Australian Rugby Superstar Jarryd Hayne has quit the Parramatta Eels to join NFL next season

The Australian International rugby superstar Jarryd Hayne has quit the National Rugby League (NRL/ RLFC) and his team, the Parramatta Eels, in order to pursue a spot on one of the 32 NFL teams next season. Jarryd Hayne believes he has what it takes to make a formidable punt or kickoff returner and is hopeful for his upcoming NFL debut following the 2014-2015 season. NRL's Jarryd Hayne is a superstar in his own right; he received the NRL's highest award for individual performance this year, the Dally M Medal, for the second time in his career.

In fact, NFL eyes have already been on Hayne. Namely, Reggie Bush who had made favorable statements while commentating on Fox Sports Australia about the 26 years old phenom. Bush commented that Hayne could play in the NFL immediately if he ever decided to switch sports. Indeed, Bush further remarked on the physicality and explosiveness of Hayne:

"He actually looks like an NFL running back. Looks like he could come play with us tomorrow...He's fast, strong and ... wow! Look at that hit. That's an NFL football hit. I like this guy."

Hayne will not be without his fair share of competition and adversity. Statistically speaking, few have made the successful transition from Australian Rugby to the National Football League. Jesse Williams, Defensive Tackle for the Seattle Seahawks (currently on the IR), is one of the few Australian natives to make a name for himself in the NFL. However, Williams also played great smash mouth ball at college football juggernaut program, University of Alabama, and is more in tune to nuances and competitiveness of NFL play. Another Australian rugby hopeful in 2006, Willie Mason, tried out for the New York Jets to no avail. Many other notable Australian rugby players who have made the successful transition are punters in the NFL.

Nevertheless, Hayne, a 6'2" 220 pound speedster, is confident that the time is appropriate to test the waters of the NFL. To play in the NFL is one of Hayne's highest aspirations. Hayne passed up a very respectable large sum contract with the NRL's Parramatta Eels to test his abilities and fulfill his NFL dreams. Hayne's agent, Wayne Beavis, stated that Hayne's speed and power and toughness (Rugby players battle on the field with no pads and no helmets) is the perfect match for a successful NFL showing. While it will most definitely be an uphill battle for the Rugby superstar, Hayne's has the right mindset and optimism about the possibly risky transition:

"I'm so passionate about the challenge that lies ahead for me, not only as an athlete but more so as a person...It's the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. I'm leaving my teammates, friends, and most importantly my family; but for me to grow as an athlete and a person I feel this is the right step to take."

Indubitably, Jarryd Hayne and his journey into the NFL will not be without speculation and curiosity regarding what Hayne could bring to the table. For many NFL teams in need a special teams roster boost, Jarryd Hayne with his notably impressive acceleration, moxie and strength, very well could make a revitalizing addition to any NFL roster following this season. Publicity aside, Hayne could be the first great NRL showstopper to create serious waves on the grid iron in pro football.

References:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11703333/aussie-star-jarryd-hayne-ditches-rugby-chase-nfl-dream

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/10/15/hayne_announces_move_to_us.html

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Jarryd Hayne: NapaRazzi

ESPN Seattle Seahawks reporter Terry Blount on Seahawks win over the Washington Redskins thanks to Russell Wilson's Monday Night Football record breaking game

ESPN Seattle Seahawks reporter Terry Blount was critical on Seahawks play yesterday on Monday Night Football. While Seattle Seahawks would defeat the Washington Redskins 27-17. Nevertheless, Terry Blount was not overly impressed with how the Seahawks played with the grand exception of Seahawks superstar QB Russell Wilson, whom Blount is calling the resident magician of Seattle. Terry Blount states that although the Seahawks edged out a ten point victory, the actual score should have been more like 47-17.

The general consensus of those who watched the game would be to agree with Blount on that sentiment. Blount makes a strong case that the reason the Seahawks won at all is because of Russell Wilson's play on Monday. The report goes on to mention that the offensive line for the Seahawks was dreadful and the numbers agree with Blount. The Seattle O-line looked discombobulated. They missed blocks anyone as an OT (Offensive Tackle) in the NFL could handle. Additionally, the O-line accrued a dreadful amount of penalties during the game. For example, Wilson would hit up his star receiver Percy Harvin (WR) three times for touchdowns only to find a flag on the field each time and an O-lineman guilty of the penalty. In fact, the O-line had three false starts, three holds and one personal foul. Altogether, the Seahawks would total 90 yards on 13 penalties. In contrast, while Seattle had a shaky offense, their defense had an equally impressive showing as Wilson.  Despite a haphazard performance from the rest of the offense, Wilson had a career game indeed. Russell Wilson would throw for 201 yards, completing 18 of 24 throws for two touchdowns and a near impeccable 127.1 QB rating which is a very effective showing through the air. Those numbers, with possibly the exception of only recording 200+ yards, is a near perfect game for any QB. Yet despite a very strong showing by Wilson, the Seahawks nearly lost the game.

The saving grace and game-changer in this electric MNF game was Russell Wilson's legs. Wilson would record over 100 rushing yards as a QB, which is now officially the best recorded rushing performance of any QB to play a Monday night game. Now the other reason Wilson had a great rushing performance is that (inexplicably) the Washington Redskins played man to man coverage nearly the entire game. Many were critical of the defensive play-calling for the Redskins. Those who watched the game would tend to agree. Wilson would eat alive the man coverage (consistently), allowing Wide-outs to clear a nice running lane for Wilson to blow right by Redskin defenders. Even when it looked like Wilson was absolutely dead to rights, he would make the right moves. On one particular third and four, Wilson was bottled up in the backfield but calmly allowed Redskins to converge on him, only for the savvy Seatlle QB to make an excellent lob/ dump pass to Marshawn Lynch for a game-changing 30 yard gain. As Terry Blount accurately summarized, Wilson was making all the right calls and moves even when his team was making very stupid mistakes (that should have cost Seattle the game). Those in Seattle have high praise for their second year superstar QB after the Monday Night Football showing, praise that Russell Wilson not only earned from his stellar play but high praise that he well deserves for keeping Seattle tied (both Seahawks and Cardinals are 3-1)for dominance of the NFC West division.


References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/9064/wilson-works-his-wizardry-again

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/96753/stats-to-know-seahawks-27-redskins-17

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Russell Wilson photos: Kieth Allison