choon328 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Randy Lange NYJETS.COM CONTRIBUTOR The Jets are one of four NFL teams that will carry an overseas player as an 11th practice squad player in 2019 as part of an expansion of the International Player Pathway program. The Jets' overseas player is Valentine Holmes, 23, a former professional from Australia's National Rugby League. Holmes (6'1", 200), listed as a running back/wide receiver/kick returner, was notified he will be joining the Green & White when he received a call from general manager Mike Maccagnan this evening. Holmes signed his first rugby contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at 17 and made his professional debut with the club as a winger and fullback at 19. He represented Australia in the 2017 Rugby World Cup, scoring five tries (touchdowns) in the quarterfinals and then six tries in the semis. Holmes will start out with a couple of Jets connections. For the past three months, he's been training alongside NFL players and draft hopefuls in Florida under the supervision of the NFL’s Will Bryce along with IMG Academy coaches that include former Jets RB/KR Leon Washington and former Jets LBs coach Jim Herrmann. And Holmes will be added to the offseason roster that includes a fellow Aussie, fourth-year punter Lachlan Edwards. Other international players who've recently made it to the Jets' regular-season roster include Australian punter Ben Graham from 2005-08 and TE Hayden Smith, an English professional rugby union player, in 2012. All four teams participating in this year's program are from the AFC East, which was chosen to receive these players in a random draw. The International Player Pathway Program was instituted in 2017 and aims to provide international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. The four AFC East teams will carry these overseas players on their rosters through the end of training camp. At that time, the players will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption, granting the teams an 11th practice-squad member who will be ineligible to be activated during the 2019 season. The three other international players in this year's program are former England national rugby player Christian Wade, who will play with the Bills; Durval Neto, who played DT for four seasons of American football in Brazil and will join the Dolphins; and Jakob Johnson, a former University of Tennessee TE and German Football League player who will become a Patriot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Great name! Good luck Valentine! 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyjbuddy Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Was just reading about this guy this morning (random coincidence). https://joluu.com/australia/nfl-news-valentine-holmes-pro-day-results-international-player-path-program/ 40: 4.45 bench: 20 3-cone: 6.7 or 6.8 broad: 9'10" vert: 35.5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYJ1 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Let's hope he's a sneaky, great ST addition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post A Jet from Oz Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 As an Aussie who has watched Valentine tear up my favourite Rugby League team, it’s nice to see him on my side for once. Dunno if he’ll work out, but glad to see him get the chance. 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Surely you jest holmes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post T0mShane Posted April 8, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 8, 2019 Equipment guy: You look familiar! ”Valentine” Holmes: OY MATE WHATTYA MEAN EH YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH US AUSTRIANS EH WOT EG: No, I’m just saying you look a lot like Santonio Holmes, and I thought you were from “Australia,” not “Austria” ”V”H: OY MAN FECK OFF EH. BY THE BY WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY PAYCHEQUE EH I’VE GOTTA PAY MY T-MOBILE BILL. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I’m not sure why he’d leave rugby at the top of his game to be a nobody in the NFL but he’s a good rugger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROOKLYN JET Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 35 minutes ago, The Crusher said: Great name! Good luck Valentine! Clarence Beeks had a good report on this guy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunnie Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I’m not sure why he’d leave rugby at the top of his game to be a nobody in the NFL but he’s a good rugger. That guy had more hi-lights than the entire Jets team from the last decade.Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choon328 Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 This guy is going to be interesting to watch in camp. He has the shiftiness and speed of a RB and he knows how to catch. Let's see how he does with pads on. I'm rooting for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 57 minutes ago, nyjbuddy said: Was just reading about this guy this morning (random coincidence). https://joluu.com/australia/nfl-news-valentine-holmes-pro-day-results-international-player-path-program/ 40: 4.45 bench: 20 3-cone: 6.7 or 6.8 broad: 9'10" vert: 35.5 I mean, if those numbers are accurate at 6’1, 200 lbs, that’s a third round athlete. I wonder why they waste these rugby guys on offense, though. You’d think the conversion to safety or LB would be easier for them and they’d find more reps for them in practices. It’s impossible to learn the receiver position on the fly because it ****s with the QB when you run a bad pattern. