Chiefs Work Out a Wrestler....Who Has Never Played Football
by Joel Thorman on Oct 7, 2009 11:24 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintThe Kansas City Chiefs worked out a man by the name of Jermail Porter according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star. Hailing from Kent State, Porter is a wrestler, not a football player. Did he play in high school, though? Nope. Any experience playing competitive football? Nope.
He didn't even play peewee football because he was always over the weight limit.
Porter was an offseason tryout for the New England Patriots, who were likely trying to duplicate what they did with guard Stephen Neal, another former wrestler. But Neal had at least played in high school. He's been playing guard for the Patriots for several years. Porter said he was well aware of Neal's history with wrestling.
"I watched a lot of wrestling film on Stephen Neal, first and foremost, because he’s probably the greatest heavyweight in college of all time, and he’s known internationally," Porter said. "So I watched a lot of film on him because this was the avenue he took. It just seemed like it could be a possible transition for me, too.
The Patriots likely brought him in because their defensive coordinator was the former Kent State head coach, so that's the connection. The Patriots also drafted quarterback-turned-wide receiver Julian Edelman so that's another connection. Porter had said he had been thinking about making the jump to football since last year.
His time with the Patriots ultimately didn't work out but head coach Bill Belichick said he's got a good frame (6'5", 310 pounds) and good balance because of his wrestling background.
In a feature with the Boston Globe, Porter said he's just trying to learn as much as possible.
"Yeah, it's definitely not easy," said Porter. "I just got to try to learn as much as I can in the time I have out here. I'm just trying to be a sponge."
The Patriots said they were going to try him on the offensive and defensive lines. Teicher speculates that if anything happens with him, it'll likely be as an off-season developmental thing.
Here are a few links on him:
- Providence Journal: Rookie Jermail Porter hopes first football is pro football
- Boston Globe feature
- VIDEO: Porter and Belichick speak
- Q&A with Porter
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Well since he was a wrestler he knows how to use leverage and such
but it would take him a long time to get the skill set he would need it anything happens with this
Good to see
We’re looking in every cupboard, every crack for athletes…Patriots converted quite a few non-football players, so I’m not surprised. If the kid is given 1 job and it turns out he can do it incredibly well, they’ll find a spot for him on the team.
So this is what we've come to
Damn…thats pretty bad. If only Carl would’ve had his head out of his ass and drafted a few linemen a few years back when Roaf and Shields retired. WOW.
by ChiefsFanInTexas on Oct 7, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions
and overreactions abound
wrestlers actually translate to the best O-lineman because they know how to leverage weight and push people around. There are hurdles this guy will need to learn in order to gain a job (essentially who to block and when), but chances are that he will be successful if he can pick that stuff up.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
Well at least the front office knows our Oline sucks balls
This guy cant be any worse than the circus that is currently there.
that would be hilarious
hell as a wrestler 6’5 310—I’d bet the guy can move. Don’t see any problem with giving this a shot. Holding penalties will be an issue
Are you sh*ttin' me? You're
sh*ttin’ me, right? A friggin’ wrestler? Please tell me you’re sh*ttin’ me!
Wow
RIP Bodhi - Not tragic to die doing what you love. You want the ultimate thrill, you gotta be willing to pay the ultimate price.
by craig in calgary on Oct 7, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions
Uh, perhaps this is the start
of “twenty-two guys off the street”?
by G.L. on Oct 7, 2009 11:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Nope.
That was only if he started fresh with them from Day One. Right now, with a quarter of the season gone already, Haley’s only guaranteeing 1.5 wins.
Technically.
He’d’ve only needed to get .5 wins to make his goal for this part of the season, though.
You know I couldn't pass up this chance
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09
And Succop will be the Key in two of them.
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
wow...Dan Saleaumua really let himself go
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Oct 7, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
tank and edwards move over...
here’s our new NT.
by MountainManMike on Oct 7, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions
really? is this what its come to? pioli should call vince mcmahon and broker a deal for The Big Show who is probably big enough to play RG and Center simultaneously
by golfbard on Oct 7, 2009 11:56 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I hope it's not the white dude on the right.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Oct 7, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Does anyone else think
he looks a little like Barry Richardson?
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
IS HE SMOKING A CIGARETTE?
He’s a bad ass. sign him NOW!
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 7, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Sounds interesting
He is a good size for a lineman. He knows how to move people around and obviously has athletic ability. While he probably wouldn’t contribute any time soon, I say why not.
Would any team be criticized for trying out Usain Bolt at a WR or RB posistion. Just because he hasn’t ever played the game, doesn’t mean he can’t make a contribution. yes it’s a reach, but it’s all about the right 53 isn’t it.
What is our risk? Nothing.
I think it is great that Pioli is leaving not leaving any stone unturned. There is no risk, and very little cost. Probably won’t work out, but if it does great. The guy is a big srong athlete, and probably plays better with leverage than Niswanger and Goff have been. He might take awhile, but I bet when he gets his hands on someone he does pretty well.
