South Sydney Rabbitohs star Tom Burgess could be following Jarryd Hayne to American football, with Adam Schefter of ESPN’s NFL Insider tweeting on Friday that the New York Giants had “worked out” – essentially trialled – the English prop.
Schefter said Burgess was being eyed off as a tight end, an offensive position with an emphasis on receiving and blocking.
However, the Rabbitohs have been quick to hose down speculation their prized prop – whose contract extension earlier this year was said to have been a driving force in their re-signing of older brother Sam – was about to depart the 13-man code.
Souths’ take on it is that the younger Burgess is in New York “to develop his skills by participating in NFL training during his off-season break”, and has the club’s full support.
“We’re fully supportive of our players trying to improve themselves,” said coach Michael Maguire.
“This will provide a unique and valuable experience for Thomas, one that he will no doubt learn a lot from and in turn be able to bring back to the Rabbitohs for the coming season.”
However, it was a similar set of circumstances last year that saw Hayne leave Parramatta. He initially went to America on a club-sanctioned ‘fact-finding mission’ to the Seattle Seahawks.
Upon his return, the star fullback dropped the sporting bombshell of the year, resigning from the Eels to pursue his NFL dream.
And while the Rabbitohs’ media release concluded, “Thomas Burgess is contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2018 season”, if the Giants really are keen to see Burgess wearing a helmet and pads, surely whatever transfer fee they have to pay would be a drop in the ocean considering the NFL salary cap is more than $US140 million annually.
Burgess has previously spoken of his desire to test himself out in the American code.
“I have shown interest in NFL for a while and I’d spoken to a few of my friends about how I’d love to go there,” Burgess told Fairfax Media in May.
Horace
Guest
Good god - another over the top response for a RL player. Today another 2 pages on Hayne in both tele and SMH - good luck to him and I hope he gets back to the top level but he is in the practice squad....3 months ago he was going to revolutionise NFL...
pete bloor
Guest
I think you've massively over simplified what a player has to do on any given play.
Russ, Russell, me
Guest
Really the only ones who should be upset at this prospect are the English coaching set up. It is so typical that at a moment when the Poms might have a competitive side some one fancies giving a sport ne knows next to nothing about a try! Other than that a non-event inside a non-story same as when anyone jumps ship; move on please, nothing to see here! Apart from for those who like vicarious glory rather than the real thing!
Nate
Guest
His hands would be the biggest issue. As a bunnies fan I have watched both him and George drop way too many balls. In the NFL defenders mercilessly attack the ball trying to shake it loose and they come from all directions a lot of the time. If you can't hold onto it when defenders can't attack the ball, what hope do you have when they can?
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
Mate I don't know. It would take him a few years, and he would have to change his body shape I imagine. Which wouldn't be too hard since endurance is not required. If he dedicated the rest of his career to NFL I see no reason why he has any less chance than anyone else. He is a specimen. Our players have skills that NFL players don't. Hayne is the exception to the rule? What do you base that on? NRL players are one for one. 100% success. And that was after 8 weeks.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Reggie what position if any would he make it in then ? Hayne is the exception not the rule.
Pat Malone
Guest
He's not going. This is a claytons run to get it out of his system
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
There is no way he could make it. Americans are the best. They are much stronger and faster with better hands blah blah blah.
Ken
Guest
I think you've got the wrong Burgess, this is a taller, wider but slightly less talented brother.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Big Thomas doesn't have the hands to be a tight end. He and George would drop 1 or 2 balls a game. How would he go catching a bullet from Eli Manning. The only position where he would be suited would be offensive lineman. Even then he's probably a bit undersized !
Super-Human
Guest
Please, I watch a lot of A-Football and the only complex position is QB. American Football is all about practice makes perfect. Knowing the plays and doing them to perfection, all the brains stay with coaches and the QB. Rugby is more complex because there is a lot of intricacies they need to learn, and then they have to think about them through 80 minutes. The only reason it is easier to convert is because the basic skills are the same while the NFL skills are totally different. It is harder to convert to NFL because the skill sets required are different, not because it is more complex. The plays are complex, but the players are not required to come up with them, just do what they are told.
Council
Guest
Wait chit... ignore that. I just saw Sam instead of Tom.... Sorry.
Council
Guest
He couldn't work out Union, NFL is far more specialised...
Birdy
Guest
There goes the slush fund . Lol