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupz27 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 29 minutes ago, T0mShane said: I mean, if those numbers are accurate at 6’1, 200 lbs, that’s a third round athlete. I wonder why they waste these rugby guys on offense, though. You’d think the conversion to safety or LB would be easier for them and they’d find more reps for them in practices. It’s impossible to learn the receiver position on the fly because it ****s with the QB when you run a bad pattern. It does list RB and KR the 2 easiest positions to learn in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 11 minutes ago, Lupz27 said: It does list RB and KR the 2 easiest positions to learn in the NFL. Yeah, but I don’t think you really learn how to be a running back. That’s like one of those things you’re born with, which is why dudes that run 4.65/40s can be Hall of Famers at it and elite athletes usually suck at it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupz27 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 minute ago, T0mShane said: Yeah, but I don’t think you really learn how to be a running back. That’s like one of those things you’re born with, which is why dudes that run 4.65/40s can be Hall of Famers at it and elite athletes usually suck at it. Agree it takes a special kind of stupid (see Smith, Emmitt) to play RB in the NFL, but I also think that same trait applies to Star Rugby players so. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
static14 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 He could be a great special teamer. Maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New York Mick Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 47 minutes ago, T0mShane said: I mean, if those numbers are accurate at 6’1, 200 lbs, that’s a third round athlete. I wonder why they waste these rugby guys on offense, though. You’d think the conversion to safety or LB would be easier for them and they’d find more reps for them in practices. It’s impossible to learn the receiver position on the fly because it ****s with the QB when you run a bad pattern. Dealing with blocking and pass coverage is completely foreign to rugby. Running with the ball would be an easiest transition. It’s easier to follow your blockers then trying to avoid them. Special teams would be easy again minus the blocking. He should be able to bulk up a little as well since he’s not playing two nonstop 40 minute halves. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry McCockinner Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, New York Mick said: I’m not sure why he’d leave rugby at the top of his game to be a nobody in the NFL but he’s a good rugger. I don't know what they make as professional rugby players but I'm guessing there's an opportunity to make a crap load more money if he does well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choon328 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 58 minutes ago, T0mShane said: Yeah, but I don’t think you really learn how to be a running back. That’s like one of those things you’re born with, which is why dudes that run 4.65/40s can be Hall of Famers at it and elite athletes usually suck at it. Take a look at his highlight reel. He def has natural talent as a RB. He makes a lot of dudes miss and has some really sudden moves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Smith Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Can’t be worse than cannon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenFish Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Wow. Nice highlights. I could see this guy sticking as a RB/ST. He’s really shifty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brex Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 2 hours ago, T0mShane said: I mean, if those numbers are accurate at 6’1, 200 lbs, that’s a third round athlete. I wonder why they waste these rugby guys on offense, though. You’d think the conversion to safety or LB would be easier for them and they’d find more reps for them in practices. It’s impossible to learn the receiver position on the fly because it ****s with the QB when you run a bad pattern. FWIW....Comparing Le'Veon Bell's combine results: 40: 4.45 4.60 bench: 20 24 3-cone: 6.7 or 6.8 6.75 broad: 9'10" 9'10" vert: 35.5 31.5 He's faster but not as big (Le'Veon's same height but 30 lbs more). He's slightly faster that Andre Roberts, so maybe he could contribute on Special Teams and as 3rd down/change of pace back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nixhead Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Practice squad my ASS! This guy will be leaving McGuire in the dust. I expect him to be our starting kick returner, maybe starting punt returner and yes #1 back up running back. Pencil him In! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Jet Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 4 hours ago, New York Mick said: I’m not sure why he’d leave rugby at the top of his game to be a nobody in the NFL but he’s a good rugger. Because rugby doesn't draw a crowd in Australia. It's basically only played in two states (NSW and Queensland, although my home state has a team - the Melbourne Storm - it's very much the poor second cousin to AFL here in Victoria). The typical attendance at a match ranges from 11,175 people (average crowd for the Parramatta Eels) to 31,234 (average crowd for the Brisbane Broncos). The highest paid athletes in AFL and NRL get on average $1.0-$1.5 million Australian a year to play. So even if you're a fringe player on a NFL roster, you're going to get about the same salary as the highest paid athletes in your domestic competitions. Holmes was being paid $5 million with the Sharks over five years, so he was going to be paid $1 million (Australian) a year. I hope he's better than the last Australian rugby convert to NFL, but so long as he doesn't fumble his first touch, that'll be assured. