Valentine Holmes continues his NFL journey as the New York Jets take on the New Orleans Saints at the MetLife Stadium in New York. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:30am (AEST).
While no one questions the athletic ability and professionalism of Valentine Holmes, a successful journey into the final 53-man roster at the New York Jets was never going to be easy.
The Jets have played two pre-season trials to this point, with one win and a loss and Holmes has had limited opportunities to impress.
With a handful of carries and playing as what appears to be the coach’s fifth string running back, the Queenslander has failed to crack double figures in total running metres in each of his appearances thus far.
A few pass receptions have come his way when shifted a little wider in attack, yet his NFL dreams appear on the cusp of extinction.
Playing just a handful of minutes late in the game against Atlanta last weekend, Holmes will once again struggle to make an impact should he live the same fate in this clash with one of the early favourites for the Superbowl.
The Saints are also 1-1 after two trials, yet the third week is traditionally where the big guns are released as the coaches fine tune preparations for the September 8 kick-off.
For Holmes’ sake, let’s hope he gets a chance to shine today and finds some open field opportunites.
Prediction
The Jets are a rebuilding team and the Saints look to be one of the potential powerhouses after going so close last season.
The visitors should be too strong in this trial, depending on the level of experimentation they apply and Holmes will need a little time and luck if he is to be able to show America that he is indeed worthy of a chance in the NFL.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 9:30am (AEST).
Where: MetLife Stadium, New York
When: Sunday 25th August 2019, 9:30am (AEST)
rawr
Guest
They know they have Holmes guaranteed on the practice squad (without taking up one of the squad slots) for the year before getting a real look at him in 2020. Hayne didn't go through the same pathway, so the 49ers couldn't be guaranteed of just stashing him for a year. Hayne seemed less committed than Holmes anyway, since Holmes (by going through the pathways program) has essentially committed to 2 years... no benefit to using that pathway unless he was committed to taking 2 shots at it (actually a hindrance, as we've seen here).
rawr
Guest
Cannon is far from a lock... he's probably under the most pressure of any of the experienced players. Bell, Montomgery & McGuire are much better chances... and with Bell on the roster, there is likely no need to carry 4 backs.
jm
Roar Rookie
Its very much comparing apples to oranges. Yea they are both fruit but they taste different. Ive played both codes and love them in their own way. Yea each position has a different role but you have to do that one role perfectly everytime that ball is snapped otherwise the whole play is ruined. Its a very strategic game and can be very confusing, learning your assignments and each team has different styles of play. Pretty much like a constant game of chess and guessing. Agreed rugby is continuous and is more about endurance, whilst American football is about sharp explosive plays. Hayne was awesome and i enjoyed watching him return the punts and he actually made some good plays. there is no doubt that he is an amazing athlete but its very difficult jumping into a massive league like that. Even though he had some great plays by watching the way he moved, there was still a lot more he had to learn about the game. Plus it didnt help that the whole coaching staff was fired and had to learn a whole new playbook which for him would have been hard to understand. There are a few Aussies that play that arent just kickers. Adam Gotsis who plays for Denver started out here in Aus and probably did it the right way by getting a scholarship to college then making it to the NFL. In the end its hard for anyone to jump into a massive league like the NFL with no experience at all. Same as if an NFL player came to rugby. Hard to compete with people who have been playing it since they were kids.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I remember Manfred. Singo paid for him to come out and play for the Jets in 1977. He was a black guy which made him stand out, and in his first game against the Maggies he scored a try. But he wasn't fit to play league. He ran out of puff. They moved him into the second row , but no good. I don't think he even played 6 games before heading back home.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I love the nonsense of the NFL about it being way too complex a game for players of the Rugby codes to understand... really? It seems to me that the game is extremely simple and broken down into roles so specialised that it would take a fraction of what is required in the rugby codes where engagement is longer and far more intense. The Hayne experiment at the 49ers proved this to me . He was starved of opportunity as if to feed the myth of US athletic superiority. I only remember one NFL player to try to make the conversion the other way around.. Manfred Moore a winger with Newtown in the seventies.. he couldn’t believe the physicality and workload and as a result bowed out pronto. It’s a closed shop and these NRL kids trying their hand will struggle to ever be given a fair shot
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full-Time No further score and the Saints have beaten the Jets in New York. Valentine Holmes' dreams of becoming an NFL player appear to have been dashed. Once again given little opportunity to impress, the former rugby league star was only thrown into the action late in the 4th quarter. He appeared in the unusual role of a punt returner and brought the ball back 21 yards before being tackled. The Jets have showed their hand and despite appearing to value and enjoy the Queenslander's company, don't seem to have space in the 53 man squad for him. Holmes was not giving a chance at running back nor wide receiver and takes away another very moderate statistical haul from a trial match. In very much a repetition of Jarryd Hayne's venture into the glitz of the NFL, Holmes' phone will be ringing almost immediately, with a host of NRL clubs surely hoping to grab his signature for 2020. Final Score New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………28
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15' 1st down for the Saints at the New Orleans 40 and then 2nd and 5 at the 35. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………28
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15' Now 3rd and 11 at the Saints 45. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15' The Jets have the ball on their 45, 2nd and 21. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………28
Jason Mash
Guest
In regards to Val; I’m sure the question we are all asking is why? Why not experiment in the preseason and see what he can do?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
13' No gain for the Saints as they now plan their 3rd and goal attack at the two-minute warning. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
How did you see Holmes’ performance today? Plenty to analyse. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
13' Hill calls a time out. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
12' 2nd and goal now after a stop by the Jets' defence. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
12' Hill throws long and Grayson catches for a huge first down. The Saints 1st and goal. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
12' The Saints start on their own 42. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11' Sadly, the Jets are forced to punt and that may be the last moment Holmes has to impress. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11' WOW, I just need to calm down a little after that moment of excitement! New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11′ Well that was a highlight. Holmes on as a punt returner. He did alright. I guess. He is back on the bench now! New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23</strongH
Stuart Thomas
Expert
11′ They punt and the returner is HOLMES!!!!!! HE IS ON!!! He returns to ball for 21 yards. New York Jets…………………..13 New Orleans Saints……………23