U Don't C Me?
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
maybe the guy is the antithesis of Ernie "The Cat" Ladd
man I liked that guy … DL started with Houston Oilers, came to KC in the 60’s and teamed up with Buck Buchanon & Co for awhile … eventually went from football to pro wrestling
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Typical reaction from this crowd
Someone mentioned the word “circus”, do you guys ever look in the mirror.
He’s obviously a practice squad candidate. I remember when he came to the Pats the day after the draft, Belichick said he didn’t know if he could be converted to a offensive guard like Stephen Neil or a defensive tackle. But he’s just a great raw athlete.
Hell, Stephen Neil was on the practice squad for years as a developmental player. He turned out pretty Ok. I think this guy has a lot more upside than Goff and Waters isn’t going to be around forever.
we could have used him in that rain game against the seahawks many years back.
by MountainManMike on Oct 7, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Stop copying every move the Pats make...
I just wish the Chiefs would stop making copying everything that the Pats or Cards do, KC has its needs its own identity, establish it!
yeah, all that stuff that pioli did to win superbowls in NE…lets not do that.
by MountainManMike on Oct 7, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I'm gonna be sick
wow really, we cant get a piece of credibility for nothin….
…i really feel like I’m in a real-life version of the replacements.
My beloved Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since i was in 1st grade.
Perfect developmental player
No reason to not look under every rock. Honestly, how many other teams would consider this? If it doesn’t work out, who cares. If it does, it was worth it. Can’t score if you don’t take the shot.
Some of you guys kill me
They worked the guy out to see where he’s at. They didn’t give him millions of dollars and hand him a starting spot on the team. I love how we want to build a team that is consistantly at the top of the league (like the Patriots) but when Pioli does the same things that were done at the Patriots we go “Oh man, more Patriots crap, let’s get our own team!” We have our own team, and it SUCKS. I for one would love us to become the Patriots of the midwest. Along that same line the reason Pioli has brought in guys that were with the Patriots is NOT because he is trying to copy the hoodie, its because he liked those players when he was in NE. If he thought they were good enough for the Super Bowl contender he helped build, why would they not be worth a look for our 2-14 steaming pile of dog poo we have here in KC?
It's a good thing Pioli and Haley aren't running AP or a lot of you guys would of been traded or cut for cast offs from the Pats Pulpit.
by KCporkchop on Oct 7, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Former Chief Curly Culp had some good years and he was a wrestler.
My guess would be a Nose Guard. Leverage could really make a difference.
He also played football.
In college. At Arizona State.
He used his wrestling experience to enhance his foundation of football skills. He didn’t try to learn his football skills once he got into the Pros after only having had exposure to wrestling.
There’s sort of a major difference there.
You need to look no farther than..
our Christian Okoye as an example of an athlete from another sport making the transition to football. He came to the US to compete inn track and field at Azusa Pacific and then played football for them for three years. He had never seen a football game till he came to the US. I think he transitioned ok.
To bad NLF Europe isn’t still around to develop players. All you can do now is put him on the practice squad and give him a full off season of OTA’s to see what you got.
Tony Gonzo too....
He started out as a basketball player first and foremost. He wanted to be a basketball player before he was singled out for football. He’s an amazing all around athelete.
by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 7, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Except that ...
He was also an accomplished football player in high school: 62 catches for 945 yards and 13 TDs, first team All-America selection at both Tight End and Linebacker (per wikipedia).
I know....
but he thought he was going to go pro for bball…..but he was too awesome on the fball field….lol
by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 7, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions
That scratch-scratch-scratch sound you hear ... ?
That’s the Chiefs scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Classic Line from The Replacements
“No one can beat Dallas with this bunch of losers…..”
Shane Falco “I can”
Negative Ghost Rider the pattern is full...
He also played college ball.
At Arizona State. This guy hasn’t had that experience which is, you know, sort of the point of this whole thing.
Antonio Gates
Surprised he hasn’t been mentioned.. He didn’t play a down of football all throughout college and he’s the second or third best TE in the league..
Basketball- Tight Ends
Wrestling- Linemen
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
An athlete is an athlete is an athlete
Just takes a bit of coaching. Personally, I’d like to see them work out a Sumo wrestler, seeing as a lot of the back and forth in the trenches is a bunch of slap-boxing and leverage, which a Sumo wrestler would be WELL versed in.
Not to mention Sumo wrestlers have some pretty quick feet and a pretty good short range burst.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
You guys swear like its the end of the world.
Who cares if it doesn’t work out, but if he does pan out and becomes good you guys will be like “Ya i told everybody he would be good”. Give it a break. He has better leverage and a different kind of strength to go along with that so chill and stop complaining.
You guys say we need to get better, well, they are obviously trying.
Think how many
guys come through for work outs that don’t get mentioned. Sorry to burst anyones bubble, but this is common business practice in the NFL. Teams are constantly bringing guys in to try out. The only reason this is mentioned is because this guy was a wrestler.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 7, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions
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