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Jet Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 I'm not sure how it worked, but apparently the NFL allocated Holmes to the Jets, and allocated rugby union player English player Christian Wade to the Bills, Brazilian judo champion Durval Neto to the Dolphins and German tight end Jakob Johnson to the Patriots. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/09/valentine-holmes-nfl-dream-alive-after-being-picked-up-by-new-york-jets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Jet Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Suggestion in the Australian media that Holmes may not stick around very long if he doesn't get onto the active roster because he has a $1 million per-season deal with the North Queensland Cowboys to play rugby league this season. https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/is-valentine-holmes-heading-to-the-new-york-jets/news-story/d51e81c81937af5cc66c18dba84873d6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 5 hours ago, Nixhead said: Practice squad my ASS! This guy will be leaving McGuire in the dust. I expect him to be our starting kick returner, maybe starting punt returner and yes #1 back up running back. Pencil him In! These guys aren't eligible to make the roster - only the practice squad. EDIT - Actually, it looks like I misread the original article about this. They can earn roster spots / practice squad spots like all other players, but can't be activated from the PS during the season. Quote The International Player Pathway Program, started in 2017, allows athletes from outside the United States a route to making the NFL they might not enjoy otherwise. Teams assigned international players are allowed an exemption on their 90-man rosters through training camp and are afforded an additional practice squad spot during the season -- such players are ineligible from being activated from the practice squad during the season. Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet9 Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 8 minutes ago, jamesr said: These guys aren't eligible to make the roster - only the practice squad. Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk That was going to be my next question. So if you're him, why do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choon328 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Share Posted April 9, 2019 12 minutes ago, jamesr said: These guys aren't eligible to make the roster - only the practice squad. Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk The one good thing is that if the Jets are really interested in making sure they'll be able to keep him on the practice squad they can bump his pay so he doesn't return to Australia. I have to assume that if he's giving this a shot then if he makes the practice squad he'd be willing to give it a shot and stick it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit_toes Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 10 hours ago, Aussie Jet said: Because rugby doesn't draw a crowd in Australia. It's basically only played in two states (NSW and Queensland, although my home state has a team - the Melbourne Storm - it's very much the poor second cousin to AFL here in Victoria). The typical attendance at a match ranges from 11,175 people (average crowd for the Parramatta Eels) to 31,234 (average crowd for the Brisbane Broncos). The highest paid athletes in AFL and NRL get on average $1.0-$1.5 million Australian a year to play. So even if you're a fringe player on a NFL roster, you're going to get about the same salary as the highest paid athletes in your domestic competitions. Holmes was being paid $5 million with the Sharks over five years, so he was going to be paid $1 million (Australian) a year. I hope he's better than the last Australian rugby convert to NFL, but so long as he doesn't fumble his first touch, that'll be assured. Important to note that this wank stain follows Aerial ping pong, a game where grown men run around fumbling the ball in shorts 5 times too small the two states that Rugby League is prevalent are two of the three most populated rugby league produces three of the highest rating most important sporting events nationally, it’s also played on an international level, something that this turd & you lot wouldn’t understand given the insular nature of American football & AFL anyway ****ers, just thought I’d clear that up, I don’t even like your game, it’s crap cyas ?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit_toes Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Aussie Jet said: Suggestion in the Australian media that Holmes may not stick around very long if he doesn't get onto the active roster because he has a $1 million per-season deal with the North Queensland Cowboys to play rugby league this season. https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/is-valentine-holmes-heading-to-the-new-york-jets/news-story/d51e81c81937af5cc66c18dba84873d6 No he doesn’t you eejit, he has no contract, he’s uncontracted ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Jet9 said: That was going to be my next question. So if you're him, why do it? Actually, it looks like I misread the original article about this. They can earn roster spots / practice squad spots like all other players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
British Jet Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Shame really, Wade was the one you’d have wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit_toes Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 7 minutes ago, British Jet said: Shame really, Wade was the one you’d have wanted. Absolute bull the Ra Ra isn’t fit to tie up Val’s shoelaces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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