeing the amount of fan fare around this guy he demonstrates no discernible traits to do anything for the chiefs at any spot outside of gunner on special teams. He doesn't display the short area burst to be at RB or demonstrate any route running ability to play slot and doesn't demonstrate toughness , body control, he's light in the ass, slow and inexperienced he needs about 4 years in the CFL or overseas and even then as a prospect; Platzgummer was better Hayne was better and Wade was better none of those guys saw any regular season reps and its been poor by the media using his name for engagement and then not even being honest about him as a prospect, realistically how much athletic/skill development can you expect from a guy at 24 years old vs just getting literally an American FA from D1 / D2 whos been playing all his life ....this shit been weird AF to me

[@GrantKanaar]

It's become like a reality TV show regarding him. Who is 2 blame? LRZ himself for choosing the hardest NFL team to make or his agent ( kim Miale from Roc Nation) in fairness I think the NFL who set up the IPP program for international athletes trying to make an NFL team. They have said every NFL team can now have 1 extra player added to their practice squad making practice squad numbers 17 not 16 but only if that 17th player is an international pathway player. I think there were only 4 or 5 on the IPP program who got signed to an NFL team this year and we are only hearing about LRZ not the others. If anything Charlie Smyth the Irish kicker who went to New Orleans Saints is probably the only one who will make an active roster.

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

Hayne made the 49ers roster and played in 8 games. He rushed, received & returned punts. His problem was fumbling\muffing punts.

[@MooseUK]

Another Brit here, who absolutely agrees with this comment.

[@Camcolito]

I just wish rugby channels would stfu about him.

[@Wheres_My_Sports_At]

I don't mean to be Debbie downer but I can't see a back transitioning to the NFL, there is just too much for them to learn in a short period of time.

[@RobertBunyar]

Practice Squad

[@nicolebell6686]

I think if LRZ doesn’t make the Chiefs Team it will totally be a missed opportunity!!!

[@MooseUK]

Based on what?

[@queasybeetle]

He will probably be dropped.

[@MooseUK]

Can't believe the Chiefs would even waste a Practice Squad place. Marketabilty is totally irrelevant.

[@mattm7426]

@@MooseUK why is it irrelevant

[@buzzbartholomew3714]

They get an extra practice squad place for an IPP player so they're not wasting anything.

[@sage6336]

Dont give a f

[@Camcolito]

Not interested in American Football.

[@MoonHoax-md6mp]

Frankly I dont give a damn!

[@yasmin6061]

Then why’d you click? 😂

[@Camcolito]

Same.

[@1HappyBob]

My dear!

[@MoonHoax-md6mp]

@@1HappyBob 👍 Casablanca is no longer PC and is definitely not Woke! 😂