How do you think a nfl running back would do in rugby?

Question

such as LT, Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, Lawrence Maroney, Reggie bush and Marion Barber.

How would you think they would perform in Rugby?

Answer 1

Good, but not as good as a rugby player turned American football. Their sheer sprinting speed, agility, and ability to find gaps in the opponent's line is key to being a wing. But as mentioned, their defense and not being used to no padding is what might hurt them initially. Point blank, rugby turned running back would do better initially over running back turned rugby.

Answer 2

a nfl running back will get the ball take it up realise there is no one out there to block defenders for him realise he is not wearing  any body armour or helmet  he would drop the ball scream for a time out  just before jerry collins monsters him  haha american footbal is a joke

Answer 3

Might feel very lost at start (or throughout if they fail to adopt) without their "cover" and having to "pass" the ball around. Will need to have some kicking ability and of course the "tackling".

Certainly not the type you fall one on top of the other.

Going to be a serious culture shock.

Answer 4

I think they would do great! but there way of thinking how to play rugby would be different to a person who played rugby all there life. so they would be just your average player who does big hits. But in saying that they would make O for ORSOME league players....

Answer 5

Given the fact they dont know how to tackle with NFL players only knowing offense or defence they would be hopeless. They might score a try or two but they would let more than their fair share through

Answer 6

There is absolutely no way to tell.  Switching from American Football to Rugby is the same as switching from American Football to Tennis, they are completely different sports.  Yes they have similarities but history is littered with very successful players that have switched from League to Union, Union to League and been abismal failures in a sport that is extremely similar.

If you took a current NFL player and switched him to Rugby right now, then I think they would be a club player at best.  Take that same player and put him into Rugby as a 5 year old and I think you have a top class international player.  NFL players are extremely gifted athletes but the years of experience that current Rugby internationals have received in their lifetime cannot be made up by any amount of physical prowess.

Oh hey, you forgot Ricky Williams in your list of RB's... he could probably play if they relaxed the drug testing laws! lol  Maybe he could represent Jamaica and claim it is a Rastafarian religious thing maaaaan.

Answer 7

It would take a few years to adapt and they could never play at the top level due to their lack of knowledge and background of Rugby.

They'd probably play flanker like George Smith, Phil Waugh or Richie McCaw.

Answer 8

Sleepy Beast, WTF are you talking about?  The USA have NEVER had one of the best rugby teams in the world.  They are the current Olympic gold medal holders cos the game was only ever played there once.  If you do some research for yourself, try and find what other countries were represented at that Olympics when the States won and see how big they are on the World stage now.  

Simply, the NFL players would struggle immensely.  No padding.  Get one of them to run at Jerry Collins without there armour and see how many more times they would want to do it.  They also wouldn't last the full 80 minutes.

Answer 9

One of the key in playing Rugby in which can continue at some length of time, is the transition of playing offense to defence and vice versa.

I would have to agree with the most of the answers of having to learn more about the game before playing at an elite level.

It is possible, but there are a number of adjustments that would have to be made, for example:

Criado de Maria  has said, ‘Any player in the NFL is generally a fantastic athlete, and running backs, with their dynamic combination of speed, strength, and an eye for the gap, have more transferable skills than most.’

This is correct, but the adjustments I believe would be of not having blockers to cerate the gaps for them and the style of run would also need to change as Rugby players run a lot higher in height than NFL players, for the need of looking for support.

NFL players run lower for reasons of getting their head knocked off while running through a gap and because it’s their job, there is not the need to pass.

So, yes it is possible and I believe they would do very well, and let not forget, if you look back in history, USA used to have one of the best Rugby teams in the Olympics

And what is up with the Pads? Man... Have any of you tried wearing them?

Try wearing them, because I Guarantee you'll still get your *** wipped with it or without pads on.

Answer 10

I think they would do great. Incredibly quick and great at tackling and great awareness

Answer 11

Any player in the NFL is generally a fantastic athlete, and running backs, with their dynamic combination of speed, strength, and an eye for the gap, have more transferable skills than most.

The main issue for ex-footballers wanting to play rugby is moving from a game where there is a very short period of high intensity work followed by a large rest period to a game where there is more medium intensity work  - the stamina and fitness required are very different.

That is not to say that players can't adapt - plenty can, and do, and it is a strategy of US and Canadian rugby sides to recruit ex-footballers who do not quite make the grade and would otherwise move away from sport.

Likewise, American football teams in the UK often recruit players from a rugby background. Rugby and American Football share a common heritage and, while the games appear very different now, transfer between the two remains possible.

Answer 12

There is a saying, '' practice makes perfect'' so, with a bit of that and the fact that a running back, I presume already has

That atheletic ability to run with the ball and beat a man I would think that he would do very well. I have watched the Nfl

on Tv and its interesting, I can mow the lawns, go down town shopping and come home and the games still going!!

especially all the ads it makes for a loooong game??

Answer 13

They could be good until tackled, and realizing they did not have armour, they would burst into tears and weep.

Answer 14

They would instantly be very good, but not the best.  Give them a few years practice and some would become elite players.

Answer 15

They would have to be completely retrained. Running backs rely of short anaerobic bursts of energy, as opposed to aerobic conditioning. Like cars, A car that has a fast 0-60 time won't have the best gas mileage. In order to train a running back aerobically, you would have to sacrifice the power running that made him an effective RB. At the end of the day, if he knew the game, and had the proper conditioning, He would make a good rugby player, but I don't think he would be a world beater.