Fifteen NFL teams have registered their interest in Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes
FIFTEEN NFL clubs have registered their interest in Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes as a confident Taumalolo declared he was talented enough to convert to American football.
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FIFTEEN NFL clubs have registered their interest in Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes as a confident Taumalolo declared he was talented enough to convert to American football.
NFL scouts were so serious about signing Taumalolo and Holmes, the pair were set to undergo psychological profiling at their official workout early on Sunday (Qld time) in Los Angeles.
Some NRL judges believe the duo’s American trip is nothing more than a gimmick but almost half the NFL’s 32-team league has their hat in the ring.
The USA’s top footballing scouts have descended on the City of Angels.
The Buffalo Bills are keen. So is Jarryd Hayne’s former NFL outfit the San Francisco 49ers.
Other clubs who have notified the NFL of their attendance include Arizona, San Diego, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Seattle, Carolina and Indianapolis.
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Green Bay, LA Rams, Chicago Bears, Kansas City and the New York Jets lodged interest late on Saturday.
Never before has Australian rugby league talent attracted such a level of NFL interest.
Taumalolo and Holmes were on Saturday sent an email outlining the drills they would perform during a two-hour testing session.
Both admitted to feeling as nervous as they were excited, but Taumalolo said the sporting gifts that propelled him to a Dally M Medal in rugby league were evidence he could make it in the NFL.
“I think I can do it,” the Cowboys Test back-rower told The Sunday Mail.
“I just need to show what I’m capable of as an athlete at this workout.
“I’m confident if Val and myself make the switch to NFL we will go pretty good. I feel we are just as talented as anyone else.
“I’m not much of a talker in rugby league, I’m a doer, so the only way I can say something is if I go out in this test and give my all.
“I’m feeling a little nervous but excitement more than anything ... I want to test myself as an athlete in a different game.”
Taumalolo and Holmes accept they could not afford to put a foot wrong in their trial.
Each year, more than 10,000 American football players gush into the system chasing their NFL dreams. There is no second chance for two Aussie greenhorns.
On Saturday afternoon, the pair were walking LA streets purchasing gridiron gear.
With all shops closed on thanksgiving two days ago, they were unable to purchase American football-style cleats. NFL scouts told Taumalolo and Holmes the boots they wore in the NRL would suffice.
The workout was to take place at an LA private school where fees start at $26,780.
Upon arriving, Taumalolo and Holmes were set to perform the usual NFL combine tests consisting of height and weight checks, plus measurements for hands, arms, legs, biceps and chest.
The trial would then progress to a 40-yard dash, followed by vertical and broad jumps, before scouts assessed agility during cone and shuttle runs.
Stage three was a series of NFL-specific skill drills followed by strength test and a “questionnaire and paperwork” exercise.
The final written task ostensibly represents a “psych test” to determine whether they possessed the mindset to succeed in the brutal world of the NFL.
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen has written off Holmes’ gridiron prospects, but the Sharks flyer said if he was offered an NFL contract, he would consider quitting the NRL.
“Yep definitely, I would probably take it (the NFL deal),” Holmes said.
“I would see my contract out with the Sharks and respect them for what they have done. But if the NFL did offer me something, it’s something I’d like to do ...
“This (playing NFL) is something I have wanted to do.”
Taumalolo is eyeing an NFL career as a crash-tackling linebacker and says he is happy to sacrifice running the ball to be part of the showpiece American sport.
“Obviously I wouldn’t be as devastating without the ball as I am running with it, but there’s a lot to do in the NFL as a linebacker,” he said.
Taumalolo and Holmes’ agent, Pacific Sports Management director Chris Orr, believes the level of interest is a reflection of their athletic ability and the fact highly respected Jeff Foster, who runs the NFL Combine, is conducting the workout.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of Jeff’s experience involved,” Orr said. “The boys are excited ... professionally it’s a great experience.”
Originally published as Fifteen NFL teams have registered their interest in Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes
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